Hormones in milk : origin and roles

Abstract

Numerous hormones are present in milk and for some of them concentration is higher in milk than in plasma. Milk hormones are either transferred directly from blood to milk through the mammary epithelial cells, or are synthesised by the mammary tissue. This article describes the postulated roles of these hormones in regulating mammary epithelial cell secretion and on neonate physiology. It emphasises the importance of hormonal signalling from the mother to the offspring via milk.