Abstract: A purified novel peptide micrin and its fragments are disclosed. The molecule has hormonal functions and has wide-ranging biological effects. Several uses are disclosed including its therapeutic potential in tissue reduction, tumour suppression, infertility and senescence. A micrin-recognising antibody and the micrin gene are also disclosed.

Abstract: A purified novel peptide micrin and its fragments are disclosed. The molecule has hormonal functions and has wide-ranging biological effects. Several uses are disclosed including its therapeutic potential in tissue reduction, tumour suppression, infertility and senescence. A micrin-recognising antibody and the micrin gene are also disclosed.

Abstract: An endogenous mammalian material has been found which has the biological effect of causing a reduction in the mass of mammalian organs including the heart and prostate. The material has physico-chemical properties such that it appears as a compound of molecular weight between 10 and 20 kD when subjected to a purification process using membrane filtration followed by gel filtration. This material has therapeutic uses including the treatment of organ or tissue hypertrophy and hyperplasia.

Abstract: A material having the ability to reduce organ mass has been isolated by collecting ovarian venous blood from a female mammal; preparing ovarian venous plasma from the blood; and at least partially purifying said material from the plasma. This material has therapeutic and other uses, e.g. in the treatment of organ or tissue hypertrophy.

Abstract: A method of purifying a material (“Micrin”) with the ability to reduce cell, tissue and organ size, mass and growth, comprises collection of ovarian follicular fluid from a mammal and at least partially purifying said material. Another method for purifying Micrin comprises collection of blood from a mammal and at least partially purifying said material, wherein during the collection a chelating agent is mixed with the collecting blood. Micrin or Micrin blockade has utility in the treatment of hyperplastic disorders, e.g. cancer, and also for preventing and treating a tissue-deficit disorder, or for controlling the shape, appearance or density of cells and tissues.