Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 76, 885-889, Copyright © 1993 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

More basic forms of both human follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in serum at midcycle compared with the follicular or luteal phase

L Wide and O Bakos
Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.

The purpose of this study was to compare the heterogeneity and median charge of FSH and LH in serum at different phases of the normal human menstrual cycle. Serum specimens were obtained during the follicular phase [9.0 +/- 1.9 (+/- SD) days before the midcycle], at the midcycle LH peak, and during the luteal phase (9.75 +/- 1.6 days after the midcycle) in 16 women with normal menstrual cycles. The 48 serum specimens were subjected to electrophoresis in 0.17% agarose suspension in 0.075 M veronal buffer at pH 8.6, using a column suitable for measuring the median charge of the isoforms of FSH and LH, expressed as median electrophoretic mobility. Four sera were also analyzed by use of a larger column, giving a high resolution. The FSH and LH activities were measured with a time-resolved sandwich fluoroimmunoassay. The number of isoforms of both FSH and LH in each serum specimen analyzed by electrophoresis with high resolution was between 20-30. The median charge of the isoforms of FSH was less negative (P < 0.001) at the midcycle than in the follicular or luteal phase in all 16 women. The same was found for LH in 14 of 15 women. The median charge of FSH or LH in the follicular phase was not significantly different from that in the luteal phase of the cycle. We conclude that at least 20-30 isoforms of both FSH and LH circulate in blood during the menstrual cycle. More basic isoforms of both hormones appear in serum at midcycle than in the follicular or luteal phase. The difference is most likely due to a selective secretion from the pituitary of more basic forms of FSH and LH at midcycle.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. Wide, T. Naessen, I. Sundstrom-Poromaa, and K. Eriksson Sulfonation and Sialylation of Gonadotropins in Women during the Menstrual Cycle, after Menopause, and with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and in Men J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2007; 92(11): 4410 - 4417. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. S. Macklon, R. L. Stouffer, L. C. Giudice, and B. C. J. M. Fauser The Science behind 25 Years of Ovarian Stimulation for in Vitro Fertilization Endocr. Rev., April 1, 2006; 27(2): 170 - 207. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Ulloa-Aguirre, C. Timossi, J. Barrios-de-Tomasi, A. Maldonado, and P. Nayudu Impact of Carbohydrate Heterogeneity in Function of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone: Studies Derived from in Vitro and in Vivo Models Biol Reprod, August 1, 2003; 69(2): 379 - 389. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. R. West, N. E. Carlson, J. S. Lee, A. S. McNeilly, T. P. Sharma, W. Ye, and V. Padmanabhan Acidic Mix of FSH Isoforms Are Better Facilitators of Ovarian Follicular Maturation and E2 Production than the Less Acidic Endocrinology, January 1, 2002; 143(1): 107 - 116. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Zarinan, A. Olivares, D. Soderlund, J.P. Mendez, and A. Ulloa-Aguirre Changes in the biological:immunological ratio of basal and GnRH-releasable FSH during the follicular, pre-ovulatory and luteal phases of the human menstrual cycle Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2001; 16(8): 1611 - 1618. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Bergendah and J. D. Veldhuis Is there a physiological role for gonadotrophin oligosaccharide heterogeneity in humans?: III. Luteinizing hormone heterogeneity: a medical physiologist's perspective Hum. Reprod., June 1, 2001; 16(6): 1058 - 1064. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Ulloa-Aguirre, C. Timossi, and J.P. Mendez Is there any physiological role for gonadotrophin oligosaccharide heterogeneity in humans?: I. Gondatrophins are synthesized and released in multiple molecular forms. A matter of fact Hum. Reprod., April 1, 2001; 16(4): 599 - 604. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C.Y. Andersen, L. Leonardsen, A. Ulloa-Aguirre, J. Barrios-De-Tomasi, K.S. Kristensen, and A.G. Byskov Effect of different FSH isoforms on cyclic-AMP production by mouse cumulus-oocyte-complexes: a time course study Mol. Hum. Reprod., February 1, 2001; 7(2): 129 - 135. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Castro-Fernández, A. Olivares, D. Söderlund, J. C. López-Alvarenga, E. Zambrano, J. D. Veldhuis, A. Ulloa-Aguirre, and J. P. Méndez A Preponderance of Circulating Basic Isoforms Is Associated with Decreased Plasma Half-Life and Biological to Immunological Ratio of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone-Releasable Luteinizing Hormone in Obese Men J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2000; 85(12): 4603 - 4610. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				G. Horsman, J.A. Talbot, J.D. McLoughlin, A. Lambert, and W.R. Robertson A biological, immunological and physico-chemical comparison of the current clinical batches of the recombinant FSH preparations Gonal-F and Puregon Hum. Reprod., September 1, 2000; 15(9): 1898 - 1902. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. P. Rose, R. E. Gaines Das, and A. H. Balen Definition and Measurement of Follicle Stimulating Hormone Endocr. Rev., February 1, 2000; 21(1): 5 - 22. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				E.S. Sills, D. P. Levy, M. Moomjy, M. McGee, and Z. Rosenwaks A prospective, randomized comparison of ovulation induction using highly purified follicle-stimulating hormone alone and with recombinant human luteinizing hormone in in-vitro fertilization Hum. Reprod., September 1, 1999; 14(9): 2230 - 2235. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Y. Andersen, L. Leonardsen, A. Ulloa-Aguirre, J. Barrios-De-Tomasi, L. Moore, and A.G. Byskov FSH-induced resumption of meiosis in mouse oocytes: effect of different isoforms Mol. Hum. Reprod., August 1, 1999; 5(8): 726 - 731. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Bergh Recombinant follicle stimulating hormone Hum. Reprod., June 1, 1999; 14(6): 1418 - 1420. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. D'Antonio, F. Borrelli, A. Datola, R. Bucci, M. Mascia, P. Polletta, D. Piscitelli, and R. Papoian Biological characterization of recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone isoforms Hum. Reprod., May 1, 1999; 14(5): 1160 - 1167. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				U.A. Vitt,, H.J. Kloosterboer,, U.M. Rose,, J.W.M. Mulders,, P.S. Kiesel,, S. Bete,, and P.L. Nayudu Isoforms of Human Recombinant Follicle-Stimulating Hormone: Comparison of Effects on Murine Follicle Development In Vitro Biol Reprod, October 1, 1998; 59(4): 854 - 861. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				D. J. Phillips, K. Albertsson-Wikland, K. Eriksson, and L. Wide Changes In the Isoforms of Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone during Puberty In Normal Children J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 1997; 82(9): 3103 - 3106. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. C. J. M. Fauser and A. M. van Heusden Manipulation of Human Ovarian Function: Physiological Concepts and Clinical Consequences Endocr. Rev., February 1, 1997; 18(1): 71 - 106. [Abstract] [Full Text]