Inhibin-like activity in extracts of rabbit placentae

Following the demonstration of inhibin activity in the ovary, a search was conducted for such activity in the rabbit placenta. A bioassay was utilized that consisted of 16 hours' incubation of the test substance with cultured rat anterior pituitary cells and determination of gonadotrophins in the recovered media. A crude extract of rabbit placenta had no effect on luteinizing hormone (LH) but a slight and insignificant inhibiting effect on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion. Ethanol-extracted low steroid preparation of the rabbit placenta significantly inhibited FSH, but had no effect on LH secretion. On Sephadex G100 chromatography a fraction was identified which had inhibin activity. In a parallel chromatography of human seminal fluid inhibin activity was identified in the same elution volume as that of the rabbit placenta extract. It is suggested that rabbit placenta extract contains a non-steroidal substance that interferes with pituitary secretion of FSH, and that this substance may be inhibin.