Hormone measurement is necessary for the diagnosis of a wide range of clinical conditions and is essential for monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. As the number of hormone requests in the clinical field rises exponentially, it has become imperative to create hormone assays accessible to researchers with a varied range of equipment. Hormone Assays in Biological Fluids, Second Edition reviews common techniques used to measure hormones as well as relatively new methods such as tandem mass spectrometry. Additionally, subsequent chapters detail methods for a broad range of hormones; Techniques and principles covered are transferable to a wide range of substances across species. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Hormone Assays in Biological Fluids, Second Edition will serve students, technologists, laboratory scientists, and researchers looking to apply, or attain a greater understanding of, methods for measuring hormones.

Expert researchers who have developed and applied significant new assays describe in step-by-step detail a variety of methods for measuring a broad variety of hormones, related peptides, and synthetic steroids in various biological fluids. The hormones measured range from glucocorticoids in biological fluids, urinary steroids, aldosterone in blood, and plasma renin activity, to gut hormones in plasma, melatonin, prolactin, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, and androgens in blood, saliva, and hair. The emphasis is on noncommercial assays so that investigators can set up novel methods suited to their special needs. Commercial assays are also described for comparative purposes. Tutorials on radioimmunoassay, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, and PCR techniques help the reader to choose the best method for his or her purpose.

Hormone measurement is necessary for the diagnosis of a wide range of clinical conditions and is essential for monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. As the number of hormone requests in the clinical field rises exponentially, it has become imperative to create hormone assays accessible to researchers with a varied range of equipment. Hormone Assays in Biological Fluids, Second Edition reviews common techniques used to measure hormones as well as relatively new methods such as tandem mass spectrometry. Additionally, subsequent chapters detail methods for a broad range of hormones; Techniques and principles covered are transferable to a wide range of substances across species. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Hormone Assays in Biological Fluids, Second Edition will serve students, technologists, laboratory scientists, and researchers looking to apply, or attain a greater understanding of, methods for measuring hormones.

Expert researchers who have developed and applied significant new assays describe in step-by-step detail a variety of methods for measuring a broad variety of hormones, related peptides, and synthetic steroids in various biological fluids. The hormones measured range from glucocorticoids in biological fluids, urinary steroids, aldosterone in blood, and plasma renin activity, to gut hormones in plasma, melatonin, prolactin, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, and androgens in blood, saliva, and hair. The emphasis is on noncommercial assays so that investigators can set up novel methods suited to their special needs. Commercial assays are also described for comparative purposes. Tutorials on radioimmunoassay, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, and PCR techniques help the reader to choose the best method for his or her purpose.