[Studies on insulin-like growth factor I receptor in fetal rats with intrauterine growth retardation].

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to detect the localization of the insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-I R) in the cells and tissues in the rats with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and normal growth rats. METHODS: 21 pregnant rats were randomly divided into the experimental group (IUGR) (n = 12) and the control group (n = 9). Animal models for IUGR were established by clamping the uterine vasculature of pregnant rats for 20 minutes on day 14 of gestation. The control group rats were subjected to Sham-operation. On day 22 of gestation, fetal rats were delivered by cesarean section. Immunohistochemical assay was performed to detect the IGF-I R expression on liver and lung using specific polyclonal antibodies to rat IGF-I R. RESULTS: In the experimental group, the IUGR rats' body weight, height, and the weight of their liver, lung and the placenta were significantly lower than those in the control group. In the IUGR rats' liver, the area ratio of IGF-I R was increased and the average gray level was decreased, compared with those in the control group. In the IUGR rats' lung, the area ratio of IGF-I R was increased, compared with that in the control group, but no difference of average gray level was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The increased expression of IGF-I R in rats with IUGR, may be due to the decrease of IGF-I and the compensative mechanism of the body.