title: Sensitive in vitro bioassay for the measurement of serum follicle-stimulating hormone.
abstract: A sensitive in vitro bioassay for measuring serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels has been developed based on the stimulation of estrogen production by cultured rat granulosa cells. In the presence of androstenedione, FSH stimulated estrogen production in a dose-dependent manner. Cell sensitivity to FSH was further enhanced by the addition of diethylstilbestrol, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, insulin, and human chorionic gonadotropin. Although the inclusion of 4% gonadotropin-free serum from hypophysectomized rats inhibited granulosa cell responsiveness, pretreatment of serum with polyethylene glycol (12%) substantially eliminated the serum interfering effect without loss of FSH activity. In normal male and female rats, serum bioactive FSH levels were low, while castration increased these levels 2.6-and 5.7-fold, respectively. These increases were suppressed by treatment with testosterone propionate or estradiol benzoate. This in vitro assay allows the measurement of circulating bioactive FSH and provides a convenient tool to advance studies on the role of FSH in the neuroendocrine control of gonadal maturation and reproductive cycles.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D004967:Estrogens; D007328:Insulin; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone