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 ◽  
...  

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

1959 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 387 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Cockrem ◽  
AL Rae

A study has been made of the pleiotropic effects of the gene N on the body growth and the carcass of the Sew Zealand Romney lamb. Measurements of body weight and height at withers were taken from birth to about 5 months of age for lambs born in 1952 and 1953 from matings of N/+ x +/+, N/N x N/N, N/N x N/+, and N/+ x N/+ parents. In 1952, +/+ lambs grew faster than N/+ or N/N lambs and this was shown in the greater body weight of the +/+ lambs at 30 days of age. The differences in weight gains corrected for initial weight were greater for single lambs than for twin lambs. The differences in the height at withers were proportional to those in body weight except for the N/N lambs. The N/N lambs had a greater height at withers for their body weight but this could have been the result of factors other than the gene N which were associated with the N–type flock. N–type ewe lambs kept up to 18 months of age maintained lower body weights than +/+ lambs. In 1953 no differences between N/+ and +/+ lambs were found in body growth. It is suggested that a genetic-environment interaction exists for body growth and that the environmental factor is possibly one of climate. No differences were found between the carcass measurements of N/+ and +/+ ram lambs which could not be attributed to the previous differences in body growth.


1989 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 195 ◽  
Author(s):  
AS Zainur ◽  
R Tassell ◽  
RC Kellaway ◽  
WR Dodemaide

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.


1972 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. RELKIN

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.


1989 ◽  
Vol 257 (3) ◽  
pp. H904-H911 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Ramanadham ◽  
J. J. Mongold ◽  
R. W. Brownsey ◽  
G. H. Cros ◽  
J. H. McNeill

Recent reports have suggested that vanadium in the form of vanadyl (+IV) possesses insulin-like activity. Therefore, in the present study we examined the effects of administering oral vanadyl to diabetic animals. Wistar rats made diabetic with streptozotocin and age-matched controls were maintained for 10 wk in the absence and presence of vanadyl sulfate trihydrate in the drinking water. In the presence of vanadyl, decreases in rate of growth and circulating levels of insulin were the only significant alterations recorded in control animals. In contrast, diabetic animals treated with vanadyl, despite having lower body weights and insulin levels, had normal plasma concentrations of glucose, lipid, creatinine, and thyroid hormone. In addition, abnormalities in isolated working heart function and glycerol output from adipose tissue of diabetic animals were also corrected after vanadyl treatment. These results suggest that vanadium when used in the vanadyl form is effective in diminishing the diabetic state in the rat by substituting for and replacing insulin or possibly by enhancing the effects of endogenous insulin.


1957 ◽  
Vol 188 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Fregly ◽  
N. B. Marshall ◽  
J. Mayer

Goldthioglucose-obese mice cannot adjust their food intake to meet the increased energy requirements due to cold. At all ambient temperatures above 15°C the spontaneous running activity of these animals is less than that observed for nonobese controls. Activity of obese mice is maximal at 19°C and minimal at 15°C or lower. Body weights decrease during exposure to cold. In contrast to that of obese mice, running activity of nonobese controls is maximal at an ambient temperature of 25°C but nearly ceases at 15°C or lower. The food intake of these animals increases in the cold and remains elevated even at temperatures at which activity decreases. The body weight of nonobese controls is either maintained constant or increases during exposure to cold air.


2000 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 425-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Francis ◽  
R. P. Littlejohn ◽  
S. K. Stuart ◽  
B. A. Veenvliet ◽  
J. M. Suttie

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.


1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 995-1001
Author(s):  
G. J. MEARS

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


2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasmus Bovbjerg Jensen ◽  
Lucca Louise Rockhold ◽  
Anne-Helene Tauson

Abstract Background The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the accuracy of different body weight formulas for estimating body weight of Icelandic and Warmblood horses, as well as to assess the associations between the variables cresty neck score, body condition score, and plasma concentrations of leptin, insulin and cortisol. A total of 81 adult (≥ 4 years of age) horses (43 Icelandic and 38 Warmblood horses) was included in this study. The following morphological measurements were collected by two examiners simultaneously; body weight; height at withers; neck length; 0.5 neck length; neck circumference; umbilical circumference, two different heart girths, as well as two different body length measurements. The horse’s body weights were measured on a weight scale, and cresty neck scores were rated along with body condition scores using both the 0 to 5 and the 1 to 9 systems. Results In general, the concordance correlation coefficient was high for most formulas, but the mean bias and slope bias deviations varied between formulas. Some simple formulas using only heart girth, or heart girth and length can be used to estimate body weight of Icelandic and Warmblood horses as good as more complex formulas using four morphometric measurements. Plasma concentrations of leptin and insulin were higher (P < 0.001) for the Icelandic than the Warmblood horses, probably reflecting higher body fat content as suggested by the differences in body condition score. Conclusions Body weight formulas only give an estimate of body weight and not a completely correct determination. Some simple and more complex formulas can be used for Icelandic horses even though they are not developed for this breed. Complex formulas using four morphometric measurements were accurate, but simple formulas using only heart girth, or heart girth and length can be used to estimate body weight and thereby be applied to weight tapes and used to estimate the body weight of both Icelandic and Warmblood horses.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4, Accepted for print) ◽  
pp. 9-20
Author(s):  
Aurelia Radzik-Rant ◽  
Witold Rant ◽  
Adrianna Bryjak ◽  
Roman Niżnikowski
Keyword(s):  

<b>The aim of the study was to determine the effect of birth type and sex on lambs survival parameters of polish heath and żelazneńska sheep. The research included data, which was used to determine the prolificacy index, the percentage of live-born lambs and the lambs rearing index up to 100 days of age. A higher prolificacy index (P≤0.01) and a higher percentage (P≤0.01) of reared lambs were determined in the polish heath compared to the żelazneńska sheep. In the herd of the first breed, a greater proportion of twin and more numerous litters than singleton births were noted. Single and twin litters were dominant in the żelazneńskie sheep. The rearing rate of lambs from single litters was at a similar level in both observed breeds. However, in the herd of polish heath sheep, lambs from multiple litters shoved also high rearing rate. Single ram lambs were characterized by higher (P≤0.01) body weight at birth and at 56 days of age compared to twin born and ewe lambs, both in polish heath sheep and żelazneńska sheep. Statistical differences (P≤0.01) in body weight at birth and on 56th day of age were also recorded between twins and triplets in polish heath sheep. The analysis of the distribution of lambs' mortality during the rearing period has shown that the most critical is the first week of life of the born offsprings.</b>


1995 ◽  
Vol 144 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Magnan ◽  
L Mazzocchi ◽  
M Cataldi ◽  
V Guillaume ◽  
A Dutour ◽  
...  

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


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