• Title/Summary/Keyword: Lactation Period

Search Result 369, Processing Time 0.027 seconds

DISEASE DIAGNOSED AND DESCRIBED BY NIRS

  • Tsenkova, Roumiana N.
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society of Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference
    • /
    • 2001.06a
    • /
    • pp.1031-1031
    • /
    • 2001
  • The mammary gland is made up of remarkably sensitive tissue, which has the capability of producing a large volume of secretion, milk, under normal or healthy conditions. When bacteria enter the gland and establish an infection (mastitis), inflammation is initiated accompanied by an influx of white cells from the blood stream, by altered secretory function, and changes in the volume and composition of secretion. Cell numbers in milk are closely associated with inflammation and udder health. These somatic cell counts (SCC) are accepted as the international standard measurement of milk quality in dairy and for mastitis diagnosis. NIR Spectra of unhomogenized composite milk samples from 14 cows (healthy and mastitic), 7days after parturition and during the next 30 days of lactation were measured. Different multivariate analysis techniques were used to diagnose the disease at very early stage and determine how the spectral properties of milk vary with its composition and animal health. PLS model for prediction of somatic cell count (SCC) based on NIR milk spectra was made. The best accuracy of determination for the 1100-2500nm range was found using smoothed absorbance data and 10 PLS factors. The standard error of prediction for independent validation set of samples was 0.382, correlation coefficient 0.854 and the variation coefficient 7.63%. It has been found that SCC determination by NIR milk spectra was indirect and based on the related changes in milk composition. From the spectral changes, we learned that when mastitis occurred, the most significant factors that simultaneously influenced milk spectra were alteration of milk proteins and changes in ionic concentration of milk. It was consistent with the results we obtained further when applied 2DCOS. Two-dimensional correlation analysis of NIR milk spectra was done to assess the changes in milk composition, which occur when somatic cell count (SCC) levels vary. The synchronous correlation map revealed that when SCC increases, protein levels increase while water and lactose levels decrease. Results from the analysis of the asynchronous plot indicated that changes in water and fat absorptions occur before other milk components. In addition, the technique was used to assess the changes in milk during a period when SCC levels do not vary appreciably. Results indicated that milk components are in equilibrium and no appreciable change in a given component was seen with respect to another. This was found in both healthy and mastitic animals. However, milk components were found to vary with SCC content regardless of the range considered. This important finding demonstrates that 2-D correlation analysis may be used to track even subtle changes in milk composition in individual cows. To find out the right threshold for SCC when used for mastitis diagnosis at cow level, classification of milk samples was performed using soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) and different spectral data pretreatment. Two levels of SCC - 200 000 cells/$m\ell$ and 300 000 cells/$m\ell$, respectively, were set up and compared as thresholds to discriminate between healthy and mastitic cows. The best detection accuracy was found with 200 000 cells/$m\ell$ as threshold for mastitis and smoothed absorbance data: - 98% of the milk samples in the calibration set and 87% of the samples in the independent test set were correctly classified. When the spectral information was studied it was found that the successful mastitis diagnosis was based on reviling the spectral changes related to the corresponding changes in milk composition. NIRS combined with different ways of spectral data ruining can provide faster and nondestructive alternative to current methods for mastitis diagnosis and a new inside into disease understanding at molecular level.

  • PDF

Effect of Dietary Fish Oil on Lipid Peroxidation in Rats Liver and Brain During Postnatal Development (어유섭취가 출생후 발달과정의 흰 쥐의 간과 뇌조직의 지질과산화와 그 관련기능에 미치는 영향)

  • 박명희
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
    • /
    • v.20 no.2
    • /
    • pp.111-121
    • /
    • 1987
  • Lipie peroxide formation, antiperoxidative s system and body adaptability for handling lipid p peroxide were examined in the first and second g generations of rats fed fish oil. Mackerel oil(MO) was used and four other dietary oils and fat, i.e. soybean oil(SO), perilla oil(PO), rapeseed oil(RO) and beef tallow(BT) were also employed to compare the effect of fish oil. Synthetic diets containing these five dietary fats at the level of 1O%(w/w), were given to the correspond­m ing groups of male and female rats weighing about 70 grams. After 34 days of feeding, male a and female rats were mated and their offsprings were raised throughout suckling (17, 26 days) and weanling (39 days) periods. Liver lipid pero­x xide level was highest in MO group of both first (mother rats after lactation) and second genera­t tions of 17 and 26 days old, but not of 39 days old. During suckling period, liver lipid peroxide level was well matched to total unsaturation of dietary fat. Brain lipid peroxide levels were not different among five groups. Liver $alpha$-tocopherol a and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were lowest in MO fed first generation. In second generation, $alpha$-tocopherol level was also low in MO group, although the effect was less pronoun­c ced, but GSH level was not different from other groups. Oxidized glutathione (GSSG) level did not consistently vary by change in dietary fat. Glutathione peroxidase activity increased as young rats grew up to 39 days. Superoxide d dismutase activity change was insignificant by a age, but was shown as lowest in MO group. At the age of 26 and 39 days, liver glutatione peroxidase activity was increased as was level of lipid peroxide, suggesting that this is the one of the mechanisms responsible for body adapta­b bility for protection against the accumulation of lipid peroxide.

