title: Levels of growth hormone and growth-hormone-releasing factor in cord blood.
abstract: In order to evaluate the mechanism of high growth hormone (GH) secretion in perinatal life, the levels of GH and growth-hormone-releasing factor (GRF) in cord blood were determined. Plasma-immunoreactive GRF was measured by a double antibody RIA method. The levels (mean +/- SD) of GH, GRF and somatostatin (SRIF) were 23.4 +/- 10.2 ng/ml, 49.5 +/- 11.7 and 41.5 +/- 10.4 pg/ml, respectively; they were remarkably higher than those of healthy adults. In statistical analysis, there were no significant relationships among the levels of GH, GRF or SRIF. We speculate that a high GRF release from the hypothalamus might increase the secretion of GH in the perinatal period.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis*; D005865:Gestational Age; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D013004:Somatostatin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone