Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in women with normal pregnancy. A total of 468 pregnant women at various gestational ages and 30 non-pregnant females were recruited in this study. Serum concentration of IGFBP-3 was determined by radioimmunoassay. Maternal serum levels of IGFBP-3 increased as pregnancy progressed. The concentration of IGFBP-3 in pregnancy serum was positively associated with the gestational age. The mean values of circulating IGFBP-3 in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy were higher than those in the first trimester of pregnancy and in non-pregnant females. In addition, there was a highly significant correlation between IGFBP-3 and IGF-I in pregnancy serum. We conclude that, during pregnancy, IGFBP-3 appears to be the principal binding protein for circulating IGF-I and may be involved in the regulation of fetal growth.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
