Project Number: 1930-31000-003-04
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Feb 01, 2004
End Date: Dec 31, 2005

Objective:
Unlike mammals, the nature and regulation of pituitary growth hormone (GH) secretory patterns, and their importance to the function and biology of GH, in teleosts remains unclear. Our long-term goal is to develop and test new approaches to enhance teleost (fish) growth and production. Therefore, the objective of this project is to examine the ability of the synthetic growth hormone-releasing hexapeptide, GHRP-2 (KP-102), to stimulate GH gene expression, GH secretion and consequently growth and metabolism in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Approach:
Our approach will consist of determining 1) the in vivo effects of GHRP-2 and growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH: positive control) administration on GH secretion and, consequently, insulin-like growth factor-I levels (IGF-I), and 2) whether GHRP-induced GH secretion enhances physiological responses such as growth and metabolism in rainbow trout. Collectively, these studies are aimed at determining whether the stimulatory effects of GH secretogogues, on GH release, elicit appropriate biological responses. To accomplish this, we shall measure the effects of GH secretogogue treatment on growth, insulin-like growth factor (IGF) physiology and feed intake.

Project Team

Shepherd, Brian

Related National Programs

Aquaculture (106)