EFFECTS OF PINEALECTOMY, CONSTANT LIGHT AND DARKNESS ON GROWTH HORMONE LEVELS IN THE PITUITARY AND PLASMA OF THE RAT

1972 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. RELKIN
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Constant Light ◽  
Constant Darkness ◽  
Continuous Darkness ◽  
Plasma Gh

SUMMARY The effects of constant light, constant darkness, and diurnal lighting, in combination with pinealectomy or sham pinealectomy, on pituitary and plasma concentrations of radio-immunoassayable growth hormone (GH) were investigated in 23- to 24-day-old male rats. In addition, the effects on pituitary, accessory sex organ, testes, adrenal and body weights, as well as tail length, were measured. Three days after operation random groups of pinealectomized and sham-pinealectomized animals were placed in either continuous light, continuous darkness or diurnal light, and killed 28–29 days later. Analysis of the results revealed that the sham-pinealectomized group exposed to constant darkness differed from the other five groups by showing lower pituitary and plasma GH concentrations, body weight, tail length and accessory sex organ weight relative to body weight and testes weight. No statistically significant differences were found in pituitary or adrenal weights. It is concluded that increased pineal function occurring in darkness probably inhibits secretion of GH releasing factor, decreasing pituitary synthesis and release of GH.

EFFECTS OF PINEALECTOMY AND CONSTANT LIGHT AND DARKNESS ON PROLACTIN LEVELS IN THE PITUITARY AND PLASMA AND ON PITUITARY ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE RAT

1972 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-NP ◽  
Author(s):  
R. RELKIN ◽  
M. ADACHI ◽  
S. A. KAHAN
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Virgin Female ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Constant Light ◽  
Constant Darkness ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Continuous Darkness ◽  
Prolactin Content ◽  
Intermediate Degree ◽  
Pituitary Prolactin

SUMMARY The effects of constant light, constant darkness and diurnal lighting, in combination with pinealectomy or sham-pinealectomy, on pituitary and plasma concentrations of radioimmunoassayable prolactin were investigated in 8-week-old male and virgin female rats. Two to three days after operation random groups of pinealectomized and sham-pinealectomized animals of the same sex were placed together in either continous light, continuous darkness or diurnal light, and killed 21 days later. Compared with sham-operated diurnally-illuminated controls, constant darkness caused a decrease in pituitary prolactin content and a rise in plasma prolactin levels. Pinealectomy or constant illumination reversed the effect of constant darkness, resulting in an increase in pituitary prolactin content and a fall in plasma prolactin levels when compared with sham-operated diurnally-illuminated controls. Electron microscopy of lactotrophic cells of the sham-pinealectomized animals exposed to constant darkness revealed few cytoplasmic granules, whereas these cells in the sham-pinealectomized animals exposed to constant light contained abundant granules; compared with the former groups, lactotrophic cells of sham-pinealectomized rats exposed to diurnal lighting revealed an intermediate degree of granulation.

Recombinant growth hormone in growing lambs: effects on growth, feed utilization, body and carcass characteristics and on wool growth

1989 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 195 ◽  
Author(s):  
AS Zainur ◽  
R Tassell ◽  
RC Kellaway ◽  
WR Dodemaide
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Recombinant Dna ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Recombinant Growth Hormone ◽  
Linear Change ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Quadratic Response ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Plasma Gh

