Material with the immunochemical properties of the β-core of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) can be found in the urine of normal postmenopausal women. However, we have been unable to detect intact hCG (using an assay which is specific for the α–β heterodimer of intact hCG) in serum of such subjects. The levels of serum LH and urinary β-core were compared in matched samples from 28 women (serum LH: median 27 U/l, range 4-70 U/l, urinary β-core: median 0·27 μg/l, range < 0·05–0·645 μg/l). Urine (4 litres) from three postmenopausal women was concentrated, dialysed and subjected to gel exclusion chromatography on Sephadex G-100. Fractions were analysed by specific assays for LH, intact hCG, total β-hCG (free β-subunit and intact hCG), free α-subunit and β-core. Material eluting at the expected position of the β-core fragment of hCG was detected in all three samples by the β-core, β-hCG and LH assays, despite the fact that the LH antibody does not recognize the authentic β-core of pregnancy. Electrophoresis and Western blotting of the concentrated urines revealed that material of the same molecular size as β-core was recognized by the antibody to LH but not by a monoclonal antibody raised to free β-hCG which also recognizes the β-core molecule of hCG. We conclude that the predominant core-like material identified in postmenopausal urine is probably derived from the β-subunit of LH.
Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 133, 459–466
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