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Increased serum growth hormone concentration in feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
M D Kittleson1, P D Pion, L A DeLellis
1Department of Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616.
Insights
Serum growth hormone levels are elevated in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This study investigated the relationship between growth hormone and HCM in felines, finding higher concentrations in affected cats.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common cardiac disease in cats.
- Elevated serum growth hormone concentrations have been observed in some feline cardiac conditions.
- The specific role of growth hormone in HCM pathogenesis remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare serum growth hormone concentrations in cats with HCM, normal cats, and cats with other cardiac diseases.
- To investigate the potential link between elevated growth hormone and HCM in cats.
Main Methods:
- Serum growth hormone levels were measured using radioimmunoassay.
- Study groups included cats with HCM, normal cats, and cats with other cardiac diseases.
Main Results:
- Cats with HCM exhibited significantly higher serum growth hormone concentrations compared to normal cats and those with other cardiac diseases.
- The observed growth hormone levels in HCM cats were lower than those typically seen in cats with growth hormone-secreting pituitary tumors.
- Necropsy in a subset of HCM cats did not reveal pituitary tumors.
Conclusions:
- An increased serum growth hormone concentration may be associated with feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
- It is currently undetermined whether elevated growth hormone is a cause or a consequence of HCM in cats.
Abstract:
Serum growth hormone concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay in 31 cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 38 normal cats, and 35 cats with other cardiac disease. Cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy had a significantly increased serum growth hormone concentration when compared with normal cats and cats with other cardiac disease. The serum growth hormone concentration in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was less than that previously reported in cats with growth hormone secreting pituitary tumors. Pituitary tumors were not identified in eight of the cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy examined at necropsy. An increased serum growth hormone concentration may be measured in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy but it is unclear if the increased serum growth hormone concentration is a cause or effect of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.