The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are bound to multiple IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) that are present both in the circulation and in extracellular fluids. There are at least six different IGFBP species that have been fully characterized in terms of molecular structure and amino acid sequence. The tissue distribution and local production of these proteins as well as the regulation of IGFBP production in different tissues have not been elucidated. We have studied the distribution of multiple IGFBP species in protein extracts from human kidney, skeletal muscle, lung, liver and brain by ligand blotting employing [125I]IGF-2 as the radiolabeled hormone. Five distinct IGFBP species with a respective molecular weight of 43, 38, 34, 30 and 20 kDa were detected on the ligand blots in tissues from human fetuses and infants (23 weeks of gestation till 24 months of postnatal age). The 34 kDa species and a 30-32 kDa IGFBP species were predominant in brain, whereas a 30 kDa IGFBP species was mainly detected in skeletal muscle. Immunoblotting experiments using an anti IGFBP-2 antiserum showed that the 34 kDa IGFBP species from human brain was presumably related to IGFBP-2. We conclude that IGFBPs are differentially expressed in different tissues throughout human fetal life and early infancy. Local production or accumulation of the different IGFBPs could modulate IGF action at a local level or alternatively have differential functions during development.