Maternal plasma concentrations on insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and human placental lactogen (hPL) in twin pregnancies

Abstract

Maternal plasma IGF-I and hPL concentrations were examined in 10 singleton pregnancies and in 11 twin gestations near term. hPL concentrations were higher in the twin pregnancies (14.4 ± 2.4 μg/l vs 6.9 ± 0.9 μg/l, P < 0.02). In contrast, plasma IGF-I concentrations were similar in the singleton and twin pregnancies (533 ± 45 μg/l vs 572 ± 60 μg/l, respectively). IGF-I concentrations failed to correlate with hPL concentrations in either group separately or when all subjects were considered together. These data do not support the hypothesis that maternal IGF-I secretion is an hPL-dependent process.