• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.107-113
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• 2012

Objective: To determine whether animal age impacts in vitro preantral follicle growth. Effects of hCG, stem cell factor (SCF), and/or insulin-like growth factor (IGF) supplementation in growth medium were also investigated. Methods: Intact preantral follicles were mechanically isolated from fresh ovaries of BDF1 mice and cultured in growth medium for 9 to 11 days. Surviving follicles with antrum formation were transferred to maturation medium for 14 to 18 hours. Follicle survival, antrum formation, and retrieval of metaphase II (MII) oocytes were compared among three age categories (4-5, 7-8, and 10-11 week-old). By using 7- to 8-week-old mice, preantral follicles were cultured in growth medium supplemented with hCG (0, 5, or 10 mIU/mL), SCF (50 ng/mL), IGF-1 (50 ng/mL), and SCF+IGF-1. Results: Seven- to eight-week-old mice showed a higher follicle survival and antrum formation and produced more MII oocytes compared to other groups. In the 7- to 8-week-old mice, supplementation of 5 mIU/mL hCG significantly enhanced the antrum formation but the percentage of MII oocytes was similar to that of the control. Supplementation of SCF+IGF-1 did not enhance follicle survival or antrum formation but the percentage of MII oocytes increased modestly (39.1%) than in the control (28.6%, p>0.05, statistically not significant). Conclusion: Seven- to eight-week-old mice showed better outcomes in growth of preantral follicles in vitro than 4- to 5- or 10- to 11-week-old mice. Supplementation of hCG enhanced antrum formation and supplementation of SCF+IGF-1 yielded more mature oocytes; hence, these should be considered in the growth of preantral follicles in vitro.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1180-1185
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• 2009

Two experiments were carried out to study the effects of dietary energy level on nutrient digestion, nitrogen (N) utilization, growth performance, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in plasma, liver and longissimus dorsi muscle in growing-finishing pigs. In experiment 1 (Exp 1), 15 castrated male pigs (Duroc${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Large White) (Body weight, BW, 55.6${\pm}$1.8 kg) were divided into three groups and fed rations containing 13.33, 14.87 and 17.35 MJ digestible energy (DE)/kg as treatments I, II and III, respectively, using soybean oil as an energy source. The experiment lasted 8 days and faecal and urinary samples were collected during the last 3 days. The results showed that the digestibility of dry matter (DM), energy and N was increased from treatments I to III (p<0.01). N-retention and N-retention rate were not influenced by dietary DE level (p>0.05). In experiment 2 (Exp 2), 36 female pigs (Duroc${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Large White) (BW 41.5${\pm}$3.8 kg) were divided into three groups. The pigs were fed with the same three rations used in Exp 1 for 60 days. At the end of Exp 2, eight pigs were selected from each group for blood sampling and 4 pigs for slaughter trial. The results indicated that average daily feed intake (ADFI) and N-intake were significantly decreased (p<0.01), and DE intake (p<0.01) and average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.05) were increased. IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in plasma were increased (p<0.05). No significant differences in IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in liver and longissimus dorsi muscle were found between different treatments. It was concluded that higher dietary DE level improved nutrient digestibility, ADG and feed/gain ratio when soybean oil was used as an energy source in the ration of growing-finishing pigs. No significant differences were found in Nretention and IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in liver and longissimus dorsi muscle between different treatments.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1668-1676
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• 2010

The somatotropic axis plays a key role in proliferation and differentiation of avian organs during both pre- and posthatching periods. This review discusses the complexity of regulation of the endocrine system for chicken development and growth by growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), and IGF binding protein (IGFBP). In addition, the thyrotropic axis, including thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and thyroid hormones ($T_4$ and $T_3$), is also involved in the GH-secreting pattern. In mammals, IGFI and -II are always sequestered in a 150 kDa non-covalent ternary complex. This complex consists of one molecule each of IGF-I or IGF-II, IGFBP-3 or IGFBP-5 and an acid labile subunit (ALS). Chick ALS is identified in different strains for the first time, and further investigation of the expression of ALS on developmental stage and ALS effect on IGF bioavailability may be addressed in the future.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.247-268
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• 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.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.217-234
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• 1997

