Functional similarities between pigeon \u27milk\u27 and mammalian milk : induction of immune gene expression and modification of the microbiota

Pigeon ‘milk’ and mammalian milk have functional similarities in terms of nutritional benefit and delivery of immunoglobulins to the young. Mammalian milk has been clearly shown to aid in the development of the immune system and microbiota of the young, but similar effects have not yet been attributed to pigeon ‘milk’. Therefore, using a chicken model, we investigated the effect of pigeon ‘milk’ on immune gene expression in the Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT) and on the composition of the caecal microbiota. Chickens fed pigeon ‘milk’ had a faster rate of growth and a better feed conversion ratio than control chickens. There was significantly enhanced expression of immune-related gene pathways and interferon-stimulated genes in the GALT of pigeon ‘milk’-fed chickens. These pathways include the innate immune response, regulation of cytokine production and regulation of B cell activation and proliferation. The caecal microbiota of pigeon ‘milk’-fed chickens was significantly more diverse than control chickens, and appears to be affected by prebiotics in pigeon ‘milk’, as well as being directly seeded by bacteria present in pigeon ‘milk’. Our results demonstrate that pigeon ‘milk’ has further modes of action which make it functionally similar to mammalian milk. We hypothesise that pigeon ‘lactation’ and mammalian lactation evolved independently but resulted in similarly functional products

Breast Milk Jaundice Correlates With High Levels of Epidermal Growth Factor

Maternal milk plays an important role in breast milk jaundice (BMJ) development and is the major source of epidermal growth factor (EGF) for neonates. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between EGF levels in the infant serum and in the milk of nursing mothers and BMJ. Two groups were defined: study group (n = 30), newborns who were followed up for BMJ without any identifiable pathologic cause; control group, healthy newborns whose serum total bilirubin levels were <10 mg/dL. Milk and infant plasma samples were collected between the third and the fourth postpartum week. EGF concentrations in all of the samples were determined by using ELISA. The infants with BMJ had higher concentrations of EGF in the serum and in the breast milk compared with that of the infants without BMJ. The milk concentrations of EGF were significantly correlated with neonatal bilirubin and blood EGF concentrations. The degree of BMJ was associated with the increased levels of milk borne EGF. Although the exact mechanisms of the hyperbilirubinemic action of. EGF are not completely known. the inhibition of gastric motility, increased absorption, and activation of bilirubin transport have been suggested as possible mechanisms. (Pediatr Res 66: 218-221, 2009