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C G Scanes

Publications and source records attributed to C G Scanes.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Adrenocortical cell function in the hypophysectomized domestic fowl: effects of growth hormone and 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine replacement.

The control of adrenocortical function in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) was investigated using adrenocortical cells isolated from hypophysectomized (hypox) and intact cockerels and from hypox cockerels injected with T3, purified chicken GH (cGH), and T3 plus cGH. Corticosterone in plasma and cell incubations was measured by RIA. Cellular responses to varying concentrations of steroidogenic agents were fitted and statistically analyzed by computer. Hypophysectomy reduced the basal plasma corticosterone (B) concentration to 53% of the value in intact birds and eliminated a stress response. Although hypophysectomy reduced adrenal weight by 20%, it did not change relative adrenal weight (milligrams per 100 g BW). However, replacement with cGH increased relative adrenal weight by 24%, whereas replacement with T3 or T3 plus cGH reduced relative adrenal weight by 16%. In the absence of steroidogenic agents, there were no detectable differences in B production by adrenocortical cells isolated from various experimental groups. However, with a maximal steroidogenic concentration of ACTH, B production by isolated adrenocortical cells from hypox birds was 61% of that by cells from intact birds. The ED50 of ACTH for cells from hypox cockerels was 2.7 times greater than that of cells from intact cockerels, thus indicating a loss of cell sensitivity to ACTH after hypophysectomy (the greater the ED50, the lesser the cell sensitivity). Although cGH replacement increased maximal B production (Bmax) induced by ACTH to 329% that by cells from hypox cockerels, it increased the ACTH ED50 3.6 times, thus decreasing cell sensitivity more than hypophysectomy alone. In contrast to cGH, T3 replacement maintained the cell sensitivity to ACTH at the level of cells from intact birds, but lowered Bmax to 54% that of cells from hypox cockerels. The combination of cGH and T3 administered to hypox cockerels both maintained cell sensitivity to ACTH and raised the Bmax to 358% that of cells from hypox animals. These treatments also affected 8-bromo-cAMP-induced Bmax and pregnenolone-supported Bmax, but did not significantly alter the ED50 of these agents.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Plasma concentrations of somatomedin-C in hypophysectomized, dwarf and intact growing domestic fowl as determined by heterologous radioimmunoassay.

The application of a human somatomedin-C radioimmunoassay for the determination of somatomedin-C in chicken plasma has been examined. Parallel inhibition of binding of 125I-labelled somatomedin-C to antisera raised against somatomedin-C was observed with acid-treated human and chicken plasma. The concentration of immunoreactive (IR)-somatomedin-C in the plasma of the domestic fowl appears to be GH dependent. Plasma concentrations of IR-somatomedin-C were reduced after hypophysectomy and partially restored by replacement therapy with chicken GH. The age/development pattern of circulating concentrations of IR-somatomedin-C has been determined in normal and dwarf strains of domestic fowl. Increases in the plasma concentration of IR-somatomedin-C were observed between 1 and 6 weeks of age in control male domestic fowl of either heavy (broiler type) or light (White Leghorn) strains. Thereafter, the plasma concentrations of IR-somatomedin-C remained constant in the heavy strain birds but declined in White Leghorn chicks. Plasma concentrations of IR-somatomedin-C were reduced in sex-linked dwarf chickens, in both light and heavy strains of fowl, but were unaffected in autosomal dwarf chickens.

Animals↗

Effects of interrupted photoperiods on the induction of ovulation in anestrous mares.

The ability of interrupted photoperiods to induce early estrus and ovulation was examined. Horse mares were exposed to long (16 h light) or short (10 h light), noninterrupted photoperiods, ambient light, or various interrupted photoperiod treatments from December 1 to April 15 (135 d). Follicular development was assessed by rectal palpation and estrous behavior was determined by teasing with a stallion. Serum concentrations of progesterone were used as an indicator of corpus luteum function. Differences among the light treatment groups were compared for the following behavioral and ovarian characteristics: days to first detectable 3-cm follicle, days to first estrous behavior, days to first ovulation, the number of mares ovulating within the treatment period, and the number of ovulations within the treatment period per mare. Compared with the ambient and 10L:14D (L = h of light and D = h of darkness) photoperiod treatments, ovulation was advanced to the greatest extent by a photoperiod of 16L:8D and the interrupted photoperiod 10L:8D:2L:4D. These two stimulatory photoperiod treatments were characterized by the presence of light 8 to 10 h after dusk. Therefore, the present data are consistent with an external coincidence model for the induction of seasonal breeding in horses, with the photoinducible phase occurring within the period 8 to 10 h after dusk.

