Polymorphism in the bovine growth hormone gene affects endocrine release in dairy calves

The objective was to test whether calves with the Leu/Leu genotype release more growth hormone (GH) than calves with Leu/Val and Val/Val genotypes. Danish Holstein (n = 286), Danish Red (n = 68), and Danish Jersey (n = 61) calves were genotyped for the Leu/Val polymorphism in the GH gene and assessed for GH release following inducement by the growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH). Three GH traits were assessed for each calf: BASELINE, PEAK, and RATE. BASELINE and PEAK are the mean concentration of GH in blood sampled before and after GHRH inducement. RATE is the disappearance rate of GH in blood sampled after GHRH inducement. Danish Jersey calves with Leu/Leu genotype had a higher PEAK and RATE than calves with the Val/Val genotype, whereas the Leu/Val genotype had an intermediate response. The contribution of the Leu/Val polymorphism to the total genetic variation of the BASELINE, PEAK, and RATE traits was 5, 30, and 27%, respectively. By contrast, the amount of GH released by the Danish Holstein and Danish Red calves was not influenced by their GH genotype. Further studies involving calves with all three genotypes are required to further elucidate whether this polymorphism has a functional role or whether it works through a linked-gene effect specific to certain cattle breeds.