THE RECOGNITION AND COMPARISON OF PROLAN AND PROLAN-LIKE SUBSTANCES.
H M Evans1, M E Simpson, P R Austin
1Laboratories of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, New York, and the University of California, Berkeley.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Researchers identified "prolan-like" substances in various conditions, including normal male urine. These substances are widely distributed but do not show significant differences between pregnant and non-pregnant states or sexes.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Reproductive Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The synergism phenomenon has enabled the identification of "prolan-like" substances.
- These substances have been detected in a diverse range of biological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and distribution of prolan-like substances in non-primate sera and urines.
- To assess the utility of immature male rats in detecting prolan-like gonadotropic substances.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the synergism phenomenon for substance recognition.
- Examined sera and urines from non-primate sources.
- Assessed seminal vesicle development in immature male rats.
Main Results:
- Prolan-like material was identified in the urine of normal men.
- These substances were widely distributed in non-primate sera and urines.
- No significant differences were observed between pregnant and non-pregnant states or between males and females.
- Immature male rats showed increased seminal vesicle development with pregnancy prolan.
- However, these rats were not suitable for detecting non-pregnancy-related prolan-like substances due to limited seminal vesicle response.
Conclusions:
- Prolan-like substances are broadly distributed in non-primate biological fluids.
- The current assay lacks specificity for differentiating pregnancy-related hormonal states or sexes.
- Immature male rats are not effective bioassays for detecting general prolan-like gonadotropic substances outside of pregnancy.
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