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At least 973 records · Page 54Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

The depressing (negative) effect of oestradiol benzoate on the in vitro secretion of LH and FSH by the pituitary gland of the LRH-pretreated long-term ovariectomized rat changes into the augmentative (positive) effect after discontinuation of the LRH-pretreatment.

The effect of pretreatment in vivo with oestradiol benzoate on in vitro secretion of LH and FSH was studied in long-term ovariectomized (OVX) rats both at the end of a 5-day continuous in vivo pretreatment with LRH and 4-days after cessation of such LRH pretreatment. Rats were on day 0 sc implanted with osmotic minipumps which released LRH at the rate of 250 ng/h. Control rats were implanted with a piece of silicone elastomer with the dimensions of a minipump. On days 2 and 4 the rats were injected with either 3 micrograms EB or with oil. On day 5 part of the rats were decapitated and the in vitro autonomous (i.e. non-LRH-stimulated) and 'supra-maximally' LRH-stimulated release of LH and FSH was studied using a perifusion system. From other rats the minipumps were removed on day 5 and perifusion was performed on day 9. On the 5th day of the in vivo LRH pretreatment the pituitary LH/FSH stores were partially depleted; the pituitaries of the EB-treated rats more so than those of the oil-injected rats. EB alone had no significant effect on the content of the pituitary LH- and FSH stores. On day 9, i.e. 4 days after removal of the minipumps, the pituitary LH and FSH contents had increased in both the oil- and the EB injected rats, but had not yet recovered to control values. In rats not subjected to the 5-days pretreatment with LRH EB had a positive effect on the supra-maximally LRH-stimulated secretion of LH and FSH as well as on the non-stimulated secretion of LH. EB had no effect on the non-stimulated secretion of FSH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Influence of the assay method used on the selection of the most active forms of FSH from the human pituitary.

The biological properties of different forms of human pituitary FSH, varying in their molecular charge, were investigated. FSH in two individual human pituitaries and a pool of 30 human pituitaries was extracted and subjected to electrophoresis. From each electrophoresis 14 consecutive fractions with the highest RIA activity were examined with in vitro and in vivo bioassays. The in vitro assay was based upon the estimation of oestradiol produced by cultured Sertoli cells from 10 day old rats. The in vivo bioassay was an hCG augmented test using immature female mice injected on 3 consecutive days. The increase in ovarian weight was the index of response. Both in the individual and in the pooled pituitary material the less negatively charged forms had the highest activity in the in vitro bioassay. In contrast, the more negatively charged forms had the highest activity in the in vivo bioassay. Forms of FSH from each of the two individual pituitary extracts were pooled according to their migration rate and injected iv into mice. The amount of FSH remaining in the circulation of the mouse after 1 h was related to the molecular charge. The highest value was obtained with the pool containing the more negatively charged forms of the hormone. The results indicate that the disappearance rate of the FSH molecule is a dominant factor in the in vivo bioassay. A consequence of these observations will be that the assay method chosen to monitor the purification of FSH will have a major influence on the biological properties of the final preparation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Tamoxifen does not block the inhibitory effect of testosterone on FSH release in rats.

The aim of the present experiments was to analyze whether the inhibitory effect exerted by testosterone on FSH release might be mediated by the intracerebral transformation of the hormone into oestrogenic metabolites. Advantage has been taken of the availability of the potent antioestrogen tamoxifen. Two series of experiments have been performed. In the first one, adult male rats have been castrated and submitted, beginning immediately after surgery, to a 6-day treatment with testosterone propionate (2 mg/rat/day), tamoxifen (50 or 200 micrograms/rat/day) or testosterone propionate (2 mg/rat/day) plus tamoxifen (either 50 or 200 micrograms/rat/day). In the second experiment, adult male rats have been castrated and submitted to the same 6-day treatments, beginning 4 weeks following orchidectomy. In both experiments, the animals were killed 24 h after the last injection, and serum levels of FSH and LH have been measured by radioimmunoassays. The results have clearly shown that, in both experiments, the administration of testosterone results in a significant decrease of serum FSH and in a total suppression of LH release. The administration of tamoxifen, in either dose, does not modify the elevated serum FSH and LH levels present in the orchidectomized animals, and does not antagonize the inhibitory effect on FSH and LH secretion exerted by the concomitant treatment with testosterone propionate. It is concluded that testosterone inhibits FSH secretion in orchidectomized rats acting as such, and not following aromatization to oestrogens.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Effects of decreasing exogenous GnRH pulse frequency on FSH and inhibin secretion in men with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

