Key result
Isolated GH deficiency in pregnant rats reduces maternal weight gain ~28% and yields smaller litters.
Why the study?
The physiological role of changes in GH, IGFs, IGFBPs, and IGFBP protease activity during pregnancy is unclear, especially in GH-deficient conditions.
Population
Pregnant isolated GH-deficient rats (spontaneous dwarf rats) and GH-normal dams
Comparison
GH-deficient dams vs GH-normal dams
Design
Preclinical study in an isolated GH-deficient rat model
Follow-up
21 days of pregnancy
Authors
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Hypothesis-generating for GH in rat pregnancy outcomes; leaves open translation to human GH deficiency.
Isolated GH deficiency in pregnant rats leads to reduced maternal weight gain, smaller litter sizes, and altered IGF/IGFBP profiles, suggesting a role for GH in modulating these factors during pregnancy.
Gargosky et al. (1993) studied Pregnancy in growth hormone deficiency. Growth hormone deficiency vs. Normal GH levels was evaluated on Maternal weight gain and litter size. Pregnancy in isolated GH-deficient rats resulted in a 28% reduction in maternal weight gain, smaller litter sizes, and low, unchanged maternal serum IGF-I levels compared to GH-normal dams.
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