title: Serum IGFBP4 concentration decreased in dairy heifers towards day 18 of pregnancy.
abstract: This study was conducted to determine if the main components of the somatotropic axis change during the early phase of pregnancy in the maternal blood system and whether differences exist on day 18 after pregnancy recognition by the maternal organism. Blood samples of pregnant heifers (Holstein Friesian; n = 10 after embryo transfer) were obtained on the day of ovulation (day 0), as well as on days 7, 14, 16 and 18 and during pregnant, non-pregnant and negative control cycles. The concentrations of progesterone (P4), oestrogen, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 and -2 (IGF1, -2) and IGF-binding protein-2, -3 and -4 (IGFBP2, -3, -4) were measured. The mRNA expressions of growth hormone receptor 1A, IGF1, IGF2, IGFBP2, IGFBP3 and IGFBP4 were detected using RT-qPCR in liver biopsy specimens (day 18). In all groups, total serum IGF1 decreased from day 0 to 16. Notably, IGFBP4 maternal blood concentrations were lower during pregnancy than during non-pregnant cycles and synchronized control cycles. It can be speculated that the lower IGFBP4 in maternal blood may result in an increase of free IGF1 for local action. Further studies regarding IGFBP4 concentration and healthy early pregnancy are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Laboratory, University of Veterinary Medicine, 30173 Hanover, Germany.
authors.forename: Marie M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Meyerholz
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Laboratory, University of Veterinary Medicine, 30173 Hanover, Germany.
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mense
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine, 30173 Hanover, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lietzau
authors.affiliation: Reproduction Unit, University of Veterinary Medicine, 30173 Hanover, Germany.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kassens
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Leibniz University, 30167 Hanover, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Linden
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Laboratory, University of Veterinary Medicine, 30173 Hanover, Germany.
authors.forename: Hendrike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Knaack
authors.affiliation: Ligandis GbR, 18276 Gülzow-Prüzen, Germany.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wirthgen
authors.affiliation: Institute for Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoeflich
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Agricultural Research, UMR1198 INRA-ENVA, Biologie du Développe et Reproduction, F-78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France.
authors.forename: Mariam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raliou
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Agricultural Research, UMR1198 INRA-ENVA, Biologie du Développe et Reproduction, F-78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Richard
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Agricultural Research, UMR1198 INRA-ENVA, Biologie du Développe et Reproduction, F-78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sandra
authors.affiliation: Immunology Unit, University of Veterinary Medicine, 30173 Hanover, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans-Joachim
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Schuberth
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine, 30173 Hanover, Germany.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hoedemaker
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Laboratory, University of Veterinary Medicine, 30173 Hanover, Germany.
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmicke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D018974:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 4 / Q000097:blood*; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D018974:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 4; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013002:Somatomedins
keywords: dairy cattle; insulin-like growth factor-1; insulin-like growth factor-2; insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-2; pregnancy