Stimulation of swine growth by porcine growth hormone

Highly purified porcine growth hormone (pGH; USDA-B1) was administered by im injection (22 micrograms X kg body weight-1 X d-1) to rapidly growing Yorkshire barrows for 30 d. Growth hormone significantly increased growth rate (10%), feed efficiency (4%), cartilage growth and muscle mass. However, pGH did not affect carcass adipose tissue mass. Intramuscular lipid content of the longissimus was increased 50% by pGH administration. Plasma pGH concentration was elevated (7- to 11-fold) for 3 to 5 h post-injection. Chronic administration of pGH depressed pituitary GH content and concentration approximately 45%. No GH antibodies were detected in the plasma of GH-treated swine. Plasma somatomedin-C concentration was increased 55% by GH treatment 3 h post-injection. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were both significantly increased in GH-treated swine, suggesting that the animals had developed a state of insulin resistance. Plasma-free fatty acid concentration tended to be higher in GH-treated animals. Treatment of swine with pGH significantly decreased plasma blood urea nitrogen. Assessment of animal health during the trial and postmortem indicated that pGH administration did not have any adverse effects. In summary, treatment of young, rapidly growing swine with pGH stimulated growth performance without affecting animal health or inducing the production of GH antibodies.     

Temporal patterns of growth hormone, prolactin and thyrotropin secretion in Targhee rams selected for rate and efficiency of gain

Thirteen Targhee rams selected for rate and efficiency of gain for 4 yr (1.5 generations) were compared with 10 rams from a Targhee line with no selection for over 20 yr to determine if selection for these traits would be associated with changes in the secretion of growth hormone (GH), thyrotropin (TSH) and(or) prolactin (PRL). Selected rams exhibited greater birth weight, average daily gain (ADG) and feed consumed/day during a 6-wk individual feeding regimen, and exhibited greater overall ADG during a 16-wk feeding trial as compared with the unselected rams. Temporal blood plasma samples were collected at 15-min intervals for 8 h from each of the 23 rams for hormone analysis. Selected rams exhibited greater overall mean GH (6.1 +/- .4 vs 4.6 +/- .5 ng/ml), overall mean TSH (8.6 +/- 1.2 vs 6.2 +/- .7 ng/ml) and baseline mean TSH (8.0 +/- 1.1 vs 5.6 +/- .5 ng/ml) than the unselected rams. Although the adjusted GH spike amplitude value was higher in the selected line (12.1 +/- 3.0 vs 7.4 +/- .8 ng/ml), this difference was not significant. No differences were observed with any of the variables of PRL secretion. In addition, there were no significant correlations between any of the hormone variables and any of the feed or gain data. These data support the hypothesis that Targhee rams selected for rate and efficiency of gain exhibit higher plasma levels of GH and TSH than unselected rams of the same breed.     

Secretory patterns of growth hormone in dogs: circannual, circadian, and ultradian rhythms

The objective was to characterize the circannual, circadian, and ultradian secretory patterns of growth hormone (GH) in intact crossbred and purebred dogs. In all experiments, blood samples were collected with minimal stress by direct peripheral venipuncture and GH was measured in plasma by a homologous radioimmunoassay. For circannual studies, samples were collected monthly from 6 male dogs between 15:00 and 17:30 h over a 1-year time span. For circadian studies, blood samples were collected at 145-minute intervals from 09:00 to 06:45 h of the following day in 14 female dogs. In ultradian experiments, blood samples were collected at 15-minute intervals for 2.5 h (15:00 to 17:30 h) in 7 males and 7 females. Plasma GH in male dogs remained without change in summer, autumn, and winter but declined (P ≤ 0.01) in spring (LSM ± SEM; 6.9 ± 0.5; 6.0 ± 0.5; 6.3 ± 0.5; 4.3 ± 0.5 ng/mL, respectively). No plasma GH circadian rhythmicity was detected. Nor was any ultradian pattern evident in either males or females. No gender-related differences were observed in ultradian GH plasma profiles. It is concluded that, while basal GH levels show seasonal fluctuations in dogs, neither circadian nor ultradian GH secretory fluctuations were present in the dogs assessed.     

