Variations in Somatomedin-C/Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Associated with Environmental Temperature and Nutrition

Abstract
The influences of environmental temperature and energy intake on plasma concentrations of somatomedin-C/insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) have been investigated in young growing pigs. After 10 weeks acclimation, IGF-I was significantly greater at 35 than 10 °C (P < 0.001) and on a high than a low energy intake (P < 0.001). During the period 16-26 h after the last meal, there was a significant decline in IGF-I with time (P < 0.01). These results can be explained partly in relation to differences in energy exchange in warm and cold environments and may also be related to changes in growth and thyroid hormones.

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