Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) stimulated the growth and [H-3]thymidine uptake in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells grown in serum- and growth factor-inactivated serum-containing media. Cotreatment of the cells with IGF-I plus 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) resulted in a significant decrease in mitogen-induced cell proliferation and [H-3]thymidine uptake. Similar effects were observed for cells treated with 2,3,7,8-TCDD and IGF-I plus 17-beta-estradiol. The relative antimitogenic activities of 2,3,7,8-TCDD and related compounds followed the order 2,3,7,8-TCDD > 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) > 1,2,7,8-TCDF > 1,3,7,8-TCDD which was similar to their aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor binding affinities. The results showed that 2,3,7,8-TCDD did not alter the IGF-I receptor mRNA levels or the K(D) values for binding of [I-125]IGF-I to the IGF-I receptor in MCF-7 cells. However, 2,3,7,8-TCDD significantly decreased the number of IGF-I-induced IGF-I receptor binding sites and this may play a role in the growth-inhibitory properties of 2,3,7,8-TCDD and related compounds and in the 'cross-talk' between the two endocrine-response pathways.