Secretory patterns of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I during peripubertal period in intact and castrate male cattle

Fifteen Angus bulls and 15 Angus steers 9 months of age and 275 kg of body weight were bled at 20-min intervals over a 6-hr period and serum GH and IGF-I concentrations were measured by RIA. There were no differences between bulls and steers in the mean GH concentration, pulse frequency and amplitude when analyzed by the computer program PULSAR. Mean IGF-I concentration was not different between the two sex phenotypes, nor was there a significant correlation between the integrated IGF-I and GH concentrations. Subsequently, five bulls and five steers were selected from the 30 animals, full-fed a diet for growth in individual pens for 3 months and bled at 15-min intervals over a 24-hr period. Bulls tended to show a greater weight gain and feed conversion efficiency (P<.10) than steers during the 3-month period. Serum GH concentrations had a pulsatile pattern in all animals with no apparent diurnal rhythm during the 24-hr bleeding. Although mean GH concentration was not different between the two sex phenotypes, bulls tended to have lower baseline levels (P<.10) and greater peak amplitudes than steers. Serum IGF-I concentrations fluctuated within a two-fold concentration range, with no obvious pulsatility similar to that of GH. Mean IGF-I concentrations of each of the 10 animals were correlated with mean peak GH amplitudes (r = .79), but not with mean GH. These results suggest that gonadal hormone(s) modulates the GH secretory pattern and increases IGF-I secretion which may be related to the greater growth rate of bulls compared with steers.     

Stimulation of lipogenesis by insulin in swine adipose tissue: antagonism by porcine growth hormone

The effects of physiological (1, 10 ng/ml) and pharmacological (1,000 ng/ml) concentrations of insulin (INS) and porcine growth hormone (pGH) on lipid metabolism were determined in short-term (2 h) and long-term (26, 50 h) incubations of swine adipose tissue. The short-term effects of three different commercial sources of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on adipose tissue metabolism were also evaluated. Two of the three BSA preparations were found to be unsuitable for inclusion in the short-term incubation buffer because they caused a stimulation of lipid synthesis in adipose tissue and masked the stimulatory effects of insulin. Physiological concentrations of insulin stimulated glucose metabolism in 2-h incubations by 100% in adipose tissue from 80-kg swine. After a 26-h incubation period, INS maintained rates of glucose metabolism at levels comparable to maximally stimulated rates in fresh tissue. Insulin also enhanced glucose metabolism following 50-h incubations; however, rates were less than for 2- or 26-h incubations. Glucose metabolism was also stimulated in adipose tissue from 127-kg swine when incubated for 2 h with INS; however, INS responsiveness declined with increasing body weight. Lipogenesis and glucose oxidation were partially maintained by INS using tissue from the heavier swine. A pharmacological but not physiological concentration of pGH stimulated glucose metabolism in short-term incubations by 50% in adipose tissue from 80-kg swine, and by 10% in adipose tissue from 127-kg swine. Long-term culture of adipose tissue in the presence of pGH had no effect on glucose metabolism. Physiological levels of pGH directly antagonized the stimulation of glucose metabolism by INS in short- and long-term incubations. In summary, these results are the first to establish that swine adipose tissue is quite sensitive to insulin and that pGH directly antagonizes insulin action.     

Culling patterns in selected Minnesota swine breeding herds.

This investigation was conducted to study culling patterns in swine breeding herds. Data were obtained from 89 Minnesota swine breeding herds and included 5918 sows and 1324 gilts for a total of 7242 culled femaled. Each producer was involved for 12 consecutive months. They were asked to record every female that was removed from the herd, the reason for its culling and its parity. The annual culling rate for the sample averaged 50%, but varied considerably between herds ranging from 15% to 85%. Culled females had produced an average of 3.77 litters. Half of the females culled did not produce more than three litters. Reproductive failure accounted for 32% of all removals. The average parity of the females culled in that category was only 2.37: almost 33% were gilts. Failure to conceive represented 75% of all females culled for reproductive failure. Proportionally, culling as a result of anestrus was higher in gilts. It accounted for 33% of all gilts culled for reproductive failure which was twice as much as for sows. Inadequate performance accounted for 17% of all removals. These sows had produced an average of 5.11 litters. These results indicated that few animals were culled on the basis of first litter performance. Old age comprised 14% of all removals and the average parity at culling for this category was 7.11. Death accounted for 12% and the average parity for these females was 3.40. Locomotor problems and peripartum problems were the cause of 28% and 23% of all deaths, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Secretory pattern and regulatory mechanism of growth hormone in cattle

The ultradian rhythm of growth hormone (GH) secretion has been known in several animal species for years and has recently been observed in cattle. Although the physiological significance of the rhythm is not yet fully understood, it appears essential for normal growth. In this review, previous studies concerning the GH secretory pattern in cattle, including its ultradian rhythm, are introduced and the regulatory mechanism is discussed on the basis of recent findings.     

