Repetitive stimulation of the pituitary with growth-hormone-releasing hormone alters the proportion of 22 and 20 kilodalton human-growth hormone released.

Background/Aims. 20 Kilodalton-hGH (20 K-hGH) is the second most abundant pituitary GH variant after 22 K-hGH. In the steady state the proportion of 20 : 22 K-hGH appears constant; does this proportion change with repetitive somatotroph stimulation? Methods. Forty adult males were randomised to receive a GHRH(1-29)NH(2) bolus (0.5 mug/kg (n = 20) or 1.0 mug/kg (n = 20)), preceded or followed by a saline bolus, 1 week apart. Four to six weeks later, 10 subjects received 0.5 mug/kg GHRH(1-29)NH(2) at 0, 60, 120, and 180 minutes. Clearance rate of 22 and 20 K-hGH was measured in 10 subjects. Results. Total amount/proportion of 22 K-hGH/20 K-hGH secreted was similar for both GHRH(1-29)NH(2) doses. Repetitive stimulation reduced the amount of 22 K-hGH released whereas the amount of 20 K-hGH did not change significantly leading to an increase in the proportion of 20 K-hGH (P = .05). Half-life of 20 and 22 K-hGH were not significantly different (P = .55). Conclusions. Repetitive stimulation of the somatotroph may alter the proportion of GH variant released.