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PubMed1994

Luteotropic effects of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): II. FSH luteinizing hormone, and prolactin effects on second messenger systems in the corpus luteum of the pregnant hamster.

We have recently shown that FSH, LH, and prolactin (PRL)--alone or combined--act as luteotropins when incubated with luteal cells from pregnant hamsters (Yuan and Greenwald, Biol Reprod 1994; 51:43-49). The purpose of the present study was to determine which second messenger systems are affected by these hormones with progesterone (P4) synthesis as the principal endpoint after 4 h of incubation with 100,000 luteal cells. Luteal cells on Days 4, 10, or 12 of pregnancy were incubated with the following reagents: 10 ng of recombinant human FSH (r-hFSH), ovine (o) FSH, oLH, oPRL, forskolin, db-cAMP, protein kinase A inhibitor (PKI), protein kinase C activator (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate; PMA), or various combinations of the reagents. Forskolin and db-cAMP each stimulated P4 in a dose-dependent manner, while PKI significantly inhibited forskolin-, r-hFSH-, oFSH-, and oLH-stimulated P4 on Day 4 of pregnancy. PMA (0.001-1.0 microM) did not affect basal P4 on Day 4, 10, or 12 of pregnancy; however, 100 nM PMA inhibited db-cAMP-, forskolin-, oFSH-, and oLH-stimulated P4 synthesis on Days 4 and 12. The antagonistic effects of PMA were reversed in all cases by concurrent incubation with a PKC inhibitor, H-7. On Day 4 of pregnancy, P4 was stimulated by oFSH and oLH with the highest levels observed in medium stimulated by the luteotropic complex of oFSH, oLH, and oPRL. Recombinant hFSH enhanced P4 production in a dose-dependent manner; doses of 10 ng and above resulted in statistically significant differences from the control values (p < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Recombinant human luteinizing hormone (LH) to support recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-induced follicular development in LH- and FSH-deficient anovulatory women: a dose-finding study. The European Recombinant Human LH Study Group.

The efficacy of recombinant human LH (rhLH) for supporting human (rhFSH)-induced follicular development was investigated in hypogonadotropic hypogonadal women (WHO group I anovulation). Patients (n = 38) were randomized to receive rhLH (0, 25, 75, or 225 IU/day) in addition to a fixed dose of rhFSH (150 IU/day). rhLH was found 1) to promote dose-related increases in estradiol (E2) and androstenedione secretion by rhFSH-induced follicles, i.e. serum concentrations on the last day of FSH administration were 65 +/- 4, 195 +/- 94, 1392 +/- 585, and 2441 +/- 904 pmol/L for E2 and 3.6 +/- 0.9, 5.1 +/- 1.3, 6.4 +/- 1.3, and 6.7 +/- 1.3 nmol/L for androstenedione for patients treated with 0, 25, 75, and 225 IU rhLH, respectively; 2) to increase ovarian sensitivity to FSH, as demonstrated by the proportion of patients who developed follicles after the administration of a fixed dose of FSH, i.e. 1 of 8, 3 of 7, 7 of 9, and 8 of 10 in patients treated with 0, 25, 75, and 225 IU rhLH, respectively; and 3) to enhance the ability of these follicles to luteinize when exposed to hCG. A daily dose of 75 IU rhLH was effective in the majority of women in promoting optimal follicular development (defined as > or = 1 follicle > or = 17 mm; E2, > or = 400 pmol/L; midluteal phase progesterone, > or = 25 nmol/L) and maximal endometrial growth. A minority of patients may require up to 225 IU/day. rhLH, given sc at a dose up to 225 IU/day, was not immunogenic and was well tolerated.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Acute changes in pulsatile LH and FSH secretion after ovariectomy in rats: treatment with oestradiol for 24 h suppresses LH, but not FSH, for at least 48 h.

