hFSH - Follicle Stimulating Hormone

General Product Information

FSH is isolated from human pituitary glands and provided as a powder, lyophilized from ammonium bicarbonate. Protein content is determined using the Lowry Protein Assay (BSA standard). The α- and β- subunits are prepared from highly purified intact FSH and provided as a powder. The subunits are bulk processed and vialed by dry weight.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) belongs to a subset of glycoprotein hormones, called gonadotropins, that regulate gonadal function. Secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, FSH stimulates the growth and maturation of the ovarian follicles in women, and stimulates spermatogenesis and the maturation of germ cells in men.

Immunoassays for serum levels of FSH, and for luteinizing hormone (LH), are useful in the evaluation of disorders of reproduction and puberty, such as hypogonadism, ovulation timing, and infertility. In addition, serum levels of FSH and LH are monitored in ovulation induction and in the clinical administration of gonadotropins.

FSH can be cleaved to yield two dissimilar subunits, α-FSH and β-FSH. The α-subunit (approximate molecular weight of 13,500 Daltons) is virtually identical to the α-subunits of the related pituitary hormones, LH and TSH, and the placental hormone hCG. The biological activity of FSH is dependent on the distinct make-up of the β-subunit (approximate molecular weight of 20,500 Daltons), which differs in amino acid sequence from the β-subunits of LH, TSH, and hCG.

Note: Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies are available for β-FSH.
For antibodies to α-FSH, please refer to the antibody section for α-hCG antibodies.

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