Sensitive and specific bromocriptine radioimmunoassay with iodine label: measurement of bromocriptine in human plasma

Plasma bromocriptine assays must have high sensitivity because plasma concentrations are low, and high specificity because bromocriptine is extensively metabolised. This paper describes the simple preparation of a radioiodine-labelled derivative of dihydroergocriptine and its use in a radioimmunoassay employing an antiserum directed against the intact bromocriptine molecule. The method could measure plasma bromocriptine at concentrations of 0.05 nmol/L, had between-assay coefficients of variation of less than 10% and was more convenient than previous assays using tritium radiolabels.