Basal levels of prolactin in goat blood measured throughout a 24-h period by a rapid double antibody–solid phase radioimmunoassay

Abstract

SummaryThe development of a rapid, highly sensitive double antibody–solid phase (DASP) radioimmunoassay for ovine/caprine prolactin is described. The assay was applied to the measurement of basal levels of prolactin in the blood of 4 anoestrous lactating female, 4 anoestrous virgin female and 4 castrated male goats. For several hours after milking there was a chronic gradually decreasing release of prolactin in the lactating goats, such that the circulating levels of prolactin were, for 14–16 h of the day, at a much higher level than those in the virgin female or castrated male goats. The basal levels of prolactin in the castrated male goats (87–200ng/ml) were somewhat higher than those in the virgin females (47–77ng/ml). The effects of feeding and stress on prolactin levels are discussed.