J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1984. 59:511-528.
© 1984 American Society of Animal Science
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Endocrine Regulation of Fetal and Postnatal Meat Animal Growth1

Terry D. Etherton2 and Ronald S. Kensinger

The Pennsylvania State University3, University Park 16802

Abstract

Evidence is discussed which indicates that nutrient partitioning between muscle and adipose tissue can be altered by growth hormone administration in meat animals. In the limited number of studies conducted with meat animals, growth rate, feed efficiency and carcass composition were improved by growth hormone administration. When insulin was administered to normally growing swine no improvement in growth performance was observed. The mechanisms by which growth hormone affects growth performance are not clear but considerable data from rodent studies exist to indicate that many of the growth promoting effects of this hormone are due to somatomedins. However, few data are available for meat animals to indicate whether the growth promoting effects of growth hormone are mediated by somatomedins. Knowledge about the mechanisms that regulate growth hormone synthesis, secretion and biological action is accumulating. It is apparent that growth hormone administration induces an insulin-resistant state in rodents and meat animals. It is not clear whether chronic growth hormone administration in meat animals induces a growth hormone resistant state. Based on the available information, manipulation of systemic hormone concentrations and(or) tissue sensitivity to hormones involved in growth and differentiation may result in means to manipulate fetal and postnatal growth and development.

Footnotes

1 This paper was authorized for publication as paper no. 6755 in The Journal Series of The Pennsylvania Agr. Exp. Sta. Invited paper presented at a symposium on "Metabolic and Genetic Control of Metabolism—Present Status and Future Direction" held at the Northeast Sectional Meetings of ADSA/ASAS, Doylestown, PA, June 13–15, 1983.

2 To whom correspondence should be addressed: 301 William L. Henning Building, The Pennsylvania State Univ., Univ. Park, PA 16802.

3 Dept. of Dairy and Animal Sci.






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