The growth hormone–insulin-like growth factor axis in pregnancy

The growth hormone (GH)–insulin-like factor (IGF) axis is one of the main drivers mammalian and development. Pituitary secretion GH pulsatile under positive negative hypothalamic control, as well stimulation from gastric-secreted acyl-ghrelin. acts both directly via GH-receptor (GHR) indirectly IGF1 production to induce anabolic metabolic responses at multiple target tissues. In this review, we describe major changes during pregnancy, with increasing abundance in maternal circulation across species. This stimulates IGFs, whose bioavailability also increased by proteolytic cleavage their circulating binding proteins pregnancy. These turn adaptations pregnancy promote placental function fetal growth, does exogenous or IGF treatment animal models normal compromised Finally, explore alternative approaches enhance adaptations, hence growth.