Nonhereditary enhancement of progeny growth.
The im electroporated injection of a protease-resistant GH-releasing hormone cDNA into rat dams at 16 d gestation resulted in enhanced long-term growth of the F(1) offspring. The offspring were significantly heavier by 2 wk of age, and the difference was sustained to 10 wk of age. Consistent with their augmented growth, the plasma IGF-I concentration of the F(1) progeny was increased significantly. The pituitary gland of the offspring was significantly heavier and contained an increased number of somatotrophs and PRL-secreting cells, which is indicative of modification of cell lineage differentiation. These unique findings demonstrate that enhanced GH-releasing hormone expression in pregnant dams can result in intergenerational growth promotion by altering development of the pituitary gland in the offspring.
Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Amir S
AS
Khan
Marta L
ML
Fiorotto
Leigh-Anne
LA
Hill
P Brandon
PB
Malone
Kathleen K
KK
Cummings
Deena
D
Parghi
Robert J
RJ
Schwartz
Roy G
RG
Smith
Ruxandra
R
Draghia-Akli
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005865:Gestational Age; D006128:Growth; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000254:growth & development; D009929:Organ Size; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000187:drug effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone
NASA Discipline Musculoskeletal; Non-NASA Center