Physiological effects of transforming growth factor in the newborn mouse.

Transforming growth factor-type alpha accelerated incisor eruption and eyelid opening in the newborn mouse and also retarded the growth rates of hair and body weight when administered in high dosage (0.7 to 4 micrograms per gram of body weight). The results of whole animal studies indicate that transforming growth factor-type alpha and epidermal growth factor do not differ significantly in these effects and suggest that transforming growth factor-type alpha may be important in immature animals.