Epidermal growth factor and fluid balance: a review

Abstract

Lambs suffer from high mortality rates within the first 2-3 days after birth. The importance of sucking behaviour for the ingestion of colostrum and subsequently milk by the newborn animal is therefore seen as crucial for its survival and development. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a component of colostrum and milk (Read 1988; Gow et al. 1991) where it is thought to function as a promoter of gut maturation in young animals following ingestion. We recently reported (Gow and Moore 1992) a new physiological function for EGF, that of stimulating fluid intake in adult sheep. Here we present a review of the functions of EGF, particularly as they relate to lactation, body growth, appetite and fluid balance. We hypothesise that another function of EGF in mammary secretions may be to regulate body growth by altering sucking behaviour and activity in the neonate.

Intestinal effects of milkborne growth factors in neonates of agricultural importance.

“…Fewer studies have been performed on species of agricultural importance. To our knowledge, with the exception of one pilot study in lambs (Gow and Moore, 1993), no data are available on ruminant species; however, several reports have examined effects in the piglet (Table 2). Subcutaneous injection of EGF (60 mg·kg −1 ·d −1 ) into 3-d-old pigs for 3 d increased the specific activities of sucrase and maltase in the middle and distal small intestine and reduced lactase in the distal small intestine (James et al, 1987).…”