In immature rats, a peptide antagonist of growth hormone-releasing factor restored the normal kidney response to parathyroid hormone, allowing the kidneys to excrete phosphate as effectively as in adult rats. This finding suggests that growth hormone, by promoting phosphate retention needed for skeletal growth, is responsible for the blunted phosphate excretion response to parathyroid hormone seen in young animals.
Mulroney, S E; Lumpkin, M D; Haramati, A