PMSG ELISA by DRG International Inc.

An enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative measurement of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) in equine serum and plasma. PMSG or equine chorionic gonadotropin is secreted by the endometrial cups of the pregnant mares uterus. The hormone is found in the blood of the pregnant mare between the 40th and 120th days of gestation, reaching a peak at approximately the 60th day. Measurement of PMSG provides a specific test for pregnancy since the hormone is only found in the pregnant mare. After 150 days of gestation, hormone levels are no longer detectable. The PMSG diagnostic test as a means of pregnancy testing is a suitable and convenient method to confirm earlier ultrasound scanning techniques and allows the practitioner to obtain this information quickly and economically in the laboratory.The DRG PMSG ELISA Kit is a solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on the sandwich principle. The microtiter wells are coated with a monoclonal antibody directed towards a unique antigenic site of the PMSG molecule.  An aliquot of sample containing endogenous PMSG is incubated in the coated well. After washing a second incubation follows with enzyme conjugate, which is an anti-PMSG antibody conjugated with horseradish peroxidase. After incubation the unbound conjugate is washed off.  The amount of bound peroxidase is proportional to the concentration of PMSG in the sample. Having added the substrate solution, the intensity of color developed is proportional to the concentration of PMSG in the sample.