Key result
Infusion of rhIGF-I in fetal sheep decreased whole-body protein breakdown (leucine rate of appearance 41.1 to 37.6 micromol/min) but had no effect on skeletal muscle protein synthesis or breakdown.
IGF-I promotes fetal protein accretion at the whole body level, but its site of action is in tissues other than skeletal muscle.
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Does not support IGF-I action on fetal skeletal muscle; leaves open its role in other tissues for protein accretion.
Boyle et al. (1998) studied Fetal protein metabolism (n=9). recombinant human (rh) IGF-I vs. Baseline (before infusion) was evaluated on Protein synthesis (phenylalanine rate of disposal) in the study limb. Infusion of rhIGF-I in fetal sheep decreased whole-body protein breakdown (leucine rate of appearance 41.1 to 37.6 micromol/min) but had no effect on skeletal muscle protein synthesis or breakdown.
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