ABSTRACT

Ghrelin is an endogeneous ligand for growth hormone secretagogue receptor and its principal synthesis site is stomach (Kojima et al., 1999). Plasma ghrelin levels are reduced in obese subjects and are increased in anorexic subjects (Haqq et al., 2003). It has also been proposed that ghrelin could influence growth and physical development (Whatmore et al., 2003). The initiation of puberty has been reported to increase leptin and decrease ghrelin (Haqq et al., 2003; Whatmore et al., 2003) concentrations in blood. However, knowledge of ghrelin concentrations through childhood have not yet been fully defined, especially the effect of regular high energy expenditure on ghrelin concentration during pubertal development in boys.