Neuroendocrine regulation of growth hormone secretion in sheep. VI. Intracerebroventricular administration of galanin.

The effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of galanin on plasma growth hormone (GH) concentrations and its possible mechanism of action have been examined in sheep. Galanin administration icv resulted in a dose-dependent increase in plasma GH concentrations (p < 0.01). Concurrent administration of somatostatin (0.5 microgram kg-1 i.v. over 30 min) caused a delay in the GH response to galanin, but did not inhibit the GH release. These data show that galanin can stimulate GH release in sheep, but the mechanism through which this effect is mediated remains unclear.