Bovine somatotrophin is a hormone that regulates growth and milk production in cows. The spelling of this word can be complicated for those unfamiliar with the terminology. The word is pronounced /bəʊvaɪn səʊməˈtɒtrəfɪn/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the stress on the second syllable. The first part of the word, "bovine," refers to cows, and "somatotrophin" refers to the hormone that governs growth. Therefore, "bovine somatotrophin" literally means "cow growth hormone."
Bovine somatotrophin, also known as bovine growth hormone (BGH) or bovine growth hormone-1 (bGH-1), is a naturally occurring protein hormone produced by the pituitary gland in cows. It plays a crucial role in regulating growth and milk production in cattle. Bovine somatotrophin is encoded by the bovine somatotropin gene, and its primary function is to stimulate the production and release of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) from the liver.
In agriculture, bovine somatotrophin is considered an important tool for increasing milk production in dairy cows. It stimulates milk production by promoting the development of the mammary glands and increasing the efficiency of milk synthesis. This hormone also facilitates the partitioning of nutrients towards milk production rather than body fat accumulation.
Bovine somatotrophin can be synthesized through recombinant DNA technology, resulting in recombinant bovine somatotrophin (rBST) or recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH). rBST has been approved for use in dairy cattle in many countries, including the United States, where it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1993 after extensive scientific evaluation.
However, the use of bovine somatotrophin in the dairy industry has been a subject of controversy. Some concerns have been raised regarding its potential impact on human health, animal welfare, and the environment. As a result, the use of bovine somatotrophin is banned in several countries, while others strictly regulate its use and require labeling of products derived from treated cows.
The word "bovine somatotrophin" is derived from different sources:
1. Bovine: The term "bovine" is derived from the Latin word "bos", which means "ox" or "cow". In this context, "bovine" refers to anything related to cattle.
2. Somatotrophin: The term "somatotrophin" is composed of two parts: "somato" and "trophin".
- "Somato" comes from the Greek word "soma", meaning "body".
- "Trophin" is derived from the Greek word "trophē", meaning "nourishment".
Together, "somatotrophin" refers to a hormone that promotes the growth and nourishment of the body.