LH ELISA

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a glycoprotein consisting
of two subunits with a molecular mass of 30,000
daltons. The α-subunit is similar to other pituitary
hormones [follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), thyroid
stimulating hormone (TSH) and chorionic
gonadotropin (HCG)] while the β-subunit is unique.
The β-subunit confers the biological activity to the
molecule.
The α-subunit consists of 89 amino acid residues
while the β-subunit contains 129 amino acids. The
carbohydrate content is between 15% and 30%. The
clinical usefulness of the measurement of luteinizing
hormone (LH) in ascertaining the homeostasis of
fertility regulation via the hypothalamic - pituitary - gonadal axis has been well established (1,2). In
addition, the advent of in vitro fertilization (IVF)
technology to overcome infertility associated
problems has provided the impetus for rapid
improvement in LH assay methodology from the
technically demanding bioassay (3) to the
procedurally simple and rapid immunoenzymometric
assays.