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Journal of Animal Science, Vol 68, Issue 11 3624-3632, Copyright © 1990 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Growth performance and carcass composition of lambs infused for 28 days with a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue

J. A. Godfredson, J. E. Wheaton, B. A. Crooker, E. A. Wong, R. M. Campbell and T. F. Mowles
University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108.

A human growth hormone-releasing factor analogue, [DesNH2Tyr1,D-Ala2,Ala15]hGRF(1-29)NH2 (GRF-A), was infused s.c. into lambs for 28 d to determine its effects on growth performance and carcass composition. Twenty crossbred wethers weighing 47.0 +/- .5 kg were implanted with 7-d osmotic minipumps at weekly intervals. Minipumps contained either vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide:H2O, 1:1) or GRF-A, released at a rate of 208 pmol (or .7 micrograms).h-1.kg-1. During the infusion period, plasma GH levels were increased (P less than .01) in GRF-A-treated wethers compared with control wethers (15.0 vs 9.3 ng/ml) and were higher on days that closely followed minipump implantation. Plasma IGF-I and hepatic IGF-I RNA concentrations were similar in lambs of both groups. Analogue treatment improved feed conversion (4.9 vs 5.8 kg dry matter/kg gain, P less than .05), increased average daily gain (.35 vs .30 kg, P = .05) and had no effect on feed intake, wool growth and body, carcass, selected organ and pituitary weights. Carcasses from GRF-A-infused lambs had less adjusted fat depth, a lower percentage of fat and a higher percentage of protein (P less than .05) than carcasses from control lambs. Magnitude of most effects of GRF-A on carcass measurements were correlated with the mean GH level that a lamb had during the infusion period. In conclusion, s.c. infusion of GRF-A improved feed utilization and altered carcass composition of feeder lambs in a relatively short period of time (28 d).


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M Mondal and B S Prakash
Effects of long-term GH-releasing factor administration on patterns of GH and LH secretion in growing female buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)
Reproduction, January 1, 2004; 127(1): 45 - 55.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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Copyright © 1990 by the American Society of Animal Science.