Abstract
The role of growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) in regulating somatic growth was studied in rats by passively immunizing animals with antisera raised against rat GRF. GRF antibody (GRF-ab) treatment caused a 30% inhibition in the normal increase in body weight in both young female and male rats. Similar studies conducted in neonatal rats during their first 3 weeks of life also demonstrated that GRF is critical in regulating neonatal growth. Passive immunization of pregnant female rats with GRF-ab suppressed the normal pattern and concentrations of growth hormone (GH) observed during gestation. However, these changes in maternal GH levels did not effect the length of gestation, litter size or pup weight. The results illustrate that hypothalamic GRF is critical in regulating somatic growth in young and neonatal animals. They further suggest that maternal GH and GRF play an insignificant role in fetal development.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