Concentrations of LH in female rats do not increase to concentrations seen in the male at 24 h after castration until up to one week after ovariectomy, while FSH concentrations increase rapidly in both sexes. We hypothesized that the lag in LH rise is due to the imposition of a prolonged suppression by the high concentrations of oestradiol seen during each cycle at pro-oestrus, which prevents a rapid response to the removal of negative feedback. This hypothesis was tested by studying the effect of exposure to pro-oestrus oestradiol concentrations, administered in Silastic capsules, for 24 h on the pulsatile release of LH and FSH. In the first experiment, treatment with oestradiol for 24 h began on day 3 after ovariectomy and resulted in a significant suppression of LH pulse frequency, which appeared to persist for up to 4 days after removal of the implant. In the second experiment, exposure for 24 h to high, pro-oestrous oestradiol concentrations beginning on day 3 or 7 after ovariectomy significantly suppressed mean LH concentrations and LH pulse amplitude compared with vehicle-treated controls, while FSH secretion did not differ between the two treatments. These results suggest that the acute lag in the rate of LH rise after ovariectomy depends on a prolonged suppressive effect of oestradiol and that the rise in oestradiol during the cycle, which exerts a positive feedback to trigger the preovulatory gonadotrophin surges, also exerts a negative feedback for 3-4 days, and this contributes to the relative stability of cycle duration in female rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Evidence that a calmodulin-like calcium-binding domain of the FSH beta-subunit is involved in FSH-induced calcium uptake by Sertoli cells.

We have previously shown that a synthetic peptide amide corresponding to residues 1-15 of the human FSH beta-subunit (hFSH-beta-(1-15)) possesses structural characteristics and calcium-binding properties similar to the calcium-binding loops of calmodulin (CaM). The calcium-binding property of hFSH-beta-(1-15) correlated well with its ability to stimulate uptake of calcium (as 45Ca2+) by cultured rat Sertoli cells and proteoliposomes enriched with bovine calf testis FSH receptors. A sequence found in the calcium-binding loops of CaM and a number of other calcium-binding proteins can be represented by the motif +-+-+-+-+--+, where + represents a calcium-binding residue and - represents a non-binding residue. A sequence containing a similar motif appears in hFSH-beta-(1-15) between residues 4 and 15: +-++-+---+-+. Using a synthetic peptide strategy, we undertook to determine whether the first three residues of hFSH-beta-(1-15) were required to induce uptake of calcium by cultured rat Sertoli cells and FSH receptor-enriched proteoliposomes, and to assess whether rearrangement of the putative calcium-binding ligands (+) of hFSH-beta-(1-15) to correspond to their linear sequence in CaM would enhance the ability of hFSH-beta-(1-15) to induce calcium uptake in these two model systems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1976

Studies on the relationship between FSH and germ cells: evidence for selective suppression of FSH by testicular extracts.

The evidence supporting the relationship between the seminiferous epithelium and circulating FSH levels has been reviewed and provides support for the concept that the testis produces a factor capable of specifically controlling FSH concentrations. Detailed quantitative histological studies of the seminiferous epithelium have demonstrated a highly significant inverse relationship between the number of spermatogonia per tubule cross-section and serum FSH levels in men with testicular disorders.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effect of LH, FSH, LH + FSH and homoplastic pituitary extract on developing testis and epididymis of pigeon Columba livia.

Ovine LH is needed for differentiation of juvenile Leydig cells and for their maintenance and steroidogenic potential, while FSH is necessary for Sertoli cell activity and spermatogonial multiplication suggesting that LH is steroidogenic hormone and FSH is gametogenic in the developing pigeon, C. livia. Homoplastic pituitary extract is more potent than ovine LH + FSH in stimulating gametogenic and endocrine components of the developing testis.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

[Proestral modification of plasma LH and FSH levels in rats exposed to FSH at the beginning of a 4-day cycle].