Stimulation of in vitro muscle cell proliferation by sera from swine injected with porcine growth hormone

The proliferation-promoting activity of sera obtained from pigs before and after porcine growth hormone injections was tested in a muscle cell culture bioassay. For 3 d, purified porcine growth hormone (pGH) was administered by intramuscular injection to crossbred barrows. Two levels of pGH were administered: 18 micrograms pGH X kg-1 body weight X d-1 (low dose) or 143 micrograms pGH X kg-1 body weight X d-1 (high dose). Multiple blood samples were withdrawn from jugular catheters for 3 d prior to the injection, during the injection period and for 6 d after the last injection. Although serum pGH levels in low-dose pigs were raised from two to three times pre-injection levels, there was no significant change in serum proliferation-promoting activity or somatomedin-C (SmC), insulin or cortisol levels during or after administration of pGH. In contrast, the proliferation-promoting activity of sera obtained during and after the high-dose pGH injections was higher (P less than .005) than the pre-injection levels. Serum pGH levels were increased approximately 30-fold by 4 h after each injection, and increases in SmC levels were observed 10 to 16 h after the pGH injection. During the injection period SmC levels increased from 1.7 to 4 times pre-injection levels. Insulin and cortisol levels did not change significantly during the 3-d treatment period. We believe that this muscle cell culture bioassay system will be a useful addition to traditional radioimmunoassays and whole animal studies in elucidating the mode of action of pGH in pituitary-intact swine.     

Prevalence of respiratory diseases and their association with growth rate and space in randomly selected swine herds.

The prevalence and extent of respiratory tract lesions were measured in 1425 pigs from 27 randomly selected herds in the summer of 1982 and winter of 1983. About 75% of pigs had lesions of enzootic pneumonia, approximately 60% had atrophic rhinitis and approximately 11% had pleuropneumonia and/or pleuritis. Individual pig growth rate was recorded on two of the farms, and it was found that the correlations between growth rate and severity of enzootic pneumonia lesions were positive on one farm and negative on the other. Negative correlations between severity of turbinate atrophy and growth rate existed in one of the two herds. Extent of pneumonia and severity of turbinate atrophy were poorly related in individual pigs but herd averages were moderately and positively correlated. Prevalence of diffuse pleuritis and of pleuropneumonia were positively related, as were the extent of pneumonia and prevalence of localized pleuritis. Prevalence of pleuropneumonia was strongly correlated with increased days-to-market. A method of estimating the average days-to-market using weekly herd data (inventory) was developed.     

Liver blood flow and metabolic clearance rate of progesterone in sheep

To study the inverse relationship between feed level and concentrations of peripheral plasma progesterone, 36 ovariectomised ewes were fed rations at levels calculated to maintain liveweight (M). On the seventh day, the ewes were given an intravenous infusion of progesterone and the metabolic clearance rate (MCR) was calculated. The ewes were then randomly allotted to receive either , M or 2M rations for seven days at which time the infusion and blood sampling schedules were repeated. The mean (SE) MCR of infused progesterone in ovariectomised ewes fed either , M or 2M rations for seven days was 7·1 (0·59), 9·9 (1·64 and 13·0 (1·19) litre h⁻¹ kg⁻¹ of liveweight, respectively. Differences in MCR of progesterone between ewes fed and 2M rations were significant (P<0·05). The inverse relationship between level of feed intake and plasma progesterone concentration was attributed to differences in clearance rate of progesterone rather than to changes in the entry rate of the hormone into the blood.     

