Polymorphism of gonadotropin action:clinical implications

摘要： <正> It has recently became apparent that the stmctural heterogeneity of gonadotropin molecules can contribute to varia-tions of their action in different physiological and pathophysiological conditions. One reason for the structural variationsof circulating gonadotropin molecules is the microheterogeneity caused by the variability of glycosylation of individualgonadotropin molecules. The carbohydrate moieties of gonadotropins are important for their intrinsic bioactivity, as re-flected by measurement of their bioactivity to immunoreactivity (B/I) ratios. We have reassessed this phenomenon byimproved in vitro bioassay and immunoassay methods, and it appears that the intrinsic bioactivity of gonadotropins, inparticular of LH, is more constant than previously assumed. Many of the previously documented differences, someeven considered diagnostic for certain clinical conditions, have tumed out to be methodological artifacts. The first partof this review summarizes our recent findings on the B/I ratios of LH, wit ... （共6頁）