IGF-1 LR3 does not promote growth in late-gestation growth-restricted fetal sheep

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin are important fetal anabolic hormones. Complications of pregnancy, such as placental insufficiency, can lead to fetal growth restriction (FGR) with low-circulating IGF-1 and insulin concentrations and attenuated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), which likely contribute to neonatal glucose dysregulation. We previously demonstrated that a 1-wk infusion of IGF-1 LR3, an IGF-1 analog with low affinity for IGF-binding proteins and high affinity for the IGF-1 receptor, at 6.6 µg·kg^-1·h^-1 into normal fetal sheep increased body weight but lowered insulin concentrations and GSIS. In this study, FGR fetal sheep received either IGF-1 LR3 treatment at 1.17 ± 0.12 μg·kg^-1·h^-1 (LR3; n = 7) or vehicle (VEH; n = 7) for 1 wk. Plasma insulin, glucose, oxygen, and amino acids were measured before starting treatment and at the end of the treatment period. GSIS was measured on the final treatment day. Fetal body weights, insulin, glucose, oxygen, and GSIS were not different between groups. Amino acid concentrations decreased in LR3 (baseline vs. final individual means comparison P = 0.0232) but not in VEH (P = 0.3866). In summary, a 1-wk IGF-1 LR3 treatment did not improve growth in FGR fetuses. Insulin concentrations and GSIS were not attenuated by IGF-1 LR3, yet circulating amino acids decreased, which could reflect increased amino acid utilization. We speculate that maintaining amino acid concentrations or raising insulin, glucose, and/or oxygen concentrations to values consistent with normally growing fetuses during IGF-1 LR3 treatment may be necessary to increase fetal growth in the setting of placental insufficiency and FGR.NEW & NOTEWORTHY IGF-1 LR3 treatment administered directly into growth-restricted fetal sheep circulation did not improve fetal growth or attenuate circulating insulin or fetal GSIS. Importantly, IGF-1 LR3 treatment reduced circulating amino acids, notably branched-chain amino acids, which have been shown to potentiate GSIS and protein accretion supporting fetal growth.