Interlaboratory Comparison of Radioimmunoassay Results

Abstract

There are numerous reasons for the variance in radioimmunoassay estimates between laboratories. Notable among these are the reagents: use of a common standard or reference material is mandatory and standardization of antisera, tracer, separation system and other secondary reagents is preferable. The current study, which bypassed the differences caused by reagents and methodology, has revealed and quantitated an important source of variation, that owing to the method of calculation. Even a sample on the linear part of the curve had a CV of 8%. Standardization of assay calculation should be considered an essential part of total assay standardization. [The example of human gonadotropin and prolactin assays was used.].