  • PDF

Effect of Undegradable Dietary Protein Level and Plane of Nutrition on Lactation Performance in Crossbred Cattle

  • Kumar, M. Ravi;Tiwari, D.P.;Kumar, Anil
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
    • /
    • v.18 no.10
    • /
    • pp.1407-1413
    • /
    • 2005
  • An experiment was conducted in order to assess the effect of level of RDP:UDP ratio and level of feeding concentrate on milk yield, milk composition and nutrient utilization in lactating crossbred cattle. Twenty four medium producing (-10 kg/d, 45 to 135 days postpartum) lactating crossbred cows were divided into four groups of six animals each in a 2${\times}$2 factorial completely randomized design. The cows in group 1 were fed concentrate mixture I containing 59:41 RDP:UDP ratio (low UDP) at normal plane (LUDP+NP), in group 2 were fed low UDP ration at 115% of NRC (1989) requirements (LUDP+HP), whereas cows in group 3 were fed concentrate mixture II containing 52:48 RDP:UDP ratio (high UDP) at normal plane (HUDP+NP) and in group 4 were fed high UDP ration at 115% of NRC (1989) requirements (HUDP+HP). Green jowar was fed ad libitum as the sole roughage to all the animals. The experimental feeding trial lasted for 105 days. The total dry matter intake (DMI), DMI/100 kg body weight, DMI/kg $W^{0.75}$, digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, CF, EE and NFE and intakes of TDN and DCP did not differ significantly among the different groups and also due to both UDP level and plane of nutrition and also due to their interaction. The total dry matter intake varied from 145 g in group 1 (LUDP +NP) to 152.57 g/kg $W^{0.75}$ in group 2 (LUDP+HP) diet. However, increase in milk yield with increased UDP level and also with increased plane of nutrition was observed consistently throughout the experimental period. The average milk yield was 7.66, 8.15, 8.64 and 9.35 kg in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively and there was no significant difference in milk yield among different groups of cows. The overall daily average milk yields in cows fed with low and high UDP diets were 7.91 and 8.99 kg, respectively and at normal and higher plane of feeding the milk yields were 8.15 and 8.75 kg/day, respectively. Thus, there was 13.65% increase in milk yield due to high UDP level and 7.36% due to higher plane of feeding. The daily 4% FCM yields were 9.20 kg for low UDP diet and 10.28 kg for high UDP diet, whereas it was 9.11 kg at normal plane of feeding and 10.37 kg at higher plane of feeding. Fat yields for the corresponding treatment groups were 0.37, 0.43, 0.41 and 0.48 kg, respectively. The 4% FCM yield and also fat yield did not differ significantly among different dietary treatments and also due to UDP level and plane of nutrition, however, 4% FCM yield was increased by 11.74% with high UDP level and 13.83% with higher plane of feeding. The values for total solids, fat, lactose, solids-not-fat and gross energy contents in milk differed significantly (p<0.05) among the different groups and were significantly (p<0.05) higher in milk of cows fed LUDP+HP diet followed by HUDP+HP diet. Total solids (14.65 and 13.83%), lactose (5.44 and 4.92%), solids-not-fat (9.44 and 8.83%) and gross energy (887 and 838 kcal/kg) of milk decreased significantly (p<0.05) with increased UDP level while total solids (13.84 and 14.64), fat (4.84 and 5.36%) and gross energy (832 and 894 kcal/kg) increased significantly (p<0.05) with increase in plane of feeding. Gross and net energetic efficiencies and also gross and net efficiencies of nitrogen utilization for milk production were not significantly different among different groups and also were not affected significantly due to either UDP levels or plane of feeding. Results of the present study suggest that, increasing UDP level from 41% to 48% of CP in concentrate mixture and also increasing plane of feeding from normal (100%) to 115% of NRC requirements maintain a consistently higher milk production.

