Milk-borne hormones: possible tools of communication between mother and suckling.

Early studies suggested endocrine type mother-pup interaction: 131I administered to suckling rats appeared via the urine of the suckling and mother's milk in the circulation of litter mates who were not injected with iodine; levels of thyroxin in rat milk were influenced by the status of the thyroid gland of the lactating rat. Administration of TRH (thyrotropin releasing hormone) to lactating mothers led to an appearance of unaltered hormones in the milk and stomach content of sucklings. TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) or ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) when given orogastrically to suckling rats increased thyroid hormones and corticosterone serum levels in suckling rats. Functional effects of gastrointestinal administration of insulin, bombesin (mammalian analog of gastrin-releasing peptide) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are reviewed in detail (32 references).