Effects of a polyclonal antiserum to rat growth hormone on circulating insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-binding protein concentrations and the growth of muscle and bone

A polyclonal antiserum to rat GH (anti-rGH) injected into rats for 3 or 8 weeks markedly reduced the weight, total protein and RNA content of muscles of the hind limb. These effects were prevented when bovine GH (bGH) was administered simultaneously. In a second experiment, the effects of 8 weeks of treatment with anti-rGH on the growth of the whole body, muscle and bone were investigated. Body weights of rats were decreased by 58% by treatment with anti-rGH; muscle weights were reduced by slightly more than the decrease in body weight (by 64%, 65% and 61% respectively for plantaris, soleus and gastrocnemius)