Groups of six crossbred lambs, three wethers and three ewes, about 22 kg liveweight (LW), were injected subcutaneously with 0, 50, 150 and 250 pg (kg LW) d a y 1 of recombinant DNA-derived bovine growth hormone (rebGH) for 60 days. From blood sampled twice weekly 4.5 h after injection, the mean plasma concentrations of growth hormone (GH) (P<0.01) and insulin (P<0.05) were significantly increased. The mean concentrations of GH were 2.9, 7.1, 9.4 and 8.8 8g/l, while insulin concentrations were 24.2, 29.5, 46.8 and 68.2 mU/l for the respective treatments. Maximum concentrations of plasma GH were recorded about 3 h after injection. Rates of liveweight gain were 180, 217,238 and 261 g/day (P<0.001), fccd conversion ratios were 5.71,4.97,4.66 and 4.05 g feed/g gain ( P < 0.001), and warm carcase weights were 14.4, 16.4, 16.6 and 16.8 kg (P < 0.0 1) for the respective treatments. The linear change in warm carcase weights became a quadratic response (P<0.05) when adjusted to an empty body weight (EBW) of 28.8 kg. Wool growth was not affcctcd by treatments. Of the non-carcase components, major organs including the head (P<0.01), feet (P<0.05), heart (P<0.05), liver and gallbladder (P < 0.05), reticula-rumen (P < 0.05), omasum (P<0.05) and blood (P<0.01) showed linear increases in weight with increasing dosage of rebGH, but no significant differences when data were adjusted to a standard EBW. The chemical composition of the carcase showed that crude protein increased linearly (P<0.001) with increasing doses of rebGH. When adjusted to 28.8 kg empty body weight, there was 16.0�/o more carcase protein (P<0.01) with 250 than with 0 8g (kg LW)-1 day-1 of rebGH.

Effects of clofibrate on plasma tryptophan, growth hormone, and prolactin and on brain tryptophan and serotonin in prepubertal rats

1978 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-273
Author(s):  
Yvette Tache ◽  
Jacques Letarte ◽  
Robert Collu
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Somatic Growth ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Free Fraction ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Plasma Tryptophan ◽  
Free Tryptophan ◽  
Prepubertal Rats ◽  
Plasma Gh

The effects of clofibrate administration (200 mg/kg, po) on somatic growth, plasma levels of lipids, tryptophan, growth hormone (GH), and prolactin (PRL), as well as on brain concentrations of tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were studied in prepubertal male rats. The drug did not significantly alter ponderal growth, but an appreciable reduction of tail length was observed in rats treated for 30 days. Triglyceride concentrations in plasma showed a 43% diminution after 30 days of treatment, whereas free fatty acid (FFA) levels were not modified. Clofibrate administration for 7, 15, or 30 days caused a fall in total tryptophan and a significant increase of the free fraction in plasma with no change in brain tryptophan levels. Brain 5-HT was generally unaffected but a marked elevation of this parameter was noted in rats treated for 15 days. Plasma GH and PRL concentrations remained unaltered. It may be concluded from these findings that the slight reduction of somatic growth, the diminution of triglycerides, and the increase of free tryptophan in plasma, induced by chronic clofibrate treatment, are not associated with variations in brain tryptophan and 5-HT levels or with modifications of plasma GH and PRL titers.

Pituitary and plasma levels of growth hormone in Booroola sheep that are either homozygous carriers or non-carriers of the FecBB fecundity gene

1995 ◽  
Vol 147 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-223
Author(s):  
L G Moore ◽  
K P McNatty ◽  
K L Isaacs ◽  
S Lun ◽  
W Ng Chie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
First Year ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Ram Lambs ◽  
Plasma Gh ◽  
First Year Of Life

