Effect of phosphorus deficiency on thyroid function and growth hormone in the white Leghorn male

Interactive Effects of Copper Sources and a High Level of Phytase in Phosphorus-Deficient Diets on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Tissue Mineral Concentrations, and Plasma Parameters in Nursery Pigs

The present study investigated the interactive effects of copper sources and a high level of phytase on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, tissue mineral concentrations, and plasma parameters in nursery pigs. Weaning piglets (N = 192; 6.06 ± 0.99 kg), blocked by body weight, were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments, with 12 pens per treatment and 4 pigs per pen. A basal diet for each phase was formulated to meet nutrient requirements for nursery pigs with the exception that standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) P was reduced by 0.12% and Ca was adjusted to achieve Ca/STTD P = 2.15. The 4 dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design, with 2 Cu sources (125 mg/kg Cu from copper methionine hydroxy analogue chelate (Cu-MHAC) or copper sulfate (CuSO₄)) and 2 phytase levels (0 or 1500 phytase units (FTU)/kg). Results showed that there was an interaction (P < 0.05) between Cu sources and phytase on ADG during days 0-41. When phytase was not present in the diets (P deficient), there was no difference between the two Cu sources in terms of ADG during days 0-41, whereas with phytase in the diets, Cu-MHAC tended to improve (P < 0.10) ADG during days 0-41 compared with CuSO₄. Pigs fed Cu-MHAC had greater apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of neutral and acid detergent fiber and STTD of P than those fed CuSO₄. Phytase increased (P < 0.05) growth performance, ATTD of Ca and P, and plasma inositol and growth hormone concentrations. In conclusion, Cu-MHAC may be more effective in improving growth rate than CuSO₄ when phytase was supplemented at 1500 FTU/kg. Cu-MHAC enhanced fiber and P digestibility regardless of phytase, compared with CuSO₄. Phytase addition in P-deficient diets was effective in improving growth performance, Ca and P digestibility, and plasma inositol and growth hormone concentrations.

Modulation of the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor (GH-IGF) axis by pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and environmental xenobiotics: an emerging role for xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes and the transcription factors regulating their expression. A review

The growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor (GH-IGF) axis has gained considerable focus over recent years. One cause of this increased interest is due to a correlation of age-related decline in plasma GH/IGF levels with age-related degenerative processes, and it has led to the prescribing of GH replacement therapy by some practitioners. On the other hand, however, research has also focused on the pro-carcinogenic effects of high GH-IGF levels, providing strong impetus for finding regimes that reduce its activity. Whereas the effects of GH/IGF activity on the action of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme systems is reasonably well appreciated, the effects of xenobiotic exposure on the GH-IGF axis has not received substantial review. Relevant xenobiotics are derived from pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and environmental exposure, and many of the mechanisms involved are highly complex in nature, not easily predictable from existing in vitro tests and do not always predict well from in vivo animal models. After a review of the human and animal in vivo and in vitro literature, a framework for considering the different levels of direct and indirect modulation by xenobiotics is developed herein, and areas that still require further investigation are highlighted, i.e. the actions of common endocrine disruptors such as pesticides and phytoestrogens, as well as the role of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes and the transcription factors regulating their expression. It is anticipated that a fuller appreciation of the existing human paradigms for GH-IGF axis modulation gained through this review may help explain some of the variation in levels of plasma IGF-1 and its binding proteins in the population, aid in the prescription of particular dietary regimens to certain individuals such as those with particular medical conditions, guide the direction of long-term drug/nutraceutical safety trials, and stimulate ideas for future research. It also serves to warn athletes that using compounds touted as performance enhancing because they promote short-term GH release could in fact be detrimental to performance in the long-run.

Thyroid function, growth hormone, and organ growth in broilers deficient in phosphorus

The effects of a dietary P deficiency on thyroid function, serum growth hormone, and growth parameters in 10 to 29-day-old broiler cockerels was determined. Chicks fed severely P-deficient diets (.05% or .10% available P) grew more slowly and ate less feed than controls fed .65% P. The deficiency was also accompanied by hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and decreases in percent bone ash, fat-free tibial weight, and tibial length and width. Increases in the relative weights of kidneys, hearts, and pituitary glands (.05% P only) occurred as well. Most of these changes occurred to a lesser extent or not at all in pair-fed controls, showing that they resulted specifically from the P deficiency and were not simply a result of reductions in feed intake. Phosphorus deficiency also was accompanied by peripheral edema and hydropericardium. Relative thyroid weight was unaffected. Serum triiodothyronine was consistently lower in the P-deficient chicks, although effects were significant only in one experiment. Thyroxine levels tended to be low also, but not consistently so. Serum growth hormone in P-deficient chicks in both studies was consistently lower than that in pair-fed controls, but this was significant only when .10% but not .05% available P was fed. The findings suggest that serum levels of both thyroid hormone and growth hormone are altered by P deficiency, but the results were not clearly definitive.

Factors influencing the growth of normal and neoplastic thyroid tissue

TSH activates the adenylate cyclase and the phosphoinositide turnover-protein kinase C-calcium systems in thyroid cells and appears to have an important but variable role in controlling the growth of both normal and neoplastic thyroid tissues. Species differences, experimental conditions, and tissue or tumor cell heterogeneity may account for this variability. Although TSH seems to be an important physiologic growth factor, it is neither the exclusive growth factor for the thyroid gland nor absolutely necessary for the effect of other thyroid growth factors. TSH may work in concert with other growth factors such as EGF. Some growth factors influence thyroid growth through TSH, whereas others do not.