FSH Profiles Research Articles

LH and FSH profiles at superovulation and embryo production in the cow

The variability of the superovulation response in cattle is an important problem to the commercial embryo transfer industry. Plasma LH and FSH concentrations around the time of estrus and ovulation were studied in relation to embryo production, to try and elucidate this problem. Sixteen cows were superovulated with 38 mg FSH-P and estrus synchronized with prostaglandin F 2 alpha. On the third and fourth day of superovulation increases in plasma LH but not FSH were detected. The LH and FSH profiles appeared to be normal in the size of the surge but in many cases they were were abnormal in timing. Transferable embryo production appeared to be lower in cows in which the LH and FSH surges were not coincident, and in cows where the surges were early or late with reference to estrus. FSH appeared to be primarily responsible for the number of embryos produced and LH for their quality, i.e. the number transferable.

Effect of Porcine Follicular Fluid on the Postcastration Secretion of Gonadotropins in Rhesus Monkeys*

Porcine follicular fluid (pFF) contains a nonsteroidal factor(s) that modifies pituitary secretion of both FSH and LH under certain physiological and experimental conditions. The aim of this study was to further define the activity of pFF on basal and pulsatile gonadotropin secretion after bilateral oophorectomy in monkeys. Sexually mature female rhesus monkeys underwent bilateral oophorectomy during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. For 10 consecutive days, beginning on the day of surgery, monkeys were given twice daily sc injections of 2.5 ml normal saline (group I, control; n = 3), 2.5 ml steroid-free pFF (group II; n = 3), or 5.0 ml steroid-free pFF (group III; n = 3). Blood was drawn daily for 32 days, beginning the day before castration. One day before and on days 6 and 20 after castration, monkeys were placed in a restraining chair, and blood samples were drawn every 15 min for 6 h via an indwelling venous catheter. All samples were radioimmunoassayed for FSH and LH. In group I, a significant increase in serum FSH and LH occurred on days 3 and 6 postcastration, respectively. A significant increase in serum FSH did not occur until day 13 postcastration in groups II and III. Serum LH was significantly increased on days 10 and 9 postcastration in groups II and III, respectively. The LH pulse frequency ranged from 60-105 min and did not change after castration in control or pFF-treated animals. The LH pulse increment was significantly increased on day 6 postcastration in group I, but not until day 20 postcastration in groups II and III. Only minor oscillations in FSH were found until day 20 postcastration, at which time there was no significant difference in FSH pulse frequency or increment among groups. These findings demonstrate that a nonsteroidal factor(s) in pFF suppresses basal FSH and LH concentrations and LH pulse increment in monkeys after surgical castration. Further, because LH, but not FSH, concentrations began to increase during pFF treatments, these data suggest a temporal disparity in the effects of pFF on FSH and LH secretory profiles.

Reproductive hormone profiles in regularly menstruating sundanese women

Venous blood samples were taken daily from 21 regularly menstruating Sudanese women throughout one complete menstrual cycle. FSH, LH, estradiol-17β and progesterone were assayed in all plasma samples and normal reference ranges were thus established. Fifteen subjects had a luteal phase of more than 12 days whilst in 3 subjects it was shorter. Two subjects were found to be hyperprolactinemic and one had an anovulatory cycle with an elevated LH. The plasma concentrations of estradiol-17β in the follicular phase and progesterone in the luteal phase were significantly lower in subjects with short luteal phase than in those with a luteal phase of more than 12 days. The hormonal profile of FSH, LH, estradiol-17β and progesterone throughout a normal menstrual cycle in regularly menstruating Sudanese women was similar to what has been reported in the literature for other ethnic groups.

