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Insulin-like growth factors in amniotic fluid
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|October 1, 1984
Summary
Insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II) concentrations in amniotic fluid remain stable during pregnancy but decrease significantly at term. Amniotic fluid IGF levels do not correlate with maternal serum levels.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Endocrinology
- Perinatal medicine
Background:
- Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are crucial for fetal development.
- Understanding IGF dynamics in amniotic fluid is important for assessing fetal growth and well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) concentrations in amniotic fluid throughout gestation.
- To investigate the relationship between amniotic fluid IGFs and maternal serum IGFs.
- To identify binding proteins for IGFs in amniotic fluid.
Main Methods:
- Specific immunoassays were used to quantify IGF-I and IGF-II in amniotic fluid from 58 women.
- Radioiodinated IGF-I and IGF-II were incubated with amniotic fluid to study binding.
- Correlations with maternal serum IGF levels and amniotic fluid total protein were analyzed.
Main Results:
- IGF-I concentrations remained constant (~20 ng/ml) throughout gestation.
- IGF-II concentrations were stable until term, then decreased significantly.
- Amniotic fluid IGF levels showed no correlation with maternal serum levels.
- A 40-45 K protein in amniotic fluid bound IGFs; no high molecular weight carrier protein was detected.
Conclusions:
- Amniotic fluid IGF concentrations are dynamically regulated during pregnancy.
- Term-specific changes in IGF-II suggest a unique role in late gestation.
- Amniotic fluid possesses distinct IGF-binding characteristics compared to serum.