Research on the Status of the Meal Management and Nutritional Knowledge of the Housewives Living in Yong-dong Area (영동지역(嶺東地域) 주부(主婦)들의 식생활관리(食生活管理) 및 영양지식(營養知識)에 관한 실태조사(實態調査))

  • Jang, Myung-Sook;Hwang, Jae-Hie
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
    • /
    • v.13 no.4
    • /
    • pp.389-396
    • /
    • 1984
  • This study was undertaken to investigate the current meal management situation and nutritional knowledge of the housewives living in Yong-dong area during the period February 10 th to 25th in 1984. Among the housewives who responded, 83.5% of them said that they didn't develop a budget for the meal planning, nor a menu plan. 31.7% of the housewives purchased foodstuffs once for 2 days, whereas the remainder did daily purchasing between meal when they needed foodstuffs. They gave higher score to the taste than to nutrition when they prepared meals. Most of the housewives concerned about good snacks, and they responded that it was hard to correct the unbalanced diet. 36.4% of the housewives earned the knowledge and information on dietary life through the media of radio, television, newspapers, or magazines. 57.9% of them learned how to cook in a cooking class, and sometimes they experimented it (how to cook) on their everyday life. Most of them concerned about nutritional status of their family members. This study showed that the degree of knowledge about nutrition was generally low. They said that they knew well about infant and child nutrition, the harm of the unbalanced diet and fatness, nutrition of the pregnancy and lactation. They thought they had enough knowledge about the foodstuffs for the growth of the children, the relationship between food and nutrition, constituents in milk, nutrition of old men. In general, thr nutrition knowledge of the housewives was correspondingly higher to their higher education levels.

  • PDF

Seasonal variation of goat milk composition and somatic cell count in Jeonnam province (전남지방 산양유의 성분 및 체세포수의 계절적 변화)

  • Kim, Hye-Ra;Jung, Ji-Young;Cho, In-Young;Yu, Do-Hyeon;Shin, Sung-Shik;Son, Chang-Ho;Ok, Ki-Seok;Hur, Tai-Young;Jung, Young-Hun;Choi, Chang-Yong;Suh, Guk-Hyun
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
    • /
    • v.36 no.4
    • /
    • pp.263-272
    • /
    • 2013
  • Consistent information on the chemical composition and its seasonal variation of goat udder half milk is limited in Korea. The objective of this study was to analyze the seasonal variation of the chemical composition of goat milk to take establish various parameters into consideration on the pricing of the goat milk. Variations in chemical composition, somatic cell count (SCC) and bacterial count of 1,038 udder half milk samples from 650 heads raised in 7 farms of Jeonnam province were determined by season. Fat, protein, lactose, non-fat solids, milk urea nitrogen (MUN), pH, SCC and bacterial counts were also analyzed. The average composition of the milk was: fat $3.80{\pm}1.36%$, protein $3.23{\pm}0.80%$, lactose $4.39{\pm}0.54%$, total solids $12.18{\pm}1.80%$, non-fat solids $8.38{\pm}0.80%$, and milk urea nitrogen $28.44{\pm}5.00mg/dL$. The average pH was $6.81{\pm}0.24$. The average of SCC and bacterial counts were $2.54{\pm}4.60{\times}10^6cells/mL$ and $1.25{\pm}3.76{\times}10^5CFU/mL$, respectively. Chemical composition, pH, SCC and bacterial counts of dairy goat milk varied widely during the lactation period and by season. The fat concentration was the lowest in spring ($3.39{\pm}1.53%$) and the highest in autumn and winter ($3.98{\pm}1.30%$ and $3.98{\pm}1.48%$). Protein concentration was the lowest during summer ($2.92{\pm}0.48%$) and the highest in winter ($2.92{\pm}0.48%$). Lactose concentration was the lowest in autumn ($4.24{\pm}0.41%$) and the highest in spring ($4.58{\pm}0.35%$). The lowest total solid value was obtained in the spring season ($11.75{\pm}1.80%$) which was then increased in winter ($12.85{\pm}1.96%$). Non-fat solid concentration was the lowest in summer ($8.07{\pm}0.64%$) and the highest in autumn ($8.94{\pm}0.82%$). MUN concentration was the highest in summer ($8.07{\pm}0.64%$), and the pH concentration was the highest in spring at $6.93{\pm}0.27%$. Seasonal variation of SCC and bacterial count were the lowest in spring ($0.94{\pm}1.54{\times}10^6cells/mL$ and $0.22{\pm}0.61{\times}10^5CFU/mL$, respectively) and was the highest in winter ($3.95{\pm}7.14{\times}10^6cells/mL$ and $2.23{\pm}5.54{\times}10^4CFU/mL$, respectively).

