title: A direct radioimmunoassay for the determination of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and a clinical evaluation.
abstract: A direct radioimmunoassay for the determination of ACTH in a small volume of serum was developed using a commercially available antiserum and tracer. A single-stage radioimmunoassay with an incubation period of 4 days gave reliable and reproducible ACTH values. In the incubation medium 0.1% 2-mercaptoethanol was used as the antioxidant. During a 15-month period the assay has been used routinely in the laboratory. The coefficient of variation was less than 10% in the physiological and pathological range. A normal range of 12 to 60 ng/L was found. The reliability of the assay is demonstrated by results obtained in patients with disorders of the pituitary-adrenal axis.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Arts
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Koppeschaar
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Veeman
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Thijssen
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000097:blood; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008623:Mercaptoethanol; D011786:Quality Control; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D008623:Mercaptoethanol; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone