Food restriction alters pregnancy-associated changes in IGF and IGFBP in the guinea pig

The effect of moderate food restriction on pregnancy-associated changes in weight gain, body composition, and circulating insulin-like growth factors (IGF) I and II and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP)-1 through-4 and their relationship was determined in the guinea pig. Pregnancy did not stimulate weight gain but reduced fat deposition in ad libitum-fed animals and increased weight gain and fat deposition in food-restricted animals relative to their respective virginal group. Pregnancy increased the abundance of circulating IGF-I regardless of food intake and increased that of IGF-II in food-restricted animals only. Pregnancy also increased circulating IGFBP-1 and -2 in ad libitum-fed and food-restricted animals and IGFBP-4 in ad libitum-fed animals. Multiple regression analysis showed that maternal weight gain was negatively associated with circulating IGF-II and IGFBP-2. Fetal weight was positively associated with maternal circulating IGF-II and negatively associated with maternal circulating IGFBP-1 and -2. Significant interactions indicate, however, that the role of IGF-II and IGFBP-1 on fetal growth is dependent on the nutritional status of the mother.