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Twenty-Four-Hour Growth Hormone Profiles in Angus Steers^1,2,

University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108

Abstract

A study was conducted in February 1984 to characterize plasma growth hormone (GH) patterns in steers. Eight Angus steers averaging 285 d of age and 276 kg were housed in a sheltered pen and group-fed once daily. Animals gained at a mean rate of .78 kg/d, with individuals ranging from .34 to 1.02 kg/d. A jugular vein cannula was inserted the day before blood sampling, which commenced at 0600 h and continued at 15-min intervals for 24 h. Growth hormone patterns consisted of frequent GH surges of varying amplitude. Growth hormone surges occurred at an average frequency of .7/h. This rate did not differ markedly among steers nor hour of day. The magnitude of GH secretory surges varied significantly among steers and during the 24-h period. Growth hormone peaks averaged 47.0 and 27.2 ng/ml in steers having the highest and lowest GH surges, respectively. During the 24-h period there were two to four 2- to 3-h periods in which GH surges were reduced in amplitude. These trough periods occurred at approximately 6-h intervals in two steers, imparting rhythmicity to GH profiles of these animals. Periods of reduced surge amplitudes and intervening secretory episodes were less periodic in the other steers. Steers were fed at 1400 h and in all steers GH levels fell from 1400 to 1600 h, and then rebounded with two to four high amplitude surges. Peak and mean GH levels were associated positively (r = .93, P<.01) and both were associated negatively with rates of gain (r = -.82 and –.74, respectively; P<.05). Results from the study show that 1) GH surges occur at frequent intervals throughout the day and night, 2) alterations in GH levels and patterns are elicited more by pulse amplitude than frequency modulation and 3) the interaction of oscillatory signals and metabolic factors are important in the control of GH secretion.

¹ Published as paper No. 14,252 of the scientific journal series of the Minnesota Agr. Exp. Sta. on research conducted under Minnesota Agr. Exp. Sta. Project No. 0302-4816-75.

² Research was supported by the Minnesota Beef Council, 0658-5695.

³ The authors express their appreciation to the NIADDK for providing growth hormone radioimmunoassay preparations, and to W. Effler and T. Knudson for their technical assistance.

⁴ Send reprint requests to: Dept. of Anim. Sci., 495 Anim. Sci./Vet. Med. Bldg., 1988 Fitch Ave.