Accelerated Response of Hepatic DNA Synthesis to Partial Hepatectomy in Rats Pretreated with Growth Hormone or Surgical Stress

The rise in hepatic DNA synthesis in response to partial hepatectomy was accelerated in rats subjected to surgery 4.5 to 8 hr or 3 days before hepatectomy. Bovine growth hormone, in doses from 0.03 to 2.0 mg, also accelerated the response to hepatectomy, but cortisone, hydrocortisone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone were ineffective. Neither surgery nor growth hormone stimulated DNA synthesis significantly in the livers of nonhepatectomized rats.