PMID: 8971552Dec 1, 1996Paper

Differential catch-up in body weight and bone growth after short-term starvation in rats

Growth Regulation
M HermanussenJ A Tresguerres

Abstract

Catch-up or compensatory growth is known as a physiological phenomenon. However, most studies of catch-up growth were based on measurements of body weight, whereas changes in longitudinal bone growth remained largely undescribed. The present study describes the dynamics of both weight and longitudinal bone growth using mikro-knemometry, during normal feeding, severe food restriction (starvation), and refeeding of 14 intact and 28 GH-deficient male rats. Starvation induced rapid weight loss (P < 0.001), and stunted leg growth (P < 0.001). Refeeding led to rapid catch-up in weight of up to 4 times above normal daily weight gain, both in intact and GH-deficient animals, whereas an equivalent compensation of lower leg growth remained undetectable. Intact and GH-deficient animals show a circaseptan spontaneous variation of growth velocity (mini growth spurts). During starvation, mini growth spurts disappear, and return to normal after refeeding with no evidence of catch-up. In GH-deficient animals, GH (1 IU/rat, administered twice daily s.c. at 10:00 hand 16:00 h) was capable of augmenting catch-up in weight and, to a lesser extent, in leg length increment.

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.