Post-prandial plasma GH concentrations significantly increased prior to weaning but did not change or decrease after weaning in goats. We hypothesized that this phenomenon was induced by changes in the digestive function or in gastrointestinal hormone secretion at weaning. We therefore gave intravenous administrations of CCK-8 in order to establish whether or not it stimulated GH secretion. The administration in pre-weaned animals increased the GH level, but not ghrelin levels, which were significantly greater than in post-weaned animals. These results suggest that the regulation of somatotropic axis after feeding may be stimulated by peripherally secreted CCK.