MODIFICATION OF DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISEASE OF MICE BY SOMATROPHIN (STH)12

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Abstract
Male mice of strain C57BL Jax 6 were treated with increasing doses of the bovine growth hormone Somar for 5 months starting at the age of 6 weeks. The observations were extended into old age. The joints of these mice were studied microscopically, and the progress of articular growth, of old age changes and of osteoarthritis was analyzed. As compared with conditions in untreated controls, STH promoted growth and old age changes of the articular cartilage; it also accelerated the onset and increased the incidence and severity of degenerative joint disease. The relationship of spontaneous osteoarthritis occurring in ageing mice to that seen after administration of STH as well as in acro megalic patients is discussed. It is felt that on the basis of microscopic findings a distinction between these two types of arthropathies cannot be made with certainty. A slight transitory thyrotrophic effect but no other trophic effects of Somar were noted.

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