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PubMed1980

FSH and LH pituitary reserve and output in the postmenopause.

FSH and LH basal levels and their cumulative responses following LH-RH administration were determined along with plasma estradiol levels in postmenopausal patients. 89 postmenopausal patients were studied. They were divided into four groups according to the time elapsed since their menopause. Group I being less than 2 yr postmenopausal, Group II between 2 and 5 yr, Group III 5--10 yr and Group IV 10 yr or more postmenopausal. Blood was drawn before a bolus intravenous injection of 100 micrograms of LH-RH was given and at different time intervals after the injection. FSH, LH and plasma estradiol were assayed. FSH and LH cumulative responses after LH-RH (CR) and total cumulative responses (TCR), as defined by the surface area comprised between the tracing and a horizontal line drawn through the basal level (CR) or the X-axis (TCR) were calculated by planimetry. The basal levels of FSH tend to increase with age, with a maximum in the 3rd age group and a decline thereafter. A similar trend, though less outspoken, was seen in the LH basal levels. FSH cumulative responses after LH-RH (as expressed by the mean increment (delta), maintained over the 2 h duration of the test) were significantly lower than the corresponding FSH basal levels and appeared to remain at the same level throughout postmenopause. In contrast, LH cumulative responses after LH-RH, expressed in the same way, compared with corresponding LH basal levels. They were highest in the younger age group, associated with still appreciable estradiol levels and declined in the subsequent age groups. LH-TCR and LH-TCR : FSH-TCR ratio showed a similar trend as LH cumulative responses. It is suggested that this peculiar pattern, is related to estradiol levels.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Alcohol effects on LH and FSH in ovariectomized female monkeys.

The acute effects of alcohol (2.5, 3.0, 3.5 g/kg) and sucrose control solution on basal levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were compared in recently and chronically ovariectomized female rhesus monkeys. Integrated plasma samples were collected at 20 min intervals for 3 hr before and 6 hr after nasogastric intubation of alcohol or isocaloric sucrose control solution. Baseline levels of LH and FSH were significantly higher in recently than in chronically ovariectomized females (p less than 0.001). Baseline LH pulse frequency was also significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in the recently ovariectomized group than in the chronically ovariectomized group (0.704 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.379 +/- 0.10 pulses/hr). FSH pulse frequency was equivalent in both groups (0.444 +/- 0.06 to 0.360 +/- 0.06 pulses/hr). After 2.5 g/kg of alcohol, peak blood alcohol levels were 243 to 256 mg/dl and LH decreased significantly (p less than 0.01) in both groups. After 3.0 g/kg alcohol, peak blood alcohol levels were 237 to 289 mg/dl, and basal LH levels (p less than 0.05) and LH pulse frequency (p less than 0.05) decreased significantly only in the recently ovariectomized group. After 3.5 g/kg of alcohol, peak blood alcohol levels exceeded 320 mg/dl, and LH did not change significantly in either group. Administration of 3.5 g/kg alcohol was associated with increased LH pulse amplitude in some individuals. Since lower alcohol doses (2.5 and 3.0 g/kg) and sucrose control administration were followed by a significant decline in LH (p less than 0.05-0.01) and the highest alcohol dose (3.5 g/kg) was not, these data suggest the possible influence of nonspecific "stress" on modulation of LH secretory activity. FSH did not change after sucrose administration in recently ovariectomized monkeys, but was significantly suppressed after 2.5 and 3.5 g/kg alcohol (p less than 0.05). In the chronically ovariectomized monkeys, FSH decreased significantly after administration of sucrose and all alcohol doses. LH suppression was not consistently associated with changes in FSH in either group--a finding consonant with the hypothesis that LH and FSH may be controlled by different hypothalamic regulatory factors.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The gonadotropin secretion pattern in normal women of advanced reproductive age in relation to the monotropic FSH rise.

