Progesterone Page1
Atlas Link
12720 Dogwood Hills Lane, Fairfax, VA 22033 USA
Phone: (703) 266-5667, FAX: (703) 266-5664
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PROGESTERONE ELISA
For in vitro diagnostic use.
Catalog No. 2077
Enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative determination
of Progesterone in human serum or plasma
Store at 2 to 8 °C
EXPLANATION OF THE TEST
Progesterone (4-pregnene-3, 20-dione; MW 318) is a C21 steroid. In the nonpregnant female it is
secreted in a cyclic manner by the ovaries. Smaller quantities are also secreted by the adrenal
cortex of both men and women ( 1).
Approximately 97% of progesterone in plasma is protein bound. The free progesterone is the
physiologically active form of the hormone. Progesterone is metabolized to pregnanediol and is
excreted as a glucuronide conjugate (2).
Progesterone concentrations are low in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. There is a
slight rise at the time of the gonadotrophin surge and then a dramatic increase reaching a
maximum level 5 to 6 days after ovulation as progesterone is secreted from the corpus luteum. If
fertilization does not occur the corpus luteum regresses and progesterone concentrations fall
towards the end of the cycle (3). However, if implantation occurs the corpus luteum continues to
secrete increasing amounts of progesterone until the 10th to 12th week of pregnancy when the
placenta takes over as the principal site of progesterone production.
In the investigation of infertility, assays of serum progesterone concentrations are used to confirm
whether ovulation has occurred either naturally or as a result of treatment with other ovarian
stimulants. Recurrent or threatened abortion in early pregnancy due to corpus luteum dysfunction
can be diagnosed by serial progesterone measurements, which will be lower than normal.
PRINCIPLE OF THE TEST
The Atlas Link Progesterone EIA is an enzyme linked immunoassay incorporating an
anti-progesterone monoclonal antibody (Antibody Reagent) and an anti-murine IgG polyclonal
antibody bound to microwells.
It is a one-step ("competitive" ) method utilizing a progesterone-horseradish peroxidase conjugate
(progesterone-HRP; Conjugate Reagent) to produce the signal generated. The assay can be
used to measure progesterone from 0 to 1 00 nmol/L.
The incorporation of a synthetic ligand, specific for plasma binding proteins, eliminates
endogenous binding of progesterone and allows the direct assay of progesterone in serum
without prior extraction or chromatographic separation. The highly specific antibody used in the
assay shows no cross-reaction with the specific ligand.
During incubation of sample, Conjugate Reagent and Antibody Reagent in the microwell,
complexes are formed between monoclonal antibody and sample progesterone antigen or
progesterone-HRP. This occurs as the antibody itself is captured by the microwell-bound
Atlas Link, 12720 Dogwood Hills Lane, Fairfax, VA 22033 USA
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Progesterone Page2
secondary antibody. The microwells are washed to remove material not captured. Then Substrate
Solution, containing TMB and peroxide, is added. These components react with the peroxidase to
produce color (blue) in inverse proportion to the amount of antigen in the sample. From
photometric absorbance readings a standard curve is constructed and the progesterone in patient
samples can be quantitated.
REAGENTS
REAGENT PREPARATION
Reagents are sufficient for 96 wells.
Allow reagents and samples to reach room temperature (18 to 25 °C) before use.
1. Antibody Coated Wells
96 wells
Contents:
Microwells coated with goat anti-murine IgG polyclonal antibody.
Preparation: Ready to use.
Storage:
Keep the microwell plate in a sealed bag with desiccant and minimize exposure
to damp air.
2. Reference Standard Set
1 set of 6 vials
Contents:
Nominal values are 0,1, 3, 10, 30 &100 nmol/L progesterone in processed
human serum with 0.05% thimerosal. Actual progesterone concentrations,
determined lot-to-lot, are stated on each standard vial label.
Preparation: Reconstitute the lyophilized standards by accurately pipetting 0.5 mL (2.0 mL
for the zero standard) deionized water into each of the vials. Cap and mix well
by gently swirling or inversion. Allow to reach room temperature before use.
Stability:
Reconstituted standards are stable for up to four weeks at 2 to 8 °
C.
3. Conjugate Reagent
5 mL
Contents:
Progesterone conjugated to horseradish peroxidase in a stabilizing buffered
solution containing a violet dye. Contains 0.2% (w/v) Bronidox L and 0.01%
(w/v) thimerosal as preservatives.
Preparation: Ready to use.
4. Antibody Reagent
5 mL
Contents:
Murine monoclonal anti-progesterone antibody in a phosphate-buffered saline
solution containing purified animal serum proteins and blue dye. Contains 0.2%
(w/v) Bronidox L and 0.01% (w/v) thimerosal as preservatives.
