Glycosylated or nonglycosylated molecules of the formula
1-(linker1)n1-2-(linker2)n2-3-(linker3)n3-;&nbs
1-(linker1)n1-2-(linker2)n2--(linker3)n3-3
;&nb
1-(linker1)n1--(linker2)n2-2-(linker3)n3-3
;&nb
and
-(linker1)n1-1-(linker2)n2-2-(linker3)n3-3
&nbs
- wherein is the subunit of a vertebrate glycoprotein
hormone or a variant thereof;
- each is independently a glycoprotein subunit or a variant thereof,
- each "linker" is a hydrophilic, flexible spacer equivalent to a peptide
containing 1-100 amino acid residues; and
- each n is a 0 or 1;
- said compound optionally comprising one or more additional x(linkerx)nx
and/or one or more additional subunits are useful in protocols
to enhance fertility in humans and in animals.
