Follicle Stimulating Hormone from an extract of porcine pituitary glands for use in cattle.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Sex hormones and modulators of the genital system, gonadotrophins.

ATCvet code: QG03GA90

Pharmacodynamic properties: FSH is the initiator of ovarian activity since it directly promotes growth of ovarian follicles. The administration of exogenous FSH to mammals at the time of follicular wave emergence stimulates growth of all follicles over 1.7 mm diameter which would normally be lost to atresia during each oestrus cycle. Multiple growing follicles require FSH stimulation until they are mature enough to respond to LH for the final stages of maturation and ovulation. This usually takes a period of approximately 4 days. In cattle, fertilised ova produced by superovulation with FSH, PMSG and other pharmacological agents containing high concentrations of LH have shown reduced fertilisation. Folltropin contains porcine pituitary extract with FSH activity and low LH activity.

Pharmacokinetic particulars: When administered by intramuscular injection, FSH of porcine origin is rapidly absorbed from the site of injection. It has a half-life of 5 hours and FSH cannot be detected in the blood stream 12 hours after injection. FSH is inactivated by the liver and then excreted by the kidneys.