| abstract |
A highly sensitive and specific monoclonal-immuno-radiometric assay (M-IRMA) for hCG, using monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) directed against a 37-amino acid synthetic polypeptide analogous to the carboxyl terminus (CTP) of beta-hCG. Accordingly, in one embodiment, a method is described for the determination of human chorionic gonadotropin in a sample, which comprises: (a) contacting said sample with a first capture monoclonal antibody and a second capture monoclonal antibody which are bound to a carrier, wherein said first and second capture antibodies are epitopically specific for distinct epitopes of the carboxy terminal region of the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin; (b) incubating the components of step (a) for a period of time and under conditions sufficient to form an immune complex between said human chorionic gonadotropin, said first capture monoclonal antibody, said second capture monoclonal antibody and said carrier; (c) adding to said carrier of step (b), a detectably labeled indicator monoclonal antibody, wherein said indicator monoclonal antibody is epitopically specific for the alpha-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin; (d) determining the detectably labeled indicator monoclonal antibody in said carrier or in liquid phase. |