Comparison of Insulin-like Growth Factor-I and Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein Concentrations of the Palmetto and Sunshine Bass and the Effects of Gender and Stress

Abstract— Plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) were compared between market sized sunshine and palmetto bass. Differences between male and female fish were examined and both hybrids were sampled before and after a low-water confinement stress. There was no difference in body weight between the hybrid types, however, females were significantly heavier than males in both hybrids. Plasma IGF-I concentrations were significantly higher in pre-stressed palmetto bass when compared with sunshine bass, and male palmetto bass had significantly higher IGF-I concentrations than females. Two hours after a 15-min low-water stress, a significant decrease in palmetto bass IGF-I occurred, but there was no change in sunshine bass IGF-I concentrations. Levels of a 33-kDa IGFBP were similar in pre-stressed palmetto bass when compared with sunshine bass; however, no differences due to gender were evident for either hybrid. Two hours after a 15-min low-water exposure, there was no change in the levels of a 33-kDa IGFBP in palmetto or sunshine bass. A more complete understanding of IGF-I, IGFBPs, and IGF-I receptors may be necessary to explain the role of IGF-I in regulating fish growth.