Identification of relaxin immunoreactivity in human follicular fluid.
Relaxin immunoreactivity has been found in samples of human follicular fluid collected from artificially stimulated pre-ovulatory follicles. The crude extract caused a reduction in the height of the contractions in a rat uterine strip bioassay. The reactive material eluted from Sephadex G50 in two major peaks. The first contained approximately 60% of the immunoreactivity and had an elution position corresponding to that of porcine relaxin, indicating a mol. wt of approximately 6000 daltons. The second peak was of a lower mol. wt, but its exact size and significance are unknown. A possible role for relaxin in the process of follicular rupture is suggested.
D001681:Biological Assay; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008970:Molecular Weight; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012065:Relaxin / Q000032:analysis*; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects
D012065:Relaxin