Animals↗

Effect of vagotomy on plasma levels of growth hormone, free fatty acids and glucose in the pigeon.

Plasma levels of growth hormone (GH), free fatty acids (FFA) and glucose were measured in vagotomized (VgX) and sham-operated (VgS) control pigeons. In VgX pigeons, GH level was significantly lower whereas FFA and glucose levels were higher than in VgS pigeons. The depression in GH level in VgX pigeons has been attributed to the significantly high levels of norepinephrine (NE) and corticosterone in these Birds. The higher plasma FFA concentration in VgX pigeons was therefore due to adipokinetic hormonal action other than of GH. It has been suggested that the adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and/or NE could have produced the increase in plasma FFA in VgX pigeons. The pronounced hyperglycemia seen in VgX pigeons has been attributed to catecholamine action in the absence of the vagal tone.

Animals↗

Loss of sensitivity to ACTH of adrenocortical cells isolated from maturing domestic fowl.

Maturation of domestic fowl corticosteroidogenesis was evaluated using purified adrenocortical cells. Basal corticosterone production decreased steadily from 2 days to 26 weeks after hatching. However, maximally stimulated corticosterone production was not changed. In contrast, the half-maximal steroidogenic concentrations (ED50 values or effective doses for 50% maximal effect) of ACTH analogs increased approximately 40 times by 26 weeks, but the ED50 values of 8-bromo-cyclic AMP and pregnenolone were not changed. This suggests that adrenocortical cell sensitivity to ACTH decreases with maturation of the domestic fowl.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Lipolytic activity of purified pituitary and bacterially derived growth hormone on chicken adipose tissue in vitro.

The ability of growth hormone (GH) to stimulate lipolysis was examined using chicken abdominal adipose tissue explants incubated in vitro and purified pituitary and bacterially derived chicken and bovine GH. Consistently in the fourth hour of incubation, lipolysis (as determined by glycerol release) was increased by the presence of GH (1 micrograms/ml), irrespective of pituitary or bacterial derivation or of chicken or bovine origins. This effect of GH was observed with adipose tissue originating from young (6-8 weeks old) intact and hypophysectomized chicks and adult (6-9 months old) male chickens. Glycerol release was also enhanced by lower doses of GH (10 ng/ml with tissue from young and 100 ng/ml with tissue from adult chickens).

Adipose Tissue↗

Effect of phosphorus deficiency on thyroid function and growth hormone in the white Leghorn male.

Leghorn males, 66 to 96 days of age, were fed a diet marginally deficient in phosphorus (.14% nonphytate). Growth and feed intake were significantly reduced, but plasma calcium and phosphorus were unchanged. Bone ash was significantly reduced compared to pair-fed controls but not ad libitum-fed controls. Thyroid size increased and plasma growth hormone (GH) levels decreased with the deficiency, apart from any effect attributable to the lower food intake and weight gain. Plasma 3,5,3'triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were not significantly changed, although there was a tendency for T4 to be lower in the deficient chickens. As both thyroid size and plasma GH are regulated partly by pituitary function, dietary phosphorus may alter endocrine function through changes in pituitary metabolism.

Animals↗

Somatomedins (insulin-like growth factors), but not growth hormone, are mitogenic for chicken heart mesenchymal cells and act synergistically with epidermal growth factor and brain fibroblast growth factor.

