The interpretation of pituitary gonadotrophin assays – a continuing challenge

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Abstract
The anterior pituitary gonadotrophins, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), like other glycoprotein hormones, consist of two dissimilar glycosylated polypeptide subunits, the α-subunit being species specific and the β-subunit hormone specific (Pierce & Parsons, 1981). The synthesis of the two subunits is controlled independently via specific mRNAs, with the production of the β-subunit being rate-limiting. Subsequent processing of the subunits involves signal peptide cleavage, glycosylation and, in certain cases, sulphation (see Pierce & Parsons, 1981; Hortin, Natowicz, Pierce et al. 1981; Vogel, Magner, Sherins & Weintraub, 1986). Each step in the synthesis and processing of the gonadotrophin molecule may be the site of endocrine control. In reviewing the evidence for two gonadotrophins Schwartz (1974) concluded that, although the evidence for a separate FSH and LH was not in dispute, the position was complicated because they had 'been defined, purified and measured by the ultimate criteria of bioassays which may

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