Somatostatin-28(1-14) immunoneutralization stimulates growth hormone secretion in fowl

Immunoneutralization of endogenous somatostatin (SRIF)-28(1-14) by the intravenous or intramuscular administration of a specific antiserum promptly enhanced the growth hormone (GH) concentration in the plasma of 4 to 8-week-old cockerels. The magnitude of the GH response was related to the volume of antiserum administered. The release of GH from chicken pituitary glands incubated with intact hypothalami was increased in the presence of anti-SRIF-28(1-14). These results suggest that SRIF-28(1-14)-like peptides are physiologically involved in the control of GH secretion in chickens, in which they may tonically inhibit GH release.