Immunochemical studies of bovine and ovine pituitary growth hormone

Abstract

The immunochemical relationship between bovine and ovine growth hormone has been investigated by means of the quantitative preripitin technique and diffusion analysis on agar gel. It was observed according to the results of the Ouchterlony double-diffusion technique, that of the pituitary extracts from various species used as sources of growth hormone only that of the deer contains a component which cross reacts completely with bovine growth hormone. Bioassay by the tibia test, however, has shown extracts from various species including anteater camel, sea lion and guinea pig, to possess growth-promoting activity. The effect of chemical treatment of bovine growth hormone on its antigenicity has also been investigated.