Effects of Fatty Acids and Vitamin E Supplementation on Antioxidant Systems in the Liver and Serum of the Second Generation Rat (지방산 및 비타민 E 보충 식이가 제2세대 흰쥐 간조직과 혈청의 항산화체계에 미치는 영향)

  • 황혜진;박정화;엄영숙;정은정;김수연;이양자
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
    • /
    • v.31 no.2
    • /
    • pp.257-262
    • /
    • 2002
  • Effects of dietary fatty acids and vitamin E on antioxidant system were studied in rat liver and serum. Sources of dietary fat (10 wt%) were safflower oil (SO) poor in $\omega$3 fatty acid and mixed oil (MO) with computer-adjusted fatty acid ratios (AA/DHA=1.4, $\omega$6/$\omega$3=6.3, P/M/S=1.0/l.5/1) with (ME) and without (MO) vitamin E (500 mg/kg diet). Rats were fed the three kinds of diet from 3~4 wks prior to the conception. At the age of 3 and 9 wks of the second generation rat, antioxidant vitamins and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured in the liver and serum. The concentrations of $\beta$-carotene were lower in ME than in MO and SO in the liver at the age of 3 wks. It seemed that vitamin E has an inhibitory action on the uptake of $\beta$-carotene or acts as a preferred antioxidant to $\beta$-carotene. The concentrations of lycopene were lower in SO than in MO in the liver at the age of 3 wks. The concentrations of cryptoxanthin showed no significant changes within groups. The activities of GSH-Px tended to increase in ME compared to MO and the ratios of SOD/GSH-Px tended to decrease in ME compared to MO in the liver at the age of 3 weeks. The activities of antioxidant enzyme at the age of 3 weeks and 9 weeks were similar. This suggested that the activity level of antioxidant enzymes reached to the adult level at the age of 3 weeks which is the end point of lactation period.

Production Increase of Milk in Dairy Cow by Metabolic Profile Test (대사판정시험을 이용한 젖소의 우유증산)

  • Lee Chang-Woo;Kim Bonn-Won;Ra Jeong-Chan;Shin Sang-Tae;Kim Doo;Kim Jong-Taik;Hong Soon-Il
    • Journal of Veterinary Clinics
    • /
    • v.10 no.1
    • /
    • pp.65-94
    • /
    • 1993
  • This study examined metabolic profiles of 1349 Holstein cows from 91 commercial herds. Thirteen parameters which are consisted of twelve blood components and body condition score were examined and their mean values. standard deviations and standard limits, which are 80% confidential limits, in each lactational stage were reported. The variations of each parameter affected by season, individual milk yield, adjusted corrected milk yield of herd. and lactation number were also reported. A model of metabolic profile test applicable to this country where the average number of cows in a herd is small as to be fifteen is designed. Metabolic profiles as reflected in each parameter were discussed in relation to adequacy of dietary intake for production, milk production, reproductive performance, and diseases, and the possible measure to improve productivity of dairy cows were proposed. Much of the variation in parameters was due to differences between herds, and less to differences between seasons, differences between individual milk yield, and differences between lactational stages. As the average herd size in this country is small, it is believed that all the cows in a herd must be sampled, and the individual result of each parameter was compared with the standard limit for each lactational stage, and the percentage of cows which are outside the standard limits in a herd was calculated to use as a criteria for evaluation of the herd. Data outside the 99% confidential limits were to be deleted at first, but when the trends of the data outside the 99% confidential limits are same as the trends of the data within 99% confidential limits, the deleted data must be reviewed again, otherwise some important informations would be missed. The mean concentration of blood urea nitrogen in this study was much higher than that was reported in England, U.S.A. and Japan, and it was similar to the upper limits reported in England, U.S.A. and Japan. So it was thought that the concentration of blood urea nitrogen is improper as a criteria for protein intake. The increase of serum total protein cocentration beyond standard limits was due to increase of serum globulin concentration in most of the cows. The correlation coefficient between serum and protein and serum globulin concentration was 0.83. Serum globulin concentration was negatively related to adjusted corrected milk of herd. Serum albumin, calcium and magnessium concentrations were negatively related to adjusted corrected milk of herd, which indicate that high-producing individual or high-producing herd have not taken sufficient protein/amino acids, calcium and magnessium. Packed cell volume was negatively related to adjusted corrected milk of the herd, and the trend was same In each lactational stage. The correlation coefficient between serum and packed cell volume was 0.16 and the correlation was very weak. Blood glucose concentration was lowest in early lactational stage, which indicates negative energy balance in early lactational stage. Blood glucose concentration was negatively related to adjusted corrected milk of herd from peak to late lactational stage, which indicates negative energy balance during the period in high-producing individuals or high-producing herds. Correlation coefficient between serum aspartate aminotransferase activity and serum ${\gamma}$-glutamyltransferase activity was 0.41, and this indicates that serum ${\gamma}$-glutamyltransferase should be included as a parameter of metabolic profile test to evaluate liver function. Body condition score of dairy cows in this country was lower than that of Japan in every lactational stages, and the magnitude of increase in body condition score during middle and late lactational stages was small. Metabolic profile can not be evaluated with solely nutritional intake. When an individual or large percentage of cows in a herd have adnormal values In parameters of metabolic profile test, veterinary clinician and nutritionist should cooperate so as to diagnose diseases and to calculate the e of no운ents simultaneously.

