Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human (FSH)

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a hormone synthesised and secreted by gonadotropes in the anterior pituitary gland. FSH and LH act synergistically in reproduction. In women, in the ovary FSH stimulates the growth of immature Graafian follicles to maturation. As the follicle grows it releases inhibin, which shuts off the FSH production. In men, FSH enhances the production of androgen-binding proteinby the Sertoli cells of the testes and is critical for spermatogenesis. |In both males and females, FSH stimulates the maturation of germ cells. In females, FSH initiates follicular growth, specifically affecting granulosa cells. With the concomitant rise in inhibin B FSH levels then decline in the late follicular phase. This seems to be critical in selecting only the most advanced follicle to proceed to ovulation. At the end of the luteal phase, there is a slight rise in FSH that seems to be of importance to start the next ovulatory cycle. Like its partner, LH, FSH release at the pituitary gland is controlled by pulses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Those pulses, in turn, are subject to the estrogen feed-back from the gonads.|FSH Human is a glycoprotein produced from urine of post-menopausal women and having a total molecular mass of 30kD. FSH is a heterodimeric hormone consisting of 92 amino acids a chain and 111 amino acids b chain.||Biological Activity:|~300IU/mg. HuFSH is biologically active compared to standard (IRP reference preparation 68/140). ||Contaminants:|≤0.1% hCG, 0.5%TSH, 0.5% LH, 0.5%GH and 0.5%Prl. Free of HbsAg, antibodies to HIV and HCV.||Storage and Stability:|Lyophilized powder may be stored at -20°C. Reconstitute to ≥0.1mg/ml with sterile ddH2O, 0.1% HSA or BSA. Aliquot and store at -20°C. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer.