A SIMPLE SHORT ASSAY OF PREGNANT MARES' SERUM GONADOTROPHIN

Abstract

ABSTRACT Swiss Albino mice, 22-days old, received a single subcutaneous injection of the desired dosage of gonadotrophic hormones, and were autopsied 12 hours later. In the group of mice treated with 0.25 IU of pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMS), macroscopical observation showed clear evidence of hormonal reaction in 41.7 % of the animals, and a lesser stimulation in 28.8 %. In the group of animals receiving a 0.5 IU of PMS, 52.5 % exhibited marked, and 26.4 %, slight, hormonal reaction. In the group of mice receiving 1 IU of PMS, macroscopical observation showed 84.4 % markedly stimulated and only 11.1 % exhibited slight reaction. Finally, mice treated with 2.5 IU of PMS all exhibited a strong positive reaction. In 12 hours morphological changes occurring in the ovaries and uterus of immature female mice accurately depict hormonal activity of even a fraction of 1 IU of PMS. Quantitative assay is made by checking the weight of ovaries and uterus. Characterization of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) may be obtained by serial histological sections of the injected animals. Three mice should be used for every test.