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Title: Secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone and production of inhibin are reciprocally related

Journal Article · · Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States)

The production of inhibin in cultured granulosa cells from immature hypophysectomized, estrogen-treated rats and Sertoli cells from normal animals was determined by a specific radioimmunoassay using an antiserum against a synthetic replicate of (Tyr/sup 30/) inhibin ..cap alpha..-chain-(1-30). The amount of immunoreactive inhibin detected in the spent media of these cells is in proportion to the density of cells plated and the concentration of exogenously added follicle-stimulating hormone (FHS). In the presence of the estrogen precursor androstenedione (10/sup -7/ M), FSH, but not luteinizing hormone, produced a dose-dependent increase in inhibin during 2-day culture of granulosa cells. In the absence of the estrogen precursor, similar but somewhat diminished inhibin production in responding to FSH was observed. Exogenously added estrogen potentiated the FSH-mediated release of inhibin in the absence of androstenedione. Neither androstenedione nor estradiol added to the cultured Sertoli cells had effect on inhibin production. A preparation of pure inhibin isolated on the basis of an in vitro bioassay and characterized chemically specifically suppressed serum FSH but not luteinizing hormone, when it was injected (24 ..mu..g per injection, two injections) into acutely ovariectomized rats. Thus, inhibin secreted by the granulosa and Sertoli cells specifically suppresses the secretion of pituitary FSH, and in turn FSH is primarily responsible for the inhibin production in these gonadal cells, as in a classical negative-feedback relationship.

Research Organization:
Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA (USA)
OSTI ID:
5380798
Journal Information:
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States), Vol. 84:13
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English