Pituitary gonadotrophins in Booroola and control Merino sheep

Pituitary content of FSH and LH, using radioreceptor assay methods, was determined in control and Booroola Merino ewes on the 3rd day of the oestrous cycle and in adult rams slaughtered in winter. Significantly more pituitary FSH (as per gland or per g wet wt) was found in the Booroola than in the control ewe. No significant differences were found in LH content although the difference in FSH/LH ratio between Booroola and control ewes was significant (P less than 0.001). Pituitary FSH content was similar in the rams of the two genotypes. A good correspondence between FSH values by the radioreceptor assay and by radioimmunoassays using anti-ovine and anti-human serum was observed for the Booroola ewes. However, radioimmunological estimates of FSH activity were significantly higher than radioreceptor estimates in control ewes and in Booroola and control rams in which the pituitary FSH values were 5-6% of that of the ewe. This over-estimation is attributed to differences in specificity between methods. Fractionation of pituitary extracts by electrofocussing indicated a similar pI profile of FSH for ewes and rams of both genotypes. It is concluded that quantitative rather than qualitative differences in pituitary FSH occur in Booroola and control Merino ewes. It is suggested that increased FSH levels contribute to the hormonal basis for the increased ovulation rate of the Booroola Merino.

Developmental Changes in Neuroendocrine Regulation of Gonadotropin Secretion in Gonadal Dysgenesis

Patients with gonadal dysgenesis have a marked increase in gonadotropin levels at the age when puberty normally occurs. To determine whether this increase results from a change in the frequency or the amplitude of gonadotropin pulses, we measured the 24-h profile of plasma LH and FSH by RIA in 31 patients with gonadal dysgenesis, aged 2-20 yr. Gonadotropin pulses were defined as a rise from nadir to peak that exceeded 3 times the intraassay coefficient of variation. This criterion, based on an empirical study of RIA noise, reduced the rate of false positive peaks to less than 3-4/24 h. Using this criterion, peak amplitude increased significantly at the time of puberty for both LH and FSH (P less than 0.01). The overall frequency of gonadotropin pulses (the sum of the FSH peaks plus the LH peaks that occurred without a concomitant FSH peak), however, did not differ among prepubertal (12.7 +/- 1.8 peaks/24 h), pubertal aged (14.3 +/- 2.3 peaks/24 h), and adult patients (14.7 +/- 0.9 peaks/24 h). Thus, the increase in gonadotropin concentration in pubertal aged patients with gonadal dysgenesis appears to result primarily from an increase in gonadotropin peak amplitude rather than an increase in peak frequency.

Plasma FSH, LH, prolactin and progesterone profiles in Cheviot ewes on high and low intakes prior to mating

Ovulation rate and lambing rate of Cheviot ewes are improved by both increased body condition and premating food intake. The aim of this work was to investigate the endocrine mechanisms by which one of these factors, intake, could influence reproductive performance.Two similar groups of 20 ewes were fed differentially to achieve condition scores of either 2.0 or 2.5 by 4 weeks before mating in November. Low condition animals were then fed ad libitum and achieved a mean condition score of 2.3 and mean liveweight of 58 kg at mating. The remainder were offered a maintenance ration and had a mean condition score of 2.5 and mean liveweight of 55 kg at mating. Blood samples were collected at 20 minute intervals for 10 h approximately 7 days before mating and for 5 h on each of the 3 days immediately prior to the anticipated day of oestrus.

Differential diagnosis of male central hypogonadism by short-term pulsatile LHRH administration.

In order to obtain a clinically valuable differentiation of central hypogonadism (CH), 18 male patients, including 13 with permanent gonadotropin deficiency (GD), age 14.3-41 yrs, bone age 8.5-19 yrs, and 5 with constitutional delay (CD) of puberty (age 15.3-20, bone age 12.5-15 yrs) were studied. Among the GD patients, there were 4 with anosmia (Kallmann's syndrome, KS), 6 with idiopathic hypopituitarism (HP) and 3 with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH). The spontaneous nocturnal plasma profile of LH and FSH was compared with that during pulsatile LHRH infusion (5 micrograms iv every 90 min) by a portable micropump (Zyklomat) for 36 hrs. The pituitary-gonadal response was evaluated by calculating the LH and FSH slopes during pulsatile LHRH and by comparing plasma testosterone (T) before and after. While spontaneous nocturnal FSH pulses were absent in all patients, between 1 and 4 significant LH pulses were seen in all CD but in none of the GD patients. In all patients, mean FSH was significantly higher during pulsatile LHRH than during sleep. During pulsatile LHRH administration, significantly increasing FSH responses were seen in all KS and HP patients, but in only 2 of the 5 CD and in none of the 3 HH patients. In all CD boys (mean testis vol, 8.6 ml), T rose markedly during pulsatile LHRH (mean, from 168 to 414 ng/dl), whereas in all GD patients (mean testis vol, 2 ml) it did not (19 vs 27 ng/dl). Pulsatile LHRH for 36 hrs differentiates CD and GD far more exact than was previously possible.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Individual differences in LH and FSH responses to orchidectomy and testosterone replacement therapy in rams.

