Influence of growth hormone on nasal septal growth in rats

Growth activity of the rat septal cartilage was evaluated by incorporating radiolabeled sulfate into three areas of the septal cartilage (anterior, central, and posterior). Growth activity of the septal cartilage was determined in normal rats and in hypophysectomized rats treated either with saline or human growth hormone (hGh) injections. Human growth hormone treatment selectively stimulated sulfate incorporation in the posterior area, which is situated anterior to the septoethmoidal junction, whereas sulfate incorporation was not influenced in the anterior and central area by hGh treatment compared to saline treatment. However, both wet and dry weight was significantly increased by hGh treatment compared to saline treatment in hypophysectomized rats.