Thyrotropin-releasing hormone mediates growth hormone release induced by milk and nursing in neonatal rats

Mice lacking the thyrotropin-releasing hormone gene: what do they tell us?

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is localized in the brain hypothalamus and stimulates the secretion and synthesis of pituitary thyrotropin (TSH). Although TRH deficiency caused by artificial hypothalamic destructions has been reported to result in significant decreases in TSH secretion in rodents, clinical observations from the patients with possible TRH deficiency did not entirely agree with these animal results. Because of its ubiquitous distribution throughout the brain and in the peripheral tissues, TRH has been suggested to possess a wide variety of functions in these regions. However, the neurobehavioral and peripheral actions of TRH still remains to be established. It has been, therefore, anticipated that detailed analysis of TRH-knockout mice might provide insight into the physiological significance of endogenous TRH. The present review focuses on the phenotypic findings of mice deficient in TRH.

Growth hormone release induced by growth hormone-releasing hexapeptide is not mediated by thyrotropin-releasing hormone in neonatal rats

GH-releasing hexapeptide (GHRP-6) and nursing stimulate GH secretion in rat pups via GH-releasing factors (GRFs: distinct from GH-releasing hormone (GHRH). It was determined whether GH secretion induced by GHRP-6 or nursing was mediated by TSH-releasing hormone (TRH) in 2-d-old rats. In vitro. GHRP-6 and TRH stimulated GH secretion of neonatal pituitary glands. At their maximally effective doses, GHRP-6 and TRH evoked approximately equal GH responses. Treatment with a combination of the maximally effective doses of GHRP-6 and TRH resulted in a GH response comparable to that evoked by either treatment alone. GHRP-6 in vivo induced a greater GH response than did TRH. Treatment in vivo with a combination of the maximally effective doses of GHRP-6 and TRH synergistically increased serum GH levels. Unlike GHRP-6 TRH was an effective stimulus of prolactin secretion either in vitro or in vivo. Nursing was an effective stimulus for GH secretion, but only marginally increased serum prolactin levels. The effects of either of the peptides and nursing on GH secretion were additive. These results suggest that GHRP-6 stimulates GH secretion both by acting directly on the pituitary gland and indirectly via a hypothalamic GRF. The indirect effect appears to be greater. The alternative GRFs released by GHRP-6 or nursing are distinct from each other and from TRH. These findings suggest that alternative GRFs play a significant role in the regulation of GH secretion in neonatal rats.