Reproductive endocrinology is the sub-specialization of endocrinology, which specifically refers to certain hormones involved in sexual development and reproductive function, egg fertilization, embryogenesis, placental development, and pregnancy health.Ansh Labs offers a specialized range of reproductive endocrinology-related tools to aid in biomedical research of male and female reproductive function disorders. These areas include sexual dysfunction, gonadal development and physiology, spermatogenesis, follicle maturation, oogenesis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), infertility, ovarian insufficiency, ovarian cancer, etc. We also offer novel immunoassays for the research of preeclampsia and other pregnancy-related disorders.

Select hormones from the TGF-beta superfamily including: activins, inhibins, anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), and follistatin regulate a wide variety of cellular responses via autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine modes. Most exist as homo- or heterodimers and complexes each with unique and very specific physiological and pathological roles, including reproductive function, placental development, and cancer. They play important roles in regulating ovarian functions, and are often the main focus of studies involving follicle development and maturation, as well as other conditions related to sexual and reproductive health. Activins are also useful for research tools in various pregnancy risks and complications.

Additionally, the PAPP-A family assays are useful for studies of pregnancy-associated plasma proteins from the metzincin superfamily of metallopreinases. These appear to function together with the IGF superfamily in several endocrine systems. Elucidating the physiological roles and significance of these protein-protein interactions and protease activity may have important research and diagnostic utilities in studies of pregnancy risks and complications, sexual and reproductive health, and cardiovascular disease.

AMH (anti-müllerian hormone) belongs to the transforming growth factor-β super family. It is a 140 kDa glycoprotein that is produced during normal embryogenesis by the Sertoli cells of the embryonic testis. It causes the involution of the Mullerian duct, and inhibits female gonadogenesis by inducing apoptosis of target gonadal cells.

Inhibin B is a dimeric hormone that is composed of alpha (α) and beta B (βB) subunits. The bioactivity of the inhibins depends on the formation of a dimeric α-β structure. The dimeric protein hormones are secreted by granulosa cells of the ovary in the female and Sertoli cells of the testis in the male. They selectively suppress the secretion of pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and also have local paracrine actions in the gonads. Inhibin B levels have been reported in Sertoli cell function (potential marker for spermatogenesis and testicular function), ovarian reserve, and granulosa cell tumors.

Activin A is a TGF-beta family member that exhibits a wide range of biological activities, including regulation of cellular proliferation and differentiation, and promotion of neuronal survival. The biological activities of Activin-A can be neutralized by inhibins and by the diffusible TGF-beta antagonist, Follistatin. Human Activin-A is a 26 kDa disulfide-linked homodimer of two beta A chains, each containing 116 amino acid residues. Elevated levels of Activin-A in human colorectal tumors and in post-menopausal woman have been implicated in colorectal and breast cancers, respectively.

Follistatin (FS) is a monomeric binding protein that regulates activin activity by forming an inactive complex. FS plays a role as a tissue regulator in the gonad, pituitary gland, pregnancy membranes, vasculature, and liver. It is also essential for normal development, as FS-knockout mice die shortly after birth with a range of defects including insufficient muscle development and skeletal abnormalities. There is a broad distribution of FS in adult tissues. It is not confined solely to those involved in reproduction. FS has been detected in pituitary, placenta, ovary, testis, prostate, adrenal glands, thyroid, brain, bone marrow, endochondral bone, pancreas, liver, kidney, and blood vessels (i.e. endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells). FS is commonly found co-localized within a tissue with activin subunits or activin receptors. Activin/FS complexes may also bind extracellular matrix components thus forming reservoirs of activin/FS. Within the circulation, 70 – 90% of FS exists in the bound state.

PAPP-A (Pregnancy associated plasma protein A, pappalysin-1) is produced in high concentrations during pregnancy by trophoblasts and released into maternal circulation. PAPP-A circulates in many different complexes and isoforms. Each of these isoforms have a unique and specific physiological role. In pregnancy, PAPP-A primarily circulates as 500kDa heterotetrameric 2:2 complex with the proform of eosinophil major basic protein (proMBP), which inhibits the proteolytic activity of PAPP-A. Significant amounts of PAPP-A are reported in gestational ages between seven and thirteen weeks. Of particular interest to researchers is the specific proteinase activity of PAPP-A on the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system. PAPP-A increases bioavailable IGF through cleavage of IGFBP-4 and -5.

picoPAPP-A (ultra-sensitive PAPP-A) assays are useful for the detection of low levels of PAPP-A secreted into the circulation, or in other biological fluids. PAPP-A is synthesized in many other tissues besides the placenta. In particular, PAPP-A has been shown to be produced by granulosa cells in the ovary, trophoblasts, fibroblasts, and vascular smooth muscle cells. Ultra-sensitive measurement of PAPP-A is of interest for studies of specific proteinase activity modulating the bioavailability of the IGFs in certain disease states in non-pregnant subjects.

PAPP-A2 (Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A2, pappalysin-2) is a novel metalloproteinase identified as a homolog of PAPP-A in the metzincin superfamily of pappalysins. PAPP-A2 shares 46% sequence similarity with PAPP-A. PAPP-A2 is a noncovalently linked dimer of two 220-kDa subunits. It exhibits robust proteolytic activity against IGFBP-5 and possibly also IGFBP-3. PAPP-A2 is expressed in a wide range of tissues and is abundant in placental syncytiotrophoblasts and the pregnant uterus. PAPP-A2 regulation is a particularly interesting area of research. Elevated concentrations may decrease IGFBP-5-independent stimulatory effects in placental development leading to pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia.

