Exam 8 L.7: Pituitary/GH

Question 1

What controls growth hormone?

Answer 1

1) positivist/stimulatory impact for GH
- GH-releasing hormone
- Ghrelin
2) negative/inhibitory impact
- somatostatin
- IGF-1
- growth hormone

Question 2

GH effects

Answer 2

1) mediated by insulin like growth factor, primarily produced in the liver
- increased chondrogenesis, skeletal growth, protein synthesis, cellular proliferation
2) GH levels: similar in adults regardless of breed
- IGF-1 levels: correlate with breed/size

Question 3

Clinical signs: effects of excess GH

Answer 3

1) skeletal growth: prognathia inferior (protrusion of the mandible)
2) increase cellular proliferation
- organomegaly, thickening of soft tissues, HCM, weight gain
3) lipolysis
- weight loss (early), polyphagia
4) insulin antagonism
- PU/PD/PP

Anabolic effects predominate

Question 4

Acromegaly-physical examination

(acromegaly: abnormal growth of the hands, feet, and face, caused by overproduction of growth hormone by the pituitary gland)

Answer 4

1) larger patient,big head, big feet
2) abdominal organomegaly
3) hypertrophy of soft tissues around face/mouth (tongue*)
4) widened interdental spaces
5) increased inspiratory noise

Question 5

Acromegaly-most common clinical presentation

Answer 5

1) poorly controlled diabetic
2) high index of suspicion when:
- insulin doses greater than 2 IU/kg
- physical exam findings described previously
- weight gain in face of poor diabetic control
3) diabetogenic effect of GH

(Remember to consider if a cat with a dropped hock has diabetes!)