The potential importance of GnRH pulse frequency modulation and steroid or inhibin negative feedback in the selective control of pituitary FSH secretion was investigated in 5 adult men with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in whom plasma testosterone has been previously normalized by pulsatile GnRH therapy. The effects of decreasing frequency of pulsatile iv GnRH administration from 2- to 4-hourly for 7 days were examined at constant GnRH bolus dose or constant daily dose and also with interrupted gonadal steroid feedback using a combination of an anti-androgen (flutamide 250 mg t.i.d.) and an aromatase inhibitor (aminogluthetimide 125 mg b.d.) orally for a further 7 days. Slowing GnRH pulse frequency from 2- to 4-hourly did not alter mean plasma FSH at constant bolus dose or constant total daily doses of GnRH. In two subjects with subnormal but not in another two with normal testicular volumes, FSH rise was observed when the 4-hourly GnRH pulse frequency was combined with the interruption of steroid feedback. These results are not compatible with a major role for GnRH pulse frequency modulation in the regulation of pituitary FSH secretion in the presence of normal gonadal steroid feedback. Irrespective of FSH concentrations, plasma inhibin immunoactivity did not change significantly with the alteration in GnRH pulse frequency. The role of inhibin in the control of FSH therefore remains undefined in men.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Examination of the role of FSH in periovulatory events in the hamster.

The need for endogenous FSH in the periovulatory events such as oocyte maturation, ovulation, luteinization, maintenance of luteal function and follicular maturation was examined in the cyclic hamster. A specific antiserum to ovine FSH, shown to be free of antibodies to LH and to cross-react with FSH of the hamster, was used to neutralize endogenous FHS at various times. Administration of this antiserum during pro-oestrus did not affect oocyte maturation and ovulation, as judged by the normality of the ova to undergo fertilization and normal implantation. It also had no effect on the process of luteinization or on the maintenance of luteal function as indicated by the normal levels of plasma and luteal progesterone during pro-oestrus and oestrus during the cycle and in pregnancy. All these processes were, however, disrupted by administration of an antiserum to ovine LH, thereby demonstrating their dependence on endogenous LH. Although FSH antiserum given at pro-oestrus did not prevent the imminent ovulation, it blocked the ovulation occurring at oestrus of the next cycle. This antiserum was effective in preventing the ensuing ovulation when given at any other time of the cycle until the morning of pro-oestrus. It is concluded that, in the hamster, high levels of FSH during pro-oestrus and oestrus are required for initiating maturation of a new set of follicles which are dependent on the trophic support of FSH throughout the cycle until the morning of pro-oestrus. Such follicles then appear to need only LH for subsequent ovulatory and associated processes.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Effects of ovine follicular fluid on plasma LH and FSH secretion in ovariectomized ewes to indicate the site of action of inhibin.