  • PDF

Research on the Methods and Proper Provisions for Rotational Irrigation (윤환관개방법과 적정시설 연구)

  • 유한열
    • Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
    • /
    • v.13 no.1
    • /
    • pp.2191-2205
    • /
    • 1971
  • In this research, Nong-rim No. 6 was adopted as a test variety of rice. Rice seedlings were transplanted on June 14, 1970. Roots were settled into soil on June 20 and a total number of days irrigated of $21cm{\times}21cm$ and an area of $9.9m^2$ for a test plot were accepted, planting 70 stumps of rice in a test plot. The soil in test plots are classified by soil test as oam, and its chemical contents are as shown in Table 3. Irrigation water was secured by pumping from the Sudun stream that originates at the Suho reservoir. Accordingly, the qualities of irrigation. water are considered to be the same as those of water stored in the Suho reservoir. There were 54 days of intermittent rainfalls in total during the whole 110-day period of irrigation. As a result, it is likely that the growth of rice plants was influenced by rainfall at a comparatively great degree. In order to measure the amounts of water consumption, infiltrometers, measuring devices for the decreases of water depths and lycimeters were provided. As a result of measurements, an average daily rate of infiltration was observed to be 14mm/day. It is expected from this research that the effect of increased yield will be secured by supplying optimum amounts of water for irrigation on proper times, and that the amounts of water consumption for irrigation can be saved by applying suitable irrigation methods. The test results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Yields produced in the test plots of continuous irrigation are lower than those in the test plots of rotational irrigation, i.e., yields produced at the test plots irrigatied once in a period of 8 days are higher by 27% in average than those produced at test plots of continuous irrigation. 2. The amounts of irrigation water for test plots, which have a clay layer of 9cm in thickness and vynil diaphragm without holes, are saved by about 52% in comparison with ordinary test plots. 3. Ears are sprouted 5 days earlier at continuous irrigation plots as compared with other test plots. 4. It seems that there are growing stages of rice plants such as those of forming and sprouting of ears, in which the amounts of irrigation water are consumed more in comparison with the other stages. Therefore, it may be possible to increase of decrease the amount of irrigation water, according to the growing stage of rice plant, so as to save irrigation water.

