Effect of growth hormone on hair, serum, and urine zinc in growth hormone-deficient children.

The present study shows that growth hormone administration to 30 growth hormone-deficient children significantly increased their hair zinc concentration (147.0 +/- 31.9 micrograms/ml before, and 168.7 +/- 30.4 micrograms/g after) and decreased their urinary zinc excretion (514 +/- 170 micrograms/g creatine before and 353 +/- 162 micrograms/g creatinine after), suggesting a role for growth hormone in zinc metabolism in children. Since the increase in hair zinc was similar to that found with testosterone on human growth, we speculate that at least some of the anabolic effects of growth hormone and androgens are mediated through their effect on zinc metabolism.