Association of umbilical cord plasma acid-labile subunit of the insulin-like growth factor ternary complex with anthropometry in term newborns.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Birth size can affect neonatal morbidity and mortality. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is the most important endocrine factor influencing fetal growth. In the circulation, IGFs (mostly IGF-I) are bound to IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) and an acid-labile subunit (ALS) to form a ternary complex. The ALS protects IGFs from decay and facilitates their endocrine activity. However, the function of ALS in fetal growth has not yet been fully determined.

METHODS:

Venous umbilical plasma samples were obtained from 98 term neonates and analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The ALS, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 umbilical cord plasma levels were analyzed for their association with anthropometric measurements of the neonates.

RESULTS:

The ALS, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 cord plasma levels were positively correlated with birth weight (r = 0.42, p < 0.001; r = 0.43, p < 0.001; and r = 0.27, p < 0.01, respectively) and placental weight (r = 0.37, p < 0.001; r = 0.31, p < 0.01; and r = 0.30, p < 0.01, respectively). In addition, the ALS cord plasma levels were also positively correlated with head circumference (r = 0.29, p < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that both ALS and IGF-I cord plasma levels were independent predictive variables for birth weight (p < 0.01 and p < 0.005, respectively). The ALS cord plasma levels were the only independent predictive variables, however, for head circumference and placental weight (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSION:

The ALS umbilical cord plasma levels are one important factor, in addition to IGF-I, in the IGF system for predicting birth anthropometry, at least for near-term gestation. Our results suggest that the influence of ALS on the IGF system may develop prior to birth and affect fetal growth.

• Authors: Yen-Ming Tseng, Yea-Shwu Hwang, Chin-Li Lu, Shio-Jean Lin, Wen-Hui Tsai
• Journal: Pediatrics and neonatology (Pediatr Neonatol) Vol. 55 Issue 2 Pg. 139-44 (Apr 2014) ISSN: 2212-1692 [Electronic] Singapore
• PMID: 24211220 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Chemical References

• Carrier Proteins
• Glycoproteins
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3
• insulin-like growth factor binding protein, acid labile subunit
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor I

Topics

• Birth Weight
• Carrier Proteins (blood)
• Female
• Fetal Blood (chemistry)
• Glycoproteins (blood)
• Head (anatomy & histology)
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 (blood)
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (analysis)
• Male
• Placenta (anatomy & histology)
• Pregnancy