title: Determination of calcitonin in reptilian serum by heterologous radioimmunoassay.
abstract: A heterologous radioimmunoassay for reptilian calcitonin using a commercially available kit for human calcitonin was used to determine circulating levels and brain levels of calcitonin in the green iguana, Iguana iguana. Cross-reactivity between anti-human calcitonin antibodies and iguana plasma was demonstrated. Removal of reptilian calcitonin from the plasma with affinity chromatography eliminated the cross-reactivity. Assays on blood samples indicated normal circulating levels of calcitonin to range between 600-975 pg/ml. Young female iguanas had higher blood levels than males. The use of this assay permits more detailed study of the secretion of calcitonin in reptiles in response to appropriate stimuli.
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007076:Iguanas / Q000097:blood*; D008116:Lizards / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D002116:Calcitonin