Chicken, ovine or human growth hormones have no mitogenic effect on chicken heart mesenchymal cells, which are proliferatively quiescent at low culture densities in medium containing heparinized, heat-defibrinogenated rooster plasma at 10%. Sm-C/IGF-I (15 ng/ml; 2 nM), MSA/rIGF-II (50 ng/ml; 7 nM), insulin (10,000 ng/ml; 1750 nM) or proinsulin (16,000 ng/ml; 1750 nM), however, cause these cells to increase threefold in number during four days of incubation. While EGF alone at 100 ng/ml causes threefold multiplication at four days and brain FGF causes a sixfold increase, EGF acts synergistically with Sm-C/IGF-I, MSA/rIGF-II, insulin or proinsulin to cause 18-fold multiplication, and brain FGF acts synergistically with IGFs to cause 20-fold multiplication. EGF and brain FGF, however, show no mitogenic synergy. Addition to the plasma-containing culture medium of a monoclonal antibody to Sm-C/IGF-I nearly abolishes the mitogenic effect of added EGF or brain FGF but does not affect the autonomous (mitogenic hormone-independent) proliferation of RSV-infected chicken heart mesenchymal cells. These findings support the somatomedin hypothesis for growth hormone action and suggest that potentiation of the activity of other mitogenic hormones, like EGF and FGF, makes a significant contribution to control of cell proliferation by the GH/IGF axis.

Animals↗

Synthetic human pancreatic growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) stimulates growth hormone secretion in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus).

Synthetic human pancreatic Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor (hpGRF) elevated the plasma concentration of growth hormone (GH) in young and adult domestic fowl. This in vivo effect of hpGRF appeared to be largely similar for both the 32 amino-acid (hpGRF 1-32) or 40 amino-acid (hpGRF 1-40) polypeptide, although the effect of hpGRF 1-32 was more prolonged than that of hpGRF 1-40 in adult domestic fowl. The increase in plasma GH concentrations following hpGRF administration (10 micrograms/kg) was somewhat greater in young than adult chickens (the increase in plasma concentration of GH being 230 ng/ml at 1 week old, 282 ng/ml at 6 week old, 241 ng/ml at 10 weeks and 150 ng/ml in adults). In the adult domestic fowl hpGRF stimulated a greater increase in the plasma concentration of GH than did thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). However in the young chicks TRH was more active. The in vitro release of GH from dispersed chicken pituitary cells was elevated by hpGRF (1-32) and hpGRF (1-40).

Animals↗

Growth hormone: its physiology and control.

Growth hormone (GH) is a protein hormone produced by the somatotrophs of the anterior pituitary gland of birds and other vertebrates. The secretion of GH in birds is under hypothalamic control; it involves three peptidergic releasing factors: growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) (stimulatory); thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) (stimulatory); and somatostatin (SRIF) (inhibitory). In addition, there is evidence for effects of biogenic amines (including serotonin and norepinephrine) and prostaglandins at the level of the hypothalamus and possibly also the pituitary gland. In all avian species examined, plasma concentrations of GH are high in young posthatching chicks but low in the adult and embryo. The difference in plasma concentrations of GH between young and adult birds is due to both greater GH secretion and reduced clearance. The lower secretion of GH in adult birds reflects fewer somatotrophs in the pituitary, changes in somatotroph structure, and reduced GH responses to TRH or GRF administration. There is only limited data on the role of GH in birds. GH appears to be required for normal growth; acting at least in part by increasing somatomedin production. However, plasma concentrations of GH do not necessarily correlate with growth rate. For instance, in chicks with reduced growth rate owing to either goitrogen or protein deficiency in the diet, plasma concentrations of GH are elevated. GH also can influence lipid metabolism by increasing lipolysis, decreasing lipogenesis, and stimulating the uptake of glucose by adipose tissue. The physiological significance of these actions is, however, not established. In addition, GH affects the secretion of other hormones, the immune system, and perhaps also the reproductive system.

Aging↗

Stimulation of growth hormone secretion in dwarf chickens by thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) or human pancreatic growth-hormone-releasing factor (hpGRF).

The basal plasma growth hormone (GH) level in adult sex-linked dwarf hens was elevated in comparison with autosomal dwarf hens and with control (Cornell K strain) laying hens. The iv administration of thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) (10 micrograms/kg) had no effect on GH secretion in control hens but slightly (1.2-fold) and transiently (for 10 min) increased the GH level in the autosomal dwarfs and greatly (8.7-fold) increased the GH level in the sex-linked dwarfs, in which it remained elevated for at least 30 min after injection. The iv administration of human pancreatic GH-releasing factor (hpGRF) (10 micrograms/kg) stimulated GH release in each strain. The response in the sex-linked dwarfs was greater than that in the autosomal dwarfs and the control hens but less than that elicited by TRH. These results suggest that the increased basal GH level in the sex-linked dwarfs results from an increased responsiveness to provocative stimulation.

