plays a role in the differentiation
of the brain, particularly those
areas involved in sexual devel-
opment. In studies in rats —
whose brains are still in the stage
of active differentiation during
the first week of life — Professor
Koch and collaborators showed
several years ago that interfer-
ing with the neonates' ability to
respond to GnRH during the first
three days of life led to faulty sex-
ual behavior patterns in the ma-
ture male.
"Because the brain is much
more developed in newborn in-
fants than in neonatal rats,"
points out Professor Koch, "there
is no evidence that lack of GnRH
in the milk of infants would lead
to similar behavioral problems."
According to Professor Koch,
the entire range of functions of
GnRH in the brain and other or-
gans has not yet been completely
defined.It is therefore possible
that GnRH assumes in the infant
or in the mother biological activ-
ities that are, as yet, unknown. In
addition, it is now known that sev-
eral neuropeptides are present in
milk in greater concentrations
than those in the blood. It is pos-
sible that at least some of them
also are produced by the mam-
mary gland.
"Since GnRH," he points out,
"is also manufactured in the pla-
centa during embryonic devel-
opment, the continuous supply
of this key peptide to the infant,
first during gestation and then
via nursing, cannot be chalked
up to coincidence. Mother's milk
should, therefore, not be regard-
ed as a mere source of nutrition,
but as a major stimulator of de-
velopmental physiology, as well."
Professor Koch is the Adlai E.
Stevenson III professor of en-
docrinology and reproductive bi-
ology; Professor Fridkin, the
Lester B. Pearson professor of
protein research; and Professor
Burstein, the Maynard Wishner
professor of bioorganic chemistry
and malignant diseases research.
Dr. Palmon is a lecturer at the
Hebrew University - Hadassah
School of Dental Medicine.
Palestinian Vets
Take New Course
A ceremony granting certificates
to 31 Palestinian veterinarians
who completed a course at the
Hebrew University of
Jerusalem's Koret School of Vet-
erinary Medicine was described
recently as "an important and
historic occasion" by Agriculture
Minister Ya'acov Tsur.
The course, lasting one-and-
one-half months and conducted
in English by instructors from
the Koret School, was the first of
its type ever held in Israel specif-
ically for Palestinian veterinary
doctors. It focused on advanced
VETS page 38
Prostate cancer can be successfully treated
when detected in the early stages.
The facts about prostate cancer:
• It is the second most common form of cancer death
among American men.
• An estimated 200,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate
cancer in 1994.
• Approximately 38,000 men will die from prostate cancer this year.
Wednesday, September 21, 1994
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Providence Medical Center West Bloomfield
7416 Haggerty Road (at Fourteen Mile)
810-424-3183
-
Friday, September 23, 1994
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sinai Family Medical Center in Oak Park
13361 West Ten Mile (at Coolidge)
810-547-0700
Many of the 38,000 deaths could have been avoided if the cancer
had been detected at an early stage. That's why Providence and
Sinai are joining forces in the fight against prostate cancer by offer-
ing free prostate cancer screening exams. If you're 40 years of age
or older and would like to register for a free screening, contact the
location nearest you. Early detection and annual testing are the best
weapons in the fight against prostate cancer.
foROVIDENCE
Providence Hospital and Medical Centers
• Sinai