The purpose of present study is to compare the effect of treatment using $Guidor^{(R)}$ as a barrier membrane in conjunction with platelet-derived growth factor and insulin like growth factors on experimental dehiscence defects. Following the resection of premolar crowns, roots were submerged. After 12 weeks of healing period, experimental dehiscence defects of 4mm in height and 4mm in width were surgically created on the mid-facial aspect of the lower premolar roots in each of 4 adult dogs. After root planning and demineralization of the root surface with citric acid, the control groups received 4% methylcellulose gel only, the test group I received 4% methylcellulose gel and were covered by $Guidor^{(R)}$ and the test group II were treated with PDGF and IGF and 4% methylcellulose gel with $Guidor^{(R)}$ coverage. Histological and histomorphometric analysis following 8 weeks of healing revealed the following results. 1. The new bone formation showed no statistically significant difference in all groups with $0.59{\pm}0.82mm$($14.03{\pm}19.60%$) for control, $0.70{\pm}0.39mm$($16.30{\pm}9.01%$) for group I, $0.87{\pm}0.76mm$($18.74{\pm}16.03%$) for group II. 2. The new cementum formation showed no statistically significant difference in all groups with $0.54{\pm}0.48mm$($l6.38{\pm}14.57%$) for control, $0.95{\pm}0.38mm$($23.43{\pm}9.30%$) for group I, $1.01{\pm}0.75mm$($22.10{\pm}16.ll%$) for gorup II. 3. The root resorption showed statistically significant differences betweenthe control group and all test groups(p<0.05) with $2.11{\pm}0.53mm$($52.93{\pm}12.32%$) for control, $0.63{\pm}0.27mm$($15.32{\pm}7.05%$) for group I, $0.89{\pm}0.33mm$ ($19.26{\pm}7.11%$) for group II. On the bases of these results, there were no statistically difference between treatment using resorbable membrane and resorbable membrane in conjunction with PDGF and IGF in the dehiscence defects, where it was difficult to maintain space. The use of membrane seemed to be more effective in the inhibition of root resorption.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.355-359
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• 1997

Leiomyomas, which are the commonest pelvic tumors in women, are originated from myometrial cells. Although the exact initial pathophysiologic event of the leiomyoma is not known, recent evidences suggested that the effects of sex steroid hormones in the process of tumor growth are mediated by local production of growth factors including epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II). If we look at the effects of other cytokines, it was suggested that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) may stimulate the proliferation of myometrial and leiomyomas cells. And it was reported that interferon-${\alpha}$ inhibit the action of bFGF. Therefore, we examined the effect of bFGF and interferon-${\alpha}$ on the proliferation of leiomyoma and myometrial cells. bFGF stimulated the myometrial and leiomyoma cells significantly at the concentration of 1ng/ml (p<0.05) and 5ng/ml (p<0.05). However, Interferon-${\alpha}$ inhibited the cell proliferation of myometrial and leiomyoma cells significantly at the concentration of 100U/ml (p<0.05) and 1000U/ml (p<0.05). And the stimulated effects of bFGF with the various concentration on the myometrial and leiomyoma cells ware inhibited by interferon-${\alpha}$ with 100U/ml. Therefore, we concluded that bFGF may stimulate the myometrial and leiomyoma cell proliferation and interferon-${\alpha}$ may inhibit the myometrial and leiomyoma cell proliferation through blocking the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.267-275
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• 1999

Bovine somatotropin is known to improve the growth rate and lactation in cattle. In this study, we examined the concentration-time profiles of a sustained-release formulation of bovine somatotropin (BST) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in plasma and milk in cows. In addition, the possible effect of co-administrated vitamin ADE complex on the pharmacokinetic parameters of BST and IGF-1 was evaluated. 1. Plasma BST and IGF-1 levels reached the peak at 12~24 and 48 hours after the administration of BST, and plasma half-lives ranged 100 to 137 and 201 to 310 hours, respectively. To 8th day after administration, BST and IGF-1 levels in milk were not significantly different from the control levels. 2. Plasma BST levels showed cyclic pattern with high concentrations in early stage after each injection and following gradual declining during repeated administrations at 2 week intervals, while plasma IGF-1 levels in treated animals did not show such a cyclic pattern, but remained higher than the control levels. 3. Milk BST and IGF-1 levels during repeated treatments were not significantly different from the control levels. 4. Co-administration of vitamin ADE complex yielded slightly increased AUC of plasma BST for high dose group, but such effect was not evident in the IGF-1 levels. Co-administration of ADE complex tended to increase plasma BST levels and decrease the elimination half-life of IGF-1. 5. These results suggest that the BST formulation tested is one of the ideal sustained-release formulation for long term use in dairy industry. As for the co-administration of vitamin ADE complex, the benefit of co-administration with BST is needed to be further evaluated.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2003

