Immunologic Studies with Human Pituitary Follicle-Stimulating Hormone

Abstract

Antisera to human pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), isolated by starch-gel electrophoresis, have been produced in rabbits. A hemagglutination antibody titer of 1:12,800 was attained, and hemagglutination of antigen-coated sheep erythrocytes was completely inhibited with 50 ng FSH. The antisera have also been used to determine relative amounts of human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCF), and equine and ovine FSH required to inhibit completely the hemagglutination of antigen-coated cells. The presence of antibodies to FSH was also indicated by the single precipitin line obtained when the antisera were interreacted with FSH isolated by starchgel electrophoresis and a line of identity obtained between the antiserum and human FSH, HMG and equine FSH in Ouchterlony immunodiffusion in agar. This was further supported when 0.5 ml of the antiserum completely blocked the increase in the ovarian weights caused by 100 [mu]g human FSH, 100 ug HMG and 40 IU of HCG in immature female rats.