OBJECTIVE: Women of advanced reproductive age are known to demonstrate subtle FSH elevations (monotropic FSH rise) while still retaining ovulatory function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that the physiologic basis for the monotropic FSH rise is an alteration in the secretion pattern of the GnRH pulse generator. METHODS: The subjects were 11 normal women age 40-45 years who underwent 24 hours of frequent blood sampling in the follicular (EF) and/or midluteal (ML) phases of spontaneous menstrual cycles. The controls were 11 normal women age 20-25 years. The respective gonadotropin secretion patterns were analyzed for LH pulse frequency, mean LH and FSH levels, and LH pulse amplitude. RESULTS: There were no differences between the groups for estradiol (E2) and progesterone when the respective cycle phases were compared. The 24-hour mean FSH level was significantly increased in the older women in both the EF and ML phases. There were no differences between the groups in either cycle phase for LH pulse frequency, LH pulse amplitude, and mean LH levels. CONCLUSION: The results lend no support to the hypothesis that a slowing or other alteration of the GnRH pulse generator is the basis for the monotropic FSH rise in older ovulatory women. Other possibilities include the dynamics of E2 secretion or changes in FSH-modulating peptides (i.e., inhibin) in these women.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Serum phosphate and lactate vary with FSH in an early postmenopausal population.

OBJECTIVE: We examined serum in recent postmenopausal women to determine the relationship of menopausal status, as FSH level, to serum acid-base balance. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Serum electrolytes of 58 women, aged 53-58, were measured relative to serum FSH. The subjects were over one year since the last menstrual period and were from an academic practice setting. RESULTS: In women with FSH <35 IU/L (n=20, mean 16.6 IU/L, SD 6.8), phosphate and lactate were reduced relative to women with FSH >35 IU/L (n=38, mean 84.8 IU/L, SD 34.5). No other major anions showed significant differences. Both groups were analyzed by mass spectroscopy for fatty acids and anionic metabolic intermediates. Lactate was the predominant anion in the organic group but accounted for only about 10% of the FSH-responsive anion change. This change was mainly due to a 0.1-mM increase in phosphate in the high FSH group. CONCLUSIONS: There is a direct correlation of early postmenopausal FSH to increasing serum phosphate. Changes in phosphorus may reflect differences in the rate of bone loss.

Calcium↗
PubMed2005

Recombinant gonadotrophins associated with GnRH antagonist (cetrorelix) in ovarian stimulation for ICSI: comparison of r-FSH alone and in combination with r-LH.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to verify the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with ovulation induction performed with GnRH antagonists, comparing the use of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (r-FSH) alone and in combination with recombinant luteinizing hormone (r-LH) in a prospective and randomized trial. STUDY DESIGN: Forty male-factor infertile normo-ovulatory patients undergoing ovarian stimulation for ICSI took part in the study. After initiating ovarian stimulation with only r-FSH, all patients were treated with GnRH antagonist (cetrorelix). When beginning cetrorelix administration, the patients were randomized into two groups: in group I, 20 patients continued to receive r-FSH alone and in group II, 20 patients received combined r-FSH and r-LH. The number of metaphase II oocytes, estradiol concentration at the time of hCG administration, fertilization rate, grade 1 embryo rate, pregnancy rate per cycle, and implantation rate were measured. Results are expressed as mean+/-S.D. RESULTS: In group I, the women's age was 32.3+/-2.30 years, and FSH concentration was 7.8+/-1.7 IU/ml. In group II, the women's age was 32.2+/-2.46 years and FSH concentration was 7.5+/-1.7 IU/ml. The number of oocytes retrieved was 9.6+/-2.9 and the number of metaphase II oocytes was 6.7+/-2.2 in group I. In group II the number of retrieved oocytes were 9.9+/-2.6 and the number of metaphase II oocytes 6.9+/-2.1 (p>0.05). Estradiol concentration at the time of hCG was 4.6+/-1.8 nm/l in group I and 6.7+/-2.0 nm/l in group II (p<0.01). Fertilization rate was 73.0% in group I versus 78.2% in group II. In group I, we obtained 53.9% of grade 1 embryos versus 54.4% in group II (p>0.05). Pregnancy and implantation rates in group I were 30.0 and 16.7%, respectively and in group II 35.0 and 20.4%, respectively (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of recombinant LH in addition to recombinant FSH may prevent a decrease in estradiol after GnRH antagonist administration, but does not influence positively the outcome of oocyte number, maturation, embryo quality, fertilization rate, pregnancy rate per cycle, and implantation rate.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Interactions of indole acetic acid with EGF and FSH in the culture of ovine preantral follicles.

The mechanisms that regulate the gradual exit of ovarian follicles from the non-growing, primordial pool are very poorly understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding indole acetic acid (IAA), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to the media for in vitro culture of ovine ovarian fragments and determine their effects on growth activation and viability of preantral follicles. The ovarian cortex was divided into small fragments; one fragment was immediately fixed in Bouin (control). The other fragments were cultured for 2 or 6 days in culture plates with: minimum essential medium (MEM) supplemented with insulin-transferrin-selenium (ITS), pyruvate, glutamine, hypoxantine, bovine serum albumine and antibiotics (MEM+); MEM+ plus IAA (40 ng/mL); MEM+ plus EGF (100 ng/mL); MEM+ plus FSH (100 ng/mL); MEM+ plus IAA+EGF; MEM+ plus IAA+FSH; MEM+ plus EGF+FSH; or MEM+ plus IAA+EGF+FSH. After 2 or 6 days of culture in each treatment, the pieces of ovarian cortex were fixed in Bouin for histological examination. Follicles were classified as primordial or developing (primary and secondary) follicles. Compared to the control, in all media tested, the percentages of primordial follicles were reduced (P<0.05) and the percentages of developing follicles were increased (P<0.05) after 2 or 6 days of culture. Furthermore, culture of ovarian cortex for 6 days reduced the percentages of healthy, viable follicles when compared with the control (P<0.05), except for cultures supplemented with IAA+EGF and EGF+FSH. In conclusion, the addition of IAA and EGF or EGF and FSH to the culture media were the most effective treatments to sustain the health and viability of activated ovine primordial follicles during in vitro culture.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Effects of breed on kinetics of ovine FSH and ovarian response in superovulated sheep.

Embryo production is a useful tool for ex situ conservation of endangered species and breeds, despite a high variability in the ovarian response to superovulatory treatments. The current study evaluated the incidence and mechanisms of genetic factors in such variability, by determining the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a standard treatment with ovine FSH (oFSH) in two endangered Spanish sheep breeds (Rubia del Molar, R, and Negra de Colmenar, N) in comparison to Manchega ewes (M, control group). In the first experiment, pharmacokinetics of an i.m. single dose of 1.32 mg of oFSH was evaluated in seven animals of each breed. Plasma FSH concentrations reached their maximum at 4h post-administration in all the ewes, but several of the kinetic parameters (plasma FSH concentration at 4h post-administration, maximum plasma FSH concentration, C(max), and both the area under the plasma concentration-time curve extrapolated to the infinite, AUC(inf), and to the last moment of sampling, AUC(last)) were higher in the N group. In the second trial, 10 animals of each breed were superovulated using eight decreasing doses of oFSH (3 x 1.32 mg, 2 x 1.10 mg, and 3 x 0.88 mg). The R group, when compared to N and M, showed both a higher number of corpora lutea (13.7+/-0.6 versus 10.0+/-0.4 in N and 9.8+/-0.6 in M, P<0.05 for both) and embryos (7.9+/-0.8 versus 4.3+/-0.4 in N, P<0.05, and 6.7+/-0.5 in M, n.s.). Evaluation of pharmacokinetic and dynamic parameters showed that, although there was a trend for a higher hormone availability in R sheep, mean FSH plasma concentrations were similar between breeds (0.54+/-0.08 ng/ml for R, 0.45+/-0.05 ng/ml for N and 0.35+/-0.05 ng/ml for M). However, differences were found in the number of preovulatory follicles growing in response to the FSH treatment between R (24.4+/-2.2), M (18.9+/-1.5, n.s.) and N sheep (14.1+/-1.4; P<0.01). Thus, differences in embryo yields between breeds would be related to differences in the pattern of follicular growth in response to FSH treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Alterations of FSH-stimulated progesterone production and calcium homeostasis in primarily cultured human luteinizing-granulosa cells induced by fenvalerate.

Fenvalerate, a synthetic pyrethroid, is widely used in agriculture and other domestic applications in China. Recently, Fenvalerate has been suspected to be one of the endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC). In this study, we investigated the effects of fenvalerate on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-stimulated progesterone (P4) production by human ovarian luteinizing-granulosa cells (hGLCs). After 24 h incubation, fenvalerate inhibited FSH-stimulated P4 production. At the same time, FSH-stimulated cAMP also decreased. Due to calcium and Ca2+ -calmodulin (CaM) system involving gonadotropin-stimulated steroidogenesis by granulosa cells, we then evaluated the effects of fenvalerate on trifluoperazine (TFP)- and verapamil-driven FSH-stimulated P4 production. The results showed that calcium or calmodulin might play a role in fenvalerate-induced alterations in FSH-stimulated P4 biosynthesis. Then, the effects of fenvalerate on calcium homeostasis in hGLCs were studied. The result showed that 5 microM fenvalerate induced a slow increase in [Ca2+]i in hGLCs by using a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fluo-3/AM. The changes in total concentration of CaM in hGLCs induced by fenvalerate were evaluated by a method of immunofluorescence. There is a significant increase in all treated groups. In summary, fenvalerate could inhibit FSH-stimulated P4 production. Also, fenvalerate interferes with calcium homeostasis in hGLCs. The effects of fenvalerate on FSH-stimulated ovarian steroidogenesis may be mediated partly through calcium signal.

Calcium↗
PubMed2004

Effect of bullfrog LH and FSH on newt testes under different temperatures.

Environmental temperature plays important roles for amphibian gonadal function. In this study, we examined the responses of testicular tissue of adult male newts (Cynops pyrrhogaster) to amphibian gonadotropins both in vitro and in vivo under different temperatures. When minced testes were incubated in vitro at different temperatures (8-37 degrees C) under an atmosphere of 95% O(2)-5% CO(2) for 3h with bullfrog luteinizing hormone (LH) or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), LH stimulated testosterone production more than FSH. The testosterone production increased as the incubation temperature increased. Hypophysectomized newts were injected with bullfrog LH or FSH and maintained at 8 or 18 degrees C. In the 18 degrees C group, the testicular weight of the hypophysectomized control decreased when compared with that of with the intact control. The testicular weight of the LH-treated hypophysectomized group decreased more than that of the hypophysectomized control, indicating that LH induced the evacuation of mature spermatozoa from the testes of LH-treated hypophysectomized newts. In the FSH-treated newts, the testicular weight was greater than that in the hypophysectomized control, and was maintained at a value similar to that of the intact control. In the 8 degrees C group, there was no significant difference in testicular size among the intact control, hypophysectomized control, and FSH-treated newts. LH strongly induced spermiation as it did at 18 degrees C. The plasma testosterone level in the hypophysectomized newts decreased dramatically, but LH was effective in restoring it. Its effect was more potent at 8 degrees C than at 18 degrees C. On the other hand, FSH did not induce a significant increase in the plasma testosterone levels at either temperatures. The results indicate a temperature-dependent difference in responsiveness of the testis both in vitro and in vivo to LH and FSH.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Differential actions of FSH and androgens on progesterone catabolism by rat granulosa cells.

Rat granulosa cells were preincubated with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH, 1 micrograms/ml) and/or androgens (testosterone and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, 0.5 microM) and subsequent [4-14C]progesterone metabolism by these cells was studied. Granulosa cells metabolized radiolabeled progesterone to three major products 20 alpha-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one, and 5 alpha-pregnane-3 alpha, 20 alpha-diol. Androgens, but not FSH, decreased overall progesterone utilization. Both FSH and androgens decreased conversion of progesterone to 20 alpha-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one. The accumulation of 5 alpha-pregnane-3 alpha, 20 alpha-diol was increased by FSH, decreased by testosterone, and not altered by 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone. The accumulation of 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one was significantly increased by both FSH and androgens. Present results indicate that FSH as well as androgens modulate progesterone metabolism by rat granulosa cells. FSH appears to increase 5 alpha-reductase activity and/or decrease 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity while androgens decrease only 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Analysis of the Cys82Arg mutation in follicle-stimulating hormone beta (FSHbeta) using a novel FSH expression vector.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of the Cys82Arg FSHbeta mutation from a patient with isolated FSH deficiency upon follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in vitro. DESIGN: In vitro analysis of the Cys82Arg mutation and comparison with the phenotype. SETTING: Tertiary medical center setting. PATIENT(S): DNA sequence of the FSHbeta gene and clinical description from a patient with isolated FSH deficiency. INTERVENTION(S): Construction of a new vector containing the cDNAs for the alpha-subunit and beta-subunit of FSH (palphaFSHbeta) followed by mutagenesis and transfection into Chinese hamster ovary cells. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Immunoreactive and bioactive FSH levels from the CHO cellular media. RESULT(S): Although expression of both subunits was present, both immunoreactive and bioactive FSH levels were unmeasurable from cellular media containing the mutation versus wild type. CONCLUSION(S): The Cys82Arg mutation in a male with normal puberty and azoospermia results in profound deficiency of FSH in vitro, thereby confirming the molecular basis of hypogonadism in this patient and documenting the importance of the Cys residue at position 82 of the FSHbeta subunit.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Plasma and pituitary concentrations of gonadotropins (FSH and LH) in minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) during the feeding season.

This study investigated plasma and pituitary concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) and steroid hormones (progesterone: P4, testosterone:T, estradiol-17beta: E2) by enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) in minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) captured during the feeding season (December to March) in the Antarctic Ocean. Plasma FSH and LH levels in female minke whales were higher (P <0.05) than in male whales. Although the pituitary weight was not significantly different between male and female whales, pituitary FSH and LH levels were higher in females than in males (P<0.01) and mature whales than immature whales (P<0.05). Plasma levels of FSH, T and E2 were not significantly different between immature and mature male whales, but plasma LH and pituitary FSH and LH levels were higher (P<0.05) in mature than in immature whales. In both immature and mature whales regardless of gender, pituitary FSH and LH levels were correlated significantly (r=0.69: P<0.01). In mature male whales, plasma T and E2 levels (r=0.60: P<0.01), and testis weight and plasma T levels (r=0.46: P <0.05) were correlated. In immature female whales, plasma FSH and LH levels were highly correlated (r=0.68: P<0.001), but were not for mature female whales. The results show that gender and maturity influence gonadal and pituitary function of minke whales during the feeding season.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1998

Involvement of cumulus cells stimulated by FSH in chromatin condensation and the activation of maturation-promoting factor in bovine oocytes.

The effects of FSH-stimulated cumulus cells on the regulatory mechanisms of chromatin condensation and maturation-promoting factor (MPF) activation around the time of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in bovine oocytes were examined. Chromatin condensation occurred in oocytes arrested at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage by protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, but this condensation was blocked by FSH-stimulated cumulus cells. However, treatment with cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase inhibitor, H-8, dramatically increased the proportion of oocytes possessing GVs with condensed bivalents. Under the condition of inhibited protein synthesis, the phosphorylation form of p34cdc2 kinase was not changed due to chromatin condensation, although the activity of histone H1 kinase was significantly increased compared with that of oocytes possessing GVs with filamentous bivalents. The cycloheximide-dependent GVBD block was overcome by okadaic acid (OA) in 48 and 13% of the oocytes in the absence and presence of FSH, respectively. An initial 6-h culture period critical for protein synthesis was necessary for OA to counteract the inhibitory effect exerted by cycloheximide on the induction of GVBD and activation of histone H1 kinase in the absence of FSH, whereas this first culture period was prolonged for 2 h in the presence of FSH. Furthermore, even in FSH-stimulated oocytes, H-8 facilitated an OA-counteracted overcome of the cycloheximide-dependent GVBD block after 2 h of initial culture for protein synthesis. From these results, it is concluded that cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity regulated by cumulus cells following FSH-stimulation requests plays a role in the complex mechanism of chromatin condensation and MPF activation leading to meiotic resumption in bovine oocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Effects of season and phase of the estrous cycle on steroidogenesis and LH-FSH sensitivity of large ovine follicles perfused in vitro.