Four day cyclic female Rats were injected with dosages of FSH capable of causing superovulation and or superluteinization at the end of the cycle. A decrease in plasma LH and FSH was observed during the "critical period" on the afternoon of proestrus. The exogenous FSH was then supposed to increase the number of follicles sensitive to the ovulating and luteinizing action of LH.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Follicular fluid hormone concentrations during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation using gonadotropin preparations with different FSH/LH ratios. I. Comparison of an FSH-dominant and a purified FSH preparation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present randomized study was to investigate whether ovarian stimulation treatment with gonadotropin preparations containing different amounts of LH activity resulted in variations of steroidal composition of follicular fluid. A different endocrine milieu within the follicle might influence oocyte quality. METHODS: Antral fluid from mature follicles was collected in in vitro fertilization cycles and concentrations of testosterone, androstenedione, estrone, estradiol, progesterone, FSH, and LH were determined. A comparison was made between treatment with a purified FSH preparation (nine patients, 35 follicular fluid samples) and a FSH-dominant human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) preparation (nine patients, 34 samples). RESULTS: No differences in any of the hormone levels could be detected between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Treatment with gonadotropin preparations containing different FSH/LH ratios did not result in different androgen, estrogen and progesterone levels in follicular fluid.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Deletion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor residues encoded by exon one decreases FSH binding and signaling in the rat.

The rat FSH receptor (rFSHR) shares considerable homology with the rat LH receptor (rLHR), yet binds human FSH (hFSH) with high fidelity, suggesting that the binding determinant encoded by the rFSHR gene shares no homology with the analogous rLHR primary sequence, thereby affording specificity of ligand binding. Two such regions of primary sequence have been previously identified and studied by peptide challenge tests and immunoneutralization studies. We therefore implemented site-directed mutagenesis to delete the regions S9-N30 and D300-F315 of the mature rFSHR sequence. The mutant receptor (DeltarFSHR) cDNAs were expressed in insect cells. The large deletion DeltarFSHRS9-N30 and a smaller deletion, DeltarFSHRS9-S18, did not bind (125)I-hFSH. However, DeltarFSHRK19-R29 and DeltarFSHRD300-F315 bound (125)I-hFSH with an affinity indistinguishable from wild-type rFSHR. The deletion mutants DeltarFSHR S9-N30 or DeltarFSHRS9-S18 were not detectable on the cell surface by flow cytometry unless cells were sheared. Although (125)I-hFSH binding to DeltarFSHRK19-R29 was normal, this form of the receptor was defective for signal transduction whereas DeltarFSHRD300-F315 was not. Furthermore, neither region seems to be a specificity determinant, since their removal did not result in high-affinity binding of hCG to DeltarFSHR.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Both recombinant African catfish LH and FSH are able to activate the African catfish FSH receptor.

LH and FSH are heterodimeric glycoprotein hormones, composed of a common alpha-subunit non-covalently associated with a hormone-specific beta-subunit. Repeated efforts to isolate catfish FSH (cfFSH) have not been successful and only catfish LH (cfLH) has been purified from catfish pituitaries. Recently, however, we succeeded in cloning the cDNA encoding the putative cfFSHbeta; the cDNAs for the alpha- and beta-subunit of cfLH have been cloned before. Here we report the expression of biologically active cfLH and cfFSH in the soil amoeba, Dictyostelium discoideum. The biological activity of the recombinant hormones was analyzed using cell lines transiently expressing either the cfLH receptor or the cfFSH receptor. Moreover, a primary testis tIssue culture system served to study the steroidogenic potency of the recombinant hormones. Our results demonstrated that Dictyostelium produced biologically active, recombinant catfish gonadotropins, with recombinant cfLH being almost indistinguishable from its native counterpart, purified from pituitaries. Although recombinant cfFSH has significant effects in the bioassays used in this study, the specific function of native cfFSH in the control of reproduction and its expression patterns are not yet understood.

