Variation in Lipid Composition by Ovine Growth Hormone in Anabas testudineus (Bloch)

The hormonal control of lipid metabolism in heterotherms has received scant attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the alterations in lipid components by ovine growth hormone (oGH) in a teleost Anabas testudineus. To study the role of oGH, three doses of oGH were given as intraperitoneal injections (0.1, 0.2, 0.5μg/g body wt/ day). Ovine GH at the higher doses significantly reduced serum cholesterol and LDL+VLDL, while increasing HDL. The concentrations of liver free fatty acids, triglycerides and cholesterol decreased and phospholipids increased in hormone treated specimens. Muscle triglycerides and cholesterol were increased after GH treatment. The results suggest the ability of oGH to break down neutral fat or oGH stimulates hepatic lipid mobilization in A. testudineus. Increased concentration of RNA suggests the ability of oGH to increase protein synthesis. Growth hormone appears to be antilipogenic and anabolic in A. testudineus.