THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL STANDARD FOR GLUCAGON

Abstract

ABSTRACT The preparation and nature of the first International Standard for Glucagon are described. The glucagon activity of this material was compared with that of the U. S. P. Glucagon Reference Standard in a collaborative assay by 3 laboratories, in 3 different countries, who between them used 3 different methods. The results from all 29 valid assays obtained in this way gave homogeneous (1 % level) potency estimates and were combined to give a value of 1.49 U. S. P. glucagon units per ampoule with 95 % fiducial limits of 1.45–1.54. On the basis of the results obtained the material has been established as the first International Standard for Glucagon and allocated a potency of 1.49 International Units per ampoule. The International Unit for glucagon is thus defined as the activity contained in 4.53 mg of the first International Standard for Glucagon.