Preparation: Ready to use.
5. Wash Concentrate
Contents:
preservative.
50 mL
Concentrated (15X) wash solution with 0.15 % thimerosal as a
Preparation: Prepare Wash Solution by diluting the Wash Concentrate 1:15 with deionized or
distilled water. Mix well.
Atlas Link, 12720 Dogwood Hills Lane, Fairfax, VA 22033 USA
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Progesterone Page3
Concentrate
15 mL
30 mL
50 mL
Storage:
Dilute to
225 mL
450 mL
750 mL
Enough for
32 wells
64 wells
96 wells
Diluted Wash Solution may be stored for up to twelve weeks at 20 to 25 °
6. Substrate Solution
C.
10 mL
Contents:
3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and hydrogen peroxide in a stabilizing
solution.
Preparation: Ready to use.
7. Stop Solution.
10 mL
Contents:
2N Hydrochloric acid.
Preparation: Ready to use.
Warnings and Precautions for Users
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
CAUTION: Human source materials: Treat as potentially infectious. Each serum donor unit used in the manufacture of this
product is tested by an FDA approved method and found non-reactive for the presence of HBsAg and antibody to HIV-1.
Because no known test method can offer complete assurance that Hepatitis B Virus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1),
or other infectious agents are absent, all human blood products, including human source material, should be handled in
accordance with good laboratory practices using appropriate precautions (e.g., Centers for Disease Control/National Institutes of
Health Manual, "Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical laboratories", 1988).
Avoid contact with the Stop Solution. It containhydrocloric acid which may cause skin irritation and burns.
Some of the reagents in this kit contain thimerosal and Bronidox L as preservatives. These are toxic and therefore all reagents
should be handled carefully to avoid ingestion or skin contact.
Do not use reagents after the expiration date.
Do not mix or use components from kits with different lot numbers.
Replace caps on reagents immediately. Do not switch caps.
Do not pipette reagents by mouth.
For in vitro diagnostic use only.
STORAGE CONDITIONS
Store the kit at 2 to 8 
C upon receipt and when it is not in use until the expiration date shown on the kit box label.
INSTRUMENTATION
A microwell reader with a bandwidth of 10 nm or less and an optical density range of 0 to 2 A or greater at 450 nm wavelength
(A450) is acceptable. An orbital motion microplate shaker is necessary.
SPECIMEN COLLECTION AND PREPARATION
1.
2.
3.
4.
No special patient preparation is required. Test specimens can be either serum or plasma collected in a
manner appropriate for laboratory testing. Serum is preferred although the anticoagulants heparin or
EDTA can be employed without sacrificing accuracy.
Avoid grossly hemolytic, lipemic and turbid samples.
Specimens can be stored at 2-8 C for up to 48 hours. Specimens held for longer should be stored at or
below -20 C. Specimens should not be frozen and thawed repeatedly.
Thawed specimens should be checked for flocculent matter and mixed by gentle inversion just prior to
testing. Turbid samples or samples containing particulate matter should be centrifuged prior to use.
TEST PROCEDURE
Materials Provided With The Test Kit
Atlas Link, 12720 Dogwood Hills Lane, Fairfax, VA 22033 USA
Phone: (703) 266-5667, FAX: (703) 266-5664
http://www.atlaslink-inc.com, info@atlaslink-inc.com
Progesterone Page4
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Antibody Coated Microwells, 96 wells
Reference Standard Set, 0.5 mL per vial
Enzyme Conjugate Reagent, 5 mL
Antibody Reagent, 5 mL
Wash Concentrate, 50 mL
Substrate Solution, 10 mL
Stop Solution, 10 mL
Materials Required But Not Provided
1. Distilled or deionized water
2. Precision pipette: 50 L, 500 L
3. Repeating or 8-channel pipette: 50 L, 100 L
4. Disposable pipette tips
5. Measuring cylinder (1L) for preparing Wash Solution
6. Microwell plate reader
7. Absorbent paper
8. Graph paper
9. Control sera (recommended)
10. Plate shaker
Procedural Notes
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Bring all reagents and specimens to room temperature (20 to 25 C) and mix by gentle inversion prior to
use.
A standard curve should be run with each assay. Ensure that the standard values for each kit match
those used for data reduction.
Microwells may be used only once. Avoid touching the bottom of the wells to minimize optical
interference. Before reading the plate wipe the underside of the wells with lint-free tissue.
All assay steps should be performed without interruption but if the wells cannot be filled with Substrate
Solution immediately after washing then the plate may be left upside down on absorbent lint-free tissue
for a maximum of 15 minutes.
Reagents are matched in each kit and therefore reagents from different lot numbers should not be
mixed.
