Karleen:  Growth hormones pass through into bovine milk, so I don't see why
they wouldn't pass through into human milk.  The hormones are hydrophobic
compounds, which are carried, stored and concentrated in fat cells.    On a
related topic, the research on mercury, dioxin,  PCBs, and  methylmercury
contaminents in the diet shows that the chemicals do pass through (as
measured by the milk and then the child's hair follicles), but that the
kids' developmental scores were still way higher than those who were formula
fed (controlling for Socioeconomics, health status, etc).  Mom's body
probably holds on to much of it though.  There is a body of research on this
which shows that gh-treated cow's meat and cow milk eaten by children may be
partly responsible for the earlier age of menarche and <<possibly>>  breast
cancer and other reproductive organ cancers.  This is an area of great
controversy with many varying opinions.  IMNSHO, there it is very convincing
that there is a link.
Grandjean, P, Weilhe, and White.   Milestone Development ininfants exposed
to Methylmercury from Human Milk.  Neuro Toxicology 1995; 16: 27-34.

Drexler, H, et al.  "The mercury concentrations in breastmilk can result
from amalgam fillings and dietary habits.  Environ Res. 1998; 77(2): 124-29.

Lanting, C et al. " Neuorological condition in 42 month old children in
relation to pre and postnatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and
dioxin.  Early Human Devel: 1998; 50(3) 283-92.

Warmly,
Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC    [log in to unmask]
mom, wife, educator, lactation consultant, researcher, scientist, author,
organic gardener, photographer, lapidary creator, lousy cleaner.

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