Physiological studies on the identity of the gonadotropic and progonadotropic substance(s) in sera of ewes immunized against HCG.

Abstract

The sera of two ewes immunized against hCG were studied intensively over a period of 3 yr for anti-, pro- and gonadotropic activities in an attempt to determine the factors responsible for these activities. Data from an additional ewe (9–437) were used for limited studies. Gonadotropic and progonadotropic responses were studied in intact immature female rats and in hypophysectomized male and female rats. In a few instances the LH contents of the sera were determined by radioimmunoassay. Gonadotropic responses were obtained in intact immature females and in hypophysectomized males but not in hypophysectomized females. On the other hand, administration of immunized ewe serum concurrently with crude or purified FSH resulted in an enhancement of the FSH response (progonadotropic activity) in both intact and hypophysectomized females. The concurrent injection of the serum with ovine LH into hypophysectomized males augmented the ventral prostate response to ovine LH. Thus, it was shown for the first time that a...