Development and Application of a Radioimmunoassay for Bovine Follicle-Stimulating Hormone1

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Abstract
A sensitive, specific and reliable homologous bovine follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) radioimmunoassay was developed. An antibovine FSH /3-subunit antiserum (USDA-5-0122) and a highly purified, radioiodinated bovine FSH (USDA-FSH-BP1) were used. Cross-reactivities with purified preparations of bovine luteinizing hormone (LH), bovine growth hormone (GH), and bovine prolactin were <.09%. For bovine thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), cross-reactivity was .5%. Sensitivity of the assay was about 3 ng relative to the reference standard NIH-FSH-B1. Bovine plasma and bovine FSH inhibited binding in a parallel fashion. However, inhibition curves obtained with human FSH, porcine FSH and several preparations of ovine FSH were not parallel, indicating species differences in FSH. The concentration of FSH in plasma of cows was relatively uniform throughout the estrous cycle, during pregnancy and the first 40 d postpartum. Mean values ranged from 50 ± 5 ng/ml around the time of estrus to 21 ± 5 ng/ml late in pregnancy. Mean FSH values (n = 6 to 16) for 1-mo-old heifers, ovariectomized heifers, bulls and steers were 68 ± 12, 227 ± 19, 31 ± 5 and 136 ± 12 ng/ml, respectively. The concentration of FSH and LH increased in plasma at a similar rate after ovariectomy; about sixfold in 22 d. After administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone or an analogue of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, FSH increased only marginally, but LH increased about 20-fold. Copyright © 1983. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1983 by American Society of Animal Science

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