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The somatotrophic axis is one of the major hormonal systems regulating postnatal growth in mammals. Several aspects of this axis are sexually dimorphic, which might account for some of the sex differences in growth rate and body composition. This review will discuss male–female differences in the hormone levels, receptor concentrations and binding protein levels of this system. We will summarise sex differences in growth phenotype and then discuss differences in temporal profiles of growth hormone (GH), responses to GH including plasma and tissue levels of insulin-like growth factors, factors that may affect GH responsiveness, and conclude by discussing sex differences in regulation of GH synthesis and secretion. The established and potential effects of gonadal steroids acting prenatally and postnatally on the somatotrophic axis will also be examined. Readers are also referred to previous reviews on sexual dimorphism and gonadal steroid effects on growth hormone secretion ( Jansson et al. 1985, Devesa et al. 1991, Kerrigan & Rogol 1992, Wehrenberg & Giustina 1992, Chowen et al. 1996, Veldhuis 1996).
Gatford et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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