Postnatal changes in circulating concentrations of growth hormone, somatomedin C and thyroid hormones in pigs

Plasma concentrations of growth hormone (GH), somatomedin (SmC), thyroxine (T 4) and triiodothyronine (T 3) were determined from birth to post weaning in pigs (Yorkshires). Plasma samples were obtained from the smallest, median and largest piglet from 11 litters. No differences in the circulating concentrations of any of the hormones were observed between piglets of different sizes. However, there were changes in circulating concentrations of hormones during postnatal development. Plasma concentrations of GH decreased between 2 and 8 to 10 days of age. A progressive increase in the circulating concentrations of SmC was observed with concentrations rising (3.83-fold between 2 days and 40 days of age). Plasma concentrations of T 4 and T 3 were maximal at 23 and 16 days of age, respectively.