Measuring IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 Profiles in Women Seeking Assisted Reproduction; Relationship to Clinical Parameters (Study 1)

This study examines the IGF serum profile (IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and the IGF Ratio) from 1633 women who undertook an Assessment Cycle prior to any treatment by assisted reproduction. The idea is to progressively study the IGF profile with a view to identify those women who may be classified as having adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) and who may benefit from specific dynamic endocrinological testing to identify a potential benefit from growth hormone adjuvant treatment. This first study evaluates the IGF profile on clinical parameters, namely age, body mass index (BMI) and stature. The study shows a significant linear reduction in IGF-1 levels across the four age groups (<35 years, 35-39 years, 40-44 years and ≥45 years; p < 0.001). However, there was no variation in IGFBP-3 levels but the IGF Ratio showed a progressive linear elevation with advancing age (p < 0.001). With respect to both BMI and stature, none of the IGF profile parameters showed any variation. We conclude that further studies are warranted to examine the notion of underlying AGHD in the causation of the well-known feature of age-related poor prognosis in assisted reproduction.