Insulin-like growth factor-I and binding protein-1 can modulate fetal brain cell growth during maternal starvation.

Abstract

1. Stimulation of brain cell growth by fetal plasma is reduced when levels of IGF-I are low and IGFBP-1 are high. 2. Fetal brain cells respond to IGFs in cell culture, and effects of plasma are reduced by addition of IGFBP-1. 3. Increased levels of IGFBP-1 and reduced availability of IGF-I may contribute to reduced brain growth when maternal nutrition is impaired.