Effects of somatostatin immunoneutralization on growth and endocrine parameters in chickens

The effects of somatostatin immunoneutralization on growth rate, growth hormone (GH) secretion and circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations were investigated in chickens through the use of passive and active immunization techniques. Intravenous bolus injection of goat-antisomatostatin stimulated a significant (P less than .05) increase in plasma GH levels for one hour post-injection in four and six week old male broiler chickens. The GH response to an intravenous bolus injection of hGRF44NH2 was similar in the antisomatostatin treated chicks and normal goat serum treated controls. Despite the presence of circulating somatostatin antisera after 28 hours, plasma GH levels were not different between control and antisomatostatin-treated chicks at that time. Continuous administration of somatostatin antisera by Alzet pump over a two-week period resulted in significant (P less than .05) elevations in plasma GH levels at one week post-implantation and in circulating IGF-I concentrations after two weeks of administration. Chicks which developed antibodies against somatostatin following active immunization exhibited a 7.1% increase in growth rate which was associated with a significant decrease in abdominal fat. However, neither GH nor IGF-I concentrations were elevated in the chicks which developed somatostatin antibodies. Thus, the benefits gained from somatostatin immunoneutralization may be exerted through mechanisms other than GH.