Endocrine Abstracts

Ghrelin is a novel acylated peptide predominantly purified from stomach and identified as an endogenous ligand for GH secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). Ghrelin is potent releaser of GH and in addition, actively participate in controlling energy balance, regulation of food intake and appetite. The GH response to ghrelin was higher than that after GHRH.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of ghrelin on the mean plasma concentration of GH in animals with two different energy levels. Also this experiment had not been performed on camels so far.

With this purpose, we selected twelve camels randomly and divided them into two equal groups that each groups fed with different energy level (100 and 50% standard camel diet). Animals in each groups received daily either infusion of 8 μg/kg BW ghrelin for 4 days via jugular vein. Blood samples were collected for 6 days (1 day before first ghrelin infusion until 1 day after last infusion). Samples were assayed for plasma GH concentration by RIA.

The result of this experiment indicate that administration of ghrelin, significantly increase GH mean plasma concentration among all animals through the infusion period but this enhancement is more sensible in those animals who had 100% energy level. Analysis of data done with repeated measures ANOVA procedure and results were significant at P≤0.05.