Study of the action of insulin-like growth factor [IGF-I] on the transfer and uptake of nutrients in the human placenta perfused in vitro

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of IGF-I on the transfer and uptake of glucose, lactate and AIB in the human placenta. IGF-I [5ng/ ml] caused an increase in glucose transfer after 20 minutes of its addition, then it decreased gradually till it reached its minimal value after 35 minutes. On the other hand, there is no significant change in glucose uptake. There is no significant change in both transfer and uptake of alpha -aminoisobutyric acid [AIB] through the placenta after the addition of 5ng/ml IGF-I.IGF-I caused a slightly diminition in fetal lactate release and a moderate decrease in the maternal lactate release. The reasons for such results might relate to the difference in gestational age of the placental tissues examined and the short period of observation presented