Effects of recombinant human growth hormone on anorexic Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus)

1. Eleven-month-old Nile crocodiles with poor appetite and retarded growth were injected with 0.325 micrograms/g recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) twice a week for 4 weeks. 2. The treated animals had a mean intake per meal of 29.8 g/kg, while the controls ate only 2.8 g/kg. 3. The treated group gained 8.1% of their initial body weight, while the controls lost 6.3%. 4. During 4 weeks of treatment the body and head length increased by 3.93 and 1.29%, respectively, while no linear growth took place in the controls. 5. The treated group had higher contents of skeletal muscle protein and liver glycogen than the control group. 6. In conclusion, recombinant hGH induces appetite and growth in anorexic crocodiles.