Hormones in milk behind ‘breasts’ in boys
Oxytocin present in buffalo milk leading to enlargement of breasts among male kids
By : kaniza garari
Update: 2015-05-28 01:00 GMT
Hyderabad: An 11-year-old boy developing breasts had got doctors investigating the reasons for the stimulation of his growth hormones. They realised that it was the growth hormone added to buffalo milk that was the culprit. The mother had taken the boy to doctors as he was ashamed to swim with other children, as they would make fun of him.
Gynaecologist and endocrinologist at Sunshine Hospital, Dr Manjula Anagani, stopped the boy’s intake of milk, following which the growth stopped. Dr Anagani said, “The mother very proudly told us that she gave one big glass of buffalo milk every day to the child. But the milk is adulterated as the buffalos are given oxytocin injections to increase production.”
Oxytocin injections stimulate growth hormones in buffaloes, but the residues are also passed on to humans. Apart from this, there are other hormones in the animal, which too become part of the milk. The end result is that the milk carries a combination of chemicals that affects those drinking it. The problem is that the milk bought directly from a dairy farm is not pasteurised. And at home, it is not boiled properly.
Dr Anagani added, “In this case, there was an imbalance in the ratio of hormones. Oestrogen is found in females, and testosterone is found in males. The adulterated milk was affecting the oestrogen levels in the body leading to enlargement of breasts.”
When milk is not boiled properly, the chemicals remain in the milk. It has to be brought to a boiling point and after that it must be boiled on low flame for another 10 minutes to get rid of all impurities.
These days, milk is warmed in the microwave before being consumed, but this is not sufficient as it allows for easy passage of chemicals. Development of breasts is considered as the first sign of puberty in girls. When it happens to boys, it means that they have female tissues which are growing in the form of lumps. In some cases it disappears after a year.
This was not a one-off case. Doctors say that in the last six months, this was the fifth case they had encountered in the state and said that children were attaining puberty faster, which was a cause of concern.
Gynaecologist Dr Geeta Naidu said, “Boys attain puberty between the age of 14 to 16 years. For them the growth chart so far has remained the same. But there are concerns about stimulation of growth hormones before they are 14. One of the causative factor is found to be milk.” The boy will now undergo liposuction for removal of the enlargement. Doctors have also reported the case to the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to look into the use of oxytocin injections in cattle.