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Glucocorticoids in human, cow and rat milk
Endocrinologia Experimentalis
|October 1, 1983
Summary
Corticosteroids are present in human, cow, and rat milk, with concentrations varying by species. Thin layer chromatography revealed specific steroid hormones, suggesting potential blood-to-milk transport.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Biochemistry
- Lactational Physiology
Background:
- Corticosteroids are crucial hormones with diverse physiological roles.
- The presence and specific types of corticosteroids in milk are not fully characterized across species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and identify corticosteroid concentrations in human, cow, and rat milk.
- To investigate the potential origin of these milk-borne corticosteroids.
Main Methods:
- Competitive protein binding (CPB) assay was used for corticosteroid quantification.
- Thin layer and paper chromatography were employed for hormone identification and separation.
Main Results:
- Human milk contained 20-136 ng/ml, cow milk 8-18 ng/ml, and rat milk averaged 144 ng/ml of corticosteroids.
- Cortisone, cortisol, and progesterone were identified in human milk; cortisol and progesterone in cow milk; and corticosterone in rat milk.
- Lower cortisol levels in human milk were noted when chromatography preceded the CPB assay.
Conclusions:
- Corticosteroids are demonstrably present in the milk of multiple mammalian species.
- Hormone identification suggests species-specific profiles.
- Findings support the hypothesis of corticosteroid transport from maternal plasma to milk.