LOCALIZATION OF 131I-LABELLED ANTIBODY TO RELAXIN

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Abstract
SUMMARY: An antibody to relaxin labelled with 131I was injected into pregnant mice and rats. It was found to be localized in the ovaries, placenta, and uterus of the mouse. The localization in the ovary and placenta was apparent on day 10 of pregnancy, increased markedly to a plateau on days 14–15, and fell at parturition. In the uterus accumulation of 131I anti-relaxin antibody rose to a much smaller degree than in the other two tissues and fell before parturition. Analysis of rat tissues during pregnancy indicated a localization of the labelled antibody in the ovary, placenta, cervix and mammary gland. The localization of the antibody was competitively inhibited by simultaneous injection or preincubation with relaxin. The localized antibody was competitively extracted by saline solutions containing relaxin but not by saline alone.