Effects of recombinant porcine somatotropin on metabolic rate in growing pigs

Effects of recombinant porcine somatotropin (rpST) on metabolic rate were studied in two trials with 24 crossbred barrows (Yorkshire x Landrace) in each. The barrows weighed about 80 kg (SE within trials 2.2 kg) at the start of the measurements and in each trial 12 pigs received 4 mg of rpST and 12 received a placebo. The diet contained 2.57 Mcal NE/kg and 20% CP (about 1% lysine). Animals were fed approximately 2.8 times maintenance (280 kcal ME.kg-.75.d-1). Heat production (gaseous exchange of CO2 and O2) and activity were measured continuously. Heat production associated with activity was calculated from the regression of heat production on activity. Animals treated with rpST exceeded controls in rate of gain by 252 g/d (P less than .001) and in metabolic rate by 14.5 kcal.kg-.75.d-1 (P less than .01). The rpST treatment increased rectal (+ .2 degrees C) and surface (+ .8 degrees C) temperatures. Activity-related heat production in treated pigs was increased, but this was only partly related to the increase in metabolic rate with rpST. The daily patterns of total and activity-related heat production were similar between pigs in both experimental treatments.     

Stimulation of pig growth performance by porcine growth hormone and growth hormone-releasing factor

The current study was undertaken to determine the effects of human growth hormone-releasing factor [hpGRF-(1-44)-NH2] on growth performance in pigs and whether this response was comparable to exogenous porcine growth hormone (pGH) treatment. Preliminary studies were conducted to determine if GRF increased plasma GH concentration after iv and im injection and the nature of the dose response. Growth hormone-releasing factor stimulated the release of pGH in a dose-dependent fashion, although the individual responses varied widely among pigs. The results from the im study were used to determine the dose of GRF to use for a 30-d growth trial. Thirty-six Yorkshire-Duroc barrows (initial wt 50 kg) were randomly allotted to one of three experimental groups (C = control, GRF and pGH). Pigs were treated daily with 30 micrograms of GRF/kg body weight by im injection in the neck. Pigs treated with pGH were also given 30 micrograms/kg body weight by im injection. Growth rate was increased 10% by pGH vs C pigs (P less than .05). Growth rate was not affected by GRF; however, hot and chilled carcass weights were increased 5% vs C pigs (P less than .05). On an absolute basis, adipose tissue mass was unaffected by pGH or GRF. Carcass lipid (percent of soft-tissue mass) was decreased 13% by GRF (P less than .05) and 18% by pGH (P less than .05). Muscle mass was significantly increased by pGH but not by GRF. There was a trend for feed efficiency to be improved by GRF; however, this was not different from control pigs. In contrast, pGH increased feed efficiency 19% vs control pigs (P less than .05). Chronic administration of GRF increased anterior pituitary weight but did not affect pituitary GH content or concentration. When blood was taken 3 h post-injection, both GRF- and pGH-treated pigs had lower blood-urea nitrogen concentrations. Serum glucose was significantly elevated by both GRF and pGH treatment. This was associated with an elevation in serum insulin. These results indicate that increasing the GH concentration in blood by either exogenous GH or GRF enhances growth performance. The effects of pGH were more marked than for GRF. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal dose of GRF to administer in growth trials and the appropriate pattern of GRF administration in order to determine whether GRF will enhance pig growth performance to the extent that exogenous pGH does.     

Growth hormone response to growth hormone-releasing hormone in beef cows divergently selected for milk production

In dairy cattle, increased circulating growth hormone has been associated with selection for greater milk yield. This study tested the hypothesis that beef cows divergently selected for milk production would have differing GH responses to a challenge dose of GHRH. Growth hormone response to a challenge of GHRH was measured in 36 Angus-sired cows ranging from 6 to 10 yr of age. The cows were classified as high milking (n = 16) or low milking (n = 20), on the basis of their sires' milk EPD. Mean milk EPD (in kilograms) were 16.6 and -14.4 for high and low milking cows, respectively. Milk production was estimated by the weigh-suckle-weigh procedure. Blood samples were taken immediately before and 10 min after a clearance dose of 4.5 microg of GHRH/100 kg BW (injected i.v.) and, 3 h later, immediately before and 10 min after a challenge dose of either 1.5 or 4.5 microg of GHRH/100 kg BW. Each animal received both challenge doses, and the doses were randomly assigned across 2 d of blood collection. Serum concentrations of GH and IGF-I were measured by RIA. Serum IGF-I was measured in the baseline blood sample on d 1 of blood collection. A positive relationship (r = 0.35; P = 0.03) was observed between the cows' rankings for each dose of GHRH; that is, high responders to the low dose were high responders to the high dose. Growth hormone response to the 4.5 microg/100 kg BW challenge dose of GHRH was positively related to sire milk EPD (R2 = 0.09; P = 0.03). Response of GH to the 1.5 microg GHRH/100 kg BW challenge dose also tended to be related (P = 0.08) to sire milk EPD of high milking cows. In addition, IGF-I concentrations of high milking cows were inversely related (R2 = 0.24; P = 0.04) to sire milk EPD. Growth hormone response to GHRH challenge may have potential as an additional tool in the evaluation of milk production in beef cattle.     

