Stimulation of intestinal epithelial cell proliferation in culture by growth factors in human and ruminant mammary secretions.

Samples of human and ruminant mammary secretions stimulated the proliferation of rat intestinal epithelial (RIE-1) cells in culture. The stimulation was dose-dependent, and samples taken prepartum had greater potency than those taken after parturition. When various hormones and growth factors known to be present in milk were tested, only epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) stimulated the proliferation of RIE-1 cells. IGF-I was effective at lower concentrations than insulin, and the maximal stimulation induced by each of these two polypeptides was greater than that induced by EGF. The maximal stimulation induced by samples of mammary secretions was similar to that induced by insulin or IGF-I.