The Role of Insulin-like Growth Factor-Axis and Mitotic Index in South Indian Neonates with Small for Gestational Age.

Objective: IGF-axis and mitotic capacity of cells play a vital role in fetal growth. We compared IGF1, IGF2, and IGFBP3 protein levels, mitotic indices, and mRNA expression in appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and small for gestational age (SGA) neonates of Indian women.

Methods: Cord blood ( = 80) and placental samples ( = 40) were collected from AGA and SGA neonates. Plasma IGF1, IGF2, and IGFBP3 proteins were measured by ELISA. and mRNA expression in the placenta were analyzed by qRT-PCR. Cord blood was cultured and mitotic index was obtained.

Results: IGF1 ( = 1), and IGF2 ( = 0.69) protein levels did not differ, whereas IGFBP3 ( = 0.02) was significantly less in SGA compared to AGA neonates. Down-regulation of (3.9-folds) and (2.8-folds) mRNA and reduced mitotic index of lymphocytes was observed in SGA ( = 0.001) compared to AGA neonates.

Conclusion: Our results showed that, SGA neonates displayed down-regulated and mRNA, decreased IGFBP3 protein and mitotic index.