The present study was undertaken to find relationships of plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II concentrations to litter size and lactation performance. Sixty pure-bred Landrace and Yorkshire pigs having similar farrowing weeks which had been selected from a large number of pregnant gilts and sows were divided into low- (<${\mu}$－0.5SD) and high-litter size (>${\mu}$+0.5 SD) lines under a 2 (breed)${\times}$2 (line) factorial arrange of treatments. After adjusting the litter size to nine piglets per sow at farrowing, total litter weight was measured at three weeks postpartum at weaning as an index of milk yield. Blood samples were obtained from the jugular vein at day (d)-90 pregnancy (Px) and at d-15 postpartum. The litter size or the number of piglets born during the present experiment and the average litter size during the entire parities up to the present one were greater in the high-line than in the low-line by 3.7 and 2.4 piglets, respectively (P<0.01); effect of the breed on litter size was not significant. Plasma IGF-II concentration at d-90 Px was greater in the high-line than in the low-line. Litter size and d-90 Px IGF-I concentration were negatively correlated in Landrace (r=－0.46; P<0.05) and tended to be negatively correlated in Yorkshire (r=－0.31; P=0.09), which resulted in a significant negative correlation between these two variables in total animals (r=－0.35; P<0.01). Litter weight at weaning was not different between the two breeds or lines. Relationships between the litter weight and IGF concentration were not consistent across the breed ${\times}$ physiological stage combinations. Results suggest that d-90 Px IGF concentrations may be indicative of the litter size at impending farrowing.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2000

Subconfluent neonatal human epidermal keratinocytes were treated with a concentration 200 ng/$m\ell$ of human recombinant epidermal growth factor (hrEGF), human recombinant insulin-like growth factor-1 (hrIGF-1), and with a combination of hrEGF and hrIGF-1. Cytoplasmic and membrane-associated proteins were extracted and assayed. Proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE, and subjected to the western blot analysis. In the cytoplasmic fraction, the PKC concentration of keratinocyte treated with hrIGF-1 was higher than the control group, but the concentration of control group was the highest than the others in the membrane fraction. In the cytoplasmic fraction, EGF stimulated PKC-$\beta$II, -$\delta$, -$\theta$, and also stimulated PKC-$\alpha$, -$\beta$I, -$\delta$, -$\Im$ and -$\theta$ in the membrane fraction. IGF-1 stimulated PKC-$\beta$I, -$\Im$ and -$\theta$ in the cytoplasmic, PKC-$\alpha$, -$\beta$I, -$\delta$, -$\Im$, - $\varepsilon$ and -$\theta$ in the membrane. In the cells treated with a combination of EGF and IGF-1, PKC-$\alpha$, -$\beta$I, -$\Im$ and -$\theta$ in the cytoplasmic fraction, PKC-$\alpha$, -$\delta$, -$\Im$, -$\varepsilon$ and -$\theta$ in the membrane fraction were stimulated.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 1998

Human uniparental gestations such as gynogenetic ovarian teratomas provide a model to evaluate the integrity of parent-specific gene expression - i.e. imprinting - in the absence of a complementary parental genetic contribution. The few imprinted genes characterized so far include the insulin-like growth factor-2 gene (IGF2) coding for a fetal growth factor and H19 gene whose normal function is unknown but it is likely to act as an mRNA. IGF2 is expressed by the paternal allele and H19 by the maternal allele. This reciprocal expression is quite interesting because both H19 and IGF2 genes are located close to each other on chromosome 11p15.5. In situ RNA hybridization analysis has shown variable expression of the H19 and IGF2 alleles according to the tissue origin in 11 teratomas. Especially, Skin, derivative of ectoderm, is expressed conspicuously. We examined imprinting of H19 and IGF2 in teratomas using PCR and RT-PCR of exonic polymorphism. H19 and IGF2 transcript could be expressed either biallelically or monoallelically in the teratomas. Biallelic expression (i.e., loss of imprinting) of IGF2 occurred in 5 out of 6 mature teratomas and 1 out of 1 immature teratoma. Biallelic expression of H19 occurred in 4 out of 10 mature teratomas and 1 out of 1 immature teratoma. Expression levels of H19 and IGF2 transcript using the semi-quantitative RT-PCR had no relation between monoallelic and biallelic expression. Moreover, IGF2 biallelic expression did not affect allele-specificity or levels of H19 expression. These results demonstrate that both genes, H19 and IGF2, can be imprinted, expressed and regulated independently and individually of each other in ovarian teratoma.