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the FecBB fecundity gene on plasma concentrations and pituitary content of growth hormone (GH) in sheep. No differences were found between homozygous carriers (BB) and non carriers (++) of the FecBB gene with regard to pituitary GH contents in both ovariectomized and intact ewes. However, ovariectomized ewes had higher levels of pituitary GH than intact ewes (P<0·01). There were no differences between FecBB genotypes with respect to plasma concentrations of GH in 6-year-old ovariectomized ewes bled every 10 min for 12 h or in ram lambs bled weekly during their first year of life. GH levels in the rams decreased until week 27, increased to a peak at week 31 then decreased before increasing again at week 43. Mean plasma GH concentrations in the ewe lambs bled weekly for a year decreased until week 19 then remained at approximately this level for the remainder of the year. Mean GH plasma concentrations in the ram lambs were higher than in the ewe lambs (P<0·001). Ewe lambs that were homozygous for the FecBB gene had lower body weights (P<0·05) and had higher levels of GH (P<0·01) than non carrier ewe lambs during their first year. Before the average age of first behavioural oestrus (36 weeks) GH levels in the ewe lambs were negatively correlated with body weights (r=−0·69, P<0·001, n=22). When body weight was included as a covariate in analysis of variance the genotype difference in ewe lamb plasma GH concentrations was no longer significant. In summary, pituitaries from ovariectomized ewes had higher levels of GH than those from intact ewes. There were no FecBB gene specific differences in pituitary levels of GH, the profile of plasma GH in 6-year-old ovariectomized ewes or in ram lambs during their first year of life. BB ewe lambs had higher levels of GH than ++ ewe lambs during their first year; however, this difference was probably due to the BB ewes having lower body weights than the ++ ewes because body weight was negatively correlated with mean GH levels. Journal of Endocrinology (1995) 147, 217–223

scholarly journals INFLUENCE OF LIGHT ON THE GROWTH AND MALIGNANCY OF A TRANSPLANTABLE NEOPLASM OF THE RABBIT

1927 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 727-751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Pearce ◽  
Wade H. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Bone Metastases ◽  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Malignant Disease ◽  
External Factor ◽  
Wave Length ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Constant Light ◽  
Constant Darkness ◽  
Special Character

Experiments are reported in which an environment of constant and continuous light with a wave-length of from 3022 to 5790 Ångström units, supplied by mercury arcs in crown glass, and of constant darkness, have influenced the course and character of a malignant disease of rabbits induced by a transplantable neoplasm. Under the influence of constant light the level of malignancy was lower than in control animals living under ordinary conditions of diffused sunlight. Under the influence of constant darkness the level of malignancy was somewhat lower than in control animals but the effect of this environment was modified by the special character of the disease prevailing at this time. The incidence of bone metastases was unusually high, but it was greatly increased in the rabbits kept in constant darkness. These observations furnish experimental evidence in support of the belief that there is a correlation between the external factor of light and the manifestations of an experimental malignant disease.

The effect of restricted feeding on growth hormone (GH) secretory patterns in genetically lean and fat wether lambs

2000 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 425-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Francis ◽  
R. P. Littlejohn ◽  
S. K. Stuart ◽  
B. A. Veenvliet ◽  
J. M. Suttie
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Developmental Change ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Restricted Feeding ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Plasma Gh ◽  
And Control

AbstractThe aim of this work was to determine whether developmental changes in growth hormone (GH) secretory patterns and carcass composition were influenced by nutrition and genotype in sheep. Four-month-old wether lambs from lean (low backfat), fat (high backfat) and control selection lines were nutritionally restricted to maintain a 28 kg live weight or given food ad libitum for 24 weeks. Plasma concentrations of GH and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were measured at predetermined times and carcass composition of the animals determined at the end of the trial.From week 3 on, restrictions in dry matter (DM) intake were observed as the ad libitum treatment group had a significantly greater intake than the restricted treatment group (7·70 v. 5·80 kg DM per week, s.e.d. = 0·81). Differences in live weight between the feeding treatments were significant (P < 0·05) at week 9. The restricted feeding regime was associated with significant reductions in plasma levels of IGF-1 but had no effect (P > 0·05) on carcass weight-adjusted carcass fat proportion at the close of the trial. The effect of food restriction on GH secretory patterns was variable. Although there was initially a suppression in mean plasma GH, there was subsequently significantly higher mean plasma GH in the restricted feeding treatment. Periodogram analysis indicated that both the absolute levels of GH and the GH secretory pattern were altered by restricted feeding. In all animals, mean and basal GH concentrations, as well as the frequency and amplitude of pulses, declined from February to March and then increased from May to July (P < 0·001).DM intake and live weight did not differ (P > 0·05) between genotypes, however the fat genotype had greater carcass fatness than lean or control genotypes (P < 0·01). There were no consistent differences between genotypes in plasma IGF-1 concentrations. In the ad libitum treatment, the lean and control genotypes had higher plasma GH levels than the f at genotype but the pattern of GH release did not vary. Under restricted feeding, both the pattern and the level of plasma GH varied between genotypes.It is concluded that the developmental change in GH secretory patterns is affected by nutrition but not in a consistent manner. Although restricted feeding resulted in higher mean plasma GH concentrations later in the trial, this did not result in a change in carcass composition. The biological cues which lead to increased fat deposition in older lambs need further study but plasma GH levels may not he an important mechanism in this process.

