Relationship of Growth Hormone to the Growth Retardation Associated with Maternal Dietary Restriction

Abstract

The progeny of rats whose dietary intake was restricted during gestation and lactation were compared with the progeny of ad libitum-fed mothers with respect to pituitary weight and growth hormone activity by bioassay and radioimmunoassay, both groups having been fed ad libitum after weaning. The offspring of the underfed dams had smaller pituitaries containing lower concentrations of growth hormone; all differences were statistically significant. These animals responded with increased weight gain to administration of growth hormone.