The ontogeny of the somatotropic axis in male and female Hereford calves from birth to one year of age

Insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins-2 and -3 may play a role in age-dependent growth response to bovine ST (bST) treatment in cattle; however, samples have been collected at infrequent intervals and at limited time points. Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to examine the ontogeny of components of the somatotropic axis in Hereford calves from birth to 1 yr of age at weekly intervals to determine whether there is a certain age or time frame when the somatotropic axis may change and/or potentially become more responsive to exogenous bST administration. Blood samples and body weight measurements were collected from eight male and eight female Hereford calves once per week from birth to 1 yr of age. Serum concentrations of ST, IGF-I, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3 were determined. Males began to grow faster than females at approximately 16 wk of age (P < 0.05). Average concentrations of ST, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 were greater in males than females (P < 0.01). Average concentrations of IGFBP-2 were greater in females than in males (P = 0.05). Concentrations of ST decrease with age (P < 0.01); however, the decrease occurred earlier in female calves. Concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 increased in males and females (P < 0.01), and concentrations of IGF-I began to plateau at approximately the same time as growth rate differences were observed (16 wk of age). Following an initial increase (birth to approximately 16 wk of age), concentrations of IGFBP-3 remained constant until approximately 43 wk of age. Concentrations of IGFBP-2 increased to approximately 10 wk of age (P < 0.05), followed by a decrease, and then, similar to IGFBP-3, remained constant until 43 wk of age. Correlations between average daily gain, ST, IGF-I, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3 were determined. Average daily gain was negatively (P < 0.01) correlated with ST and positively (P < 0.1) correlated with IGF-I. In females, ST was negatively (P < 0.01) correlated with IGF-I. Concentrations of ST were positively correlated (P < 0.01) with IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3. Concentrations of IGFBP-2 were negatively correlated (P < 0.01) with IGF-I and positively correlated (P < 0.01) with IGFBP-3. In conclusion, serum concentrations of ST, IGF-I, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3 differed between male and fe-male calves. In addition, changes in components of the somatotropic axis occurred around the same time as males began to grow faster than females.