Abstract Objective To explore the role of IGFBP-1 in the normal growth and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in rat fetuses. Methods The bilateral uterine arteries and veins of SD pregnant rats of the experimental group were clamped for 20 minutes. A IUGR model was set up. A sham operation was performed on the control. We observed the correlation between the serum IGFBP-1 level and blood glucose level, growth parameters (body weight and length) and organ weight (placenta, lung, brain and liver) of the rat fetuses. Results ①The growth parameters, organ weight and blood glucose level ( 42.49 mg/ml) of the experimental group decreased significantly while the serum IGFBP-1 ( 94.99 ng/ml) increased significantly compared with those of the control group (IGFBP-1 33.20 ng/ml blood glucose 67.31 mg/ml) ( P < 0.01 ); ②There was a significant negative correlation between the serum IGFBP-1 level and the blood glucose level, growth parameters and organ weight of all the rat fetuses including IUGR and control groups ( P < 0.01 ). Conclusions Serum IGFBP-1 participates in the growth of normal and IUGR rat fetuses as an inhibiting factor.
