The control of catch-up growth

Abstract

Catch-up (compensatory) growth following transient growth retardation due to illness or starvation has long been recognized in biology and in clinical medicine. This report summarizes work utilizing experimental models in rats in efforts to elucidate the control of catch-up growth. The results support the hypothesis that the catch-up growth mechanism includes a set-point or reference for body size appropriate for age and that the control resides in the central nervous system. Growth hormone (GH) secretion is increased during catch-up growth, although the results also show that increased GH secretion is not required for catch-up growth acceleration. Environmental light modulates the effect of catch-up growth on GH secretion. The mechanisms for sensing a deficit in body size and for stimulating catch-up growth acceleration remain unknown.