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The effects of feed restriction and refeeding on ovarian and hepatic insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) gene expression, systemic and ovarian IGF-I concentrations and on associated metabolic changes were measured in prepubertal gilts. Eleven pairs of littermate gilts (70·7 ± 4·7 kg) were placed on a maintenance level of feeding for 7 days (days 1–7). On day 8, littermates were either fed at a maintenance level of energy or fed to appetite for a further 6 days. Blood samples were taken on day 13 (07.00–16.00 h) to determine plasma insulin and IGF-I, and on day 14 (02.00–06.00 h) to determine plasma GH levels. Following slaughter on day 14, one ovary from each animal was retained to measure follicular fluid IGF-I and oestradiol concentrations. The remaining ovary and a sample of liver were retained for IGF-I mRNA analysis using a ribonuclease protection assay. Six days of refeeding significantly increased plasma IGF-I (P<0·005) and basal insulin (P<0·05) but there was no effect on plasma GH. Ovarian follicular volume and diameter were significantly larger after refeeding (P<0·05), with no effect on follicular fluid oestradiol concentrations. Mean follicular fluid IGF-I concentrations were unaffected by treatment. However, the relationships between individual follicular IGF-I concentrations, absolute follicular fluid IGF-I contents and follicle volume were affected by feeding level (P<0·05). Regression analysis of the same data also revealed that at this stage of maturity, small follicles had greater follicular fluid concentrations of IGF-I than larger follicles. Refeeding increased the amount of IGF-I mRNA in hepatic but not ovarian tissue. We conclude that there is differential regulation of the IGF-I gene in porcine hepatic and ovarian tissues, and that ovarian factors other than, or as well as, IGF-I are involved in the regulation of ovarian responses to refeeding.

Journal of Endocrinology (1993) 139, 143–152