Intracerebroventricular administration of the rat growth hormone (GH) receptor antagonist G118R stimulates GH secretion: Evidence for the existence of short loop negative feedback of GH

Pulsatile growth hormone (GH) secretion is regulated by three hypothalamic factors, growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), somatostatin and the natu ral ligand for the GH secretagogue receptor (Ghrelin). These factors and th eir effects are, in turn, affected by short loop feedback of GH itself. To test the hypothesis that hypothalamic GH receptors are involved in the ultr adian rhythmicity of pituitary GH secretion, the rat GH receptor antagonist (G118R) was administered to adult male rats by intracerebroventricular (i. c.v.) injection and the effects on spontaneous GH secretion were studied. N ormal saline was administered i.c.v. to eight control rats. Mean GH concent rations increased significantly in the rat treated with G118R compared to r ats that received normal saline. The pulse amplitude rose by a mean of 33.3 ng/ml and the total area under the curve increased by a mean of 15 061 ng/ ml x min. The number of GH peaks did not change significantly following G11 8R. These data suggest that GH regulates its own secretion by acting direct ly on hypothalamic GH receptors.