Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

4125 Beaumont Road, Lansing, MI 48910-8104
Phone (517) 353-1683
Fax (517) 353-5096
Insulin Like Growth Factor-1
Printed 01/23/26
Order Code: 20005
Section: Endocrinology
Price: $73.00
Turn Around Time: 3-5 Days
Days Test Started: Tue, Fri
Species: Most Species

Although this assay can be performed on most/all species, robust validation data is not available for non-routine species such as zoo animals. Please contact the laboratory if you have questions on validation for a specific species.

Acceptable Specimens

Specimens Containers Min Volume
Serum Leakproof Tube 0.75 mL
Plasma Leakproof Tube 0.75 mL

Collection Protocol

Serum: Collect blood in appropriate vacutainer tube. Allow blood to clot at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes prior to separation. Centrifuge to separate serum from the clot. Transfer (pipette) serum into plain leakproof tube.

Plasma: Collect blood in appropriate vacutainer tube. Centrifuge sample within the first hour. Transfer (pipette) plasma into a plain leakproof tube.

Unspun samples will not be accepted. Do not send whole blood. Do not ship samples in serum separator tubes.

Shipping Requirements

Refrigerate (no longer than overnight) or freeze sample until shipment. Ship on ice via overnight or second day courier.

We recommend using the MSU VDL Insulated Mailer with UPS (99220 - single, 99221 - 3 pack, 99222 - 6 pack).

Additional Information

To aid in the diagnosis of acromegaly (growth hormone excess) or dwarfism (growth hormone deficiency).

Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) is a substance which is made in the liver in response to circulating Growth Hormone (GH) concentrations. An IGF-1 concentration therefore reflects GH concentrations. IGF-1 may be elevated in diabetic animals. IGF-1 may be decreased in animals with hepatic insufficiency or in a negative energy balance. Reference intervals for IGF-1 depend both on the animal's age and the animal's regular breed size. When trying to confirm dwarfism, it may help to submit a serum sample from age and breed matched control animal. Generally, IGF-1 analysis is not helpful for the diagnosis of growth hormone responsive dermatopathy. We do not have a test to measure GH directly.