PMSG
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Description
PMSG is a complex glycoprotein obtained from the serum of pregnant mares. This 43-63 kda protein is capable of supplementing and being substituted for the follicle stimulating and interstitial cell-stimulating hormone of the anterior pituitary gland in both the male and female. Thus PMSG-Intervet stimulates development of the ovarian follicle in the female.
Product Specs
Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG) is a hormone frequently used in conjunction with progestogens to enhance ovulation prior to artificial insemination. This placental glycoprotein, derived from the serum of pregnant mares, consists of alpha and beta subunits. Secreted by endometrial cups within the mare's uterus between 40 to 130 days of gestation, PMSG can be extracted and utilized to artificially induce estrus in female animals. These specialized structures produce PMSG to stimulate the mare's ovaries and reproductive system. PMSG promotes follicular growth in the ovaries, ultimately leading to ovulation. In species other than horses, PMSG has a biological half-life of approximately 4 days, contributing to its prolonged ovarian stimulation and ovulation-inducing effects. However, using PMSG alone often results in cystic ovarian disease due to excessive ovarian stimulation and the presence of sugar molecules that hinder hormone clearance. Its extended circulatory half-life makes PMSG a preferred choice over other pituitary hormones. While PMSG primarily exhibits luteinizing hormone-like activity, it demonstrates both follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) like activity in other species.
Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG), a complex glycoprotein extracted from the serum of pregnant mares, has a molecular weight ranging from 43 to 63 kDa. This protein can supplement or even replace the functions of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) produced by the anterior pituitary gland in both males and females. Notably, PMSG-Intervet specifically stimulates the development of ovarian follicles in females.
Product Science Overview
PMSG is secreted by the endometrial cups formed in the uterus of pregnant mares approximately 40 days after conception . These endometrial cups are specialized structures that develop from the fetal trophoblast cells and invade the maternal endometrium. The secretion of PMSG peaks around 60 days of gestation and can be detected in the mare’s serum until about 100-150 days post-conception .
PMSG is a glycoprotein hormone composed of two subunits: alpha and beta. The alpha subunit is common to all glycoprotein hormones, including luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). The beta subunit is unique to PMSG and is responsible for its specific biological activity .
In equids, PMSG exhibits primarily LH-like activity, which is essential for maintaining the corpus luteum and supporting early pregnancy. In other species, such as sheep, goats, cattle, and swine, PMSG has both FSH and LH-like activities, making it useful for inducing ovulation and synchronizing estrus cycles .
PMSG is widely used in veterinary medicine and animal husbandry due to its ability to induce ovulation and synchronize estrus in various livestock species. It is commonly administered in combination with progestogens to control the timing of ovulation and improve reproductive efficiency in breeding programs .
For example, in sheep and goats, PMSG is used to induce estrus and ovulation, allowing for timed artificial insemination. In cattle, it is used to synchronize estrus cycles, facilitating the management of breeding schedules. In swine, PMSG is used to induce estrus in gilts and sows, improving the efficiency of breeding operations .
The production of PMSG has raised ethical concerns due to the methods used to collect the hormone from pregnant mares. Reports have highlighted inhumane practices in some horse farms, particularly in countries like Uruguay, Argentina, and Iceland. These practices involve the collection of large volumes of blood from pregnant mares, leading to potential health and welfare issues for the animals .
Efforts are being made to address these ethical concerns and improve the welfare of mares used in PMSG production. This includes the development of alternative methods for hormone collection and the implementation of stricter regulations to ensure humane treatment of animals .
