Systemic bone growth factors concentrations in calves during the perinatal period

Plasma somatostatin (SRIF), growth hormone (GH), somatomedin C (IGF1), osteocalcin (BGP), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25-(OH)2D), calcium and inorganic phosphorus were measured in 10 chronically-catheterized fetal calves and in their dams during the two last months of gestation. Thus fetal life is associated with high levels of GH (1.53 +/- 0.14 nmol.l-1), BGP (64 +/- 4 nmol), Ca (2.90 +/- 0.06 nmol.l-1) compared to the results obtained in the pregnant cows. The first week of postnatal life was associated with a tremendous increase in plasma SRIF concentration (from 36 +/- 5 to 106 +/- 15 pmol.l-1; P less than 0.01). These results agree with an intense bone growth during the end of fetal life in the bovine species. However, IG 1 might not play a major role in the regulation of fetal skeletal growth during this period.