Somatostatin levels during infancy, pregnancy, and lactation: a review

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A Goldstein1, R Armony-Sivan, A Rozin

  • 1Department of Psychology, Bar Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.

Peptides
|January 1, 1995
PubMed

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.

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