Radioimmunoassay of prolactin for the meerkat (Suricata suricatta), a cooperatively breeding carnivore.
Gen Comp Endocrinol
; 130(2): 148-56, 2003 Feb 01.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-12568792
ABSTRACT
We report the development and validation of a highly specific heterologous radioimmunoassay (RIA) to measure meerkat prolactin (PRL) by using rabbit antiserum to human prolactin and canine [125I]iodo-PRL. Dilutions of meerkat pituitary standard and plasma gave parallel inhibition curves in the assay. Gel filtration of meerkat pituitary extracts and canine [125I]iodo-PRL run separately on a Sephadex G-100 generated identical peaks of activity, and Western blot analysis of meerkat pituitary extract with the human prolactin antiserum used in the RIA gave a molecular weight similar to canine prolactin (21kDa). We carried out a biological validation of the prolactin assay by administering three different doses each of sulpiride and cabergoline to adult male meerkats. Increasing doses of sulpiride and cabergoline caused substantial increases and decreases, respectively, in the plasma prolactin of the study animals as expected. Activation of the stress response in meerkats by capture and ketamine hydrochloride anesthesia caused short-term but significant increases in prolactin levels in individuals bled repeatedly. The RIA developed and described here was able to determine plasma concentrations of prolactin in all animals sampled. We conclude, however, that it will be important in all future studies to confine blood sampling times to 4-7 min after capture/administration of anesthesia to avoid the confounding effects of the stress response on prolactin levels.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pituitary Gland
/
Prolactin
/
Stress, Psychological
/
Restraint, Physical
/
Radioimmunoassay
/
Carnivora
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Gen Comp Endocrinol
Year:
2003
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United kingdom