Purification of a growth factor for ovarian cells from bovine pituitary glands

The purification of a growth factor from bovine pituitary glands that controls the division of an ovarian cell line maintained in tissue culture is reported. Extraction of bovine pituitary glands at pH 4.5 followed by ammonium sulfate precipitation, chromatography on carboxymethylcellulose, and gel filtration on Sephadex G-50 gives yields of ovarian growth factor of about 7 mg/kg of glands. Contamination by other pituitary hormones was not detected. The preparation obtained has been characterized with respect to biological activity, molecular weight, and amino-acid composition. The implication of this growth factor in the development of ovarian tumors is discussed.