Neuroendocrine regulation of growth hormone secretion in sheep. V. Growth hormone releasing factor and thyrotrophin releasing hormone

Abstract

The effects of intravenous (IV) and intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of either bovine growth hormone releasing hormone (GRF) or thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH) on plasma growth hormone (GH) and glucose levels have been examined in sheep. Intravenous GRF 1–29NH 2 at 3 and 30 μg stimulated an increase in GH levels in a dose-dependent fashion; administration of GRF into a lateral cerebral ventricle, however, produced a smaller GH response which was similar at these two doses. Evaluation of somatostatin levels in petrosal sinus blood (which collects pituitary effluent blood) showed that ICV administration of GRF stimulated a release of somatostatin into the blood. Furthermore, concurrent administration of GRF and a potent anti-somatostatin serum ICV resulted in a much enhanced release of GH which was similar to that obtained with a comparable dose of GRF given IV. TRH (as another putative GH-secretagogue) was also administered both IV and ICV. When given IV, 200 μg (but not 100 μg) TRH produced an elevation in GH levels. By contrast, when 5 μg TRH was given ICV there was a decrease in circulating GH levels, but no change in plasma somatostatin concentrations. These results indicate that the smaller GH response to ICV- compared with IV-administered GRF is due to the release of somatostatin within the brain. In addition, it would seem that TRH is not a physiological GH-secretagogue in sheep.