The plate reader and all pipettes used should be calibrated correctly before use. It is recommended
that a pipette tip be attached to the repeating pipette unit to increase the precision of the Antibody
Reagent and Conjugate Reagent additions. These are critical dispensing steps for any immunoassay of
this type.
Washing
The efficiency of the wash step is vital for good precision. Plates can be washed manually or by using an
automatic plate washer. Aspirate the liquid and rinse each well four times with 250 L Wash Solution. Avoid
overflows from one well to another. After the final wash, the plate should be inverted and tapped firmly on
absorbent lint-free tissue to remove the last traces of wash buffer. Ensure that no bubbles remain in the wells
before proceeding to the next step. Equipment should be kept clean and primed with Wash Solution prior to
use. Wash Solution should be stored in clean containers to prevent contamination with substances which
could interfere with the enzyme. The washer should not be left standing with Wash Solution for long periods of
time. At the end of each day the washer should be rinsed with distilled water. Regular cleaning according to
the washer instruction manual should be carried out.
Conjugate and Substrate
Contamination of these reagents will lead to poor performance. Use dedicated dispensers for these
reagents. Avoid contact with metallic surfaces since these can interfere with the Substrate.
Assay Procedure
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Secure the desired number of coated wells in the holder.
Dispense 50 L of standards, samples, and controls into appropriate wells.
Add 50 L of Enzyme Conjugate Reagent (violet) into each well.
Add 50 L of Antibody Reagent (blue) into each well.
Cover plate with lid and incubate at room temperature for 60 minutes on a microwell plate shaker.
Atlas Link, 12720 Dogwood Hills Lane, Fairfax, VA 22033 USA
Phone: (703) 266-5667, FAX: (703) 266-5664
http://www.atlaslink-inc.com, info@atlaslink-inc.com
Progesterone Page5
After incubation wash the plate. Aspirate the liquid and rinse each well four times
with 250 L Wash Solution. After the final wash, invert the plate and tap firmly on
absorbent tissue to remove any remaining Wash Solution. Ensure that no bubbles
remain in the wells before proceeding to the next step.
7. Add 100 L of Substrate Solution into each well. This step should be carried out smoothly and without
interruption. Timing of the incubation step is measured from the addition of substrate
solution to the first well.
8. Cover plate and incubate at room temperature for 5 minutes.
9. Stop reaction by adding 50 L of Stop Solution to wells in the same sequence that the Substrate
Solution was added.
10. Place microwell plate into the microplate reader ensuring that the plate is properly
located.
11.
Read the absorbance at 450 nm (A450).
6.
RESULTS
Calculation of Results
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Calculate the mean absorbance values (A450) for the duplicate Reference Standards, controls, and patient samples.
Using log-linear graph paper, construct a standard curve by plotting the mean absorbance obtained for each Reference Standard
against its concentration in nmol/L, with absorbance on the vertical (y) axis and concentration on the horizontal (x) axis.
Using the mean absorbance value for each sample, determine the corresponding concentration of progesterone in nmol/L from
the standard curve. Computer data reduction can also be employed.
Any diluted samples must be converted by the appropriate dilution factor.
Progesterone values obtained are in the SI units, nmol/L. Conversion to ng/mL may be accomplished using the following
equation:
Progesterone (ng/mL) = Progesterone (nmol/L) x 0.314
Interpretation of Results
1.
Results of a typical standard run are shown below:
Progesterone
(nmol/L)
0
1.00
3.01
10.0
30.0
100
1
2.827
2.209
1.686
0.846
0.358
0.200
A 450 nm
2
2.798
2.250
1.759
0.887
0.376
0.200
Mean
2.815
2.230
1.723
0.867
0.367
0.200
2. Standard Curve
NOTE: This standard curve is for the purpose of illustration only, and should not be used to calculate unknowns. Each laboratory
must provide its own data and standard curve.
EXPECTED VALUES
Atlas Link, 12720 Dogwood Hills Lane, Fairfax, VA 22033 USA
Phone: (703) 266-5667, FAX: (703) 266-5664
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Progesterone Page6
It is recommended that each laboratory establish its own reference ranges for progesterone based on a
representative sample population. The following normal reference ranges, calculated as 95% confidence
intervals, were obtained by assaying serum samples from apparently healthy individuals and are given as a
guide only:
Sample
Grouping
Adult Male
Adult Female Follicular Phase
Luteal Phase
Postmenopausal
n
68
36
40
11
Reference Range
(nmol/L)
< 4.5
(2.2)
0.7 - 3.5 (2.1)
>>5*
< 1.6
(0.7)
* generally < 60 nmol/L; ( ) bracketed numbers are means; n is the number of samples assayed
During pregnancy the following values generally may be expected (7):
1 st trimester
< 100 nmol/L
2nd trimester
100 - 300 nmol/L
3rd trimester
> 300 nmol/L
QUALITY CONTROL
Good laboratory practice requires that low, medium, and high controls are run with each calibration curve. A statistically
significant number of controls should be assayed to establish mean values and acceptable ranges to assure proper performance.
