The finding that IGFBP1 and AHSG were expressed at higher levels in muscle of L compared to AW foetuses on GD90 is consistent with reports of elevated blood levels of these two factors in human IUGR cord blood43,44, as well as, in the case of AHSG, in plasma of neonate IUGR piglets45, in which a negative correlation of AHSG levels with post-natal growth potential was also reported. Here, IGFBP1 is linked to fetal growth restriction.