THE RESPONSE OF HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED MALE KILLIFISH TO PURIFIED FISH GROWTH HORMONE, AS COMPARED WITH THE RESPONSE TO PURIFIED BEEF GROWTH HORMONE1

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Abstract
Hypophysectomized male killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) at 20[degree]C were injected thrice weekly for 8 weeks with purified fish growth hormone (F80GH, Wilhelmi) and purified beef growth hormone (568, Wilhelmi, 6 times; 508B, Wilhelmi, 5 times; Organon 6645, 14 times) at a dosage level of 10 [mu]g per gram weight The fish growth hormone was free from thyrotropin, gonadotropins, and adrenocorticotropin, but contained the melanophore concentrating agent. Beef growth hormone No. 568 stimulated the nuptial coloration and was discontinued, No. 508B did not. Organon 6645 maintained the thyroids at a normal level and may have contained a trace of gonadotropin; there was no stimulation of the adrenal cortical tissue and the mammalian preparations were free from melanophore concentrating activity. Average weight and length increments at the end of the experiment were: fish growth hormone, 26.3% and 4.0%; beef growth hormone, 39.5% and 7.3%. There was no initial period of weight loss. New growth was elicited at the margin of the scales but calcification was frequently defective or lacking. There is a high correlation between the incidence of severe carbonate apatite renal lithiasis and lack of new calcification. Livers of fish receiving beef growth hormone were significantly smaller than those of fish receiving fish growth hormone, possibly associated with the slight stimulation of the testes. All fish were slightly anemic. The lesser response to fish growth hormone may be due to the presence of an inactive component or correlated with the total lack of thyroid stimulation.

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