Biochemical and immunological characterization of pituitary hormones from the ostrich ( Struthio camelus)

Fractionation of pituitary glands of the ostrich ( Struthio camelus) resulted in the preparation of highly purified growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) in relatively high yields; thyrotropin (TSH) was partially purified. Hormones were identified by a variety of biological and immunological tests. Biochemical and immunological characterizations were performed to study the purity of each preparation and to allow comparison with other species of hormones, with special emphasis on other avian hormones. Similarities to the corresponding hormones of other tetrapods and even fish are apparent in the various biochemical features. THe ostrich hormones show closer affinities to other avian hormones than to mammalian or reptilian species in some respects (especially immunological), but notable biochemical differences are also evident among the few avian species examined.