Growth and growth hormone: recent papers on efficacy and adverse effects of growth hormone and World Health Organisation growth standards

Comparison of the Evaluation of Combination of Ultrasonography of the Reproductive Tract With Hormone Administration on Dairy Cow Fertility

Further optimization of reproduction management programs in dairy cows is a contemporary research topic. In this context, our study aimed to compare a hormone program, named “uterus-ovary monitoring and classified use of hormone program” (M+C), with the Pre-OvSynch program. The M+C was based on regular application of B-mode ultrasonography during a voluntary waiting period to monitor the uterus and ovaries, while using various treatments under different conditions. Results of the 30–33-day and 60-day pregnancy/artificial insemination after the first AI of M+C were significantly better than the Pre-OvSynch (p < 0.05). The pregnancy rates within 180 days in milk after M+C was significantly higher than that after Pre-OvSynch (p < 0.05). The total number of inseminations used for M+C was significantly lower than that for Pre-OvSynch (p < 0.01). The number of open days was fewer after M+C than after the Pre–OvSynch throughout the experimental period with highly significant differences (p < 0.01). In summary, the use of M+C enhances reproductive benefits and reduces the need for hormone drugs among cows.

Improved adherence and growth outcomes with jet-delivered growth hormone

Background We previously reported improved persistence and adherence to daily recombinant growth hormone (rGH) in children using jet transjection delivery compared to using needle-based devices. This study examines the relationship between improved adherence and medium-term growth outcomes in children receiving jet-delivered rGH (JrGH) at a single centre. Methods This was a retrospective longitudinal follow-up study of children (<16 years) treated with daily JrGH (somatropin; Ferring Pharmaceuticals) in the form of Zomacton® with the Zomajet® device. Delivery schedules of home distribution services were utilised to calculate adherence, quantified as the proportion of days covered (PDC) index (PDC > 0.8 adherent, PDC ≤ 0.8 less adherent). Demography, patient history, height standard deviation scores (HTSDS) and difference from mid-parental height SDS (MPHSDS - HTSDS) were extracted from hospital records for up to 3 years of treatment. Results Of 75 patients eligible for JrGH, 52 had PDC treatment and height data for at least 1 year and 22 for 3 years. A greater proportion of patients were classified as adherent in both 1- and 3-year treated cohorts (adherent 30 [57.7%] and 14 [63.6%], less adherent 22 [42.3%] and 8 [36.4%]). After 1 year of JrGH treatment, HTSDS was not significantly different in either adherence group. After 3 years, only adherent patients demonstrated sustained year-on-year increments in HTSDS and significant improvement in target HTSDS positions (by 1.32 SDS) compared to baseline (p = 0.0008). MPHSDS - HTSDS showed a similar significant improvement at 3 years in adherent patients only (p = 0.0043). Conclusions Patients adherent to JrGH demonstrate significant growth improvement compared to baseline over 3 years.