Profiles of LH and FSH levels and pituitary LH responses to exogenous luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) have been characterized in rams, castrated rams (wethers), and wethers implanted with testosterone. Rams were castrated when adult, and, at the time of castration, two groups of wethers were implanted with either four or eight testosterone capsules. Rams showed random pulses of LH and testosterone which were temporally related. The number of LH and testosterone pulses per 24 hours differed among rams, giving rise to large differences in the mean levels of these hormones. Mean FSH levels and pituitary LH responses to LHRH also differed among rams and were positively correlated to differences in LH levels. All three nonimplanted wethers showed a rhythmic pulsatile pattern of LH secretion and had elevated mean LH and FSH levels. There were, however, appreciable differences between wethers with regard to mean LH and FSH levels and pituitary LH responses to LHRH. Both four and eight testosterone capsules were effective in suppressing pulsatile LH secretion and mean LH and FSH levels in two out of three wethers. In a third animal within each of these groups, however, LH and FSH profiles and LH responses to LHRH were characteristic of nonimplanted wethers. These data suggest that individual rams have different inherent capacities to secrete gonadotropins which influence LH and FSH responses to castration and testosterone replacement therapy.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist suppresses ovulation, menses, and endometriosis in monkeys: an individualized, intermittent regimen.

This study was designed to test the efficacy of a long-acting GnRH agonist (alpha) for inhibition of ovulation and menses in monkeys as well as suppression of mild to moderate endometriosis through an individualized, intermittent regimen. Endometriosis was surgically induced in 21 cynomolgus monkeys; ectopic tissue viability was verified histologically. GnRH alpha (leuprolide, D-Leu6-Pro9-Net-LHRH, Abbott Laboratories) was injected weekly in treatment cycle 1 (10 microgram/kg, sc; n = 15). Ovulation and menses ceased in 6 of 15 females. For the remaining 9 monkeys, the GnRH alpha dose was increased to 15 microgram/kg weekly in treatment cycle 2. Still, 4 monkeys resisted suppression; in treatment cycle 3, their regimen increased to 15 microgram/kg every fourth day. Thus, anovulation and amenorrhea was achieved in 14 of 15 monkeys within 90 days, seemingly as a result of ovarian desensitization, since GnRH alpha injections usually enhanced serum LH and FSH levels (P less than 0.05). Frequent laparotomies and daily hormonal profiles of estradiol, progesterone, FSH, and LH in serum confirmed these findings. After treatment, 12 of 15 monkeys manifested resolution of ectopic endometrial tissue; concurrently, there was no change in the severity of endometriosis in the 6 saline-injected controls. Six of 15 monkeys became pregnant within 90 days after cessation of GnRH alpha injections; 1 of 6 control females conceived. These findings may encourage consideration of clinical investigations employing individualized and/or intermittent GnRH alpha administration for the treatment of endometriosis or to achieve contraception.

Serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin during the induction of ovulation with exogenous gonadotropin.

To examine the gonadotropic milieu presiding over recruitment and selection of a dominant follicle during gonadotropin induction of ovulation, four patients were studied over nine cycles of human pituitary gonadotropin (hPG) therapy. These hypogonadotropic subjects received a routine schedule of hPG injections monitored by daily urinary estrogen and pregnanediol determinations. Serum FSH, LH, and PRL profiles were measured in daily morning blood samples throughout each menstrual cycle. hPG therapy produced markedly abnormal gonadotropin patterns. Mean serum FSH levels were above the upper limit of the normal serum FSH range and no early or midfollicular FSH peaks occurred. The FSH-LH ratio was abnormally high for 8 days before ovulation. Progressive and marked elevations of serum PRL developed during hPG treatment. A bimodal luteal phase serum PRL profile appeared with peak values of 40.7 +/- 5.6 ng/ml (mean +/- SE) 1 day and 42.0 +/- 3.0 ng/ml 9 days after the LH peak. We conclude that: 1) Current gonadotropin treatment regimens to induce ovulation produce radioimmunoassayable serum FSH, LH, and PRL profiles which are qualitatively and quantitatively abnormal, and 2) Excessive FSH levels and the elevated FSH-LH ratio orchestrate aberrant folliculogenesis and result in the clinical problems of multiple ovulation and hyperstimulation.

