[Determination of bile acids by radioimmunoassays (author's transl)]

The present paper, based on the current literature, considers the practical aspects of bile acid radioimmunoassays. The problems associated with the raising of specific antisera and their characterization are discussed. Features of assay design for bile acids are considered. Solid-phase radioimmunoassays are described for separate determination of unconjugated cholic acid and conjugated cholic acid in serum. The clinical application of specific bile acid radioimmunoassays is shown by an "oral cholate tolerance test" as a sensitive indicator of liver function and by an "oral cholylglycine tolerance test" for characterization of intestinal function in diarrheal states.