Endocrine Abstracts

To elucidate the functional role of IGFBP-2 for in vivo skeletal muscle growth and function, skeletal muscle cellularity and metabolism as well as body growth and composition have been studied in a transgenic mouse model overexpressing IGFBP-2. Postnatal growth rate of transgenic mice (n=20) was clearly reduced from day 21 of age by 6–8% (P<0.05) compared with non-transgenic controls (n=37). At the final day of live (day 72 of age) body pro...

Transport of farm animals is considered as a key stress factor including multiple stressors as handling or fasting. In humans, compounds for the IGF-system are affected by acute or critical illness or stress. We have asked, if compounds from the IGF-system also may have biomarker potential in farm animals. A total of 80 pigs were transported for 2 h from a commercial finishing farm to the slaughterhouse. Blood samples from 40 pigs were taken before (basal levels) and after shi...