Ovariectomized ewes were given 2 ml s.c. injections of ovine follicular fluid (oFF) (N = 3) or serum (N = 3) and blood samples were collected each day for 3 days. Follicular fluid caused a significant (P less than 0.005) reduction in FSH within 1 day, but did not affect mean LH values. Two groups of 3 ewes were treated as above but sampled intensively (each 10 min for 6 h) on Days 1 (before treatment) and 4; mean plasma FSH concentration and plasma LH pulse frequency and amplitude were ascertained. Significant (P less than 0.005) reduction of FSH concentration was seen in the oFF-treated ewes. A non-specific reduction in LH pulse amplitude, but not pulse frequency, was noted in the control ewes. This experiment was repeated with 2 groups of 4 ewes that were conditioned to the experimental environment and effects on LH secretion were not observed in the controls given serum. Treatment with oFF caused a 70% reduction (P less than 0.005) in plasma FSH and a small (30%) but significant (P less than 0.005) reduction in mean LH concentrations. The latter was probably associated with a reduction in LH pulse amplitude in 3/4 animals (N.S.) with no change in LH pulse frequency. Treatment with oFF, as in Exp. 1, caused a 95% reduction in FSH values and significant (P less than 0.01) reduction (32%) of LH pulse amplitude in ovariectomized ewes that had been subjected to hypothalamo-pituitary disconnection and in which gonadotrophin secretion was reinstated with pulses of 250 ng GnRH every 2 h. These results suggest that proteins from the sheep follicular fluid, including inhibin, act at the pituitary level to inhibit FSH secretion and may have some effects on LH pulse amplitude.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Effect of melatonin implantation on the seasonal variation of FSH secretion in the male blue fox (Alopex lagopus).

A heterologous radioimmunoassay system developed for the sheep was shown to measure FSH in the plasma of the blue fox. FSH concentrations throughout the year showed a circannual rhythm with the highest values (61.6 +/- 14.8 ng/ml) occurring shortly before or at the onset of the mating season, a pattern similar to that of LH. The concentration of FSH then declined when androgen concentrations and testicular development were maximal at the time of the mating season (March to May). Thereafter, concentrations remained low (25.2 +/- 4.1 ng/ml) in contrast to those of LH. Implantation of melatonin in August and in February maintained high plasma values of FSH after the mating season (142.3 +/- 16.5 ng/ml) in association with a maintenance of testicular development and of the winter coat. The spring rise of prolactin was suppressed by melatonin treatment. The release of FSH after LHRH injection was also increased during this post-mating period in melatonin-treated animals, in contrast to the response of the control animals which remained low or undetectable. These results suggest that changes both in the secretions of FSH and prolactin may be involved in the prolongation of testicular activity and in the suppression of the spring moult after melatonin administration.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Evidence for a major role of inhibin in the feedback control of FSH in the male rat.

Adult rats (16-18/group) received a single intratesticular injection of 25, 100 or 400 microliters glycerol solution (7:3 in distilled water, v/v). Half of the rats in each group were given implants of testosterone, a testosterone-filled Silastic capsule (1.5 cm length) to provide serum values of testosterone within the normal range. After 1 week all animals were killed by decapitation. Serum concentrations of gonadotrophins, testosterone and immunoactive inhibin as well as testicular concentrations of testosterone and bioactive inhibin were determined. Testicular histology was studied in Paraplast-embedded tissue stained with PAS and haematoxylin-eosin. Glycerol treatment caused a dose-dependent ablation of spermatogenesis in a distinct area around the site of injection. Serum concentrations of FSH increased proportionally with increasing spermatogenic damage while serum LH and testosterone remained unaltered except with the highest glycerol dose. The rise in serum FSH was significantly correlated with serum (r = -0.70, P less than 0.001) and testicular (r = -0.66, P less than 0.001) concentrations of inhibin. A less pronounced correlation was found between LH and serum inhibin (r = 0.48). No correlation was found between the concentrations of LH and testicular inhibin or between serum concentrations of FSH and serum testosterone in the 25 and 100 microliters groups. Maintenance of low to normal serum testosterone concentrations by means of Silastic implants blocked the elevation of FSH in glycerol-treated animals but failed to affect significantly serum FSH in untreated rats. In all testosterone treated rats testicular inhibin concentrations were markedly reduced in the presence of lowered concentrations (7-14%) of testicular testosterone and unaltered serum FSH concentrations.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Binding characteristics of 125I-labelled human FSH to granulosa cells from Booroola ewes which were homozygous, heterozygous or non-carriers of a major gene(s) influencing their ovulation rate.

