The detection of Hind III restriction-fragment length polymorphisms using a deoxyribonucleic acid probe for the beta subunit of follicle-stimulating hormone.

Molecular diagnosis of disorders of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) production may become possible now that the gene for FSH beta has been characterized. Restriction-fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis provides a means of organized search for molecular variants of FSH. The purpose of this study was to screen controls for the presence of RFLPs using the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) probe pFSH beta -1.4. Genomic DNA was digested with 12 different restriction endonucleases; Southern blots were constructed and hybridized to pFSH beta -1.4. No polymorphisms were identified with 11 enzymes. Three of 24 (12.6%) Hind III digests demonstrated a polymorphic fragment of either 5.2, 4.7, or 4.3 kb. These are the first RFLPs identified for the FSH beta gene with pFSH beta -1.4. RFLPs for FSH beta constitute the first step in the molecular analysis of disorders of FSH production.