Follicular regulating protein
AssigneeUniversity of Southern California
InventorGere S. diZerega
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A protein moiety having a molecular weight of from 12,000 to 15,000 inhibits aromatase levels, stimulates 3.beta.-ol dehydrogenase levels and modulates the formation of mature ova substantially independently of steroidal sex hormones. The moiety may be isolated from follicular effluent or produced by granulosa cell cultures.
Claims9
A substantially purified follicular regulatory protein having the biological effect of inhibiting aromatase activity in a mammalian biological system, as defined by the extent of the conversion of androgens to estrogens in the essential absence of the inhibition of the level of FSH in said biological system.
A purified follicular regulatory protein having the biological activity of:
- inhibiting aromatase activity as defined by the extent of the conversion of androgens to estrogens in the essential absence of the inhibition of the level of FSH in said biological system;
- stimulating the activity of 3-.beta.-ol dehydrogenase in porcine granulosa cells;
- inhibiting LH receptor function in porcine granulosa cells;
- and
- inhibiting ovarian response to gonadotropins.
A purified follicular regulatory protein isolated from the group consisting of ovarian venous blood, follicular fluid and granulosa cell culture medium, and having the biological activity in a mammalian biological system of:
- inhibiting aromatase activity as defined by the extent of the conversion of androgens to estrogens in the essential absence of the inhibition of the level of FSH in said biological system;
- stimulating the activity of 3-.beta.-ol dehydrogenase in porcine granulosa cells;
- inhibiting LH receptor function in porcine granulosa cells;
- and
- inhibiting ovarian response to gonadotropins.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.