PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF PITUITARY GROWTH HORMONE: GROWTH AND EFFICIENCY OF FOOD UTILIZATION

Abstract

Rats from 3 inbred strains (60 gm. initial live wt.) were injected daily with 1 cc of antuitrin G for a 3-wks. period following a similar control period. In rapidly growing strains [male][male] are not affected, but all injected [female][female] show an increased growth rate and efficiency of dry matter utilization tending toward a [male] norm. Less evident is an analogous relationship between the low and high efficiency strains. The relative water consumption is not increased. The induced growth appears normal, but the composition of composite tissues for the low efficiency [female][female] is changed to the [male] type containing less dry matter and fat.