EFFECTS OF SHORT TERM ADMINISTRATION OF PHYSIOLOGICAL DOSES OF HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE IN THREE PATIENTS WITH TURNER'S SYNDROME

Abstract

ABSTRACT The effect of apparently physiological doses of human growth hormone was investigated in three patients with Turner's syndrome in short term metabolic balance studies. The subjects presented an abnormal sex chromosome constitution and an increased level of sulphation factor activity in serum. Two dose levels of hormone were used, and there appeared an anabolic response to both. No correlation with dose was obtained for any of the parameters used except for urinary magnesium, where the retention was greater with the higher dose. The sulphation factor activity of serum increased during hormone administration in the one case studied in this respect. The urinary excretion of hydroxyproline was within the normal range in the two patients studied in this respect, and was not altered by growth hormone. All patients had an increased urinary excretion of creatine which at present cannot be explained. The creatinuria diminished during growth hormone treatment. The mechanism behind the retarded growth is discussed. It is suggested that a major factor might be a defect in the center for linear growth, i. e. the epiphyses that would make these less responsive to all the factors normally stimulating the growth processes in the epiphyseal zones.