At 37 degrees C 125I-labelled human (h) FSH (NIAMDD-hFSH-I-3) bound rapidly to granulosa cells from Booroola and Romney ewes with 50% maximum binding achieved after 3 min and equilibrium being reached within 45 min, irrespective of whether the cells were obtained from the FF, F+ or ++ Booroola genotypes or from Romney ewes. Binding of 125I-labelled FSH followed second order kinetics and there was no effect of follicle diameter (1-2.5 mm vs greater than or equal to 3 mm). Irrespective of breed, genotype or follicle size, the mean (+/- s.e.m.) calculated association rate constant, (ka) was 7.3 (+/- 0.8) x 10(5) litres mol-1 sec-1 (n = 12). Dissociation of receptor bound 125I-labelled hFSH was less than 5% after 30 min and low but variable (i.e. between 0 and 30%) after 2-6 h irrespective of breed, genotype or follicle size. No gene-specific differences were noted in binding specificity between F+ and ++ genotypes: studies were not performed with cells from FF ewes because of insufficient cells. The binding of 125I-labelled hFSH could be displaced with sheep FSH (NIH-FSH-S16; 10% cross-reaction) and FSH-P (2.5% cross-reaction) but other sheep pituitary hormones and hCG showed little or no cross-reaction (less than or equal to 0.1%). The calculated binding capacities (Bmax) and equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd) for 125I-labelled hFSH binding to granulosa cells did not differ between the Booroola genotypes or between Booroola or Romney follicles of different diameter (i.e. 1-2.5 mm; or greater than or equal to 3 mm). The overall mean +/- s.e.m. (n = 24) Bmax and Kd values were 16.7 +/- 0.8 fm/mg protein (i.e. approximately 800 available receptor binding sites/cell) and 1.1 +/- 0.1 nM respectively. Collectively, these findings suggest that the earlier maturation of follicles in FF or F+ ewes compared to ++ ewes is unlikely to be due to gene-specific differences in the FSH binding characteristics of the granulosa cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effects of oestradiol on LH, FSH and prolactin in ovariectomized ewes.

This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that the rate (dose/time) at which oestradiol-17 beta (oestradiol) is presented to the hypothalamo-pituitary axis influences secretion of LH, FSH and prolactin. A computer-controlled infusion system was used to produce linearly increasing serum concentrations of oestradiol in ovariectomized ewes over a period of 60 h. Serum samples were collected from ewes every 2 h from 8 h before to 92 h after start of infusion, and assayed for oestradiol, LH, FSH and prolactin. Rates of oestradiol increase were categorized into high (0.61-1.78 pg/h), medium (0.13-0.60 pg/h) and low (0.01-0.12 pg/h). Ewes receiving high rates of oestradiol (N = 11) responded with a surge of LH 12.7 +/- 2.0 h after oestradiol began to increase, whereas ewes receiving medium (N = 15) and low (N = 11) rates of oestradiol responded with a surge of LH at 19.4 +/- 1.7 and 30.9 +/- 2.0 h, respectively. None of the surges of LH was accompanied by a surge of FSH. Serum concentrations of FSH decreased and prolactin increased in ewes receiving high and medium rates of oestradiol, when compared to saline-infused ewes (N = 8; P less than 0.05). We conclude that rate of increase in serum concentrations of oestradiol controls the time of the surge of LH and secretion of prolactin and FSH in ovariectomized ewes. We also suggest that the mechanism by which oestradiol induces a surge of LH may be different from the mechanism by which oestradiol induces a surge of FSH.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Inhibition of LHRH-induced LH and FSH release by gonadotrophin surge-attenuating factor (GnSAF) from human follicular fluid.

It has been suggested that in superovulated women the endogenous LH surge is attenuated by a non-steroidal factor, called gonadotrophin surge-attenuating factor (GnSAF), which reduces gonadotrophin secretion in response to LHRH. To determine whether human follicular fluid (hFF) from superovulated women contains GnSAF activity, the secretion of LH and FSH by cultured sheep pituitaries was studied. After charcoal extraction of steroids, hFF was treated by heparin/Sepharose chromatography, which reversibly binds inhibin. The effects of whole hFF and the bound and unbound fractions on basal and LHRH-induced gonadotrophin secretion were then assessed. Steroid-free hFF significantly reduced basal FSH, but not basal LH, secretion, and significantly attenuated the LH and FSH responses to LHRH. The bound (inhibin) fraction significantly decreased both basal and LHRH-induced FSH secretion but did not affect LH release. The unbound fraction had no effect on basal LH or FSH secretion, but significantly attenuated LHRH-induced secretion of both LH and FSH. We conclude that the unbound fraction of hFF from superovulated women contains GnSAF. It has been demonstrated that GnSAF is a non-steroidal factor and its activity is distinct from that of inhibin.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Plasma LH, FSH and testosterone concentrations in adult rams which were homozygous carriers or non-carriers of the Booroola fecundity gene.

No gene-specific differences were found with respect to LH or testosterone pulsatile secretion (over 12 h), or in 12 hourly mean FSH concentrations in adult Booroola FF and ++ rams. Also, no differences between genotypes in the LH response to an injection of testosterone propionate, the FSH response to an infusion of bovine follicular fluid, or the testosterone response to injections of PMSG were noted. However, during the phase of seasonal testicular development, mean testosterone pulse amplitude (over 12 h) and the FSH response to 25 micrograms GnRH were higher in FF than in ++ rams (P less than 0.05); there were also significant effects of sire (P less than 0.05 in FF genotype only) and litter size (P less than 0.05) on testosterone pulse amplitude and GnRH-stimulated FSH release, respectively. During the breeding season, mean LH, but not FSH, concentrations were higher in FF than in ++ rams, after an injection of 0.5 micrograms GnRH; LH release was not affected by sire or litter size (P greater than 0.05). Long-term studies revealed that the FF rams were born in significantly larger litters, they weighed significantly less than ++ rams (P less than 0.05), and that bodyweight was significantly correlated (P less than 0.05) with litter size. There were no differences in testis size, and testis size was not significantly correlated with bodyweight. There was a strong tendency (P = 0.056) for overall mean FSH concentrations, measured weekly for 9 months, to be highest more often in FF than in ++ rams.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Increased ovulation rate in androstenedione-immune ewes is not due to elevated plasma concentrations of FSH.

Two experiments were undertaken to determine the hormonal response of Merino ewes to immunization against androstenedione (Fecundin). In Exp. 1 peripheral concentrations of LH, FSH and progesterone were monitored in spontaneously cycling ewes (20 immunized and 21 controls). In Exp. 2 (10 immunized and 10 controls) the same hormones were measured in ewes before and after prostaglandin (PG)-induced luteolysis and, in addition, the pattern of pulsatile LH secretion was determined during the luteal (PG + 12 days), early follicular (PG + 24 h) and late follicular (PG + 40 h) phase of the oestrous cycle. Ovulation rates were measured in both experiments. The results of these experiments indicate that androstenedione-immune animals have elevated ovulation rates (0.6-0.7 greater than control animals; P less than 0.05) associated with elevated plasma concentrations of LH and progesterone. The magnitude of the increase in plasma progesterone was correlated with androstenedione antibody titre (r = 0.6, P less than 0.001). LH pulse frequency of androstenedione-immune ewes tended to be higher at all stages of the oestrous cycle, but this difference was only significant (P less than 0.05) during the luteal phase. Mean plasma concentrations of FSH did not differ significantly between immunized and control ewes at any stage of the cycle. Analysis of periodic fluctuations in FSH during the luteal phase revealed that androstenedione-immune animals had a similar number of fluctuations of a similar amplitude to those of control animals, but the nadir of these fluctuations was lower (P less than 0.05) in immunized animals. A significant (P less than 0.05) negative correlation existed between androstenedione antibody titre and the interval between FSH peaks (r = -0.49) and androstenedione antibody titre and FSH nadir concentrations (r = -0.46). It is concluded that plasma FSH concentrations are not a determinant of ovulation rate in androstenedione-immune ewes and that increased LH concentrations, or perturbation of normal intraovarian mechanisms, may be responsible for the increase in ovulation rate observed in ewes immunized against androstenedione.

