FSH Porcine

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is composed of two subunits: alpha (α) and beta (β). The alpha subunit is common to other glycoprotein hormones like luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The beta subunit, however, is unique to FSH and confers its specific biological activity .

In female pigs, pFSH stimulates the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles, which are essential for ovulation and fertility. It works in concert with luteinizing hormone (LH) to regulate the menstrual cycle and reproductive processes. In male pigs, pFSH is involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis, the process by which sperm is produced .

The biological significance of pFSH extends beyond its role in reproduction. It has been found that overexpression of pFSH can lead to an improvement in female fecundity. Studies have shown that pituitary-specific overexpression of pFSH in transgenic mice leads to an increase in ovulation rate and litter size without causing reproductive defects . This indicates that pFSH plays a significant role in enhancing reproductive efficiency and could be a valuable tool in animal breeding programs.

Porcine FSH is widely used in scientific research to study reproductive physiology and endocrinology. It is also used in veterinary medicine to treat reproductive disorders in pigs. The recombinant form of pFSH is used in various experimental setups to understand its role in follicular development and hormone regulation .