Radioimmunoassay of serum estrogen

Abstract

Radioimmunoassay of serum estrogen (sum of estrone and estradiol 17β) in 0.5 ml of human serum is described. After dilution of the serum, the estrogens are adsorbed on a Sephadex G 15 column in the presence of dilute HCl and then eluted with benzene. After evaporation of the benzene eluate, the estrogens are dissolved in bovine serum albumin (5 g/liter solution, at pH 8.0). An aliquot of this solution is used for the assay. Serum estrogen concentrations (mean ± SD) were 69 ± 23 pg/ml in 105 normal men and 199 ± 146 pg/ml in 26 fertile women. In 109 postmenopausal women, estrogen was undetectable in seven sera, but in the remaining 102 it was 52 ± 30 pg/ml of serum.