Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-Beta 1) and Insulin-Like Growth Factor II (IGF-II) Messenger RNA in the Developing Subcutaneous Tissue of the Fetal Pig

The study investigated the expression of TGF-beta 1 and IGF-II mRNA in the developing subcutaneous tissue of fetal pigs using in situ hybridization. TGF-beta 1 mRNA was primarily found in the dermis, hair follicle fat lobule, and subcutaneous areas across all fetal ages studied (50, 70, 90, 110 days) and in 7-day-old postnatal pigs, particularly near adipocyte clusters. IGF-II mRNA was detected in the developing muscle below the subcutaneous tissue at 50 and 70 days, with lower expression at 90 and 110 days, but increased expression in the muscle of 7-day-old postnatal pigs. The findings suggested that paracrine and autocrine regulatory systems might be involved in the development of adipocytes and muscle, with specific spatial and temporal expression patterns of TGF-beta 1 and IGF-II in developing pig subcutaneous tissue.