Effects of plasmid-mediated growth hormone releasing hormone supplementation in young, healthy Beagle dogs1

Abstract
Our study focused on the evaluation of the pharmacological and toxicological effects of plasmid-mediated GHRH supplementation with electroporation in normal adult dogs over a 180-d period. Twenty-eight dogs (P < 0.001), without organomegaly. Serum glucose and insulin in fasted dogs remained within normal ranges at all time points. Adrenocorticotropic hormone was normal in all groups. Significant increases in number of red blood cells, hematocrit, and hemoglobin (P < 0.01) were observed. In conclusion, our study shows that plasmid-mediated GHRH supplementation is safe in electroporated doses up to 1.0 mg in young healthy dogs.