Antibodies against steroids.
Since the first reports in the early 1960s on the successful production of antibodies against steroids, a large body of evidence has accumulated demonstrating the practical usefulness of steroid antibodies in both clinical and laboratory settings. As to the latter, the development of immunoassays for measuring steroids in blood and other body fluids, as well as the localization of the steroid hormones and their receptors in cells and tissues in vitro are of considerable value. The possible clinical application of steroid immunity with respect to reproductive endocrinology and fertility is reviewed. The role of antibodies against steroids in autoimmune gonadal failure is also discussed. At present, immunization with steroid antibodies is not without limitations, which should be borne in mind, particularly in studying endocrine regulation.
Bösze
P
P
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Postgraduate Medical University, Budapest, Hungary.
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000276:immunology; D006066:Gonads / Q000276:immunology; D007114:Immunization; D008297:Male; D013256:Steroids / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D001323:Autoantibodies; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D013256:Steroids