Animals↗

Stimulation of growth hormone secretion by human pancreatic growth-hormone-releasing factor and thyrotrophin-releasing hormone in anaesthetized chickens.

Sodium pentobarbitone anaesthesia depressed the concentration of growth hormone (GH) in the plasma of young (6 weeks of age) and old (22-30 weeks of age) domestic fowl. In both cases the concentration was reduced (P less than 0.05) within 10 min and had declined (P less than 0.001) to stable low levels (less than 5 ng/ml) within 50 min. The intravenous administration of synthetic human pancreatic growth-hormone-releasing factor (hpGRF) (10 micrograms/kg) (2 X 10(-9) mol/kg) increased (P less than 0.01) the GH concentration in both the young and old birds. This effect was observed irrespective of whether the birds were conscious or anaesthetized. The magnitude of the response in conscious young birds (164 ng/ml) was, however, greater (P less than 0.01) than that in anaesthetized chicks (64 ng/ml). The response in anaesthetized adult fowl (18.8 ng/ml) was also less (P less than 0.05) than that in their conscious counterparts (42.8 ng/ml). The GH response in conscious and anaesthetized 6-week-old birds to hpGRF was greater (P less than 0.01) than that in the corresponding adult birds. Thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) (10 micrograms/kg (2.8 X 10(-8) mol/kg); iv) also provoked (P less than 0.01) GH secretion in conscious and anaesthetized young birds and in anaesthetized (but not conscious) adults. Anaesthesia blunted (P less than 0.01) the GH response to TRH in the immature cockerels, although the response was greater (P less than 0.05) than that in anesthetized adults.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anesthesia↗

Stimulatory and inhibitory effects of prostaglandin E2 on prolactin release in the domestic fowl.

In vivo prolactin secretion was increased in immature cockerels 20-30 min after the intravenous administration of prostaglandin (PG) E2 at a dose of 200 micrograms/kg. The addition of PGE2 to incubation medium had no direct effect on the release of pituitary prolactin during short-term (3-hr) culture, but augmented the stimulatory effect of hypothalamic tissue on prolactin secretion. The stimulatory effect of serotonin, noradrenaline, acetylcholine, and histamine on hypothalamus-induced prolactin release was also increased when pituitaries were coincubated with 10(-7)M PGE2, as was the stimulatory effect of thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) and hypothalamic extract (HE). The long-term (24-hr) preincubation of pituitaries with 10(-7)M PGE2 reduced the responsiveness of the prolactin-secreting cells to TRH or HE stimulation. PGE2 treatment also reduced the stimulatory effect of hypothalamic tissue on prolactin release and diminished the stimulatory effect of serotonin on hypothalamus-induced prolactin secretion. A 24-hr preincubation of hypothalamic tissue with 10(-7)M PGE2 also reduced its stimulatory effect on prolactin release when subsequently incubated with control pituitary glands. These results demonstrate that PGE2 initially stimulates in vivo and in vitro prolactin secretion in the fowl, possibly by increasing the release of hypothalamic prolactin-releasing activity and/or by increasing pituitary sensitivity to provocative stimuli. Chronic PGE2 stimulation appears to result in a reduction in pituitary responsiveness to stimulatory influences and in the release of hypothalamic-releasing activity.

Acetylcholine↗

Catecholamine involvement in the control of growth hormone secretion in the domestic fowl.