Androstenedione↗
PubMed2002

Updated meta-analysis of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) versus urinary FSH for ovarian stimulation in assisted reproduction.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative efficacy of recombinant FSH (rFSH) and urinary FSH (uFSH) for ovarian stimulation in assisted reproductive techniques (ART). DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials comparing rFSH and uFSH. SETTING: Infertility centers providing treatment with ART. PATIENT(S): Patients undergoing IVF with or without ICSI. INTERVENTION(S): Controlled ovarian stimulation using uFSH or rFSH (follitropin alpha or follitropin beta). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Primary: rate of clinical pregnancy per cycle. Secondary: rates of spontaneous abortion, multiple pregnancy, and severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS); total gonadotropin dose; serum E(2) level and number of follicles at hCG administration; number of oocytes retrieved. RESULT(S): Eighteen trials were included in the meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses demonstrated higher pregnancy rates with both follitropins compared with uFSH. However, statistical significance was reached only in the follitropin alpha versus uFSH comparison in IVF cycles, with an additional pregnancy for every 19 patients treated. Fewer units of rFSH than uFSH achieved the same E(2) level and oocyte yield. No differences were found between treatments in rates of spontaneous abortion, OHSS, and multiple gestation. CONCLUSION(S): rFSH produced higher pregnancy rates per cycle than uFSH when follitropin alpha was used in IVF, and the total gonadotropin dose required was lower.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed2004

Ovulation induction with urinary FSH or recombinant FSH in polycystic ovary syndrome patients: a prospective randomized analysis of cost-effectiveness.

The aim of this prospective, randomized trial was to compare the clinical results and the cost-effectiveness of urinary FSH (uFSH) and recombinant FSH (rFSH) in ovarian stimulation for intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. One-hundred and seventy PCOS infertile patients undergoing IUI were enrolled, and protocols of ovarian stimulation with uFSH or rFSH were randomly assigned. The total number of cycles performed was 379 (182 and 197, respectively). The main outcome measures were the number of mature follicles, the days of stimulation, the number of ampoules and IU used per cycle, the biochemical/clinical pregnancy rates, the number of multiple pregnancies and the cost-effectiveness. No statistically significant differences were found in the follicular development, length of stimulation, pregnancy rates, delivery rates and multiple pregnancies between the two groups. In the uFSH group, the cost per cycle remained significantly lower (218.51 +/- 88.69 versus 312.22 +/- 118.12; P < 0.0001), even though a significantly higher number of IU of gonadotrophins were used (809.3 +/- 271.9 versus 589.1 +/- 244.7; P < 0.0001). The cost-effectiveness (i. e. within a group, the total cost of all cycles divided by no. of clinical pregnancies) was 1729.08 in the uFSH group and 3075.37 in the rFSH group. In conclusion, uFSH and rFSH demonstrated the same effectiveness in ovarian stimulation in IUI cycles in PCOS patients. The urinary preparation is more cost-effective due to the difference of its cost per IU.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A double-blind, randomized study to compare recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (FSH; Gonal-F) with highly purified urinary FSH (Metrodin) HP) in women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques including intracytoplasmic sperm injection. The French Multicentre Trialists.

This prospective, double-blind, randomized, multicentre study compared the efficacy and safety of recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (r-hFSH; Gonal-F((R))) versus highly purified urinary FSH (u-hFSH HP; Metrodin((R)) HP) in women undergoing ovarian stimulation for in-vitro fertilization, including intracytoplasmic sperm injection. A total of 278 patients began a long gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist protocol, then 139 received r-hFSH and 139 u-hFSH HP, 150 IU/day administered s.c., for the first 6 days of treatment. On day 7, the dose was adjusted, if necessary, according to ovarian response. Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG, 10 000 IU, s.c.) was administered once there was more than one follicle 18 mm in diameter and two others >/=16 mm. Oocyte retrieval was performed 36-38 h after HCG injection: 128 patients (92%) receiving r-hFSH and 113 (81%) receiving u-hFSH HP had at least one oocyte retrieved. Among patients receiving r-hFSH, there was a significantly higher mean (+/- SD) number of oocytes retrieved (11.0 +/- 5.9 versus 8.8 +/- 4.8 with u-hFSH HP; P = 0. 002) and mean number of embryos obtained (5.1 +/- 3.7 versus 3.5 +/- 2.9 with u-hFSH HP; P = 0.0001). With r-hFSH, significantly fewer FSH treatment days (11.7 +/- 1.9 versus 14.5 +/- 3.3) and 75 IU ampoules (27.6 +/- 10.2 versus 40.7 +/- 13.6) were required than with u-hFSH HP (P = 0.0001). Embryo replacement on day 2-3 after oocyte retrieval resulted in 36 liveborn children in the Gonal-F((R)) group and 33 in the Metrodin HP((R)) group (not significant). There were seven cases (5.0%) of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in the r-hFSH group and three (2.2%), in the u-hFSH HP group (not significant). It is concluded that r-hFSH is more effective than u-hFSH in inducing multiple follicular development.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Induction of ovulation in women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques: recombinant human FSH (follitropin alpha) versus highly purified urinary FSH (urofollitropin HP).

