Short communication: Growth hormone receptor expression in two dairy breeds during the periparturient period

The growth hormone receptor (GHR) 1A mRNA decreases after calving in the liver of Holstein dairy cows and may coordinate nutrient partitioning. The hypothesis that the decrease in GHR1A mRNA around the time of calving was characteristic of a second dairy breed was tested by examining Guernsey cows in addition to Holstein cows. Holstein and Guernsey cows were housed together and paired by parity and expected calving date. Liver biopsies and blood samples were collected prepartum (d - 20 + 1) and postpartum on d 3, and d 14 + 1. The amounts of GHR1A, GHR1B, GHR1C, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)1 mRNA were determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Blood concentrations of growth hormone (GH) and IGF1 were measured by RIA. Both breeds underwent a decrease in GHR1A mRNA, a decrease in liver IGF1 mRNA, a decrease in blood IGF1, and an increase in blood GH after calving. The decrease in liver GHR1A and IGF1 mRNA after calving may be an inherent characteristic of dairy breeds that enables nutrient partitioning for greater milk production. Independent genetic selection in 2 dairy breeds seemingly exploited a similar mechanism, reduced GHR1A expression, to decrease blood IGF1 and increase blood GH, a key hormone involved in nutrient partitioning.