ABSTRACT

The physiological role of placental lactogen (PL; chorionic somatomammotrophin) in the ewe has been investigated by infusion of ewes (n = 3) on day 131 of pregnancy with sufficient ovine PL (oPL) antibody to neutralize circulating oPL for at least 12 h. Effectiveness of the antibody neutralization was defined both in vitro and in vivo according to rigorous criteria. Control ewes (n = 3) were infused simultaneously with an equivalent amount of pooled goat gamma globulin. Since both sets of ewes had previously been catheterized with jugular, utero-ovarian and femoral vein catheters and a femoral arterial catheter, it was possible to measure whole body glucose kinetics as well as muscle and uterine glucose, free fatty acid (FFA) and 3-hydroxybutyrate extraction. In addition, plasma levels of insulin, GH, prolactin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF-II, progesterone and cholesterol were determined in femoral arterial samples.

Neutralization of maternal oPL did not significantly affect whole body glucose metabolism, uterine and muscle glucose extraction, or 3-hydroxybutyrate extraction by muscle. A trend towards lower plasma FFA levels was observed after prolonged infusion, but was not statistically significant. However, plasma insulin levels rose significantly during antibody infusion after an early fall. These observations are rationalized in terms of the known requirements of ruminant metabolism during pregnancy, and contrasted with the accepted model for the role of human PL in the metabolic adjustments of pregnancy.

No change in plasma IGF-I, IGF-II or GH was observed, providing no support for the concept that oPL is responsible for maternal somatomedin generation during pregnancy. Similarly, plasma prolactin did not differ between antibody-treated and control groups. Finally, antibody neutralization had no influence on either plasma progesterone or cholesterol, mitigating against a role for oPL in progesterone production during late pregnancy in the ewe.

J. Endocr. (1985) 106, 377–386

Leptin, the product of the ob gene, is secreted from white adipocytes and regulates food intake and whole-body energy metabolism. In rodents and humans, leptin gene expression is under complex endocrine and metabolic control, and is strongly influenced by energy balance. Growth hormone (GH) has myriad effects on adipose tissue metabolism. The primary aim of this study was to determine the ability of GH to regulate leptin mRNA expression in bovine adipose tissue in vitro and in vivo. Incubation of subcutaneous adipose tissue explants for 24 h with GH alone had no effect on bovine leptin gene expression, whereas high concentrations of insulin or dexamethasone (DEX) potently stimulated bovine leptin mRNA abundance. GH, in combination with high concentrations of insulin, DEX, or both, attenuated the ability of insulin or DEX to stimulate leptin expression in vitro. These data indicate that GH can indirectly regulate leptin expression in vitro by altering the adipose tissue response to insulin or DEX. We extended these studies to examine the ability of GH to regulate leptin expression in vivo, using young castrate male cattle treated with no hormone (control) or GH (200 micrograms/kg body weight per day) for 3 days. GH increased plasma GH and insulin concentrations, but not those of cortisol or non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations. GH treatment increased adipose tissue leptin and IGF-1 mRNA concentrations (n=9, P>0.001). In addition, leptin abundance was highly correlated with adipose tissue IGF-1 mRNA in GH-treated animals (P>0.001). The timing of GH-induced changes in leptin gene expression preceded measurable GH effects on adiposity.

After nursing, pups of the northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) are approximately 46% body fat and rely almost entirely on the oxidation of their large fat stores to sustain their metabolism for the ensuing 8-12 week postweaning fast, which is a natural component of their life history. Thus, fasting pups provide an ideal opportunity to examine the hormonal alterations associated with prolonged food deprivation in a naturally adapted model. Cortisol, ghrelin, glucagon, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), insulin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were examined in 20 male and 20 female pups blood sampled early (<1 week postweaning) and late (6-8 weeks postweaning) during the fast. Mean cortisol, ghrelin, GH, and glucagon increased 1.8-, 1.8-, 1.4-, and 2.3-fold between early and late periods, while mean IGF-I and insulin decreased 97% and 38%, respectively. NEFA increased 2.3-fold, while BUN and glucose decreased 46% and 11%, respectively. NEFA was significantly and positively correlated with cortisol and GH; individually; however, when the relationship was examined as a multiple regression the correlation improved suggesting that cortisol and GH act synergistically to promote lipolysis during the fast. GH and BUN were negatively and significantly correlated between early and late fasting suggesting that GH may promote protein sparing as well. The decrease in glucose may be responsible for stimulating glucagon, resulting in the maintenance of relative hyperglycemia. The increases in cortisol, ghrelin, glucagon, and GH suggest that these hormones may be integral in mediating the metabolism of seal pups during prolonged fasting.

