Development of a simple, low-cost, continuous-flow system for the automated radioimmunoassay of steroid glucuronides.
A novel liquid-phase immunoassay is described which involves: competitive binding of the analyte and labelled antigen to specific antibodies; enzymic transformation of the free ligand to a more hydrophobic derivative; and separation of the antibody-bound and free ligand by partition of the reactants into an organic and aqueous phase. The principles of the method, described as ligand differentiation immunoassay, have been used in conjunction with a tritiated antigen to establish a continuous-flow system for the measurement of oestriol-16 alpha-glucuronide in urine. Conventional autoanalyser (AAII) modules have been used, and the pump tubes and glass connections are standard accessories. The equipment is relatively inexpensive (pounds 1500 + detector) and the reagents are readily available. Each sample takes 55 minutes to be processed, and 30 results are obtained per hour.
D001322:Autoanalysis; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D005260:Female; D005965:Glucuronates / Q000032:analysis; D005966:Glucuronidase; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013256:Steroids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000652:urine
D005965:Glucuronates; D013256:Steroids; D005966:Glucuronidase