Hormones in bovine milk and milk products: A survey

A survey of the published data on the occurrence of hormones in milk and milk products is presented. Bovine milk and colostrum contain a large number of hormones from either steroidic or peptidic origin. The main categories to which these molecules belong are gonadal (estrogens, progesterone, androgens), adrenal (glucocorticoids), pituitary (prolactin, growth hormone) and hypothalamic hormones (GRH, LH-RH, TRH). Other molecules, such as proteins related to the parathyroid hormone, insulin, somatostatin, calcitonin, bombesin, erythropoeitin and melatonin, are also of interest. The exact role of hormones in the development of the newborn is still not known, but it is believed that they may contribute to the growth of the newborn and to the development and maturation of its gastrointestinal and immune systems.