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Possible physiological role of epidermal growth factor in the development of the mouse mammary gland during pregnancy
Author(s) -
Taketani Yuji,
Oka Takami
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/0014-5793(83)80391-3
Subject(s) - epidermal growth factor , prolactin , mammary gland , endocrinology , medicine , biology , growth factor , lactation , cell growth , pregnancy , hormone , biochemistry , receptor , genetics , cancer , breast cancer
Epidermal growth factor stimulated cell proliferation in a primary mammary epithelial cell culture derived from mice at different stages of pregnancy. Moreover, the peptide hormone inhibited casein production induced by the synergistic actions of insulin, cortisol and prolactin. The inhibitory effect of epidermal growth factor was influenced by the gestational stages of the mammary gland. These effects of epidermal growth factor were exerted at physiological concentrations. The dual actions of epidermal growth factor on mammary cells implicate its participation in regulation of the growth and differentiation of the mammary gland during pregnancy.