Endocrinology (disorders of growth hormone secretion)

Question 1

How frequent is hyposomatotropism in cats

Answer 1

This appears to be a spporadic disorder in cats

Question 2

What are the typical clinical signs

Answer 2

Proportionate dwarfism with a lack of adult hair coat
- Affected cats are markedly stunted and this is usually apparent at a young age (2-3 month old)
- delayed eruption of adult teeth

Question 3

How can you make a diagnosis

Answer 3

Diagnosis is confirmed by demonstrating considerably low GH or IGF-1 levels

Question 4

What are the prognosis and treatment options for hyposomatotropism

Answer 4

Prognosis is very guarded

Succesful treatment has not been reported in cats

Question 5

What is the cause of hyposomatotropism (pituitary dwarfism)

Answer 5

Hyposomatotropism is caused by primary deficiency of or insensitivity to GH and secondary deficiency of insulin-like growth factor-1, a peptide hormone produced by the liver after GH stimulation

Question 6

What are the effects of growth hormone

Answer 6

GH is produced in the adenohypophysis and secreted in a pulsatile fashion

Secretion is regulated by GH-releasing hormone (stimulatory) and somatostatin (inhibitory)

The effects of GH are primarily rapid catabolic actions that promote hyperglycemia and slow anabolic actions that are mediated by IGF-1