Radioimmunoassay for the Determination of 2-Methoxyestriol Concentration in Plasma of Pregnent Women

A specific assay method has been developed for the determination of 2-methoxyestriol in plasma of pregnant women. The quantitation was achieved by redioimmunoassay after extraction of the plasma with ethyl acetate and purification on a Sephadex LH-20 column. In order to obtain the immunogen for 2-methoxyestriol, 6-oxo-2-methoxyestriol was converted to its 6-(O-carboxymethyl)oxime derivative. The derivative was then coupled to bovine serum albumin by the mixed anhydride method, and rabbits were immunized with this conjugate. The antiserum obtained was partially purified by affinity chromatography on estrone 17-(O-carboxymethyl)oxime-aminohexyl Sepharose conjugate to eliminate the cross-reactive antibodies. Plasma 2-methoxyestriol concentrations in pregnancy were estimated to be mean values of 41.1pg/ml (12th-14th week), 85.3pg/ml (27th-29th week), and 97.5pg/ml (37th-41st week).