Androstenedione↗
PubMed1996

Induction and maintenance of oestradiol and immunoreactive inhibin production with FSH by ovine granulosa cells cultured in serum-free media.

A serum-free ovine granulosa cell culture system is described that allows the induction of FSH-responsive oestradiol production by undifferentiated cells from small (< 3.5 mm) follicles (P < 0.001) and the maintenance of oestradiol production by differentiated cells from large (> or = 3.5 mm) follicles. Physiological doses of FSH stimulated (P < 0.01) proliferation of cultured granulosa cells from both small and large follicles. The synthesis of immunoreactive inhibin and progesterone by granulosa cells from small and large follicles increased (P < 0.01) with time of culture, and was not dependent on FSH. Inhibin secretion expressed on a per cell basis was not FSH responsive. Insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), in the presence of FSH, stimulated (P < 0.001) cell proliferation and oestradiol and inhibin production by granulosa cells from small and large follicles. There was a significant (P < 0.001) interaction between insulin and IGF-I in the stimulation of granulosa cell proliferation and differentiation. Both epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) in the presence of FSH stimulated cellular proliferation (P < 0.001) in a dose-responsive manner and concomitantly inhibited (P < 0.001) oestradiol and inhibin secretion. The development of this granulosa cell culture system will make it possible to study, in vitro, the cascade of events that controls granulosa cell differentiation and ultimately follicle selection in sheep.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Significance of oestradiol for follicular development in hypogonadotrophic immature rats treated with FSH and hCG.

