Abstract
We have assessed the half-life of endogenous GH in 8 normal adults by measuring the decline of GH concentrations in venous blood taken at 10 minute intervals following stimulation by bolus intravenous injection of GHRH followed by an infusion of somatostatin-14 (3μg/kg/min) over 120 minutes. The half-life of GH (18.24 min) was calculated from natural log transformed data, the decline being described by a simple exponential consistent with a single pool model.
GH delivery rate from the pituitary gland was calculated by deconvolution using the estimate of the endogenous half-life and 24 hr GH profiles in 16 prepubertal and 12 pubertal children. GH production was negligible at the end of each secretory cycle, an ‘on-off’ phenomenon. GH secretion rate was relatively constant for size during childhood but a 3-4 fold increase was demonstrated during puberty.
Knowledge of GH delivery rate from the pituitary gland should be taken into account in calculating the therapeutic regimen of GH and/or GHRH, especially during puberty.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hindmarsh, P., Matthews, D., Brain, C. et al. 46 CALCULATION OF PITUITARY GROWTH HORMONE (GH) SECRETION RATE IN CHILDREN. Pediatr Res 24, 524 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198810000-00067
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198810000-00067