ANTIBODIES AGAINST HORMONES

Abstract

The use of steroid radioimmunoassay in studies of physiological processes the development of new methods of assaying gonadotropins and the use of antibodies to interfere with various physiological processes are discussed. Assays for estradiol and progesterone were made of more than 100 fluid samples collected from the Graafian follicles in human ovaries 3-6 hours before expected ovulation. Levels of the 2 steroids were highly correlated in samples from different tissues but concentrations varied considerably with some follicles containing more than 2 mcg/ml of estradiol. It is suggested that metabolic changes in human follicles may be similar to those occurring in rabbits. Radioimmunoassay to determine changes in prostaglandin F2alpha in relation to changes in estrogen levels indicated high prostaglandin levels associated with low levels of estrogens. A similar relationship has been observed in rabbits as ovulation approaches. A specific and sensitive assay for human follicle-stimulating hormone using an antisera which is incubated with luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone to eliminate cross-reactivity and the 2-site assay technique is described. Studies of the action of antibodies against hormones particularly against gonadotropins steroids releasing hormones and prostaglandins are reviewed. The possible sensitization of the human female to the placental hormones HCG and HPL would result in the withdrawal of luteotrophic support of the corpus luteum and may thus constitute an immunological method of sterilization.