A neuropharmacologic approach was utilized to investigate the catecholaminergic influence on the hypothalamic regulation of growth hormone (GH) secretion in young (6-week-old) male domestic fowl. The selective inhibition of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) synthesis or activity by diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), FLA63 (dopamine-beta-hydroxylase inhibitors), phenoxybenzamine (alpha 1 receptor blocker), and yohimbine (alpha 1 and alpha 2 receptor antagonist) was associated with a decline in circulating GH levels. Similarly inhibition of NE reuptake by imipramine or desmethylimipramine were followed by reduced GH secretion. In the presence of alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (alpha Mpt, a tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor), the administration of phenylephrine (alpha 1 agonist) was followed by increased plasma concentrations of GH. However, alone, it was without effect. Similarly plasma concentrations of GH were elevated by dihydroxyphenylserine (DOPS, a precursor of NE/E) in chicks pretreated with DDC or carbidopa. These data are consistent with the stimulatory hypothalamic control of GH involving NE/E which exert their effects via alpha (probably alpha 1) postsynaptic stimulatory receptors. Evidence that it is E rather than NE, which is the catecholamine involved or the hypothalamic control of GH, comes from the decrease in plasma GH concentration following the inhibition of central E synthesis by SKF64139 (an inhibitor of phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase). Some evidence for a limited inhibitory dopaminergic system was found. Inhibition of dopamine (DA) synthesis by alpha Mpt produced significant elevations in plasma GH concentration. In addition, apomorphine (DA agonist) consistently depressed GH release. However, blockade of DA receptors by pimozide had either no effect on plasma GH concentrations or at a very high dose decreased plasma GH concentrations. NE/E also appear to have a depressive effect on plasma concentrations of GH in young chicks, probably via a peripheral site of action. Plasma concentrations of GH were reduced by the peripheral administration of NE, which might be expected not to cross the blood-brain-barrier (BBB), alpha 1/alpha 2 agonists clonidine and p-amino clonidine (which does not cross BBB), NE/E precursors L-DOPA and DOPS, and the beta agonist, isoproterenol. Furthermore, the depression of peripheral E synthesis (by SKF29661 which inhibits phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase) elevated the plasma concentration of GH.

Animals↗

Failure of castration to prevent the prepubescent decline in the circulating concentration of growth hormone in the domestic fowl.

In the domestic fowl, plasma concentrations of growth hormone (GH) have been observed to be elevated in young, rapidly growing chicks and low in older chicks and in adults. In this present study the plasma concentration of GH was high in 35-day-old male chickens and declined to the low adult concentration by 91 days of age. This decrease was observed in male chickens irrespective of whether they remained intact, were castrated at 35 days of age, or were castrated and implanted with testosterone. The plasma concentrations of GH in castrated birds were lower than those in the controls at 49 and 63 days of age. As would be expected, the plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) were elevated by castration while testosterone implantation reduced the castration-induced rise in LH concentrations. Castration was followed by very low but detectable plasma concentrations of androgen. These were increased by testosterone implants.

Aging↗

Involvement of alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis of the domestic fowl, Gallus domesticus.

The alpha 1-adrenergic receptor ligand, 3H-WB4101, and the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor ligand, 3H-para-aminoclonidine, were utilized at a 1.0 nM incubation concentration to determine relative alpha 1-and alpha 2-adrenergic receptor binding by cell membranes from selected tissues within the brain, ovary and oviduct of the domestic fowl. Significant specific alpha 1-adrenergic binding was observed in the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, pineal, cerebrum and cerebellum but only the cerebrum had significant alpha 2-receptor binding. Significant levels of alpha 1-adrenergic binding were observed in the granulosa cells of the three largest ovarian follicles and in the postovulatory follicle. Significant specific alpha 2-adrenergic binding was measured in the infundibulum, magnum, isthmus and shell gland of the oviduct. The physiological implications of alpha-adrenergic receptors in these tissues are discussed.

Animals↗

Episodic growth hormone secretion in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus): alpha adrenergic regulation.

In animals the secretion of GH is characterized by a series of spontaneous peaks. The situation in avian species, however, is unknown. The present study examines this in the domestic fowl. Blood samples were obtained via a remote catheter at 5-min intervals from young male chickens. An episodic pattern of GH secretion was observed having an interpulse interval (frequency) of approximately 1 h. Episodic GH secretion was altered by peripheral administration of drugs which influence adrenergic function. Spontaneous GH peaks were not observed following the administration of (1) bis-(4-methyl-1-homopiperazinyl-thiocarbonyl) disulfide (FLA63) or diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) (which blocks norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) synthesis by inhibiting dopamine-beta-hydroxylase), (2) phenoxybenzamine (an alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist) and (3) clonidine (an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist). Neither alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, which blocks dopamine (DA), NE and E synthesis, nor yohimbine, a predominantly alpha 2-antagonist could completely suppress episodic GH secretion. These data support a role for NE/E, acting via alpha adrenergic receptors, in the control of epidosic GH secretion in the domestic fowl.

Animals↗