The use of heterologous radioimmunoassays for the measurement of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone concentrations in horse and donkey serum.
Abstract: Heterologous double-antibody radioimmunoassay were developed for the measurement of FSH and LH concentrations in the serum of both horses and donkeys. The FSH assay employed a rabbit anti-ovine FSH serum which showed a complete lack of cross-reaction with equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) and negligible cross-reaction with equine LH. The LH assay utilized an antiserum raised against highly purified eCG. This similarly showed negligible cross-reaction with equine FSH but its high cross-reactivity with eCG prevented the measurement of equine LH concentrations in serum when eCG was also present. In both assays serial dilutions of horse and donkey serum were parallel to the standard. The assays were used to monitor changes in serum concentrations of FSH and LH during the first 100 days of pregnancy in pony mares and jenny donkeys. In both species during pregnancy LH levels reached a peak 1-2 days after ovulation. They then decreased rapidly to baseline levels where they remained until days 35-40 when the commencement of eCG production prevented their further measurement. Serum FSH concentrations, on the other hand, continued to fluctuate markedly throughout the first 100 days of pregnancy in both the ponies and donkeys. Pronounced surges in FSH levels occurred at regular intervals in some animals but the pattern of release was quite irregular in the others. The results of this study support the concept that it is continued pituitary FSH release, not eCG secretion, which is responsible for stimulating the secondary follicles which develop during early equine pregnancy. However, it appears likely that it is the LH-like activity of eCG which causes the subsequent ovulation and/or luteinization of these secondary follicles to produce accessory corpora lutea.
Publication Date: 1983-11-01 PubMed ID: 6418846DOI: 10.1677/joe.0.0990199Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research developed heterologous double-antibody radioimmunoassay techniques to accurately measure follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone concentrations in horse and donkey serum, in order to further understand their roles in early equine pregnancy.
Research Methodology
- The research involved developing heterologous double-antibody radioimmunoassay techniques for accurately measuring Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in horse and donkey serum.
- These techniques involved the use of specific antibodies developed in rabbits to recognize and bind to specific hormones (FSH and LH) in horse and donkey serum.
- For FSH measurement, a rabbit anti-ovine FSH serum was used which had no cross-reaction with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and very little cross-reaction with equine LH.
- Similarly, for LH measurement, an antiserum raised against highly purified eCG was used. This serum had negligible cross-reaction with equine FSH but showed high cross-reactivity with eCG, hindering the measurement of equine LH when eCG was also present.
Key Findings
- Serum concentrations of FSH and LH during the first 100 days of pregnancy in pony mares and jenny donkeys were studied using these techniques.
- It was observed that LH levels peaked 1-2 days after ovulation and then decreased rapidly to baseline levels until days 35-40 when eCG production started, hindering further measurement.
- FSH concentrations, continued to fluctuate markedly throughout the first 100 days of equine pregnancy.
- Some animals showed pronounced surges in FSH levels at regular intervals while the release was irregular in others.
Relevance and Conclusion
- The results of this study bolster the idea that during early equine pregnancy, it’s the continuous release of pituitary FSH, not eCG secretion, that stimulates the secondary follicles to develop.
- However, it seems that the LH-like activity of eCG causes the subsequent ovulation and/or luteinization of these secondary follicles, leading to the production of accessory corpora lutea.
- This research provides valuable insights into the hormonal changes in equines during early pregnancy and the roles of FSH and LH in this process.
Cite This Article
APA
Urwin V.
(1983).
The use of heterologous radioimmunoassays for the measurement of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone concentrations in horse and donkey serum.
J Endocrinol, 99(2), 199-209.
https://doi.org/10.1677/joe.0.0990199 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood
- Gonadotropins, Equine / blood
- Horses / blood
- Luteinizing Hormone / blood
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy, Animal
- Radioimmunoassay / methods
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Whyte A, Ockleford CD, Wooding FB, Hamon M, Allen WR, Kellie S. Characteristics of cells derived from the girdle region of the pre-implantation blastocyst of the donkey.. Cell Tissue Res 1986;246(2):343-52.
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