Vascular endothelial growth factor in breast milk

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor is a consequence of angiogenesis links, while at the same time it exhibits different activity under changes in breast milk storage conditions.

Purpose. To study the vascular endothelial growth factor (vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF) in breast milk and peripheral blood in women with different states of health in the dynamics of lactation, to assess the effect of physical exposure on this indicator.

Material and methods. 96 lactating women were enrolled in the study. The sampling of breast milk and peripheral blood for the laboratory part of the study was carried out 3–5 days after birth, then after 1, 3, and 6 months of lactation. To assess the influence of physical factors on the level of VEGF in breast milk, different modes of temperature exposure were used: freezing and long-term (up to 6 months) storage, heating in a microwave oven up to +60°C.

Conclusion. It has been shown that the VEGF level does not change in samples obtained from women with different states of health during pregnancy and lactation. Preservation of milk at a low temperature affects the reduction of this protein by more than 4 times. Rapid heating of samples by microwave exposure (up to +60°C) leads to partial inactivation of the protein.