Veterinary and Comparative Biomedical Research

Veterinary and Comparative Biomedical Research

Evaluation of Newly Produced Equine Chorionic Gonadotropine (eCG/PMSG) with Effects on Immature Rat Ovaries: A Method Article

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (eCG), also known as Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG), is widely applied in reproductive biotechnology due to its dual follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)- and luteinizing hormone (LH)-like activities and prolonged half-life. The classical rat ovarian weight bioassay remains one of the standard methods for assessing PMSG potency. This study aimed to compare the biological activity of PMSG preparations produced by Farnood Dam Kara (Iran) and Syntex (Argentina) in immature Wistar rats. Forty-nine immatures female Wistar rats (~50 g) were randomly assigned into six experimental groups, receiving PMSG at 10, 20, or 40 IU (Farnood or Syntex), and one control group receiving saline. A single subcutaneous injection was administered, and ovarian weights were measured 68 hours later. Both Farnood and Syntex PMSG significantly increased ovarian weight compared with controls (0.063 ± 0.006 g). A dose-dependent response was observed in treatment groups: Farnood increased ovarian weight from 0.090 ± 0.013 g (10 IU) to 0.139 ± 0.019 g (40 IU), while Syntex increased it from 0.087 ± 0.011 g (10 IU) to 0.135 ± 0.020 g (40 IU). Both preparations demonstrated comparable dose-dependent effects, confirming their potency. Newly manufactured PMSG (Farnood) may serve as a reliable and cost-effective alternative to imported formulations.
Keywords
Subjects

  1. Min KS, Shinozaki M, Miyazawa K, Nishimura R, Sasaki N, Shiota K, Ogawa T. Nucleotide sequence of eCG α-subunit cDNA and its expression in the equine placenta. J Reprod Dev. 1994; 40(4):301-305. https://doi.org/10.1262/jrd.40.301
  2. Xing Y, Myers RV, Cao D, Lin W, Jiang M, Bernard MP, Moyle WR. Glycoprotein hormone assembly in the endoplasmic reticulum: IV. Probable mechanism of subunit docking and completion of assembly. J Biol Chem. 2004; 279(34):35458-368. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M403055200
  3. Ciller UA, Ciller IM, McFarlane JR. Equine chorionic gonadotrophin isoform composition in commercial products compared with isoform composition in pregnant mare plasma. Reprod Fertil. Dev. 2008; 20(9):77. https://doi.org/10.1071/SRB08Abs277
  4. Murphy BD. Equine chorionic gonadotropin: an enigmatic but essential tool. Anim Reprod. 2018; 9(3):223-230.
  5. Cole HH, Erway J. 48-hour assay test for equine gonadotropin with results expressed in international units. 1941; 29(4):514-519. https://doi.org/10.1210/endo-29-4-514
  6. Schuler G. Equines Choriongonadotropin: Biologie und veterinärmedizinische Bedeutung. Tieraerztl Prax. 2020; 48(05):344-354. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1235-7973
  7. Kuran M, Broadbent PJ, Hutchinson JM. Bovine granulosa cell culture for assessment of potency and specificity of antibodies to pregnant mares’ serum gonadotrophin. Eur J Endocrinol. 1996; 134(4):497-500. https://doi.org/10.1530/eje.0.1340497
  8. Rodríguez MC, Mussio PE, Villarraza J, Tardivo MB, Antuña S, Fontana D, Ceaglio N, Prieto C. Physicochemical characterization of a recombinant eCG and comparative studies with PMSG commercial preparations. Protein J. 2023; 42(1):24-36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10930-023-10092-x
  9. Combarnous Y, Mariot J, Relav L, Nguyen TM, Klett D. Choice of protocol for the in vivo bioassay of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG/PMSG) in immature female rats. 2019; 130:99-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.03.004
  10. Christin-Maitre S, Vasseur C, Fauser B, Bouchard P. Bioassays of gonadotropins. Methods. 2000; 21(1):51-57. https://doi.org/10.1006/meth.2000.0974
  11. Lapthorn A, Harris DC, Littlejohn A, Lustbader JW, Canfield RE, Machin KJ, Morgan FJ, Isaacs NW. Crystal structure of human chorionic gonadotropin. 1994; 369(6480):455-461. https://doi.org/10.1038/369455a0
  12. Murphy BD, Martinuk SD. Equine chorionic gonadotropin. Endocr Rev. 1991; 12:27-44. https://doi.org/10.1210/edrv-12-1-27
  13. De Rensis F, López-Gatius F. Use of equine chorionic gonadotropin to control reproduction of the dairy cow: a review. Reprod Domest Anim. 2014; 49(2):177-182. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.12268
  14. Arce JC, Andersen AN, Fernández-Sánchez M, Visnova H, Bosch E, García-Velasco JA, Barri P, De Sutter P, Klein BM, Fauser BC. Ovarian response to recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone: a randomized, antimüllerian hormone–stratified, dose–response trial in women undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Fertil Steril. 2014; 102(6):1633-1640. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.08.013
  15. Kanno J, Onyon L, Peddada S, Ashby J, Jacob E, Owens W. The OECD program to validate the rat uterotrophic bioassay. Phase 2: dose-response studies. Environ Health Perspect. 2003; 111(12):1530-1549. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.5780