This multicentre, open, randomized, study compared the efficacy and safety of recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH; follitropin alpha) with highly purified urinary human FSH (uFSH; urofollitropin HP) in women undergoing ovulation induction for assisted reproductive techniques. Following long down-regulation with buserelin, patients received two ampoules of 75 IU (150 IU) s.c. rFSH or highly purified uFSH for 6 days, after which the dose could be increased until they fulfilled the criteria for human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration. Of 168 patients recruited, 155 received at least one dose of FSH, and 137 received HCG [68: rFSH (85%); 69: uFSH (92%)]. Following oocyte retrieval and fertilization, up to three embryos were replaced/patient and luteal support was given. The mean number of oocytes retrieved/patient was 10.2 +/- 6.0 for rFSH patients compared with 10.8 +/- 6.1 in the uFSH group (not significant). There was a trend towards fewer ampoules used (22.3 +/- 6.5 versus 24.3 +/- 6.5), higher pregnancy (44.3 versus 41.4%) and live birth rates (33.8 versus 26.7%), as well as a lower miscarriage rate (0.0 versus 16.7%) in favour of rFSH. However, no significant differences in efficacy parameters were recorded. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome occurred in 8.6% and 7.9% of rFSH and uFSH patients respectively. In conclusion, this protocol was effective in inducing multiple follicular development and high numbers of oocytes were retrieved with both drugs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Cost-effectiveness modelling of recombinant FSH versus urinary FSH in assisted reproduction techniques in the UK.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to undertake an economic evaluation to compare the cost-effectiveness of recombinant (r)FSH with urinary (u)FSH for attaining clinical pregnancy with assisted reproduction. METHODS: Mathematical modelling was utilized incorporating a Markovian decision framework and a Monte Carlo simulation. Statistical representations of recurrent events over time were incorporated into a decision analysis involving fresh and frozen cycles in any sequence (after the first fresh embryo transfer cycle) over three successive assisted reproduction attempts. The mean values of transition probabilities were derived from randomized controlled clinical trials and published reports. The distributions of these transition probabilities were agreed upon by a panel of experts. Cost data for procedures and drugs were derived and validated according to the perspectives of the National Health Service and private clinics in the UK. RESULTS: The study involved 5000 Monte-Carlo simulations of treatment on a Markov cohort of 100 000 patients. The total number of pregnancies attained was significantly higher in the rFSH (40 575) compared with the uFSH (37 358) group. The cost per successful pregnancy was significantly lower for rFSH (5906 pounds sterling) compared with uFSH (6060 pounds sterling) and overall, fewer cycles of treatment were required with rFSH to achieve an ongoing pregnancy. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is 4148 pounds sterling for each additional clinical pregnancy with rFSH. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the increased effectiveness of rFSH in ART, this study demonstrated that it is more cost-effective and more efficient than uFSH in attaining an ongoing pregnancy.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1991

The radioimmunoassay of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-suppressing protein (FSP): stimulation of bovine granulosa cell FSP secretion by FSH.

