Evaluation of expression of IGF-II in term placenta and its relationship with birth weight

Objective To investigate the expression of IGF-Ⅱin term placenta and its relationship with birth weight.Methods IGF-ⅡmRNA was measured by RT-PCR. Difference was compared between macrosomia and normal birth weight neonate.Results ① IGF-ⅡmRNA was expressed in placenta at term. The rate and level of its expression was 93.8%,(1.19±0.31)in macrosomias and 88.9%,(1.15±0.28)in normal birth weight neonates, respectively. No significant difference was found between the two groups (P0.05). ② No obvious correlation was found between expression of IGF-Ⅱin term placenta and the birth weight(r=-0.216,P=0.213).Conclusions IGF-ⅡmRNA is expressed in term placenta. IGF-Ⅱ may not be the main factor affecting the fetal development.