Featured Immunoassays:

• Activin A CLIA or ELISA
• Inhibin B CLIA or ELISA
• AMH CLIA or ELISA
• PAPP-A CLIA or ELISA
• PAPP-A2 CLIA or ELISA
• picoPAPP-A CLIA or ELISA

Reproductive endocrinology is the sub-specialization of endocrinology, which specifically refers to certain hormones involved in sexual development and reproductive function, egg fertilization, embryogenesis, placental development, and pregnancy health.Ansh Labs offers a specialized range of reproductive endocrinology-related tools to aid in biomedical research of male and female reproductive function disorders. These areas include sexual dysfunction, gonadal development and physiology, spermatogenesis, follicle maturation, oogenesis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), infertility, ovarian insufficiency, ovarian cancer, etc. We also offer novel immunoassays for the research of preeclampsia and other pregnancy-related disorders.

Select hormones from the TGF-beta superfamily including: activins, inhibins, anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), and follistatin regulate a wide variety of cellular responses via autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine modes. Most exist as homo- or heterodimers and complexes each with unique and very specific physiological and pathological roles, including reproductive function, placental development, and cancer. They play important roles in regulating ovarian functions, and are often the main focus of studies involving follicle development and maturation, as well as other conditions related to sexual and reproductive health. Activins are also useful for research tools in various pregnancy risks and complications.

Additionally, the PAPP-A family assays are useful for studies of pregnancy-associated plasma proteins from the metzincin superfamily of metallopreinases. These appear to function together with the IGF superfamily in several endocrine systems. Elucidating the physiological roles and significance of these protein-protein interactions and protease activity may have important research and diagnostic utilities in studies of pregnancy risks and complications, sexual and reproductive health, and cardiovascular disease.

AMH (anti-müllerian hormone) belongs to the transforming growth factor-β super family. It is a 140 kDa glycoprotein that is produced during normal embryogenesis by the Sertoli cells of the embryonic testis. It causes the involution of the Mullerian duct, and inhibits female gonadogenesis by inducing apoptosis of target gonadal cells.

Inhibin B is a dimeric hormone that is composed of alpha (α) and beta B (βB) subunits. The bioactivity of the inhibins depends on the formation of a dimeric α-β structure. The dimeric protein hormones are secreted by granulosa cells of the ovary in the female and Sertoli cells of the testis in the male. They selectively suppress the secretion of pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and also have local paracrine actions in the gonads. Inhibin B levels have been reported in Sertoli cell function (potential marker for spermatogenesis and testicular function), ovarian reserve, and granulosa cell tumors.

Activin A is a TGF-beta family member that exhibits a wide range of biological activities, including regulation of cellular proliferation and differentiation, and promotion of neuronal survival. The biological activities of Activin-A can be neutralized by inhibins and by the diffusible TGF-beta antagonist, Follistatin. Human Activin-A is a 26 kDa disulfide-linked homodimer of two beta A chains, each containing 116 amino acid residues. Elevated levels of Activin-A in human colorectal tumors and in post-menopausal woman have been implicated in colorectal and breast cancers, respectively.

PAPP-A (Pregnancy associated plasma protein A, pappalysin-1) is produced in high concentrations during pregnancy by trophoblasts and released into maternal circulation. PAPP-A circulates in many different complexes and isoforms. Each of these isoforms have a unique and specific physiological role. In pregnancy, PAPP-A primarily circulates as 500kDa heterotetrameric 2:2 complex with the proform of eosinophil major basic protein (proMBP), which inhibits the proteolytic activity of PAPP-A. Significant amounts of PAPP-A are reported in gestational ages between seven and thirteen weeks. Of particular interest to researchers is the specific proteinase activity of PAPP-A on the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system. PAPP-A increases bioavailable IGF through cleavage of IGFBP-4 and -5.

picoPAPP-A (ultra-sensitive PAPP-A) assays are useful for the detection of low levels of PAPP-A secreted into the circulation, or in other biological fluids. PAPP-A is synthesized in many other tissues besides the placenta. In particular, PAPP-A has been shown to be produced by granulosa cells in the ovary, trophoblasts, fibroblasts, and vascular smooth muscle cells. Ultra-sensitive measurement of PAPP-A is of interest for studies of specific proteinase activity modulating the bioavailability of the IGFs in certain disease states in non-pregnant subjects.

PAPP-A2 (Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A2, pappalysin-2) is a novel metalloproteinase identified as a homolog of PAPP-A in the metzincin superfamily of pappalysins. PAPP-A2 shares 46% sequence similarity with PAPP-A. PAPP-A2 is a noncovalently linked dimer of two 220-kDa subunits. It exhibits robust proteolytic activity against IGFBP-5 and possibly also IGFBP-3. PAPP-A2 is expressed in a wide range of tissues and is abundant in placental syncytiotrophoblasts and the pregnant uterus. PAPP-A2 regulation is a particularly interesting area of research. Elevated concentrations may decrease IGFBP-5-independent stimulatory effects in placental development leading to pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia.

Featured Immunoassays:

• Activin A CLIA or ELISA
• Inhibin B CLIA or ELISA
• AMH CLIA or ELISA
• PAPP-A CLIA or ELISA
• PAPP-A2 CLIA or ELISA
• picoPAPP-A CLIA or ELISA