Abstract
Evidence suggests that IGFs and their binding proteins play a role in fetal growth but more knowledge of their regulation is essential. We examined the expression of IGFs and their binding proteins in experimental IUGR rat fetuses of hypoxic dams (13 % oxygen, days 14-21 of gestation). The mean body weight of the fetuses (day 21 of gestation, n=72) from the six hypoxic dams was 24 % lower (p<0.0001) than the mean weight of the fetuses of six control dams (n=82). Wet liver weights also demonstrated a 20 % decrease (p<0.0001) compared to control fetuses. The mean concentrations of immunoreactive IGF-I were low in both groups but did not differ significantly. The mean concentrations of immunoreactive IGF- II were high, as reported earlier, but there was no statistical difference between the groups. As assessed by northern blot analysis there was an increase in IGFBP-1 mRNA expression in the livers of the IUGR fetuses compared to controls. IGFBP-2 mRNA expression was also increased in IUGR fetal liver. No difference was found in IGFBP- 4 mRNA. An increase in IGFBP-1, - 2 and - 4 could be seen in the serum of the growth retarded fetuses, compared to control fetuses, by Western ligand blotting. This finding was verified by immunoprecipitation with specific antibodies which showed similar increases in IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2. Our results validate the use of maternal hypoxia as an experimental model of IUGR and indicate that increased IGFBP-1 and -2 expression may be of importance in the etiology of fetal growth retardation caused by maternal hypoxia.
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Tapanainen, P., Bang, P., Wilson, K. et al. MATERNAL HYPOXIA AS A MODEL FOR INTRA-UTERINE GROWTH RETARDATION (IUGR): EFFECTS ON INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTORS AND THEIR BINDING PROTEINS. Pediatr Res 33 (Suppl 5), S59 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00336
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00336