Is it safe to consume products obtained from fresh bovine pituitary tissue?



Is it safe to consume products obtained from fresh bovine pituitary tissue?

The consumption of products obtained from fresh bovine pituitary tissue – particularly when no proven benefit can be ascertained – should be approached with caution. Ask your doctor if BPE is appropriate for you.

What are the risks of bovine pituitary extract?

Even though bovine pituitary extract is produced using material from BSE-free herds, prion diseases can take years to develop. Therefore, there is some risk, although small, of acquiring vCJD from taking BPE.

What is bovine pituitary extract?

Bovine pituitary extract, or BPE, is a filtered, water-based extract of fresh pituitary glands from cattle. As a source of growth factors and hormones, BPE is used in tissue culture research to support various cell lines, such as skin, breast, lung and prostate.