  • PDF

Roles of the Insulin-like Growth Factor System in the Reproductive Function;Uterine Connection (Insulin-like Growth Factor Systems의 생식기능에서의 역할;자궁편)

  • Lee, Chul-Young
    • Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
    • /
    • v.23 no.3
    • /
    • pp.247-268
    • /
    • 1996
  • It has been known for a long time that gonadotropins and steroid hormones play a pivotal role in a series of reproductive biological phenomena including the maturation of ovarian follicles and oocytes, ovulation and implantation, maintenance of pregnancy and fetal growth & development, parturition and mammary development and lactation. Recent investigations, however, have elucidated that in addition to these classic hormones, multiple growth factors also are involved in these phenomena. Most growth factors in reproductive organs mediate the actions of gonadotropins and steroid hormones or synergize with them in an autocrine/paracrine manner. The insulin-like growth factor(IGF) system, which is one of the most actively investigated areas lately in the reproductive organs, has been found to have important roles in a wide gamut of reproductive phenomena. In the present communication, published literature pertaining to the intrauterine IGF system will be reviewed preceded by general information of the IGF system. The IGF family comprises of IGF-I & IGF-II ligands, two types of IGF receptors and six classes of IGF-binding proteins(IGFBPs) that are known to date. IGF-I and IGF-II peptides, which are structurally homologous to proinsulin, possess the insulin-like activity including the stimulatory effect of glucose and amino acid transport. Besides, IGFs as mitogens stimulate cell division, and also play a role in cellular differentiation and functions in a variety of cell lines. IGFs are expressed mainly in the liver and messenchymal cells, and act on almost all types of tissues in an autocrine/paracrine as well as endocrine mode. There are two types of IGF receptors. Type I IGF receptors, which are tyrosine kinase receptors having high-affinity for IGF-I and IGF-II, mediate almost all the IGF actions that are described above. Type II IGF receptors or IGF-II/mannose-6-phosphate receptors have two distinct binding sites; the IGF-II binding site exhibits a high affinity only for IGF-II. The principal role of the type II IGF receptor is to destroy IGF-II by targeting the ligand to the lysosome. IGFs in biological fluids are mostly bound to IGFBP. IGFBPs, in general, are IGF storage/carrier proteins or modulators of IGF actions; however, as for distinct roles for individual IGFBPs, only limited information is available. IGFBPs inhibit IGF actions under most in vitro situations, seemingly because affinities of IGFBPs for IGFs are greater than those of IGF receptors. How IGF is released from IGFBP to reach IGF receptors is not known; however, various IGFBP protease activities that are present in blood and interstitial fluids are believed to play an important role in the process of IGF release from the IGFBP. According to latest reports, there is evidence that under certain in vitro circumstances, IGFBP-1, -3, -5 have their own biological activities independent of the IGF. This may add another dimension of complexity of the already complicated IGF system. Messenger ribonucleic acids and proteins of the IGF family members are expressed in the uterine tissue and conceptus of the primates, rodents and farm animals to play important roles in growth and development of the uterus and fetus. Expression of the uterine IGF system is regulated by gonadal hormones and local regulatory substances with temporal and spatial specificities. Locally expressed IGFs and IGFBPs act on the uterine tissue in an autocrine/paracrine manner, or are secreted into the uterine lumen to participate in conceptus growth and development. Conceptus also expresses the IGF system beginning from the peri-implantation period. When an IGF family member is expressed in the conceptus, however, is determined by the presence or absence of maternally inherited mRNAs, genetic programming of the conceptus itself and an interaction with the maternal tissue. The site of IGF action also follows temporal (physiological status) and spatial specificities. These facts that expression of the IGF system is temporally and spatially regulated support indirectly a hypothesis that IGFs play a role in conceptus growth and development. Uterine and conceptus-derived IGFs stimulate cell division and differentiation, glucose and amino acid transport, general protein synthesis and the biosynthesis of mammotropic hormones including placental lactogen and prolactin, and also play a role in steroidogenesis. The suggested role for IGFs in conceptus growth and development has been proven by the result of IGF-I, IGF-II or IGF receptor gene disruption(targeting) of murine embryos by the homologous recombination technique. Mice carrying a null mutation for IGF-I and/or IGF-II or type I IGF receptor undergo delayed prenatal and postnatal growth and development with 30-60% normal weights at birth. Moreover, mice lacking the type I IGF receptor or IGF-I plus IGF-II die soon after birth. Intrauterine IGFBPs generally are believed to sequester IGF ligands within the uterus or to play a role of negative regulators of IGF actions by inhibiting IGF binding to cognate receptors. However, when it is taken into account that IGFBP-1 is expressed and secreted in primate uteri in amounts assessedly far exceeding those of local IGFs and that IGFBP-1 is one of the major secretory proteins of the primate decidua, the possibility that this IGFBP may have its own biological activity independent of IGF cannot be excluded. Evidently, elucidating the exact role of each IGFBP is an essential step into understanding the whole IGF system. As such, further research in this area is awaited with a lot of anticipation and attention.

  • PDF