PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTISERUM TO PURIFIED GONADOTROPHINS FROM RAT PITUITARY GLANDS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Antiserum to a gonadotrophic extract of rat pituitary glands was prepared and investigated: In specific assays the antiserum neutralized rat FSH and LH, as well as the total gonadotrophic effect measured by the mouse uterus test. The antiserum did not counteract the gonadotrophic activity of HMG and HCG, but inhibited endogenous mouse gonadotrophins. The antiserum interrupted the continuous oestrous cycle in androgen sterilized rats. When antiserum was injected into mature female rats starting on the day of cornification, the leucocytic smear appeared within 24 hours and persisted for the duration of the injections. Immunoelectrophoretic studies with the antiserum revealed formation of precipitation lines with the antigen used for immunization and with rat serum. The antiserum cross-reacted in vitro with mouse serum. No precipitin lines were observed,against normal human serum, human menopausal gonadotrophins or human chorionic gonadotrophin. The response of antiserum treated immature mice and rats to human gonadotrophins is described. Interpretation of these findings is based on previous observations in hypophysectomized animals. The possible use of animals immunologically deprived of endogenous gonadotrophins for the study of the response to specific human gonadotrophins is discussed. The significance of substituting hypophysectomized animals for antiserum treated rodents is outlined.