Human growth hormone alters carbohydrate storage in blood and liver in both genders of an Indian bird, Acridotheres tristis (Linn.)

Abstract

Background: Growth hormone (GH) is a peptide hormone that plays vital roles in cell growth and metabolism. Aim: The study investigates the effect of GH on carbohydrate metabolism using Indian bird, Acridotheres tristis. Methods: Three different doses (0.4, 0.6, and 0.8mg/100g body weight) of human growth hormone (HGH) given once to both genders of a bird Acridotheres tristis to observe the effect on blood glucose and hepatic glycogen content in the body. Glucose and glycogen were quantitatively assayed. Results: Their effect was recorded for different time intervals (1, 4, 12, 24, 72, 96, and 144 h). Hypoglycaemic condition was recorded within an hour of hormone treatment in male and female birds. The lowest dose (0.4mg/100g body weight) was more effective than other two doses. Simultaneous depletion of hepatic glycogen was also recorded, although initially increase in glycogen level was also noticed in both genders. It was noticed that the highest dose (0.8mg/100g body weight) was most responsive. Conclusion: The effect of human growth hormone was not dose and time dependent in both male and female birds. HGH is thus hypoglycaemic and hepatic glycogenolytic in nature in A. tristis.

Key words: Human growth hormone, blood glucose, hepatic glycogen, hypoglycaemia, glycogenolysis, bird