Reduced growth of calves and its reversal by use of anabolic agents

Disease has profound effects on the immune system, endocrine system, and on the growth process. Since diseases are catabolic to the animal, there is c urrent interest in the possible role of anabolic hormones to counter the ef fects of disease in general and minimize the effects of a disease process o n growth and development. A number of anabolic hormones, such as growth hor mone (GH) and estradiol + progesterone (EP), have been studied for their ro le in enhancing growth and stimulating immune function and are thus candida tes for hormonal intervention in disease processes. GH has been shown to be effective in countering some of the deleterious effects of endotoxemia but was ineffective in a parasitic disease model. Studies with EP have shown s imilar success with both endotoxemia and a parasitic disease model. Moreove r, GH and EP do not share a common mechanism of action, suggesting that the effects are nor simply due to anabolic actions. While the mechanism of act ion of GH in endotoxemia has been examined, the effects of EP are via an un known mechanism, possibly by inhibition of IL-I action or inhibition of nit ric oxide overproduction.