Nerve growth factor in mouse milk during early lactation: Lack of dependency on submandibular salivary glands

Abstract

Using a specific and sensitive nerve growth factor radioimmunoassay we show nieasurahle quantities of β nerve growth factor in mouse milk during the period of early lactation. Partial purification by cationic exchange resin yielded a preparation which exhibited biological activity in a PC-12 cell bioassay system. Submandibular-sublingual sialoadenectomy had no influence on the breast milk NCF concentrations. These results support the presence of bioactive NCF in mouse milk during early lactation, but do not clarify he source. © 1985 International Pediatric Research Foundation, Inc.