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Sex differences in the endocrine system in response to protein intake early in life

Ricardo Closa-Monasterolo1, Natàlia Ferré, Verónica Luque

  • 1From Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|November 18, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Infant sex influences how the body responds to high-protein formula, with girls showing a stronger insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 axis response than boys. This difference in endocrine response did not affect overall growth in either sex.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Endocrinology
  • Child Development

Background:

  • Early-life nutrition is critical for child development and can have sex-specific effects.
  • Understanding how different protein intakes impact infant development is essential for optimal infant feeding practices.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if infant sex influences biochemical and growth responses to varying protein intakes in early life.
  • To investigate the impact of higher protein (HP) versus lower protein (LP) formula on insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 axis parameters, leptin, C-peptide, and growth.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving formula-fed infants assigned to HP or LP formulas.
  • Key outcome measures included IGF-1 axis parameters, weight, length, BMI, leptin, and C-peptide/creatinine ratio at 6 months.
  • Dietary intake was monitored throughout the first 6 months of life.

Main Results:

  • Sex modulated the IGF-1 axis response to HP formula; girls exhibited higher total and free IGF-1 and IGF binding protein 3 concentrations than boys.
  • HP formula increased IGF-1 and decreased IGF binding protein 2 secretion compared to LP formula, with a trend for a stronger response in girls.
  • Higher leptin concentrations were observed in girls and correlated with IGF-1 axis parameters; no sex-based differences in growth were noted.

Conclusions:

  • The endocrine response to high-protein infant formula is influenced by infant sex.
  • Female infants' IGF-1 axis shows a more pronounced response to HP formula compared to males, without affecting growth.
  • Findings highlight sex-specific endocrine adaptations to early-life nutrition.
Abstract

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