Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) deficiency ameliorates sex difference in cardiac contractile function and intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis

► Liver IGF-1 deficiency attenuates or abolishes the sex difference in cardiac contractile function and intracellular Ca2+ handling. ► Sex difference in cardiac function is associated with sex difference in intracellular Ca2+ regulatory proteins SERCA2a, Na+-Ca2+ exchanger and phospholamban, which may be alleviated by liver IGF-1 deficiency. ► IGF-1 may interact with sex hormones to regulate cardiac contractile function and intracellular Ca2+ handling.