Immunometric Prolactin Assay For Olympus AU3000i

Olympus, a leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics, has introduced a prolactin assay for sale in the U.S. Measurement of prolactin is one of the most commonly undertaken hormonal investigations in evaluating patients with reproductive disorders. Prolactin levels are also determined when breast cancer and pituitary tumors are suspected. The assay is designed for use with the fully automated Olympus AU3000i^® immunoassay system.

Immunometric Prolactin Assay

The prolactin assay is a two-step immunometric assay with a very broad measuring range of approximately 0.05 - 300 micrograms per liter (1.06 - 6360 mIU/L). It measures quantitative concentrations of prolactin in either 50 microliters of serum or lithium-heparin plasma samples after 28 minutes of processing time. Each prolactin kit is sufficient to process 100 tests, and contains prolactin reagents, a single ready-to-use calibrator, and a single ready-to-use control. Reagents are stable on board the AU3000i system for 28 days.

"The addition of the prolactin assay to the already available Olympus fertility assays LH and FSH is an important step in the development of a panel of tests comprising from seven to ten percent of the test volume in a routine clinical laboratory," said Lorraine Damico, Director of Immunoassay Marketing for Olympus America Inc.

Paramagnetic Particle Chemiluminescent Immunoassay

About This Test

The Olympus prolactin assay is a paramagnetic particle (DynaBeads®) chemiluminescent immunoassay for the in vitro quantitative measurement of prolactin in human serum or lithium-heparin plasma. It is standardized against the 3rd WHO Ref Standard 84/500 for human prolactin. The main physiological function of this fertility hormone is to promote female breast development and to initiate and maintain lactation. Abnormally high levels of prolactin are associated with female infertility, impotence and infertility in men, primary hypothyroidism and pituitary tumors. Determination of prolactin concentrations can also be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of hypothalamic-pituitary disorders.