RADIOIMMUNOASSAY FOR 2-METHOXYOESTRONE IN HUMAN PLASMA

Abstract

ABSTRACT A bovine serum albumin conjugate of 2-methoxyoestrone was used for the preparation of highly specific antibodies in rabbits. Cross-reactivity for catecholoestrogens and monophenolic steroids was below 0.3 %. Only 2-methoxyoestradiol cross-reacted with 44 %. An assay procedure for the determination of unconjugated and conjugated 2-methoxyoestrone in human plasma is described. The following mean plasma concentrations (pg/ml) were found (unconjugated/conjugated): children 61/1130, young men 74/1320, elderly men 109/1260, cycling women 131/1040, post-menopausal women 102/1420, and pregnant women 3980/5850.