THE GROWTH HORMONE DEPENDENT INCORPORATION OF SULPHATE INTO THE COSTAL CARTILAGE OF OBESE-HYPERGLYCAEMIC MICE OF DIFFERENT AGES

Abstract

The in vivo incorporation of sulphate into costal cartilage was measured in both lean and obese-hyperglycaemic mice of different ages. In 2–10 months old obese mice the sulphate incorporation was found to be markedly increased as compared with lean controls. After a peak value at the age of 4–5 months there was a gradual fall in the sulphation activity. In the lean litter mates a decrease in the sulphation activity was already observed after the first month of life. These findings are considered against the background of the metabolic changes characteristic of the syndrome and the current concepts of the actions of insulin and growth hormone. A possible role of growth hormone in the aetiology of the obese-hyperglycaemic syndrome is discussed.