IGF-I, IGFBP-2 and -3 but not GH concentrations are different in normal and poor growing piglets

In this study we investigated the somatotropic axis in piglets with evident growth delay. Female Suffolk crossbred piglets (30 days old; N = 12) were divided into normal weight (10 +/- 0.9 kg) and poor growing subjects (7 +/- 0.5 kg) and bled for growth hormone (GH), Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 and 3 (IGFBP-2 and -3) determination. Basal and induced-GH levels were not different in the groups. Plasma IGF-I concentrations were significantly different (p < 0.001): 101.8 +/- 9.8 ng x mL(-1) (normal weight group) and 39.5 +/- 4.0 ng x mL(-1) (poor growing group). IGFBP-2 and -3 concentrations were significantly (p < 0.001) lower in poor growing than in normal piglets. Piglet weight was positively correlated (r = 0.98, p < 0.001) with IGF-I and IGFBP-2 or -3 concentrations. Our data indicate that growth rate was not correlated to basal or secretagogue-induced GH secretion.