Temporal secretory patterns of growth hormone in male meat-type chickens of lines selected for body weight gain or food conversion.

1. The pronounced episodic release of chicken growth hormone (cGH) in male broiler chicks, as well as its peak interval of about 90 min was confirmed in this study. 2. Lines selected for 6-week body weight (GL line) or for food conversion between 3 and 6 weeks of age (FC line) not only differ in the selection criteria but also in percentage abdominal fat. 3. The overall mean plasma GH concentration was higher in the FC line in both experiments, and this was only caused by peak amplitudes which were almost twice as high as in the FC line. Peak intervals were identical in both selected lines. 4. These observations suggest that decreased abdominal fat and increased protein efficiency may be genetically linked to increased plasma GH peak amplitude. This, and earlier observations on the effectiveness of pulsatile administration of cGH on the growth of broilers suggest that the biological function of GH may depend on its secretory pattern rather than its mean concentration in plasma.     

Reproductive and growth responses of gilts to exogenous porcine pituitary growth hormone

Forty gilts (mean wt = 72 kg) were administered daily either vehicle (C = control) or 70 micrograms porcine growth hormone (pGH)/kg BW. After 30 d of treatment, eight gilts per group (Exp. 1) were slaughtered and blood, uteri and ovaries were collected. Follicular fluid (FFl) was collected and granulosa cells (GC) were cultured. The remaining gilts (Exp. 2) were treated for up to 35 additional days and examined twice daily for estrus. Estrusal gilts were removed from the experiment. Noncyclic gilts (n = 9 of 12 pGH; n = 4 of 12 C) were slaughtered on d 66 and their ovaries were examined. Ovarian weights were not different for pGH and C gilts in either Exp. 1 (P greater than .1) or Exp. 2 (P = .09). Uterine weights were greater for pGH-treated than for C gilts (P less than .007) in Exp. 1, but not in Exp. 2. Concentrations of estradiol (E2) in plasma and FF1 and of progesterone (P) in plasma and FF1 were not different for pGH and C gilts. Concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in FF1 and in serum were greater for pGH than for C gilts (P less than .01). Concentration of P in serum-free medium of cultured GC was lower for GH than for C (P less than .05) in the presence or absence of gonadotropins in Exp. 1. The FSH-stimulated secretion of P was also lower for GC of pGH-treated gilts in Exp. 2, indicating a failure of GC to differentiate in culture. Only one pGH gilts in Exp. 2 manifested estrus, compared with seven C gilts (P less than .025). In Exp. 1, ADG was higher (P less than .03) and feed/gain lower (P less than .07) for pGH gilts. Longissimus muscle area (LMA) was not different (P = .19) between groups. Backfat thickness (BF) was lower (P less than .005) in pGH than in C in both Exp. 1 and 2. We conclude that exogenous pGH increased growth rate, improved feed efficiency and altered carcass traits in gilts. However, these effects were associated with impaired ovarian development of prepubertal gilts and a low incidence of estrus.     

Pulsatility of plasma growth hormone and hepatic growth hormone receptor characteristics of broiler chickens divergently selected for abdominal fat content

1. Plasma growth hormone (GH) pulsatility and hepatic GH receptor characteristics were compared in experimental lines of meat‐type chickens selected for high (HF) or low (LF) abdominal fat content.

2. Mean GH concentration, baseline and amplitude of pulses were slightly, but not significantly, greater in LF chickens. Length and frequency of pulses were similar.

3. LF chickens exhibited higher plasma triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations. This difference between genotypes disappeared when the diet was supplemented with 1 mg/kg T3.

4. Specific binding of GH to liver membranes was higher for the fat line but was depressed by T3 supplementation to the same level in both lines. No difference was observed between lines for affinity constants.

5. It is concluded that direct selection for leanness has a less pronounced, if any, effect on GH pulsatility as compared with selection for food conversion efficiency; therefore, different physiological mechanisms are triggered to achieve leanness.