Controls containing azide should not be used.
LIMITATIONS OF PROCEDURE
1. Reliable and reproducible results will be obtained when the assay procedure is carried out with a
complete understanding of the package insert instructions and with adherence to good laboratory
practice.
2. The wash procedure is critical. Insufficient washing will result in poor precision and falsely elevated
absorbance readings.
PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
1.
Precision
a.
Intra-assay Precision
Intra-assay precision (%CV) was evaluated on 3 samples measured 16 times in the same assay.
b.
SampleMean  2SD (nmol/L) %CV
1 3.35  0.34
5.1
2 18.5  0.91
2.5
3 41.4  2.62
3.2
Inter-assay Precision
Inter-assay precision (%CV) was evaluated on 3 samples measured in duplicate in 40 different assays.
SampleMean  2SD (nmol/L) %CV
1 3.40  0.59
8.7
2 19.9  2.87
7.2
3 46.4  6.79
7.3
2.
Sensitivity
The sensitivity of the assay is typically less than 0.25 nmol/L. The sensitivity is defined as that concentration
of progesterone which corresponds to the dose response variable (mOD/min or OD) that is two standard
deviations less than the mean dose response variable of 20 replicate determinations of the zero
calibrator run in three different assays.
3.
Interference
Atlas Link, 12720 Dogwood Hills Lane, Fairfax, VA 22033 USA
Phone: (703) 266-5667, FAX: (703) 266-5664
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Progesterone Page7
No interference with progesterone recovery was observed for concentrations of hemoglobin up to 250
mg/dL, bilirubin up to 10 mg/dL, and triglycerides up to 970 mg/dL.
4.
Specificity
Specificity of the monoclonal antibody used in this kit was assessed by calculating the percentage crossreactivity of various compounds.
Compound
Progesterone
17-OH-Progesterone
Pregnenolone
Deoxycorticosterone
Androstenediol
Cholesterol
Corticosterone
Cortisol
11 -Deoxycortisol
17-Estradiol
17-Estradiol
Estriol
Estrone
Pregnanolone
20-OH-Progesterone
20-OH-Progesterone
Testosterone
% Cross-reactivity
100
1.8
1.1
0.47
<0.2
<0.2
<0.2
<0:2
<0.2
<0.2
<0.2
<0.2
<0.2
<0.2
<0.2
<0.2
<0.2
Atlas Link, 12720 Dogwood Hills Lane, Fairfax, VA 22033 USA
Phone: (703) 266-5667, FAX: (703) 266-5664
http://www.atlaslink-inc.com, info@atlaslink-inc.com
Progesterone Page8
REFERENCES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Abraham GE. The application of natural steroid immunoassay to gynecologic endocrinology. In:
Abraham GE (ed). Radioassay Systems in Clinical Endocrinology. New York: Marcel Dekker; 1981: 475-529.
Gautreay JP, de Brux J, Trajchner G, Robel P, Mouren M. Clinical investigation of the menstrual cycle;
clinical endometrial and endocrine aspects of luteal defect. Fertility and Sterility 1981; 35: 296-303.
Ismail AAA. Biochemical Investigations in Endocrinology. Methods and Interpretations. London:
Academic Press; 1981.
McGinley R, Casey JH. Analysis of progesterone in unextracted serum: a method using Danazol (17 pregn-4-en-20-ynol (2,3-d) isoxazol-17-ol) a blocker of steroid binding to proteins. Steroids 1979; 33: 127138.
Ratliffe WA, Corrie JET, Dalzeil AH, MacPherson JS. A general approach to the direct assay of
progesterone in unextracted serum using a heterologous bridge system and a 125I-radioligand. Clin
Chem 1982; 28: 1314-18.
Jacobson RH, Downing DR, Lynch TJ. Computer assisted enzyme immunoassays and simplified
immunofluorescence assays. Applications for the diagnostic laboratory and veterinarian's office. J Am
Vet Med Assoc 1982; 181 (10):1166-68.
Casey ML, MacDonald PC, Simpson ER. In: Wilson JD, Foster DW (eds)
Williams Textbook of
Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co; 977-991.
TECHNICAL CONSULTATION
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Rev. A - 1997
Atlas Link, 12720 Dogwood Hills Lane, Fairfax, VA 22033 USA
Phone: (703) 266-5667, FAX: (703) 266-5664
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