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Perinatal growth and plasma GH profiles in adolescent and adult sheep
K L Gatford1, I J Clarke, M J De Blasio
1Department of Physiology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia. kathy.gatford@adelaide.edu.au
Insights
Poor prenatal growth in sheep impacts growth hormone (GH) levels in adulthood. Restricted fetal growth led to higher GH in adolescent and adult males, but potentially lower GH in adult females, affecting long-term health.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
- Animal Physiology
Background:
- Poor prenatal growth is linked to adult cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk.
- Limited data exists on growth hormone (GH) deficiency in adults with poor prenatal growth.
- Understanding the long-term endocrine effects of restricted fetal growth is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of placental restriction of fetal growth (PR) on birth size, neonatal growth, and GH profiles in adolescent and adult sheep.
- To determine sex-specific differences in GH response to restricted fetal growth.
Main Methods:
- Sheep underwent moderate or severe placental restriction (PR) to limit fetal growth.
- Birth size, neonatal fractional growth rate (FGR), and circulating GH concentrations were measured.
- Correlations between growth parameters and GH levels were analyzed in adolescent and adult males and females.
Main Results:
- PR significantly decreased birth size and increased neonatal FGR for weight, length, and abdominal circumference.
- In adolescent males, GH levels negatively correlated with birth weight and FGR.
- Adult males showed negative correlations between GH and birth size/FGR, while adult females exhibited positive correlations.
Conclusions:
- Restricted fetal growth and reduced neonatal growth rate in sheep are associated with altered GH profiles in later life.
- Elevated GH in adolescent and adult males suggests a compensatory mechanism or altered regulation.
- Adult females may experience GH deficiency or increased GH clearance following restricted fetal growth.
Abstract:
Poor prenatal growth is associated with limited evidence of GH deficiency in adult humans, which may contribute to their increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. We therefore examined the effects of placental restriction of fetal growth (PR) on size at birth, neonatal fractional growth rate (FGR) and the circulating GH profile in adolescent and young adult sheep of both sexes. Moderate or severe PR decreased birth size and increased neonatal FGR of weight, crown-rump length and abdominal circumference. In adolescent males, mean and baseline GH concentrations correlated negatively and independently with birth weight and FGR of weight, and mean GH concentrations correlated negatively with current weight. In young adult males, mean GH concentrations correlated negatively and independently with birth shoulder height and FGR of shoulder height whilst, in young adult females, these correlations were positive. This suggests that restricted fetal growth and reduced neonatal growth rate in sheep are followed by elevated circulating GH in adolescent and adult males, but GH deficiency or increased GH clearance in adult females.