ABSTRACT. To determine the relation between milk intake and plasma levels of P-casomorphins as a function of age, we studied the levels of P-casomorphin-7 immunoreactive material (BCMIR) in 2-and 4-wk-old beagle neonates and adult dogs following milk intake. We used three kinds of milk: 1) bovine casein-based milk formula; 2) canine bitch's milk, and 3) soy protein-based (noncasein) formula. Using a new extraction technique, BCMIR was isolated from plasma and assayed by radioimmunoassay at 0, 2, 4, and 6 h after feeding. We found that BCMIR increased significantly in both 2-and 4-wk-old puppies post bovine and canine milk feeding, but not after soy protein formula. Base-line values were about 80-120 fmoll ml and increased to 100-120% 2 h after bovine casein intake in the older puppies and by 4 h in the younger group. BCMIR levels were undetectable in adult dogs before or after bovine milk feeding. 0-casomorphin-7 added to plasma was rapidly degraded whereas BCMIR was stable. Chromatographic profiles demonstrated that the BCMIR moiety is larger than ,f3-casomorphin-7. Our data suggest that the appearance of BCMIR in the plasma of neonatal dogs is a result of P-casein degradation along a permeable gastrointestinal mucosa. We speculate that morphiceptin and P-casomorphins can be cleaved from BCMIR and may have important physiologic effects. (Pediatv Res 26: 34-38, 1989) Abbreviations BCMIR, P-casomorphin-7 immunoreactive material TFA, trifluoroacetic acid Recently, peptide fragments of p-casein, a major milk protein, have been shown to possess opioid activity (1). These peptides, known as (3-casomorphins and morphiceptin, exhibit selective popioid receptor activity like that of morphine (2, 3). For example, p-casomorphins have been shown to induce analgesia (4), influence pancreatic function ( 5 , 6), depress cardiorespiratory function (7), and alter behavior (8).Even though the mechanism of cleavage of this peptide from