The growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor I axis: studies in man during growth

Several major differences are noted between males and females in their patterns of growth at puberty. Accelerated pubertal growth in both males and females depends upon the integrity of the GH-receptor system. In males, acceleration of growth results primarily from enhanced sensitivity of the GH-rec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAdvances in experimental medicine and biology Vol. 293; p. 85
Main Authors Merimee, T J, Quinn, S, Russell, B, Riley, W
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 1991
Subjects
Adolescent
Body Height - physiology
Carrier Proteins - blood
Child
Child, Preschool
Growth - physiology
Growth Hormone - blood
Growth Hormone - physiology
Humans
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - analysis
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - physiology
Radioimmunoassay
Receptors, Somatotropin - metabolism
Sex Characteristics
Testosterone - blood
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Summary:Several major differences are noted between males and females in their patterns of growth at puberty. Accelerated pubertal growth in both males and females depends upon the integrity of the GH-receptor system. In males, acceleration of growth results primarily from enhanced sensitivity of the GH-receptor-IGF I system to GH brought about by testosterone. Whether testosterone itself is responsible for this observation is still unclear. Perhaps the initial GH, IGF I peak present in males and absent in females occurs at the time when sleep-related rises of gonadotropins and testosterone begin just prior to puberty. Though the pygmy data certainly supports a relationship between testosterone and the GH-receptor-IGF I axis, the undisputed tall stature of eunuchs remains a puzzle. It is possible that the maturing male gonad secretes another growth factor and/or growth inhibitor in conjunction with testosterone and that it is this unidentified factor which modulates growth. At any rate, acceleration of growth in males results from sensitization or the GH-receptor-IGF I system while growth acceleration in females results almost solely from increased secretion of GH and not sensitization of the system.
ISSN:0065-2598