Catch-up in body weight of intrauterine growth retarded (IUGR) rats castrated and treated with growth hormone.
The aim of the present study was to assess body weight recovery in rats with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) castrated and treated with growth hormone (GH). Wistar albino rats were divided into the following experimental groups: control (C), sham-operated (SH), IUGR, IUGR castrated (IUGR+C), and IUGR castrated and injected with GH (IUGR+C+GH). IUGR was induced by partial bending of uterine vessels at day 14 of pregnancy. GH (Genotropin 3.0 mg/kg/day) was administered from weaning (21 days old) to 60 days of age. SH rats were injected only with diluent. Castration was performed at weaning. Body weight, body weight velocity and relative food intake were registered weekly. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and LSD post hoc test. The between-subjects analysis showed significant differences for sex and treatment factors. Differences in body weight were significant among treatments, being SH > IUGR > IUGR+ C+GH > IUGR+C in males, and SH > IUGR+C > IUGR+C+GH > IUGR in females. Differences in relative food intake were IUGR+C > IUGR+C+GH > IUGR > SH in males, and IUGR+C+GH > IUGR+C > IUGR > SH in females. These results indicate that nutritional rehabilitation impairs the effects of IUGR. While the absence of testosterone inhibited body weight gain, the absence of estrogens promoted catch-up growth. Castrated animals with or without GH treatment ate relatively more, suggesting the absence of an anabolic effect of gonadal steroids.
Guimarey
Luis M
LM
Endocrinología y Crecimiento, Hospital Interzonal Especializado en Pediatria SSM Ludovica & Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Prov de Bs As (CIC), La Plata, Argentina. guimarey@mdht.com.ar
Quintero
Fabián A
FA
Orden
Alicia B
AB
Fucini
María C
MC
Oyhenart
Evelia E
EE