Modulation of the Groth Hormone (GH) Axis by the Use of Antibodies to Hormones, Receptors and Binding Proteins

Abstract

AbstractHormonal growth promoters (growth hormone (GH), b-adrenergic agonists, steroids) which improve growth rate and/or 1ean:fatratios in the carcass have received considerable adverse publicity and are either banned or have no licence for use in the EC. This has led to the development of a number of techniques, involving the use of antibodies, aimed at regulating metabolic processes involved in determining growth and body composition. In this article we will discuss the immunoneutralization of somatostatin to increase GH secretion, the use of antibodies to enhance GH action, anti-idiotypic antibodies as GH mimics, antibodies to the GH receptor and the possibilities for manipulating the activity of IGF-I, a mediator of GH actions. Whether these new approaches will be perceived as acceptable to the general public remains a serious concern and a potential limitation to their development as many would-be sponsors cut back their support for research in these areas.KeywordsGrowth HormoneDwarf MouseBovine Growth HormoneMultiple Antigenic PeptideHormonal Growth PromoterThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.