Influence of growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor I axis on normal pregnancy

Objective To investigate the role of growth hormone- insulin-like growth fa ctor I (IGF-I) axis in normal pregnancy. Methods Totally, 116 normal pregnant women were recruited from January 1997 to June 1998, with 20 normal nonpregnant women as controls. Maternal growt h hormone (GH) and IGF-I concentrations were assayed by RIA and enzyme-link ed immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results Maternal serum levels of GH increased throughout gestation, reached a peak at 25 weeks of pregnancy and remained fairly high (chi (2) = 40.458 , P < 0.0001). There was a significant difference between samples at 5 - 9 week gestational age and the controls (3.45 mug/L vs 1.61 mug/L, P < 0.05). The maternal serum levels of IGF-I increased rapidly throughout gestation from 29-week gestation and reached a peak of 188.86 mug/L at term delivery (chi (2) =50.224, P < 0.0001). Conclusions Maternal GH levels increased progressively throughout gestation , which correlated with fetal growth. Maternal GH may regulate nutrition su pply among mother, placenta and the fetus and play an important role in tra nsporting nutritional substrates by the placenta. The maternal IGF-I in the third trimester may promote fetal growth and placental functions.