Serum profiles of LH, FSH, testosterone and 5α-DHT from 21 to 1000 days of age in AD Libitum fed and dietary restricted rats

Serum profiles of LH, FSH, testosterone and 5α-DHT from 21 to 1000 days of age in AD Libitum fed and dietary restricted rats

ENDOCRINE STUDIES AND SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT IN A PATIENT WITH TRUE HERMAPHRODITISM

ABSTRACT A 12-year old, 46 XX true hermaphrodite born with genital ambiguity was studied and successfully treated. The serum LH and FSH profile resembled that of a pubertal normal individual, and LH-RH administration induced a normal LH response. Baseline testosterone serum levels were within the range for normal children. Exogenous HCG stimulation induced a significant serum testosterone increase up to values similar to those observed in normal post-pubertal males. Surgical examination disclosed the presence of bilateral ovotestis, normal Mullerian derivatives, epididymis, and vas deferens. A complete ovotestis with testicular predominance and the testicular portion of the contralateral ovotestis as well as the Wolffian derivatives, were removed. A further HCG stimulation 3 months after surgery, failed to induce serum testosterone increase. Spontaneous menarche was observed 6 months after surgery and ovulation was well documented. At present the patient has several characteristics of female sex including those of chromosome complement, gonad, internal and external genitalia, hormone levels and gender identity, thus demonstrating that treatment was successful and that reproductive function could be obtained. The finding of spontaneous ovulation following removal of the testicular portion suggests normal cyclic gonadotrophic release implying a difference between animal models and man in regard to hypothalamic virilization.

Profiles of LH, FSH and progesterone in postpartum dairy cows and their relationship to the commencement of cyclic functions

In 25, 3-to-13 year old, dairy cows (Braunvieh and Hoehenfleckyieh) FSH, LH and progesterone plasma profiles were determined by RIA. Blood was sampled at 6-hour intervals from parturition to 40–78 days postpartum, and the results correlated with the commencement of cyclic functions. For FSH, generally basic values were recorded, without characteristic features associating any values with the onset of cyclic ovarian activities or the occurrence of the first heat. LH profiles varied greatly between individuals with regard to the onset of elevations, regularity of patterns and peak values. The first preovulatory LH peak was recorded 17.3±9.8 days (range 4–46) postpartum. The first heat occurred on day 28.4±16 (range 6–55) postpartum, indicating that 13 23 cows ovulated without behavioral estrus, as reproductive cycles were re-established. Peak LH values increased with progressive cycles (1st peak 5.7±4.8 ng/ml; 2nd peak 11.8±8.7 ng/ml; 3rd peak 13.5±9.9 ng/ml plasma). Progesterone values also showed great variations in the profile of their first postpartum elevation. In 13 25 cows the first cycle was shortened (13.1±2.9 days), prolonged in 3 animals (34±4 days) and normal in 7 cows (20.4±1.9 days). Heat, preovulatory LH peak and progesterone profile were normal in all animals on subsequent cycles. Two animals did not start cycling.