Mechanism of action of Hexarelin. I. Growth hormone-releasing activity in the rat

1996 ◽  
Vol 135 (4) ◽  
pp. 481-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Torsello ◽  
Roberta Grilli ◽  
Marina Luoni ◽  
Margherita Guidi ◽  
Maria Cristina Ghigo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
Direct Action ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Surgical Ablation ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Gh Secretion ◽  
Plasma Gh

Torsello A, Grilli R, Luoni M, Guidi M, Ghigo MC, Wehrenberg WB, Deghenghi R, Müller EE, Locatelli V. Mechanism of action of Hexarelin. I. Growth hormone-releasing activity in the rat. Eur J Endocrinol 1996;135:481–8. ISSN 0804–4643 We have reported Hexarelin (HEXA), an analog of growth hormone-releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6), potently stimulates growth hormone (GH) secretion in infant and adult rats. This study was undertaken to further investigate Hexarelin's mechanisms of action. In 10-day-old pups, treatments with HEXA (80 μg/kg, b.i.d.) for 3–10 days significantly enhanced, in a time-related fashion, the GH response to an acute HEXA challenge. Qualitatively similar effects were elicited in pups passively immunized against growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) from birth. In adult male rats, a 5-day pretreatment with HEXA (150 μg/kg, b.i.d.) did not enhance the effect of the acute challenge, and the same pattern was present after a 5-day pretreatment in male rats with surgical ablation of the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH-ablated rats). In addition, in adult sham-operated rats, Hexarelin (300 μg/kg, iv) induced a GH response greater (p < 0.05) than that induced by GHRH (2 μg/kg, iv). However, in MBH-ablated rats 7 days after surgery, GHRH was significantly (p < 0.05) more effective than HEXA, and 30 days after surgery HEXA and GHRH evoked similar rises of plasma GH. Finally, the in vitro Hexarelin (10−6 mol/l) effect was transient while GHRH (10−8 mol/l) induced a longer lasting and greater GH release. Three different mechanisms, not mutually exclusive, are postulated for Hexarelin stimulation of GH secretion in vivo: a direct action on the pituitary, though of minor relevance; an indirect action that involves release of GHRH, of relevance only in adult rats; and an action through the release of a still unknown hypothalamic "factor", which in infant and adult rats elicits GH release acting sinergistically with GHRH. Antonio Torsello, Department of Pharmacology, via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milano, Italy

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LAMB BIRTH WEIGHTS AND FETAL PLASMA GROWTH HORMONE AND INSULIN CONCENTRATIONS

1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 995-1001
Author(s):  
G. J. MEARS
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Plasma Insulin ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Metabolic Clearance ◽  
Plasma Growth Hormone ◽  
Fetal Plasma ◽  
Plasma Gh ◽  
Ovine Fetal

Plasma concentrations of growth hormone (GH) and insulin were monitored in 11 chronically cannulated ovine fetuses and their mothers during the last month of gestation to obtain information on the role that these hormones have in determining fetal growth rate. Maternal plasma GH and insulin concentrations were independent of stage of gestation and lamb birth weights. Fetal plasma insulin concentrations were episodic in nature, independent of stage of gestation, and tended to be higher in fetuses that were heavier at birth. Fetal plasma GH concentrations were only slightly episodic in nature, were tenfold higher than maternal levels at 116–124 d gestation and increased by approximately another 25% prior to parturition. Fetal plasma GH concentrations were negtively correlated with lamb birth weights. In twin preparations, fetal plasma GH concentrations were significantly lower in the twin that was heaviest at birth. The lower GH concentrations found in faster growing fetuses are suggestive of a more rapid metabolic clearance of GH by the tissues of these animals. The results indicate that circulating fetal GH and, possibly, insulin are involved in determining the rate of ovine-fetal growth. Key words: Ovine birth weights, fetal GH, fetal insulin, fetal growth

