The somatotropic axis of the dairy cow revisited |
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Authors: | Michael Terence ROSE |
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Institution: | Institute of Rural Studies, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3AL, UK |
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Abstract: | The greater understanding of the somatotropic axis in the lactating dairy cow that has been achieved in recent years is briefly reviewed in this article. Specifically discussed are: the significance of multiple forms of insulin‐like growth factor messenger RNA (ribonucleic acid) caused by alternative splicing, and the possible functions of the various translated extension proteins; the possible roles of multiple sites of growth hormone secretion other than in the pituitary, and the implications for possible autocrine or paracrine growth hormone secretion; the consequences for increased circulating growth hormone half‐life, and possibly biological effectiveness, caused by growth hormone binding proteins; and the increasing evidence for the presence of growth hormone receptors in the bovine mammary gland. The need for further research is highlighted in the present review; published information regarding the bovine, in many of these areas, is still largely insufficient. |
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Keywords: | bovine lactation GHBP IGF-1 mRNA splicing mammary growth hormone receptors |
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