Thyrotropin-releasing hormone mediates serotonin-induced secretion of GH in cattle

Abstract Serotonin stimulates secretion of growth hormone (GH) in cattle, but the mechanism is unknown. In rats, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) mediates serotonin-induced secretion of GH. We hypothesized that the same is true in cattle. Cattle were fed for 2h daily to synchronize secretion of GH, such that concentrations of GH were high before and low after feeding. Our first objective was to determine whether or not feeding suppresses serotonin receptor agonist (quipazine) induced secretion of GH. Holstein steers were injected with quipazine (0.2mg/kg BW) either 1h before or 1h after feeding. Quipazine-induced secretion of GH which did not differ in magnitude before and after feeding. If TRH mediates serotonin-induced secretion of GH, then magnitude of TRH-induced secretion of GH should not be different before and after feeding (our second objective). Sixteen meal-fed Holstein steers were injected with 0.3μg TRH/kg BW either 1h before or 1h after feeding. Indeed, magnitude of TRH-induced secretion of GH before and after feeding was not different. Our third objective was to inhibit endogenous TRH with 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T 3 ) and examine basal, GH-releasing hormone (GHRH)-, TRH- and quipazine-induced secretion of GH. Sixteen Holstein steers were injected daily with either T 3 (3 or 6μg/kg BW) or vehicle for 20 days and then challenged sequentially with vehicle or GHRH, TRH, or quipazine. T 3 did not affect basal, GHRH- or TRH-induced secretion of GH, but reduced basal secretion of thyroxine. T 3 reduced but did not completely block quipazine-induced secretion of GH. In conclusion, TRH mediates, in part, serotonin-induced secretion of GH in cattle.