Developmental Changes in Testicular Gonadotropin Receptors: Plasma Gonadotropins and Plasma Testosterone in the Rat

The relationships between plasma gonadotropins, testicular gonadotropin receptors, and plasma testosterone were examined during neonatal life and throughout sexual maturation in the rat. The binding affinity of testicular LH receptors (2.4 X 10(10) M-1) was significantly higher than that of FSH receptors (2.1 X 10(9) M-1) at all stages of development. The concentration of FSH receptors in the testis reached a peak between 10-15 days of age, then fell to a constant level from 25-90 days. However, the testis content of FSH receptors increased continually with age and reached a plateau at day 60. Plasma FSH declined after birth to a nadir at 15 days, then rose rapidly to a peak at day 38, and fell to a plateau from day 50 through adult life. In contrast to the rapidly changing profile of plasma FSH during early maturation, alterations in plasma LH were less marked throughout development. Although a progressive rise in plasma LH concentration was observed between days 36-51, the simultaneous changes in testicular LH receptors and plasma testosterone were much more prominent. Testicular LH receptors showed a continuous increase in concentration and total number with advancing age and testis growth. The major rise in LH receptor concentration occurred between 15-38 days age, at the same time as the rise in plasma FSH concentration and the phase of rapid testicular growth. Plasma testosterone fell during the 8th-24th days after birth, then rose rapidly between days 35-55. The pubertal rise in plasma testosterone occurred about 15 days after testicular LH receptors began to increase and was coincident with the continuing rise in LH receptor content from day 35 until day 55 and with the progressive increase in plasma LH during this period. These observations have demonstrated that the early development of testicular FSH receptors in followed by a prominent rise in plasma FSH, with concomitant increases in testicular growth and LH receptor concentration. The resulting increase in gonadal sensitivity to LH could be responsible for the marked increase in secretion of testosterone which occurs during puberty in the presence of a relatively small change in the circulating LH concentration. The sequence of changes observed in gonadotropins and their testicular receptors is consistent with the view that FSH-induced testicular sensitivity to LH is an important factor in sexual maturation in the male rat.

Acute and chronic elevations in serum levels of FSH after unilateral ovariectomy in the cyclic hamster.

During the normal 4-day estrous cycle of the hamster, 12.0 +/- 0.4 (n = 34) ova were shed by the paired ovaries on Day 1. When unilateral ovariectomy (ULO) was performed at 0900 h on any one of the first 3 days of the cycle, approximately the same number of ova were released from the remaining ovary on Day 1 of the ensuing postoperative cycle (compensatory ovulation), except after ULO on Day 4. In view of these results, the principal aim of the present study was to determine if ULO affected acute (24 h postoperative period) and chronic (postoperative cycles) alterations in serum levels of immunoreactive FSH. Multiple bleedings were obtained by cardiac puncture without anesthesia. The acute alteration in FSH levels was first examined at 24-h intervals following ULO at 0930 h on any one day of the cycle, and significant elevations in these levels were found 24 h postoperatively in all but Day-2 hemicastrates. Several experiments were then performed to determine the time-sequence for this 24-h response to ULO. The serum level of FSH was measured at 4-h intervals during the remainder of the cycle in which ULO was done at 0900 h on any one day. The results demonstrated that an acute but transient increase (approximately 100 ng FSH/ml serum) occurred either 7 h or 11 h postoperatively in all the hemicastrates. These transient elevations prior to Day 4 were interpreted to be possible causative factors for the subsequent compensatory ovulation. That they were not the sole cause was evident from the results of another experiment, where compensatory ovulation occurred after ULO at 0030 h on Day 4 (but to a reduced degree; 9.0 +/- 0.6 ova), although serum levels of FSH were not acutely altered. The capability of the remaining ovary to undergo compensatory ovulation after ULO on Day 4 was lost between 0300 h and 0230 h (6.7 +/- 0.8 ova). The serum profile of FSH during the second postoperative cycle after ULO showed a prolonged elevation of FSH levels during the first two days of the cycle compared to the intact estrous cycle. Specifically, the level of FSH gradually declined to 400 ng/ml by 2000 h on Day 1 of the intact (preoperative) cycle but did ont reach this concentration until 2000 h on Day 2 of the postoperative cycle. It is suggested that the prolonged elevated levels of FSH in chronic hemicastrates effect development of a greater number of follicles in the early growth stages in the remaining ovary than the number of follicles per ovary that would otherwise develop in the intact hamster.

