IGF-1 administration to prepubertal female rats can overcome delayed puberty caused by maternal Pb exposure. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Because prepubertal female rats maternally exposed to lead (Pb) exhibit suppressed serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and delayed puberty, we investigated the ability of centrally administered IGF-1 to stimulate luteinizing hormone (LH) release in vivo and LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) release in vitro from maternally Pb-exposed prepubertal female rats. Additionally, we assessed whether IGF-1 replacement could affect the timing of female puberty. Results demonstrated that IGF-1 stimulated significantly LH release in both control and Pb-exposed animals. When median eminences from control and Pb-exposed females were incubated with rat IGF-1 in vitro, they responded similarly with significant peptide-induced LHRH release. Lastly, we showed IGF-1 replacement reversed the delay in puberty caused by Pb. These results indicate the central LHRH response to IGF-1 is intact and that Pb-induced delayed puberty is due, at least in part, to suppressed circulating IGF-1 available to the hypothalamus.

published proceedings

  • Reprod Toxicol

author list (cited authors)

  • Pine, M. D., Hiney, J. K., Dearth, R. K., Bratton, G. R., & Dees, W. L.

citation count

  • 18

complete list of authors

  • Pine, Michelle D||Hiney, Jill K||Dearth, Robert K||Bratton, Gerald R||Dees, W Les

publication date

  • January 2006