ANALYSIS OF SUCKLING-INDUCED CHANGES IN ADENOHYPOPHYSEAL PROLACTIN CONCENTRATION IN THE LACTATING RAT BY THREE ASSAY METHODS

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Suckling-induced changes in adenohypophyseal prolactin (PRL) concentrations in lactating rats were measured in 2 experiments by 3 assays: a disc electrophoretic assay (DEA), a bioassay (BA) [pigeon crop-sac bioassay] and a radioimmunoassay (RIA). Substantial discrepancies among the 3 assays were found in the absolute amounts of pituitary PRL measured and in the changes in adenohypophyseal PRL concentration that were recorded between suckling intervals. In dynamic states of secretory activity the correspondence among BA, RIA and DEA estimates of pituitary PRL concentration is apparently poor.