A Modified Ultra-Sensitive ELISA for Measurement of LH in Mice

A major obstacle to monitoring pulsatile luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in mice has been an assay with sufficient sensitivity in small blood volumes. In 2013, Steyn and colleagues published a highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that overcame this barrier by coupling a duo of LH antibodies effective in accurately measuring LH in 4-µL whole-blood aliquots. To address the unavailability of the original detection antibody, AFP240580Rb, we validated a replacement detection antibody, biotinylated-5303 SPRN-5, to be used within the established ELISA. This modified LH ELISA demonstrated a minimum detection limit of 0.0028 ng/mL and a limit of quantification of 0.0333 ng/mL or 0.0666 ng/mL in diluted whole-blood samples of volume 6.4 µL (1:10) or 3.2 µL (1:20), respectively. Detection antibody 5303 SPRN-5 demonstrated parallelism, high precision, and accuracy across the standard curve. LH concentrations in comparison assays, using either 5303 SPRN-5 or AFP240580Rb, were highly correlated (R2 = 0.9829) and demonstrated LH pulse profiles from gonadectomized mice that were nearly superimposable. Pulsatile LH secretion was demonstrated in gonad-intact males and diestrous females and basal LH levels measured with 5303 SPRN-5 were approximately 5-fold higher than the limit of quantification. In addition, we document utility of this new LH ELISA to accurately measure LH in whole blood or serum across multiple sampling sites, as well as in pituitary extracts, LβT2 cells, or media. In summary, the modified LH ELISA described here is highly effective in measuring LH across a range of sample types and small volumes in mice.