Acute and Chronic Elevations in Serum Levels of FSH After Unilateral Ovariectomy in the Cyclic Hamster

During the normal 4-day estrous cycle of the hamster, 12.0 ± 0.4 (n = 34) ova were shed by the paired ovaries on Day 1. When unilateral ovariectomy (ULO) was performed at 0900 h on any one of the first 3 days of the cycle, approximately the same number of ova were released from the remaining ovary on Day 1 of the ensuing postoperative cycle (compensatory ovulation), except after ULO on Day 4. In view of these results, the principal aim of the present study was to determine if ULO affected acute (24 h postoperative period) and chronic (postoperative cycles) alterations in serum levels of immunoreactive FSH. Multiple bleedings were obtained by cardiac puncture without anesthesia. The acute alteration in FSH levels was first examined at 24-h intervals following ULO at 0930 h on any one day of the cycle, and significant elevations in these levels were found 24 h postoperatively in all but Day-2 hemicastrates. Several experiments were then performed to determine the time-sequence for this 24-h response to ULO. The serum level of FSH was measured at 4-h intervals during the remainder of the cycle in which ULO was done at 0900 h on any one day. The results demonstrated that an acute but transient increase (approximately 100 ng FSH/ml serum) occurred either 7h or 11 h postoperatively in all the hemicastrates. These transient elevations prior to Day 4 were interpreted to be possible causative factors for the subsequent compensatory ovulation. That they were not the sole cause was evident from the results of another experiment, where compensatory ovulation occurred after ULO at 0030 h on Day 4 (but to a reduced degree; 9.0 ± 0.6 ova), although serum levels of FSH were not acutely altered. The capability of the remaining ovary to undergo compensatory ovulation after ULO on Day 4 was lost between 0030 h and 0230 h (6.7 ± 0.8 ova). The serum profile of FSH during the second postoperative cycle after ULO showed a prolonged elevation of FSH levels during the first two days of the cycle compared to the intact estrous cycle. Specifically, the level of FSH gradually declined to 300 ng/ml by 2000 h on Day 1 of the intact (preoperative) cycle but did not reach this concentration until 2000 h on Day 2 of the postoperative cycle. It is suggested that the prolonged elevated levels of FSH in chronic hemicastrates effect development of a greater number of follicles in the early growth stages in the remaining ovary than the number of follicles per ovary that would otherwise develop in the intact hamster.

Regulation of human gonadotropins.

Serum LH, FSH and progesterone concentrations and urinary pregnanediol excretion were quantitated in 5 regularly menstruating women who received 0.5 mg chlormadinone acetate for periods ranging from 51 to 60 days. These gonadotropic hormone and steroid hormones were also measured during the months before and after medication administration. An additional group of 5 women were studied who had been receiving 0.5 mg chlormadinone acetate continuously for at least 6 months prior to having hormone determinations performed, and who continued on this regimen during the entire study period. All of these subjects had serum LH and FSH determinations, and 4 had progesterone measurements performed for 22, 29, 30, 34 and 60 days. In the ‘short-term studies’, while receiving chlormadinone acetate, a typical surge of neither LH nor FSH was observed. However, 4 of the 5 subjects demonstrated atypical, multiple elevations of baseline concentrations of LH at varying times, but usually at the middle of the treatment cycles. Concomitant rises in FSH were not observed. The quantities of pregnanediol excreted during the latter half of treatment cycles were below values normally seen during the luteal phase. During the first treatment cycle, only 1 subject had a relatively normal luteal phase progesterone profile. The concentrations in the other subjects were only slightly elevated, with peak levels between 3 and 4 ng/ml. During the second treatment cycle, 2 of the 4 subjects in whom progesterone determinations were performed had elevated values compatible with normal luteal phase concentrations. Biphasic basal body temperatures were observed in 3 of the 10 treatment cycles. In the ‘long-term studies’, no ‘typical’ LH or FSH profiles were observed. FSH concentrations were frequently elevated for extended periods, and were usually higher than LH concentrations. In only 1 of the subjects was a typical luteal phase elevation in progesterone concentration observed. These data indicate that, unlike other synthetic progestogenic and estrogenic steroids, marked variability in the profiles of the hormones studied is observed in the presence of 0.5 mg chlormadinone, and that typical luteal phase progesterone concentrations may occur in the absence of an antecedent gonadotropin surge.