Experimental diabetes in rats is associated with excessive electrolyte loss in the urine, which is further accentuated by pregnancy, particularly of Ca. Supplementation with essential fatty acids and antioxidants has proven beneficial in treating several types of complications, including nephropathy. The present study investigated the effect of gamma-linoleic acid (GLA; 500 mg/kg per day; group DG) and ascorbate (290 mg/kg per day; group DA), alone and in combination (group DGA), as well as ascorbyl-GLA (790 mg/kg per day; group DASG), on urinary electrolyte output and skeletal composition in pregnant streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Urine was collected in metabolism cages before and throughout pregnancy. Diabetic rats (DP) increased their urine volume as compared with control (CP) throughout the experiment, reaching an output of more than 13 times that of the control group by the end of pregnancy (CP 24+/-4, DP 316+/-21, DG 223+/-21, DA 221+/-14, DASG 163+/-17, DGA 220+/-19 ml urine/24 h). Concomitant with increased urine volume was a reduction of urinary Na (CP 47+/-14, DP 22+/-5 mmol/l), K (CP 210+/-34, DP 31+/-1 mmol/l) and Mg (CP 14+/-1, DP 3.8+/-0.2 mmol/l) concentration, but not of Ca concentration (CP 5.4+/-1.5, DP 6.3+/-0.6 mmol/l), and hence total Ca loss was relatively most severe. All the treatments reduced urine volume with no effects on electrolyte concentration as compared with DP, with no significant difference between the treatments. A reduced bone size and bone Ca content was partially ameliorated by the diet supplementation. We have concluded that GLA and ascorbate, alone or in combination, prevent urinary electrolyte loss in pregnant rats and do so by reducing urine production.

ABSTRACT

Oxygen consumption (VO₂), carbon dioxide production (VCO₂), heart rate and the arterial plasma concentrations of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, thyroxine (T₄), 3,5,3′-tri-iodothyronine (T₃), TSH, insulin, cortisol and GH were measured before and after feeding a formula milk diet to lambs aged 9, 21, 33 and 46 days. In all age groups, VO₂, VCO₂ and heart rate increased significantly following feeding and this effect was greatest at 9 days of age. Both VO₂ and VCO₂ before and after feeding decreased with age. Plasma concentrations of T₃ before feeding did not change with age, but plasma T₃ levels after feeding were significantly higher in lambs aged 9 days compared with 33 and 46 days. There was no effect of feeding on TSH or age on plasma TSH and T₄ concentrations. In all age groups, glucose concentration increased after feeding and was paralleled by a rise in insulin concentration. At 9 and 21 days of age plasma glucose and insulin concentrations reached a plateau after the initial postprandial increase and together with a rise in respiratory quotient was indicative of a stimulation of carbohydrate oxidation. Plasma concentrations of GH increased after feeding at 21 days and older, when the mean growth rate was also stimulated by 75%. Basal metabolic rate and dietary-induced thermogenesis both decreased with age and, as a result, metabolism associated with an increase in GH levels after feeding became more efficient in terms of growth rate after 21 days. It is therefore concluded that there are major endocrine and cardiorespiratory changes in response to feeding of the young lamb which are important in stimulating and/or facilitating its growth and development.

Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 123,295–302

ABSTRACT

The clearance rate of recombinant bovine placental lactogen (rbPL) from the blood serum of four lactating dairy cows was measured using a specific radioimmunoassay. Two animals were non-pregnant, while the other two were at approximately 120 days of gestation. The rbPL was administered as an i.v. bolus injection (4 mg total) via an indwelling jugular catheter. Blood samples were taken periodically for 180 min and assayed for rbPL. Analysis of the clearance curves for the bolus injection suggested a single-compartment model and a serum half-life of 7·25 min. In a second experiment with the same animals, following cessation of lactation, rbPL or bovine GH (bGH) were administered by s.c. injection (50 mg/day) for 5 consecutive days. Blood samples were taken twice per day during the treatment period and a 3-day pretreatment period. Samples were analysed for glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), creatinine, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-II, tri-iodothyronine (T₃), progesterone and IGF-binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) to determine whether rbPL mediates similar metabolic effects to those of bGH. Administration of bGH stimulated an increase in NEFA, glucose, T₃ and insulin, whereas none of these variables was affected by rbPL. The plasma concentrations of IGF-I and IGF-II were both increased by treatment with rbPL but, to a lesser extent than occurred with bGH. Interestingly, BUN and IGFBP-2 concentrations were reduced equally by bGH and rbPL. These results suggest that rbPL does not necessarily act as a GH agonist but, rather, may have distinct effects on intermediary metabolism that could be mediated through another specific receptor.

Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 132, 185–193

The epididymis is the site of sperm maturation and storage. 5alpha-Reductases (types 1 and 2) are key enzymes in this tissue because they convert testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the main androgen regulating epididymal functions. Examining the consequences of inhibiting DHT formation is likely to provide important information regarding the regulation of epididymal functions, yet few inhibitor studies have focused on this tissue. To understand better DHT-mediated regulation of epididymal gene expression, we employed a dual 5alpha-reductase inhibitor and cDNA microarrays to examine the effects of 5alpha-reductase inhibition on gene expression in the initial segment, caput, corpus, and cauda epididymidis. Inhibition of epididymal 5alpha-reductase activity by PNU157706 was confirmed by in vitro enzyme assays. Rats were treated with 0, 0.1, 1.0 or 10 mg/kg per day PNU157706 for 28 days. The weights of DHT-dependent tissues, including the epididymis, were decreased following treatment. The effect of treatment on gene expression was dose-dependent and highly segment-specific. The initial segment responded uniquely in that a similar number of genes increased and decreased in expression compared with the other segments where the majority of affected genes decreased in expression. Some of the more dramatically affected genes were involved in signal transduction as well as fatty acid and lipid metabolism, regulation of ion and fluid transport, luminal acidification, oxidative defense and protein processing and degradation. These are essential processes contributing to the formation of an optimal luminal microenvironment required for proper sperm maturation. These results provide a novel insight into the DHT-dependent mechanisms that control epididymal functions.

In contrast to most vertebrates, GH reportedly has no effect upon somatic growth of the chicken. However, previous studies employed only one to two dosages of the hormone, and limited evidence exists of a hyperthyroid response that may confound its anabolic potential. This study evaluated the effects of 0, 10, 50, 100 and 200 microgram/kg body weight per day chicken GH (cGH) (0-200 GH) infused i.v. for 7 days in a pulsatile pattern to immature, growing broiler chickens (9-10 birds/dosage). Comprehensive profiles of thyroid hormone metabolism and measures of somatic growth were obtained. Overall (average) body weight gain was reduced 25% by GH, with a curvilinear, dose-dependent decrease in skeletal (breast) muscle mass that was maximal (12%) at 100 GH. This profile mirrored GH dose-dependent decreases in hepatic type III deiodinase (DIII) activity and increases in plasma tri-iodothyronine (T(3)), with bot! h also maximal (74 and 108% respectively) at 100 GH. No effect on type I deiodinase was observed. At the maximally effective dosage, hepatic DIII gene expression was reduced 44% versus controls. Despite dose-dependent, fold-increases in hepatic IGF-I protein content, circulating IGF-I was not altered with GH infusion, suggesting impairment of hepatic IGF-I release. Significant, GH dose-dependent increases in plasma non-esterified fatty acid and glucose, and overall decreases in triacylglycerides were also observed. At 200 GH, feed intake was significantly reduced (19%; P<0.05) versus controls; however, additional control birds pair-fed to this level did not exhibit any responses observed for GH-treated birds. The results of this study support a pathway by which GH impacts on thyroid hormone metabolism beginning at a pretranslational level, with reduced hepatic DIII gene expression, translating to reduced protein (enzyme) ex! pression, and reflected in a reduced level of peripheral T(3)-degrading activity. This contributes to decreased conversion of T(3) to its inactive form, thereby elevating circulating T(3) levels. The hyper-T(3) state leads to reduced net skeletal muscle deposition, and may impair release of GH-enhanced, hepatic IGF-I. In conclusion, GH has significant biological effects in the chicken, but profound metabolic actions predominate that may confound positive, IGF-I-mediated skeletal muscle growth.

ABSTRACT

Inhibition of prolactin secretion with bromocriptine and neutralization of GH action with a specific antiserum to rat GH (rGH) were used to explore the modes of action of GH and prolactin in maintaining lactation in the rat. Treatment of dams with anti-rGH caused a small reduction in litter weight gain whilst bromocriptine reduced litter weight gain by 50%. When both treatments were combined, however, milk yield ceased completely and this wasaccompanied by a wide variety of effects on mammary lipid metabolism including decreases in the mRNA concentrations of acetyl CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, malic enzyme and lipoprotein lipase. Activities of acetyl CoA carboxylase and lipoprotein lipase were also significantly reduced. Reciprocal changes were evident in adipose tissue with increases in acetyl CoA carboxylase and lipoprotein lipase activities. In conjunction with a decreased lipolytic response to noradrenaline in adipose tissue of animals given the combined treatment of bromocriptine and anti-rGH, this represented a co-ordinated series of changes to reduce lipid synthesis in the mammary gland and enhance lipogenesis and triglyceride storage in adipose tissue as milk production ceased. All of these effects could be prevented in part by concurrent treatment with GH, but insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-II failed to affect any of the parameters measured. Taken as a whole, these data suggest that (1) both prolactin and GH induce a co-ordinated series of changes in the mammary gland, (2) the intracellular controls involved clearly operate at the level of gene transcription although post-translational controls are also probably involved, (3) the effects of GH on the mammary gland could not be mimicked by IGFs and (4) although GH clearly regulates lipid metabolism in adipose tissue in a manner which should favour nutrient utilization by the mammary gland, these effects are probably too small to account for the effects of GH on milk production. Since GH receptors have not been reported to be present on mammary secretory cells, the precise mode of action of GH remains uncertain.

Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 135, 195–202