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MSD Reproductive Endocrinology & Fertility Panel Services

MSD U-PLEX · Custom Configuration

FSH · LH · Estradiol · Testosterone · Progesterone

MSD Reproductive Hormone Panel — FSH, LH, Estradiol & Progesterone Assay

Quantify pituitary gonadotropins (FSH, LH), gonadal steroids (Estradiol, Testosterone, Progesterone), and regulatory proteins (SHBG, Prolactin, hCG) using electrochemiluminescence (ECL) — custom-configurable U-PLEX panels for fertility research, PCOS, menopause, and reproductive toxicology.

FSH and LH drive follicular development and ovulation — their ratio changes across the menstrual cycle and menopause. Estradiol, Testosterone, and Progesterone are gonadal steroid outputs that feedback to the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. SHBG regulates free steroid availability. AMH reflects ovarian reserve. MSD U-PLEX custom panels measure the complete hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis from 25 µL — providing the integrated endocrine profile that single-hormone assays cannot deliver.

Inquire About Reproductive Panels View Available Markers

The HPG Axis — Why Multiplex Measurement Matters

The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is a closed-loop feedback system: GnRH from the hypothalamus stimulates pituitary FSH and LH release, which drive ovarian follicular development and steroidogenesis (Estradiol, Progesterone) or testicular testosterone production. Measuring a single hormone at a single timepoint provides a snapshot — but reproductive endocrinology requires understanding the dynamic relationships between pituitary drive, gonadal output, and regulatory proteins. Multiplex measurement captures the integrated HPG axis profile that reveals the feedback state — whether the ovary is responding appropriately to gonadotropin stimulation, whether elevated LH relative to FSH suggests PCOS, or whether elevated FSH with low estradiol indicates menopause.

Reproductive Hormone Markers
Pituitary Gonadotropins: FSH drives follicular recruitment and granulosa cell proliferation. LH triggers ovulation and luteinization; the LH:FSH ratio is elevated in PCOS. Both are pulsatile — single measurements reflect the integrated signal.
Gonadal Steroids: Estradiol (E2) is the primary ovarian estrogen, feeding back to suppress FSH. Progesterone confirms ovulation. Testosterone is elevated in PCOS and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Regulatory & Binding Proteins: SHBG regulates free steroid availability and is decreased in PCOS. Prolactin suppresses GnRH when elevated. hCG is a placental gonadotropin. AMH is the leading marker of ovarian reserve.

Available Reproductive Hormone Markers

Marker	Category	Biological Role	Key Research Applications
FSH	Pituitary	Follicle-stimulating hormone	Ovarian reserve; menopause; PCOS
LH	Pituitary	Luteinizing hormone — ovulation trigger	Ovulation prediction; PCOS; hypogonadism
Estradiol (E2)	Ovarian	Primary estrogen, FSH feedback	Follicular development; menopause; HRT
Progesterone	Ovarian	Luteal phase marker	Ovulation confirmation; luteal phase defect
Testosterone	Ovarian/Adrenal	Androgen	PCOS; hyperandrogenism; hypogonadism
SHBG	Liver	Sex hormone-binding globulin	PCOS; insulin resistance; free androgen index
Prolactin	Pituitary	Lactotroph hormone	Hyperprolactinemia; infertility
hCG	Placental	LH receptor agonist	Pregnancy detection

Reproductive hormones are available as U-PLEX custom configurations. Menstrual cycle phase and menopausal status must be documented. All services are for research use only.

Electrochemiluminescence for Reproductive Hormone Detection

Advantages for Reproductive Endocrinology

HPG axis in one well: FSH, LH, Estradiol, Progesterone — the four core hormones measured simultaneously from 25 µL. The LH:FSH ratio and E2:Progesterone ratio provide integrated ovarian function assessment.
Wide dynamic range for steroids: Estradiol spans from <5 pg/mL (menopause) to >500 pg/mL (late follicular). Progesterone spans from <1 ng/mL (follicular) to >20 ng/mL (luteal). ECL's 4–5 log range accommodates this without dilution.
Custom configuration: start with core HPG markers, add SHBG, Prolactin, hCG, or AMH as research questions evolve.
25 µL preserves longitudinal samples: critical for menstrual cycle studies requiring multiple timepoints across follicular, peri-ovulatory, and luteal phases.

Reproductive Hormone Specifications

TechnologyMSD U-PLEX

FormatCustom 2–10 marker

Sample Volume25 µL serum/EDTA plasma

Dynamic Range4–5 logs per marker

Recommended MatrixSerum (SST) or EDTA Plasma

Cycle DocumentationMenstrual phase & day required

Plate Format96-well MULTI-ARRAY

Read Time~70 sec per plate

HPG Axis Feedback

Integrated pituitary-gonadal assessment

Pituitary (FSH)Drive

Ovulation (LH)Trigger

Ovarian (E2)Feedback

Luteal (Prog)Cycle Phase

Multiplex measurement captures the integrated HPG axis. For research use only.

Reproductive Endocrinology Service Details

Service Package

Item	Full Service	Notes
U-PLEX Configuration	Custom	Select 2–10 markers
Sample Processing	Included	Cycle phase documented
Standard Curves	Per-marker calibrators	Hormone-specific standards
Data Report	With ratios & QC	LH:FSH, E2:Progesterone

For Research Use Only. Not for diagnostic procedures.

How to Get Started

Select Markers

Choose pituitary, gonadal, and regulatory markers.

Collect & Ship

Serum (SST). Document cycle phase/day. Ship on dry ice.

Receive HPG Profile

Receive pituitary + gonadal hormone data with ratios and QC documentation.

Reproductive Hormone Measurement: MSD U-PLEX vs Individual Immunoassays

Feature	MSD U-PLEX Multiplex	Individual ELISA/RIA (×N)	Automated Analyzer
HPG Axis Coverage	FSH+LH+E2+Prog in one well	4 separate assays — cross-assay variability	FSH, LH, E2; Progesterone often separate
Sample (4 hormones)	25 µL total	400 µL (100 µL × 4)	~200 µL (limited panel)
Dynamic Range (E2)	4–5 logs, no dilution needed	2–3 logs, may require dilution	3 logs, may require dilution
Menstrual Cycle Sampling	25 µL enables multi-timepoint studies	400 µL per timepoint limits serial sampling	Moderate volume
Custom Configuration	U-PLEX — add markers as needed	Separate kits per additional marker	Fixed menu — no customization

Your Reproductive Endocrine Data Package

Reproductive hormone quantitative report — pituitary (FSH, LH), gonadal (E2, Progesterone, Testosterone), and regulatory (SHBG, Prolactin) concentrations (Excel + PDF)
Derived ratios — LH:FSH ratio, E2:Progesterone ratio for cycle phase assessment
Gonadotropin and steroid signal data — multi-hormone plate layout, calibration curves, and per-analyte standard curve documentation
Cycle phase documentation — menstrual day, menopausal status, and hormonal medication records
Methods summary — U-PLEX configuration details, cycle phase documentation, and hormone-specific QC criteria

Advantages of Multiplex Measurement for Reproductive Hormones

Full HPG axis in one measurement: FSH, LH, E2, and Progesterone from the same 25 µL — the integrated profile that reveals the feedback state
Estradiol across the full range: wide dynamic range captures estradiol from menopausal to late follicular in a single measurement
U-PLEX flexibility: start with core HPG markers, add SHBG, Prolactin, hCG, or AMH as questions evolve
Cycle-phase-resolved data: menstrual cycle day and phase documented for each sample
Same platform as metabolic panels: combine reproductive hormones with insulin, leptin, adipokines for PCOS and metabolic-reproductive research

Supporting Publications

Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM (2004) Fertility and Sterility. 81(1):19-25. "Revised 2003 consensus on diagnostic criteria for PCOS." DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2003.10.004 · PMID: 14711538
Harlow, S.D. et al. (2012) Menopause. 19(4):387-395. "STRAW+10: addressing the unfinished agenda of staging reproductive aging." DOI: 10.1097/gme.0b013e31824d8f40 · PMID: 22343510
Dewailly, D. et al. (2014) Human Reproduction Update. 20(3):370-385. "The physiology and clinical utility of anti-Mullerian hormone in women." DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmt062 · PMID: 24430863
Broer, S.L. et al. (2014) Human Reproduction Update. 20(5):688-701. "Anti-Mullerian hormone: ovarian reserve testing." DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmu020 · PMID: 24821925
Legro, R.S. et al. (2013) Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 98(12):4565-4592. "Diagnosis and treatment of PCOS: an Endocrine Society guideline." DOI: 10.1210/jc.2013-2350 · PMID: 24151290
Mihm, M. et al. (2011) Animal Reproduction Science. 124(3-4):229-236. "The normal menstrual cycle in women." DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2010.08.030 · PMID: 20869180

Reproductive Endocrinology Panel FAQ

Why measure FSH, LH, Estradiol, and Progesterone together?

The HPG axis is a feedback system — no single hormone tells the complete story. The LH:FSH ratio is elevated in PCOS. Elevated FSH with low estradiol indicates menopause. Measuring all four simultaneously provides the integrated HPG axis profile. For research use only.

How does menstrual cycle phase affect hormone measurements?

Estradiol peaks in the late follicular phase (~200-500 pg/mL). Progesterone rises after ovulation to >5-20 ng/mL in the mid-luteal phase. Documenting cycle day, phase, and menopausal status is essential for data interpretation. For research use only.

Can AMH be added to the reproductive hormone panel?

AMH is a key marker of ovarian reserve. Availability in the U-PLEX catalog should be confirmed during study design. Contact us with your marker list for catalog availability confirmation. For research use only.

Can reproductive hormones be combined with thyroid or metabolic markers?

The MSD U-PLEX platform supports up to 10 analytes per well. Reproductive hormones can be combined with thyroid markers or metabolic hormones. Valuable for PCOS research, menopause research, and infertility workup. Check U-PLEX linker compatibility. For research use only.

What sample collection considerations apply to reproductive hormones?

Record menstrual cycle day and phase for every sample. Early follicular phase (day 2-5) for baseline. Document hormonal contraceptive use, HRT, and fertility medications. Serum (SST) is standard. LH is pulsatile — single measurements reflect the integrated signal. For research use only.

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