Effect of Zinc Deficiency on Serum Somatomedin Levels and Skeletal Growth in Young Rats*

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Abstract
Potential mechanisms by which zinc deficiency (ZD) may result in growth impairment in young animals were studied. Dietary-induced ZD in young rats resulted in diminished skeletal growth as measured by tibial epiphyseal width. Treatment with bovine GH [growth hormone] (bGh) did not increase skeletal growth suggesting GH resistance rather than GH deficiency in Zn-deficient rats. Serum levels of basic somatomedin (SM) were lower in Zn-deficient rats than in control rats receiving a Zn adequate diet, either ad lib or in pair matched amounts, and were restored to normal Zn repletion but not by bGH treatment, suggesting that SM production is impaired by ZD. There was a high correlation between tibial epiphyseal widths and serum or femur Zn concentrations. These findings, along with observations that despite similar levels of serum basic SM the bGH-treated Zn-deficient rats had smaller tibial epiphyseal widths than pair fed control rats, additionally suggest that the action of SM on skeletal growth is impaired by ZD.

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