Preferential enhancement of myoblast differentiation by insulin-like growth factors (IGF I and IGF II) in primary cultures of chicken embryonic cells.

Cells prepared from the body walls of chicken embryos were plated in the absence of serum. Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) barely stimulated cell replication, but preferentially enhanced the differentiation of muscle cells. Myoblast fusion was favoured in the presence of IGF (or insulin). Concomitantly, acetylcholinesterase activity increased. IGF I and IGF II were equipotent and active in low physiological concentrations, in contrast to insulin, which was known for a long time to exert such effects at pharmacological concentrations.