RADIO-LIGAND PROCEDURES FOR ESTROGEN ASSAY IN NORMAL AND PREGNANCY PLASMA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Radio-ligand assay techniques suitable for measurement of unconjugated estrone and 17β-estradiol concentrations in plasma from normal and pregnant individuals are described. The specific estrogen binding protein of rabbit uterus is employed as specific reagent and activated charcoal is used as non-specific adsorbant to separate bound from free radioactive estrogen. Steroids of interest are separated by column chromatography on celite. By these techniques, large numbers of samples can be assayed with speed and precision for both estrone and 17β-estradiol.