Presence of leptin in colostrum and/or breast milk from lactating mothers : A potential role in the regulation of neonatal food intake

• Published in: The journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism Vol. 82; no. 12; pp. 4270 - 4273
• Main Authors: CASABIELL, X, PINEIRO, V, TOME, M. A, PEINO, R, DIEGUEZ, C, CASANUEVA, F. F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Endocrine Society 01.12.1997
• Subjects: Animals; Animals, Suckling - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Colostrum - metabolism; Eating - physiology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hormone metabolism and regulation; Humans; Immunoblotting; Infant, Newborn - physiology; Intestinal Absorption - physiology; Lactation - physiology; Leptin; Milk, Human - metabolism; Pregnancy. Parturition. Lactation; Proteins - metabolism; Radioimmunoassay; Rats; Vertebrates: reproduction; Assay; Human; Biological properties; Feeding behavior; Leptin; Hormonal regulation; Fetus; Colostrum; Hormonal investigation; Breast feeding; Breast milk
• ISSN: 0021-972X; 1945-7197
• DOI: 10.1210/jc.82.12.4270

In neonates both nutrients and regulatory factors are transferred from the mother to the suckling infant via milk. In the present work, it has been shown that human milk contains immunoreactive leptin which is identical to intact human leptin by criteria of charge, size, immunorecognition and SDS-PAGE mobility. In experimental animals it was demonstrated that leptin is transferred from the circulation to mothers' milk, then to the infant's stomach and afterwards to infant blood. Maternal leptin in milk may play a regulatory role in the suckling infant.