Anti-idiotypic antibodies to a monoclonal antibody raised against anti-müllerian hormone exhibit anti-müllerian biological activity.

Polyclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies were raised to three monoclonal antibodies to bovine anti-Müllerian hormone, and purified by affinity chromatography. All anti-idiotypes inhibited binding of labelled anti-Müllerian hormone to the monoclonal antibody against which they were directed; in addition, the anti-idiotypes directed against a non-zoospecific monoclonal antibody inhibited binding of labelled anti-Müllerian hormone to a monoclonal antibody raised against human testicular AMH, indicating that the idiotype against which these anti-idiotypes are directed recognizes a conserved epitope on the anti-Müllerian hormone molecule. These anti-idiotypes, but not those directed against other monoclonals, exhibit hormone-like activity in a bioassay for anti-Müllerian activity, and we suggest that they may act as antibodies against the anti-Müllerian hormone receptor