Metabolic Effects of Human Growth Hormone Derived from Embalmed Bodies1

We have previously shown that growth hormone (GH) can be extracted from the pituitaries of embalmed bodies. In the present work, we have studied the effects in man of GH from the embalmed sources. The metabolic effects of GH from embalmed and non-embalmed sources were compared, using 2 preparations which were equal in biologic activity, and the response to a single injection in 14 normal adult males was found to be similar both quantitatively and qualitatively. Metabolic balance studies were carried out on 2 children with pituitary dwarfism and the response to GH from embalmed sources was similar to that seen with other active preparations of human GH. No untoward effects were observed during either the single or multiple injection studies. It is concluded that GH from embalmed sources is suitable for treatment of human subjects.