EXPRESSION OF THE GROWTH-HORMONE RECEPTOR AND GROWTH HORMONE-BINDING PROTEIN DURING PREGNANCY IN THE MOUSE

A 20-fold increase in the relative expression of the hepatic GH-binding protein (GHBP)-encoding message between nonpregnant and 17-day pregnant mice was found. The hepatic GH receptor (GHR)-encoding message increased 8-fold between nonpregnant and pregnant mice. The increase in both messages began on day 9 of pregnancy. The steady state level of the GHBP-encoding message continued to increase steadily until day 17 of pregnancy; however, by day 13 of pregnancy, the steady state level of the GHR-encoding message reached a plateau that continued to day 17. The ratio between the GHBP- and GHR-encoding messages gradually increased during the second half of pregnancy, reaching a maximum on day 17