Gonadotropic hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary under the regulation of gonadotopin-releasing hormone and inhibin, q.q.v. In the female, FSH stimulates estrogen production by the granulosa cells of the ovary and induces maturation of the Graafian follicle. In the male, stimulates the Sertoli cells of the testes and promotes spermatogenesis. Glycoprotein with mol wt ≈34 kDa; multiple isoforms exist. Structure is a heterodimer of noncovalently linked α and β subunits; analogous with LH, TSH and chorionic gonadotropin, q.q.v. Isoln from pituitary: H. L. Fevold et al., Endocrinology 26, 999 (1940); C. H. Li et al., Science 109, 445 (1949). Prepn of human FSH from pituitaries and from postmenopausal urine: P. Roos, Acta Endocrinol. 59, Suppl. 131, 1-93 (1968). Amino acid sequence of human FSH α-subunit: P. Rathnam, B. B. Saxena, J. Biol. Chem. 250, 6735 (1975); of human β-subunit: B. B. Saxena, P. Rathnam, ibid. 251, 993 (1976). Production in Chinese hamster ovary cells by recombinant DNA technology: J. L. Keene et al., J. Biol. Chem. 264, 4769 (1989). Characterization of isoforms: P. G. Stanton et al., Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 125, 133 (1996). Review of structure, biosynthesis and receptor binding: J. G. Pierce, T. F. Parsons, Annu. Rev. Biochem. 50, 465-495 (1981). Review of role in spermatogenesis: R. I. McLachlan et al., J. Endocrinol. 148, 1-9 (1996); in ovarian function and clinical use: B. C. Fauser, A. M. Van Heusden, Endocr. Rev. 18, 71-106 (1997).
Recombinant human FSH, glycoform α. Clinical pharmacokinetics: J.-Y. le Cotonnec et al., Fertil. Steril. 61, 669, 679 (1994). Clinical trial: T. Strowitzki et al., Hum. Reprod. 10, 3097 (1995).
Recombinant human FSH, glycoform β. Clinical pharmacokinetics: B. Mannaerts et al., Fertil. Steril. 59, 108 (1993). Clinical trial: B. Hedon et al., Hum. Reprod. 10, 3102 (1995).
Extract of human postmenopausal urine containing both FSH and LH.
Purified extract of human postmenopausal urine containing FSH.
Gonad-stimulating principle.
Gonad-Stimulating Principle