Immunoradiometric assay for quantitative determination of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in human serum or plasma
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is secreted by the β-cells of the anterior pituitary under the control of the gonadotropin releasing hormone produced in the hypothalamus. It is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 28,000 consisting of two different polypeptide subunits designated alpha (α) and beta (β) which are associated by not covalent binding. The subunit alpha (α) compound by 89 amino acids, has a similar structure as other glycoprotein hormone (FSH, LH, TSH and HCG). The subunit beta (β), a specific hormone, gives the immunological feature to the whole molecule. The alpha (α) chains of FSH, LH, TSH and HCG are biochemically identical, whereas the beta (β) chains are biochemically unique and confer biological and immunological specificity. Bioactivity is also determined by the beta (β) chain. The FSH is produced by the basophil cells of the frontal lobe of hypophysis. The secretion is stimulated by the hypophysis glands are the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). The FSH facilitates the development and maintenance of gonadal tissues, which synthesize and secrete steroid hormones. The activity of the hypothalamic and hypophysis glands are controlled by the concentration of the circulating steroids performs the decrease or increase of FSH (negative feedback). Circulating level of FSH is controlled by a negative feedback effect on the hypothalamus by steroidal hormones.
The RIAKEY FSH IRMA Tube II is an one step non-competitive immunoradiometric (IRMA) method (“sandwich”). The method employs two highly specific monoclonal anti-FSH antibodies which recognize two different epitopes of the molecule. One antibody is coated on solid phase (coated tube), the other, specific for the FSH and labeled with Iodine-125, is used as a tracer. Antibody-coated polystyrene tubes serve as solid phase. The tracer antibody and the coated antibody react simultaneously with the FSH antigen present in the standards, control serum and samples. Unbounded material is removed by a washing step. The amount of bound tracer will be directly proportional to the FSH antigen concentration and the remaining radioactivity bound to the tubes is measured in a gamma scintillation counter.