Differences in direct pharmacologic effects and antioxidative properties of mature breast milk and infant formulas.

Objective: Early-onset and exclusive breast-feeding provides a significant health benefit to infants compared with infant formulas. The aim of this study was to compare mature breast milk with standard infant formulas by examining their effects on non-vascular smooth muscle contraction and their antioxidative properties.

Methods: The pharmacologic effects of breast milk and formulas were examined using a model system of the rat uterine smooth muscle contraction.