The effect of growth hormone upon cell division and nucleic acid synthesis in the regenerating liver of the rat

Abstract

After partial hepatectomy, rats were injected subcutaneously with growth hormone, 2 mg at 0 hour, 4 mg at about 8 hours and 4 mg at 4-6 hours before killing. Comparisons with control rats at 22 to 30 hours after partial hepatectomy showed that in the growth-hormone-treated rats the wave of mitosis started slightly earlier (by about 1 hour), and was 2-3 times higher; the rate of DNA synthesis showed a higher and more prolonged peak; and the rate of P32 incorporation into the Schmidt-Thannhauser RNA fraction was higher during the peak of synthesis.