[The effect of insulin-like growth factor I and insulin on intrauterine fetal growth retardation].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin (Ins) in the occurrence of intrauterine fetal growth retardation (IUGR).


METHODS
The study group included 17 women with IUGR, and 38 normal third trimester pregnant women were served as control. Maternal venous blood samples were collected from all cases before cesarean section. Umbilical venous blood and amniotic fluid were collected at the time of operation. The concentrations of Ins were measured by radioimmunoassay and concentrations of IGF-I were assayed by ELISA.


RESULTS
The maternal serum IGF-I in IUGR group (117.29 micrograms/L) was significantly lower than that in the control group (207.07 micrograms/L) (P < 0.002). The umbilical serum IGF-I in IUGR group (16.73 micrograms/L) was significantly lower than that in the control (44.89 micrograms/L) (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference of maternal serum Ins between IUGR group (12.18 mIU/L) and control group (7.13 mIU/L).


CONCLUSIONS
The change of IGF-I and Ins levels in maternal and umbilical serum may play an important role in the pathophysiological changes in IUGR.
Zhou
J
J
Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Zhejiang Medical University, Hangzhou 310006.
Shi
Y
Y
Dong
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy
D007328:Insulin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I