A RIA for bovine (b) FSH-suppressing protein (FSP) was developed using an antiserum raised in a rabbit to purified 39-kDa bFSP, iodinated 35-kDa FSP as tracer, and purified 35-kDa bFSP as standard. Purified 35-kDa FSP was iodinated using the iodogen procedure, and the iodinated FSP was purified by dye affinity chromatography. After a logit log-dose transformation of the dose-response curves, parallel displacement lines were observed between 31-, 35-, and 39-kDa FSP, bovine follicular fluid, bovine granulosa cell culture medium, and medium from bovine granulosa cells stimulated with bFSH. The specificity of the assay was investigated by comparing the immunoassay levels of FSP with in vitro bioassay levels based on the ability of FSP/inhibin to suppress FSH in rat anterior pituitary cell cultures in fractions obtained throughout the purification procedure of FSP from bovine follicular fluid. This demonstrated that 1) the FSP immunoactivity was associated with in vitro bioactivity in all fractions of the purification procedure; 2) a number of inhibin-related and other proteins showed low (less than 0.5%) or nondetectable cross-reactivity in the RIA; and 3) the in vitro biological to immunological ratios for 31-, 35-, and 39-kDa FSP were similar, indicating that the RIA detects all forms of purified bFSP. The secretion of FSP by bovine granulosa cells in culture was investigated in the presence and absence of bFSH and bLH, respectively. FSP production was proportional to granulosa cell number and decreased from highest levels at 24 h to lowest levels at 96 h of culture. The addition of either bFSH or 8-bromo-cAMP to the culture medium stimulated FSP production by a factor of 2-3 at 48 and 72 h of culture, while the addition of bLH had no effect on FSP production. Theca interna tissue cultured under the same conditions did not produce FSP. In contrast to FSP, stimulation of bovine granulosa cells with bFSH or bLH had no effect on inhibin production during the 96 h of culture, while the addition of bFSH and bLH caused a stimulation of progesterone production at 48 and 72 h of culture. It is concluded that 1) the RIA described here is specific for all mol wt forms of bFSP; 2) FSP was secreted by bovine granulosa cells and not thecal cells in vitro; and 3) FSP secretion by bovine granulosa cells in vitro is regulated by bFSH and not bLH.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Recombinant FSH vs. urinary FSH for ovarian stimulation in in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: To compare ovarian stimulation with recombinant FSH (rFSH) vs. urinary FSH (uFSH) in terms of hormonal events within ovarian follicles and the outcome of in vitro fertilization. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective randomized comparative study of rFSH (n = 70) vs. uFSH (n = 61) ovarian stimulation. Hormone determinations were serum estradiol (E2) on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration, and E2, androstenedione (A) and testosterone (T) at the time of follicular aspiration in the follicular fluid and serum. RESULTS: The total dose of gonadotropins required and the length of ovarian stimulation were the same in the 2 groups. In follicular fluid the E2 and the A levels were significantly higher in the rFSH group (3,065 +/- 1,646 vs. 2,368 +/- 1,240 nmol/L, P = .004, and 103.7 +/- 51.6 vs. 89.0 +/- 42.3 nmol/L, P = .042, respectively), whereas A:E2 and T:E2 ratios were significantly lower (39.6 +/- 22.5 vs. 52.3 +/- 59.6, P = .042, and 9.1 +/- 4.7 vs. 17.6 +/- 26.9, P = .006, respectively). Serum hormonal levels, number of oocytes retrieved and pregnancy rates did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSION: rFSH provides results similar to those of uFSH. rFSH enhances steroidogenesis and provokes different androgen/estrogen ratios than does uFSH without influencing the outcome of in vitro fertilization.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Application of Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with the recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor for measurement of serum FSH.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the activity of the serum FSH bioactivity in patients with premature ovarian failure (POF). DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Infertility and gynecology outpatient clinics at the Gunma University School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan. PATIENTS: Twelve women, aged 27 to 39 years, with POF and nine postmenopausal women. INTERVENTIONS: Serum samples obtained from postmenopausal women and POF patients. The immunoglobulin (Ig)G fractions of some sera from POF patients were prepared by 20% polyethylene glycol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum samples were measured simultaneously by the bioassay system and immunoradiometric assay (IRMA). RESULTS: The bioassay values correlated with those obtained by IRMA, and the correlation coefficient and the slope of the regression lines calculated from nine pairs of assay values from the postmenopausal women were 0.867 and 1.10, respectively. The mean of the biologic:immunologic ratios of sera from postmenopausal women and POF patients were 1.44 and 1.25, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The IgG fractions of some sera from POF patients showed stimulatory or inhibitory effect on cyclic adenosine 3':5' monophosphate production compared with that from postmenopausal women. These results may reflect the more complex pathophysiological states of the patients with POF.

Adult↗