Administration of hCG (0.5 i.u.) to immature female rats that were made hypogonadotrophic by injections of an LHRH-antagonist at 22, 24, 26 and 28 days of age and in which follicular development was induced by FSH (10 i.u., given from day 26 until day 29) stimulates follicles to grow to their preovulatory size with a low amount of atresia. To investigate whether this effect of hCG on follicular growth is due to stimulation of oestradiol production, intraovarian concentrations of oestradiol were suppressed by an aromatase inhibitor and oestradiol action was blocked by an oestrogen antagonist; both of these were administered from day 25 until day 29. By day 30 this treatment had resulted in an increase in the percentage of atretic follicles. In turn, oestradiol benzoate (100 micrograms or 1000 micrograms day-1), given from day 26 until day 29 in rats treated with 10 i.u. FSH, resulted in (1) an increase in the total number of antral follicles, (2) an increase in follicular size and (3) a decrease in the percentage of atretic follicles. Although the administration of 1000 micrograms oestradiol benzoate can mimic the effects of 0.5 i.u. hCG on follicular growth to a large extent, the number of follicles with a diameter > 575 microns in rats treated with FSH plus oestrogen was smaller than that in rats treated with FSH plus hCG (10 +/- 2 and 24 +/- 2, respectively). Furthermore, a single injection of 10 i.u. hCG given on day 29 was used to induce ovulation: fewer ova were found in rats treated with FSH plus 1000 micrograms oestrogen than in rats treated with FSH plus hCG (15.2 +/- 2.1 and 46.5 +/- 1.6, respectively). From these studies, it is concluded that the effects of hCG on follicular growth and atresia can be largely attributed to the mitotic and anti-atretic effect of oestradiol. However, part of the effect of hCG cannot be explained on the basis of oestradiol action.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Benefit of FSH priming of women with PCOS to the in vitro maturation procedure and the outcome: a randomized prospective study.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the rates of in vitro oocyte maturation, fertilization and cleavage, as well as implantation rate and pregnancy rate, could be improved by low-dose priming with FSH in vivo before retrieval of immature oocytes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). From March 1998 to June 2000, a total of 28 women underwent 36 completed treatment cycles, randomized sequentially in one of two groups. Women in group 1 (n = 12 cycles) received no stimulation and women in group 2 (n = 24 cycles) received 150 iu recombinant FSH day(-1) for 3 days, initiated on day 3 after menstruation. Aspiration was performed transvaginally between day 9 and day 17 in the unstimulated group and on day 8 or day 9 in the FSH-primed group after FSH deprivation for 2 or 3 days. All cumulus-enclosed oocytes of healthy appearance were matured in culture medium (TCM-199) in vitro for 28-36 h before intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). After oocyte retrieval the women were given oestradiol (6 mg day(-1)) and progesterone administration (300 mg day(-1)) was initiated 2 days later. Suitable embryos (maximum two embryos) were transferred on day 3 after ICSI. The percentage of oocytes reaching metaphase II was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the FSH-primed group (59%, 92/156) compared with the non-primed group (44%, 36/81). There were no significant differences in the rates of oocyte fertilization and cleavage between these groups. No pregnancies were obtained in group 1 (0%, 0/12), whereas seven clinical pregnancies were obtained in group 2 (29%, 7/24) (P < 0.05). In group 2, 37 embryo transfers resulted in eight implantations (21.6%). Three healthy singleton children have been born at term; the remaining pregnancies ended with spontaneous abortions in the first trimester. These results indicate that priming with recombinant FSH before harvesting of immature oocytes from patients with PCOS may improve the maturational potential of the oocytes and the implantation rate of the cleaved embryos.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Effect of porcine follicular fluid on LH and FSH secretion in rats.

To investigate a mode and a site of action of inhibin on FSH and LH secretion, in vivo and in vitro effects of porcine follicular fluid (PFF) on FSH and LH secretion were studied in male rats. PFF administered i.v. suppressed basal FSH levels for 1-8 hr, but did not alter LH levels. On the contrary, PFF given either 1 or 6 hr in advance, suppressed LH-RH stimulated LH responses as well as LH-RH induced FSH responses. In cultured pituitary cells PFF exerted a partial suppressive effect on LH release. PFF suppressed LH release only under the maximal stimulation with 10(-10) M LH-RH and 0.1 mM 3-isobutyl-1-metylxanthine (IBMX) to a lesser degree compared with uniform and greater suppression on FSH release regardless of the experimental conditions. Above results showed a selective suppressive effect of PFF on FSH release and synthesis with a less inhibitory effect on LH release mainly at the pituitary level.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The Booroola F gene mutation in sheep is not located close to the FSH-beta gene.

A cDNA probe for the beta subunit of bovine FSH (FSH-beta) detects multiple restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in sheep genomic DNA consistent with an insertion/deletion polymorphism around the FSH-beta locus. The presence of the insertion/deletion was confirmed by screening over 100 individuals with two restriction enzymes detecting RFLPs. All individuals showed the same patterns of fragments with both enzymes. A partial restriction map of the FSH-beta gene in sheep suggests that the insertion/deletion is approximately 2 kb in size and located downstream from the third exon. Individual DNA samples were analysed from two flocks where the Booroola F gene is known to be segregating. Individuals that were heterozygous for the F gene were shown to be homozygous for one or other of the two alleles. Genetic recombination between the FSH-beta locus and the F gene was observed in four pedigrees and there was no evidence that the insertion/deletion is closely linked genetically to the Booroola F gene. A major gene transcript of 2.2-2.3 kb was detected on Northern blots of sheep RNA. Neither the insertion/deletion polymorphism nor the presence of the F gene appeared to influence the size of the FSH-beta gene transcript.

Alleles↗