Insulin-like growth factor I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 as determinants of blood hemoglobin concentration in healthy subjects

We studied the serum concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), and testosterone in relation to blood Hb in 60 healthy prepubertal or early pubertal boys twice, with a 9-mo interval. Serum IGF-I and testosterone levels were measured by RIA, and serum IGFBP-3 was measured by monoclonal immunofluorometric assay. Positive correlations were observed between the concentrations of blood Hb and serum IGF-I at the first examination (r = 0.36, p = 0.008) and Hb and IGFBP-3 at both examinations (r = 0.53, p < 0.001, and r = 0.39, p = 0.003). No association between Hb and testosterone concentrations was found. Our results show that blood Hb is positively correlated to serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels, indicating indirectly the involvement of growth hormone in the regulation of physiologic Hb concentration. Because no association was found between Hb and testosterone concentrations, this may indicate that the role of androgens in erythropoiesis may be different at different stages of puberty. It is concluded that the IGF system may be involved in the rise of Hb level during early puberty.