Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 78, 543-548, Copyright © 1994 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Relationship between age, percentage body fat, fitness, and 24-hour growth hormone release in healthy young adults: effects of gender

A Weltman, JY Weltman, ML Hartman, RD Abbott, AD Rogol, WS Evans and JD Veldhuis
Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22903.

We investigated whether gender affects the physiological relationships between the release of GH and age, body composition, and levels of physical fitness in humans. We studied 32 eumenorrheic females (age = 31 +/- 5 yr) and 12 males (age = 27 +/- 5 yr). Significant gender differences were found for peak oxygen consumption [VO2 peak = 40.5 +/- 6.9 (females) vs. 50.1 +/- 11.6 (males) ml/kg.min-1, P < 0.05] and body composition [hydrostatic weighing, percentage body fat = 28.7 +/- 5.4 (females) vs. 18.1 +/- 9.8 (males), P < 0.05] but not for body mass index [BMI = 23.7 +/- 3.1 (females) vs. 24.0 +/- 3.3 (males)]. Blood samples were drawn every 10 min for 24 h from 0800 h to determine integrated serum GH concentration [2350 +/- 1260 (females) vs. 3110 +/- 1760 (males) microgram/L x min]; females were studied during the early follicular phase (days 4-5) of the menstrual cycle. In females, a significant relationship existed between 24-h integrated serum GH concentration and age (r = -0.35, P = 0.05) but not BMI (r = -0.19, P = 0.29); the relationship between 24-h integrated serum GH concentration and VO2 peak (r = 0.31, P = 0.08) and percentage body fat (r = 0.29, P = 0.11) approached significance. In males, significant relationships existed between 24-h integrated serum GH concentration and age (r = - 0.79, P = 0.002), percentage body fat (r = -0.75, P = 0.005), and VO2 peak (r = 0.58, P = 0.05) but not between 24-h integrated serum GH concentration and BMI (r = -0.53, P = 0.08). Standardized regression coefficients revealed that for each SD change in age, BMI, percentage body fat, or VO2 peak the associated change in 24-h integrated serum GH concentration was 1.9-2.6 times greater in males than in females. We conclude that age, percentage body fat (but not BMI), and fitness are related to 24-h GH release in young adults and that these relationships are considerably stronger in males than females.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. C. Paulo, M. Cosma, C. Soares-Welch, J. N. Bailey, K. L. Mielke, J. M. Miles, C. Y. Bowers, and J. D. Veldhuis Gonadal Status and Body Mass Index Jointly Determine Growth Hormone (GH)-Releasing Hormone/GH-Releasing Peptide Synergy in Healthy Men J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., March 1, 2008; 93(3): 944 - 950. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Gibney, M.-L. Healy, and P. H. Sonksen The Growth Hormone/Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Axis in Exercise and Sport Endocr. Rev., October 1, 2007; 28(6): 603 - 624. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Muniyappa, J. D. Sorkin, J. D. Veldhuis, S. M. Harman, T. Munzer, S. Bhasin, and M. R. Blackman Long-term testosterone supplementation augments overnight growth hormone secretion in healthy older men Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, September 1, 2007; 293(3): E769 - E775. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Brabant, A. Krogh Rasmussen, B. M. K. Biller, M. Buchfelder, U. Feldt-Rasmussen, K. Forssmann, B. Jonsson, M. Koltowska-Haggstrom, D. Maiter, B. Saller, et al. Clinical Implications of Residual Growth Hormone (GH) Response to Provocative Testing in Adults with Severe GH Deficiency J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2007; 92(7): 2604 - 2609. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. D. Veldhuis, M. Cosma, D. Erickson, R. Paulo, K. Mielke, L. S. Farhy, and C. Y. Bowers Tripartite Control of Growth Hormone Secretion in Women during Controlled Estradiol Repletion J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2007; 92(6): 2336 - 2345. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Wideman, L. Consitt, J. Patrie, B. Swearingin, R. Bloomer, P. Davis, and A. Weltman The impact of sex and exercise duration on growth hormone secretion J Appl Physiol, December 1, 2006; 101(6): 1641 - 1647. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. S. Bonkowski, R. W. Pamenter, J. S. Rocha, M. M. Masternak, J. A. Panici, and A. Bartke Long-lived growth hormone receptor knockout mice show a delay in age-related changes of body composition and bone characteristics. J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., June 1, 2006; 61(6): 562 - 567. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Weltman, J. Y. Weltman, C. P. Roy, L. Wideman, J. Patrie, W. S. Evans, and J. D. Veldhuis Growth hormone response to graded exercise intensities is attenuated and the gender difference abolished in older adults J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2006; 100(5): 1623 - 1629. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. D. Veldhuis, J. N. Roemmich, E. J. Richmond, and C. Y. Bowers Somatotropic and Gonadotropic Axes Linkages in Infancy, Childhood, and the Puberty-Adult Transition Endocr. Rev., April 1, 2006; 27(2): 101 - 140. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. D. Veldhuis, D. Erickson, K. Mielke, L. S. Farhy, D. M. Keenan, and C. Y. Bowers Distinctive Inhibitory Mechanisms of Age and Relative Visceral Adiposity on Growth Hormone Secretion in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women Studied under a Hypogonadal Clamp J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2005; 90(11): 6006 - 6013. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. D. Veldhuis, A. Iranmanesh, and C. Y. Bowers Joint Mechanisms of Impaired Growth-Hormone Pulse Renewal in Aging Men J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2005; 90(7): 4177 - 4183. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Berggren, C. Ehrnborg, T. Rosen, L. Ellegard, B.-A. Bengtsson, and K. Caidahl Short-Term Administration of Supraphysiological Recombinant Human Growth Hormone (GH) Does Not Increase Maximum Endurance Exercise Capacity in Healthy, Active Young Men and Women with Normal GH-Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Axes J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2005; 90(6): 3268 - 3273. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. D. Veldhuis, J. T. Patrie, K. T. Brill, J. Y. Weltman, E. E. Mueller, C. Y. Bowers, and A. Weltman Contributions of Gender and Systemic Estradiol and Testosterone Concentrations to Maximal Secretagogue Drive of Burst-Like Growth Hormone Secretion in Healthy Middle-Aged and Older Adults J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2004; 89(12): 6291 - 6296. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K.-C. Leung, G. Johannsson, G. M. Leong, and K. K. Y. Ho Estrogen Regulation of Growth Hormone Action Endocr. Rev., October 1, 2004; 25(5): 693 - 721. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. D. Veldhuis, S. M. Anderson, J. T. Patrie, and C. Y. Bowers Estradiol Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women Doubles Rebound-Like Release of Growth Hormone (GH) Triggered by Sequential Infusion and Withdrawal of Somatostatin: Evidence that Estrogen Facilitates Endogenous GH-Releasing Hormone Drive J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2004; 89(1): 121 - 127. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. C. TARLATZIS and L. ZEPIRIDIS Perimenopausal Conception Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., November 1, 2003; 997(1): 93 - 104. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. P. P. Geary, P. J. Pringle, C. H. Rodeck, J. C. P. Kingdom, and P. C. Hindmarsh Sexual Dimorphism in the Growth Hormone and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Axis at Birth J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., August 1, 2003; 88(8): 3708 - 3714. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Yuen, K. Ong, S. Husbands, P. Chatelain, L. Fryklund, P. Gluckman, M. Ranke, D. Cook, R. Rosenfeld, J. Wass, et al. The Effects of Short-Term Administration of Two Low Doses Versus the Standard GH Replacement Dose on Insulin Sensitivity and Fasting Glucose Levels in Young Healthy Adults J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2002; 87(5): 1989 - 1995. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. I. G. Holt, E. Webb, C. Pentecost, and P. H. Sonksen Aging and Physical Fitness Are More Important Than Obesity in Determining Exercise-Induced Generation of GH J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2001; 86(12): 5715 - 5720. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. L. Clasey, A. Weltman, J. Patrie, J. Y. Weltman, S. Pezzoli, C. Bouchard, M. O. Thorner, and M. L. Hartman Abdominal Visceral Fat and Fasting Insulin Are Important Predictors of 24-Hour GH Release Independent of Age, Gender, and Other Physiological Factors J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., August 1, 2001; 86(8): 3845 - 3852. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. J. Bray, T. M. Vick, N. Shah, S. M. Anderson, L. W. Rice, A. Iranmanesh, W. S. Evans, and J. D. Veldhuis Short-Term Estradiol Replacement in Postmenopausal Women Selectively Mutes Somatostatin's Dose-Dependent Inhibition of Fasting Growth Hormone Secretion J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2001; 86(7): 3143 - 3149. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Russell-Aulet, E. V. Dimaraki, C. A. Jaffe, R. DeMott-Friberg, and A. L. Barkan Aging-Related Growth Hormone (GH) Decrease Is a Selective Hypothalamic GH-Releasing Hormone Pulse Amplitude Mediated Phenomenon J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., January 1, 2001; 56(2): 124M - 129. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				N. Mauras, K. M. Attie, E. O. Reiter, P. Saenger, and J. Baptista the Genentech Inc. Cooperative Study Grou High Dose Recombinant Human Growth Hormone (GH) Treatment of GH-Deficient Patients in Puberty Increases Near-Final Height: A Randomized, Multicenter Trial J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 2000; 85(10): 3653 - 3660. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				A. Weltman, C. J. Pritzlaff, L. Wideman, J. Y. Weltman, J. L. Blumer, R. D. Abbott, M. L. Hartman, and J. D. Veldhuis Exercise-dependent growth hormone release is linked to markers of heightened central adrenergic outflow J Appl Physiol, August 1, 2000; 89(2): 629 - 635. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Maccario, G. Aimaretti, G. Corneli, C. Gauna, S. Grottoli, M. Bidlingmaier, C. J. Strasburger, C. Dieguez, F. F. Casanueva, and E. Ghigo Short-term fasting abolishes the sex-related difference in GH and leptin secretion in humans Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, August 1, 2000; 279(2): E411 - E416. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Van den Berghe, R. C. Baxter, F. Weekers, P. Wouters, C. Y. Bowers, and J. D. Veldhuis A Paradoxical Gender Dissociation within the Growth Hormone/Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Axis during Protracted Critical Illness J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2000; 85(1): 183 - 192. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J. A. Kanaley, M. M. Weatherup-Dentes, E. B. Jaynes, and M. L. Hartman Obesity Attenuates the Growth Hormone Response to Exercise J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 1999; 84(9): 3156 - 3161. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				C. J. Pritzlaff, L. Wideman, J. Y. Weltman, R. D. Abbott, M. E. Gutgesell, M. L. Hartman, J. D. Veldhuis, and A. Weltman Impact of acute exercise intensity on pulsatile growth hormone release in men J Appl Physiol, August 1, 1999; 87(2): 498 - 504. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. C. Hindmarsh, E. Dennison, S. M. Pincus, C. Cooper, C. H. D. Fall, D. R. Matthews, P. J. Pringle, and C. G. D. Brook A Sexually Dimorphic Pattern of Growth Hormone Secretion in the Elderly J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., August 1, 1999; 84(8): 2679 - 2685. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				N. Shah, J. Aloi, W. S. Evans, and J. D. Veldhuis Time Mode of Growth Hormone (GH) Entry into the Bloodstream and Steady-State Plasma GH Concentrations, Rather Than Sex, Estradiol, or Menstrual Cycle Stage, Primarily Determine the GH Elimination Rate in Healthy Young Women and Men J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., August 1, 1999; 84(8): 2862 - 2869. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				A. A. Toogood and S. M. Shalet Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy in the Elderly with Hypothalamic-Pituitary Disease: A Dose-Finding Study J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 1999; 84(1): 131 - 136. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				A. Giustina and J. D. Veldhuis Pathophysiology of the Neuroregulation of Growth Hormone Secretion in Experimental Animals and the Human Endocr. Rev., December 1, 1998; 19(6): 717 - 797. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				A. Eliakim, J. A. Brasel, S. Mohan, W. L. T. Wong, and D. M. Cooper Increased physical activity and the growth hormone-IGF-I axis in adolescent males Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, July 1, 1998; 275(1): R308 - R314. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. N. Roemmich, P. A. Clark, V. Mai, S. S. Berr, A. Weltman, J. D. Veldhuis, and A. D. Rogol Alterations in Growth and Body Composition During Puberty: III. Influence of Maturation, Gender, Body Composition, Fat Distribution, Aerobic Fitness, and Energy Expenditure on Nocturnal Growth Hormone Release J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 1998; 83(5): 1440 - 1447. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				S. M. Shalet, A. Toogood, A. Rahim, and B. M. D. Brennan The Diagnosis of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Children and Adults Endocr. Rev., April 1, 1998; 19(2): 203 - 223. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J. A. Kanaley, J. Y. Weltman, J. D. Veldhuis, A. D. Rogol, M. L. Hartman, and A. Weltman Human growth hormone response to repeated bouts of aerobic exercise J Appl Physiol, November 1, 1997; 83(5): 1756 - 1761. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. J. H. Janssen, P. Deurenberg, and F. Roelfsema Using Dilution Techniques and Multifrequency Bioelectrical Impedance to Assess Both Total Body Water and Extracellular Water at Baseline and During Recombinant Human Growth Hormone (GH) Treatment in GH-Deficient Adults J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 1997; 82(10): 3349 - 3355. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. H. Gravholt, R. W. Naeraa, S. Fisker, and J. S. Christiansen Body Composition and Physical Fitness Are Major Determinants of the Growth Hormone-Insulin-Like Growth Factor Axis Aberrations in Adult Turner's Syndrome, with Important Modulations by Treatment with 17{beta}-Estradiol J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., August 1, 1997; 82(8): 2570 - 2577. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. J. H. Janssen, M. Frolich, and F. Roelfsema A Low Starting Dose of Genotropin in Growth Hormone-Deficient Adults J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 1997; 82(1): 129 - 135. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. J. Pritzlaff-Roy, L. Widemen, J. Y. Weltman, R. Abbott, M. Gutgesell, M. L. Hartman, J. D. Veldhuis, and A. Weltman Gender governs the relationship between exercise intensity and growth hormone release in young adults J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2002; 92(5): 2053 - 2060. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]