Abstract
ABSTRACT A procedure for the determination of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)-like activity in human urine is reported. It consists of adsorption of the activity by Amberlite CG-50 cationic exchange resin at pH 3.5, elution of the adsorbed activity from the resin by IN ammonium hydroxide and the removal of an unidentified inhibitor by zone electrophoresis on Pevikon. The in vitro bioassay procedure using isolated Rana pipiens skin was used for the determination of the MSH-like activity. Minute quantities, 20–40 U, of MSH of human origin added to the urine specimen can be extracted with a recovery of 80%. The urine of normal men and nonpregnant women did not show any activity attributable to pituitary MSH. In the urine of normal pregnant women, 2 minor fractions resembling pituitary MSH's could be detected electrophoretically. The mean total value of these fractions from the urine specimens of 8 pregnant women was 13.3±4.3 MSH U/24 hr. The major portion of the MSH-like activity of pregnancy urine beha...
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