A direct dot-enzyme immunoassay to detect human ovulation.
This paper describes an original dot-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for predicting ovulation in women, based on the detection of the pre-ovulatory estrogen peak in urine. A monoclonal anti-estrogen antibody is used which recognizes not only free estrogens but also some of their urinary metabolites (17-glucuro- and sulfo-conjugates) allowing a direct assay on early morning urines. Antigen is immobilized as a spot on a nitrocellulose membrane which is immersed in urine in the presence of this antibody. A peroxidase-labeled second antibody allows the detection of the first antibody bound to the membrane. Antigen and anti-estrogen antibody concentrations are chosen to obtain a maximal enzymatic coloration of spots corresponding to basal urinary estrogen levels and no coloration corresponding to the pre-ovulatory surge. Six menstrual cycles were studied, comparing dot-ELISA results with patterns of: (1) urinary estrogens measured by RIA either directly or after hydrolysis and extraction, and (2) basal body temperatures. The validity of the pre-ovulatory signal obtained and the requirements for an adaptation of this methodology to a reliable home kit are discussed.
de Lauzon
S
S
Département de Biochimie, U.F.R. Biomédicale des Saints-Pères, Paris, France.
Desfosses
B
B
Christeff
N
N
Hanquez
C
C
Cittanova
N
N
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000915:Antibody Affinity; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004967:Estrogens / Q000276:immunology / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D010061:Ovulation Detection; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004967:Estrogens; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic