What is synthetic (recombinant) bovine growth hormone (rBGH)?
The human form of growth hormone, also called somatotropin, is produced by the pituitary gland, and promotes growth and cell replication. Bovine somatotropin is the naturally occurring form of this hormone in cattle. Synthetic or recombinant somatotropin (rBGH or rBST) refers to bovine growth hormone that is manufactured in a laboratory using genetic technology. Some rBGH products on the market differ chemically from a cow’s naturally occurring somatotropin by one amino acid (called methionine). Both the natural and synthetic forms of the hormone stimulate milk production by increasing circulating levels of another hormone known as insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1).