Factors affecting perithecial production in Gibberella (Fusarium) tricincta

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (22) ◽  
pp. 2497-2500 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. E. El-Gholl ◽  
C. L. Schoulties ◽  
W. H. Ridings
Keyword(s):  
Mass Culture ◽  
Basal Medium ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Colony Growth ◽  
Constant Darkness ◽  
Continuous Darkness ◽  
Hedera Helix ◽  
Pigment Formation ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Leaf Spots

Three pigmentation types (brown, red, and white) of Fusarium tricinctum (Corda) Sacc. were observed when an isolated mass culture from leaf spots on English ivy (Hedera helix L.) was single spored. Perithecia of the heterothallic fungus Gibberella tricincta El-Gholl were produced at 20 and 27 °C on stem pieces of Cynodon dactylan Pers. resting on water agar, under 12-h alternating light and dark when certain pigmentation types were paired. Pairing of red and brown pigmentation types yielded significantly (P < 0.05) more perithecia than red and white pairings at 20 and 27 °C. Perithecia were formed only in combinations of red with brown or white pigmentation types. In both sets of pairings, significantly (P < 0.05) more perithecia were produced at 27 than at 20 °C. No perithecia were formed in constant darkness. Occasionally, the red pigmentation type became white after subsequent transfers and never reverted to the red pigmentation on various media and failed to produce perithecia with any pigmentation type. Continuous darkness slightly favored red pigment formation over continuous light as detected by the Munsell color codes. Increasing temperatures from 20 to 32 °C decreased the colony growth diameter of the red-pigmented cultural type. At 32 °C a change in hue was noted with corresponding changes in color codes. Red mycelial pigmentation was intensified by the addition of copper, iron, manganese, and zinc to a basal medium. The addition of 0.1% yeast extract favored mycelial development and caused a more pronounced red mycelial pigmentation in the presence of heavy metals.

Effect of actively immunizing sheep against growth hormone-releasing hormone or somatostatin on spontaneous pulsatile and neostigmine-induced growth hormone secretion

1995 ◽  
Vol 144 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Magnan ◽  
L Mazzocchi ◽  
M Cataldi ◽  
V Guillaume ◽  
A Dutour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Hormone Secretion ◽  
Growth Hormone Secretion ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Gh Secretion ◽  
Igf I ◽  
Plasma Gh ◽  
Hypophysial Portal

Abstract The physiological role of endogenous circulating GHreleasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin (SRIH) on spontaneous pulsatile and neostigmine-induced secretion of GH was investigated in adult rams actively immunized against each neuropeptide. All animals developed antibodies at concentrations sufficient for immunoneutralization of GHRH and SRIH levels in hypophysial portal blood. In the anti GHRH group, plasma GH levels were very low; the amplitude of GH pulses was strikingly reduced, although their number was unchanged. No stimulation of GH release was observed after neostigmine administration. The reduction of GH secretion was associated with a decreased body weight and a significant reduction in plasma IGF-I concentration. In the antiSRIH group, no changes in basal and pulsatile GH secretion or the GH response to neostigmine were observed as compared to controls. Body weight was not significantly altered and plasma IGF-I levels were reduced in these animals. These results suggest that in sheep, circulating SRIH (in the systemic and hypophysial portal vasculature) does not play a significant role in pulsatile and neostigmine-induced secretion of GH. The mechanisms of its influence on body weight and production of IGF-I remain to be determined. Journal of Endocrinology (1995) 144, 83–90

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document