Elevated plasma IGF 1 levels in stags prevented from growing antlers.
We have previously shown that plasma IGF 1 concentration is positively correlated with the rate of antler growth and have proposed that IGF 1 is stimulatory for antler growth in the red deer stag. Therefore to partly resolve the question of whether the IGF 1 was of circulating or local origin in relation to its effect on antler growth, we surgically prevented stags from growing antlers. We recorded significantly elevated plasma levels of IGF 1 in the non-antlered stags compared with normal antlered stags during the antler growth periods. This result is consistent with a hypothesis that the antler is a target organ for IGF 1 and that prevention of antler growth removed a population of IGF 1 receptors. IGF 1 is already known to stimulate body growth but this work points strongly to the possibility that plasma IGF 1 may stimulate individual organ growth in an endocrine manner.
Suttie
J M
JM
Invermay Agricultural Centre, Mosgiel, New Zealand.
Fennessy
P F
PF
Gluckman
P D
PD
Corson
I D
ID
D000818:Animals; D000999:Antlers / Q000254:growth & development*; D003670:Deer / Q000502:physiology*; D006733:Horns / Q000254:growth & development*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000097:blood*
D013002:Somatomedins; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I