Effects of in vivo administration of antiserum to rat growth hormone on body growth and insulin responsiveness in adipose tissue.
To explore the short term effects of endogenous GH on body growth, glucose metabolism, and insulin responsiveness in adipose tissue, 35- to 40-day-old male rats were treated with a potent goat antiserum against rat GH (ArGHS). The administration of ArGHS, but not normal goat serum, caused a dose-dependent decrease in body weight gain and longitudinal bone growth, as measured by the tetracycline method. Glucose metabolism was measured by determining the production of CO2 from [14C]glucose in epididymal fat pad. Treatment with ArGHS (0.05-0.5 ml, ip, twice daily for 6 days) resulted in increased insulin sensitivity, as determined by the ED50 values for the effect of insulin. An increased response to a submaximal concentration of insulin was observed 3 h after the administration of 0.5 ml ArGHS. Basal levels were not consistently affected by ArGHS treatment. The maximal response to insulin was significantly increased after treatment with low doses of ArGHS (0.1-0.2 ml/day) and was decreased after treatment with high doses of ArGHS (0.8-1 ml/day) for 6 days. The magnitude of the response, as determined by the percent increase in response to 10 mU/ml insulin, was, however, not different compared to that observed in adipose tissue of normal goat serum-treated rats. These results demonstrate that elimination of endogenous GH results in retarded growth in the rat within 24 h. Moreover, the results suggest that GH is important in insulin sensitivity.