title: Single and repeated testing of growth hormone secretory capacity in hypopituitarism using growth hormone releasing factor.
abstract: 38 patients with proven growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and 19 children with familial short stature received an iv GRF-bolus injection of 1 microgram/kg body weight. Whereas in all control children plasma growth hormone rose significantly (mean of maximal values 36 ng/ml), only 7 out of 38 patients with GHD reached peak values of 8 ng/ml or more. GRF-priming by 1 microgram GRF/kg BW given once daily s.c. for 5 days in 19 patients improved the response of the pituitary gland in 11. Thus, following the first GRF test, only 21% of patients demonstrated function of the pituitary gland whereas 45% did so when all test results are combined. To evaluate the pituitary function in patients with GHD correctly, GRF tests following a GRF priming period seems to be necessary to reactivate atrophic somatotropic cells of the pituitary gland.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D013006:Growth Hormone; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone