Validation of Specific RIA for H-FSH and H-LH[*]

Abstract

This paper has set out the problems which have beset the evolution of viable specific RIA systems for the human pituitary gonadotrophins. It should be emphasised that the results, which have been set out to give substance to these problems, are those which we have found using our systems. It is to be expected that plasma values obtained with other antisera, equally well tested in equally well optimised systems and in terms of the same standards, may show consistent numerical differences. Such differences ought to be confined to those arising from differences in antibody specificity - i.e. to the almost inevitable differences in avidity which different (hormonally monospecific) antisera will show for the various different forms of altered hormone which must be expected in blood.

It should also be emphasised that there are alternative solutions to some of the problems set out - the object here has been to provide an outline of the path which must be followed rather than a set of ready-made solutions.

Key words

Radioimmunoassay - Human FSH - Human LH

1 Presented in part at the "Radioimmunoassay Method Colloquium" of the German Endocrine Society, Tübingen, February 27, 1974.

1 Presented in part at the "Radioimmunoassay Method Colloquium" of the German Endocrine Society, Tübingen, February 27, 1974.