The aims of this study were to compare steroïdogenesis (progesterone, androstenedione and estradiol production) and response to LH and FSH challenge by whole perifused follicles 4 to 5.5 mm in diameter, obtained at different periods of the breeding season (onset, middle, end), during anestrus and the luteal phase. We have observed that all follicles do not have the same steroïdogenetic potential and do not respond with the same intensity to LH and FSH. At the middle of the breeding season, LH and FSH supplementation was ineffective in increasing progesterone secretion by follicles (0.19+/-0.05 vs. 0.20+/-0.03 ng/mL). In contrast, gonadotrophin challenge elicited significant (P<0.05) increases in androstenedione (0.94+/-0.34 vs. 0.35+/-0.09 ng/mL) and estradiol (120+/-11 vs. 49+/-10 pg/mL) production immediately after its administration. At the onset of the breeding season, steroidogenesis was identical under both basal and gonadotrophin-stimulated conditions unlike that in middle of the breeding season. However follicles were more sensitive to the gonadotrophin challenge in terms of estradiol production than those collected at the middle of the breeding season (220+/-45 vs. 120+/-11 pg/mL). Follicles obtained at the end of the breeding season featured higher progesterone (2.61+/-0.81 vs. 0.19+/-0.05 ng/mL; P<0.05) and lower estradiol production (10+/-3 vs. 49+/-10 pg/mL; P<0.05) that was not influenced by LH and FSH. Basal androstenedione secretion was comparable to that observed at the middle of the breeding season (0.42+/-0.10 vs. 0.35+/-0.09 ng/mL), but the response to stimulation was significantly higher (1.82+/-0.61 vs. 0.94+/-0.34 ng/mL; P<0.05). In anoestrus and the luteal phase, follicles presented higher progesterone and androstenedione and lower estradiol concentrations (P<0.05) compared with those obtained during the follicular phase at the middle of the breeding season. In the luteal phase, follicles remained capable of responding to LH-FSH challenge by increasing estradiol secretion (9+/-1 before and 21+/-6 pg/mL after LH-FSH; P<0.05). In contrast, in the luteal phase, estradiol production was not increased by LH-FSH challenge (7+/-2 vs. 12+/-4 pg/mL).

Androstenedione↗
PubMed2003

Recombinant FSH and pregnancy-associated plasma protein.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of rec-FSH on the ovarian follicular environment in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycle, we compared the expression of the markers that have been reported to reflect the follicle health. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 31 women (<35 years) with normal ovarian function were allocated to three different COH protocols (urinary FSH (u-FSH)+hMG, rec-FSH only, or u-FSH only). E2, P4, leptin and IGF-I levels in serum or follicular fluid (FF) were measured with radioimmunoassay; cyclin D2, EGF receptor (EGF-R), and inhibin-alpha mRNA levels in luteinized granulosa cells were measured with RT-PCR; and IGFBP-4 and PAPP-A levels in FF were measured with Western blot analysis. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in serum E2, P4 and leptin levels and follicular leptin and IGF-I levels. Cyclin D2, EGF-R, and inhibin-alpha mRNA expression in luteinized granulosa cells were not different among three groups. However, follicular IGFBP-4 and PAPP-A levels in rec-FSH group were significantly higher than other groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of rec-FSH increases the expression of follicular PAPP-A reflecting IGFBP-4 proteolytic activity and it may influence positively the follicular environment.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Neither castration nor steroid-replacement change the apparent molecular size of FSH in the sheep pituitary.

