THE INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR 1 (IGF-1) SYSTEM IN THE PRETERM RABBIT PUP : A CHARACTERIZATION OF THE IGF-1 MRNA EXPRESSION IN LIVER, IGF-1 PROTEIN LEVELS IN SERUM AND BRAIN DISTRIBUTION OF IGF-1 RECEPTORS
IGF-1 is an essential regulator of fetal growth and brain development. Preterm birth in the human is followed by a rapid decrease in serum levels of IGF-1 and decreased levels of IGF-1 have been associated with development of severemorbidity. A recent clinical trial indicated that supplementation with IGF-1 prevented development of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in extremely preterm infa
