ASSAYS FOR INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH-FACTORS AND THEIR BINDING-PROTEINS - PRACTICALITIES AND PITFALLS

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are growth hormone-dependent anabol ic peptides that circulate in biologic fluids complexed to a family of IGF binding proteins, Measurement of the serum concentrations of IGF peptides and IGF binding proteins has proved to be an effective means of evaluating functional growth hormone status and makes it possible t o establish a diagnosis of IGF deficiency.