Analysis of female reproductive traits in Angus beef cattle divergently selected for blood serum insulin-like growth factor I concentration

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is an anabolic polypeptide involved in reproductive performance in several species. The objectives of this study were to determine relationships of pregnancy rate, and age of heifers at puberty and at first calving with serum IGF-I concentration in Angus beef cattle. Data were obtained from an ongoing divergent selection experiment for IGF-I concentration involving purebred Angus cows. The IGF-I concentrations measured at Days 28, 42, and 56 of the 140-day postweaning test are abbreviated as IGF28, IGF42, and IGF56, respectively. Pregnancy rate did not differ between high and low IGF-I line females (P=0.95; n=2618), but high line heifers tended to be 4.02+/-2.18 days younger (P=0.07; n=281) at first calving. Residual correlations of age of heifers at first calving (AFC) with IGF-I measurements were not significant. The linear and quadratic terms for regression of AFC on IGF-I concentrations were also non-significant. Contrast analysis showed no difference in age at puberty between the high and low IGF-I line heifers (5.3+/-6.4 days earlier in the high line; P=0.43; n=51). Residual correlations of age of heifers at puberty with IGF28, IGF42, IGF56, and mean IGF-I were -0.30 (P=0.03), -0. 22 (P=0.12), -0.35 (P=0.01), and -0.34 (P=0.01), respectively. The observed relationships between female reproductive traits and IGF-I concentration in Angus beef cattle suggest complex and multiple roles for IGF-I in reproduction.