Gonadal steroids alter the apparent molecular size of intrapituitary Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) in rats and monkeys as well as increase the percentage of acidic FSH isohormones in sheep. Hence, we hypothesized that the molecular size of ovine (o) FSH would be increased by gonadal steroids. Extracts of pituitaries from rams and wethers, as well as, from wethers which had been implanted with dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 17 beta-estradiol (E2) or both steroids (n = 4-6 per treatment group) were subjected to analytical gel permeation chromatography using Sephadex g-100 Superfine. FSH concentrations in chromatographic fractions were determined by radioimmunoassays. Although FSH in pituitaries of non-implanted wethers eluted slightly earlier (i.e. larger) than FSH in pituitaries from E2-implanted wethers as evaluated by distribution coefficients (Kds) during chromatography (P < 0.05), gonadal steroids did not consistently increase Kds but tended to decrease them. When Kds were extrapolated to apparent molecular weights using a series of standard proteins (bovine serum albumin (bSA), ovalbumin (OA), carbonic anhydrase (CA) and cytochrome c (CC)) that were included in each chromatogram, the differences between treatment groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Thus, in contrast to rats and monkeys, neither castration nor steroid-replacement appears to alter the molecular size of FSH in the sheep pituitary as evaluated by analytical gel permeation chromatography.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Superovulation induction in Japanese Black cattle by a single intramuscular injection of hMG or FSH dissolved in polyvinylpyrrolidone.

The efficacy of a single intramuscular dose of 450 or 600 international units (IU) of human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) or 30 mg of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), each dissolved in 30% polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30 (PVP), for superovulation treatment was compared to that of superovulation induction by administration of a total dose of 600 IU hMG given in declining doses twice daily over a 3-day period. A total of 48 Japanese Black cows were used for the investigation. Oestrus was observed within 60 h after PGF2alpha administration in all cows in the hMG groups. In the hMG group that received a single dose of 600 IU hMG (n = 12), oestrus was observed less than 36 h after treatment in one cow. In contrast, oestrus was not observed in 3 of the 12 cows (25%) in the FSH group. Neither the average number of recovered ova/embryos nor the number of transferable embryos per collection differed significantly among the hMG groups. However, the average number of transferable embryos was not significantly higher in cows treated with a single dose of 600 IU of hMG than in cows treated with a single 30 mg dose of FSH (7.5+/-4.5 vs. 2.1+/-2.8). The number of cows from which more than three excellent grade embryos were collected was highest in the group that received a single dose of 600 IU hMG (9/12, 75%) and lowest in the group that received a single 30 mg dose of FSH (2/9, 22%). The differences between groups in the percentages of cows with three or more excellent embryos between treatments were not statistically significant. The proportion of recovered ova/embryos classified as excellent was highest in the group that received 600 IU hMG in declining doses and lowest in the group that received a single 30 mg dose of FSH (55.2% vs. 30.2%; P < 0.05). The recovery rate of unfertilized ova was lowest in the group that received a single dose of 600 IU hMG and highest in the group received a single 30 mg dose of FSH (18.3% vs. 48.8%; P < 0.05). Although the differences in recovery results between the groups were not statistically significant, the recovery rates in hMG groups were higher than that the FSH group. These findings suggest that superovulation can be induced adequately in Japanese Black cows using one injection of 450 to 600 IU hMG dissolved in PVP.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Interpretation of elevated FSH in the regular menstrual cycle.

In reproductive medicine, abnormal elevation of serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations during the luteofollicular transition is associated with low response in infertility treatment. Increasing levels of serum FSH in the early follicular phase is a characteristic of reproductive ageing and has become very popular for the determination of diminished ovarian oocyte reserve. In the case of elevated FSH in premenopausal women, many more (patho)physiological mechanisms other than ageing may be responsible and should be considered also. FSH concentrations may vary considerably due to a number of factors. Next to intra-, inter- and between different assays variation there is hourly-, cycle day dependent-, intercycle and life time variation. Furthermore, physiological conditions such as during puberty, in hereditary dizygotic twinning, after use of oral contraceptives and during lactation also elevated FSH levels can be found. Pathological conditions associated with significant increases in FSH are after unilateral ovariectomy, during recovery from hypothalamic amenorrhea and with excessive smoking. It should be kept in mind, that with the interpretation of an abnormal high FSH value, just as with any other abnormal laboratory results, one should be aware, that there may be a variety of underlying causes other than the one where was aimed at.

Aging↗