Comparison of insulin-like growth factor-I concentration in mammary secretions and serum of small-and giant-breed dogs

Objective - To determine insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) concentrations in canine mammary secretions and serum during lactation and to compare them between small and giant breeds of dogs. Animals - 7 gestating Beagles and 4 gestating Great Danes. Procedure - Dogs were fed a common nutritionally complete and adequate gestation and lactation diet. Milk samples were collected at postpartum hour 12 and postpartum days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after IV oxytocin administration. Two puppies/litter were identified at whelping for collection of blood samples corresponding to the days of milk sample collection plus days 35 and 42. Maternal blood samples were obtained on days 1, 7, and 42 from Beagles and days 1, 7, and 28 from Great Danes and were acid/ethanol extracted and analyzed by use of a radioimmunoassay. Results - Maternal serum IGF-I concentration was greater in Great Danes at all sample collection times. Similarly, colostrum from Great Danes contained more IGF-I, compared with that of Beagles (70 ng/ml vs 40 ng/ml, respectively). These values decreased to approximately 10 ng/ml by day 3 in both breeds and remained between 10 and 20 ng/ml for the duration of lactation. Growth rate and serum IGF-I concentration were greater in Great Dane puppies at birth to day 42. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance - High IGF-I concentration in colostrum may be biologically important for newborn puppies. Body mass and serum IGF-I concentration are directly correlated in growing Beagle and Great Dane puppies. Serum IGF-I concentration may be an indicator of growth potential in dogs.