An improved radioimmunoassay for 4-androstene-3,17-dione

A radioimmunoassay using an antiserum produced against 6beta-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione-6-succinyl-BSA conjugate is described which permits the rapid determination of 4-androstene-3,17-dione in multiple serum samples that are purified by column chromatography on neutral alumina. Steroids which reacted significantly with the antiserum were found to be 5alpha-androstane-3,17-dione, 5beta-androstane-3,17-dione, and 6beta-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione. After column chromatography on alumina, however, the only significantly cross-reacting steroids were the 5alpha and 5beta-androstane-3,17-diones, while cross-reactivity from other steroids was reduced to less than 1%.