Abstract
Summary
Antisera prepared to HCG/GEF (abbreviated AS) inhibited the uterotropic response of immature mice when HCG was assayed in sera diluted 1:120. The response to HCG dissolved in AS diluted 1:2400 or 1:4800 was enhanced. Enhancement was also produced by normal rabbit serum similarly employed at all dilutions tested, 1:120 to 1:4800. Anti-HCG serum, powerfully inhibitory at all dilutions tested as a solvent for the hormone, revealed enhancing activity when subjected to 60 min of heat at 92-95°. The latter treatment also abolished HCG antagonism by AS, although the respective antibodies of both the latter and the former sera were stable to treatment at 65° for 1 hr. These combined data suggest that each of the antisera studied contained not only their respective antibody species, which inhibited the response to HCG, but also possessed some degree of gonadotropin-enhancing potency. Thus, the results obtained can be interpreted as the resultant of superimposition of an inhibitory influence upon enhancing activity, both present simultaneously in the sera.
The technical assistance of Mrs. Lucille M. Nickerson is gratefully acknowledged.
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