[Motilin and gastrin in human milk].

The concentrations of motilin and gastrin were determined in the blood and milk of 45 women 3-5 days postpartum, and in the blood of 20 healthy non-pregnant women as control. Plasma motilin concentration (443.05 +/- 140.79 ng/L) and serum gastrin level (301.32 +/- 100.98 ng/L) were significantly higher in postpartum women than those in the control (366.12 +/- 96.23 ng/L and 76.13 +/- 13.11 ng/L, respectively) (P < 0.01). The concentrations of both motilin and gastrin in the milk were approximately one half of those in the blood and they were not present in the boiled milk. The results indicated that both hormones in the human milk may be important for development and maturation of gastro-intestinal function in neonates, especially for immature babies.