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Somatostatin levels during infancy, pregnancy, and lactation: a review
A Goldstein1, R Armony-Sivan, A Rozin
1Department of Psychology, Bar Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
Insights
This review explores somatostatin (SS) levels, finding elevated concentrations in infants, pregnant women, and breast milk. While its role in development requires further study, SS is present throughout early life stages.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
- Neonatology
Background:
- Somatostatin (SS) is a peptide hormone with diverse physiological roles.
- Understanding SS dynamics is crucial for infant development and maternal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing research on somatostatin levels during key life stages: infancy, pregnancy, and lactation.
- To synthesize current knowledge on the physiological significance and potential roles of SS in these periods.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating somatostatin concentrations.
- Analysis of data related to SS levels in neonates, infants, pregnant women, and maternal milk.
- Examination of factors influencing SS levels, such as feeding, sucking, and pH.
Main Results:
- Neonates exhibit elevated circulating SS, peaking at 3 months and remaining high in early childhood.
- Newborns show a poorly developed SS response to feeding.
- Elevated SS levels are observed during pregnancy, particularly in late stages.
- Maternal milk contains high concentrations of SS, protected from degradation but not directly absorbed.
- Sucking's effect on maternal SS is variable, potentially linked to vagal stimulation and basal levels.
Conclusions:
- Somatostatin plays a significant role in early life, with distinct patterns during infancy, pregnancy, and lactation.
- The precise regulatory function of milk-borne SS and its contribution to infant development warrant further investigation.
Abstract:
This paper reviews research on somatostatin (SS) levels during infancy, pregnancy, and lactation. Neonates have elevated levels of circulating SS, which reach a peak at the age of 3 months and then decrease gradually, but remain elevated during the first years of life. SS response to feeding is not well developed in newborns. Elevated levels are also found during pregnancy, especially during the late phases. Influence of sucking on maternal SS plasma levels is varied and could be related to vagal stimulation. pH levels, and basal SS levels. SS has been found in high concentrations in maternal milk. Milk-borne SS appears to be protected from proteolysis by milk components, but apparently SS is not absorbed in its intact form through the duodenal wall and its effects could be indirect. More research is needed to determine the regulating role of milk-borne SS and the contribution of SS to development.