Abstract: Polypeptides exhibiting an inhibitory action over follitropin are disclosed. These polypeptides are designated follitropin suppressing proteins, or "FSP's," and range in size from 30 to 60 kD as determined by SDS-PAGE. Uses for FSP's, including regulation of fertility and as immunogens, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical or veterinary implants which, when subdermally administered releases a peptide or protein in a substantially continuous manner. The implant includes the peptide or protein and an excipient encased within a polymeric coating which is permeable, swellable and, at normal physiological pH, is non-rupturing, non-dissolving and does not degrade over the useful life the implant. The coating forms a release rate limiting barrier. All of the components used to make the implant are of a biocompatible nature. The implant is particularly useful for the sustained release of proteins or peptides for regulating the hormonally controlled reproductive cycle in sheep.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel uses for inhibin, inhibin .alpha. subunit, activin inhibin or activin antagonists and compositions comprising them in the treatment or prevention of immune dysfunction and blood clotting disorders.Methods of treatment include administration of the required agent to a host, immunization of the host with the agent or passive immunization using antibodies raised against one of these agents.

Abstract: A protein which satisfies all the biological criteria which are characteristic of inhibin has been isolated from a gonadal source. The purification and characterization of inhibin and the use of the purified material to raise antibodies, the use of inhibin and said antisera in a quantative radioimmunoassay, and applications in vitro and in vivo of inhibin and antibody to inhibin, are described.There is provided a purified protein, inhibin, characterised in thata. the apparent molecular weight as determined by SDS-PAGE is 56,000.+-.1,000b. the isoelectric point is in the range 6.9-7.3c. the protein can bind specifically to Concanavalin A-Sepharosed the protein consists of two sub-units, characterized in thati. their apparent molecular weights as determined by SDS-PAGE are 44,000.+-.3,000 and 14,000.+-.2,000 respectively.ii. the isoelectric point of the 44,000 molecular weight sub-unit is in the range 6.0-7.0iii. the N-terminal amino acid sequences of the two sub-units are as described hereine.