Kowarski C R, Kowarski D, Bick B D, Stein H, Rudzavich D, Kowarski A A
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1981 Dec;53(6):1145-7. doi: 10.1210/jcem-53-6-1145.
The USP bioassay for insulin currently used by industry and government requires a sc injection of insulin to rabbits and multiple assays of blood glucose. One hundred and forty-four rabbits are usually assayed, each assay taking at least 2 weeks. A bioassay for insulin is described. The new assay is based on a continuous monitoring of blood glucose and repeated iv injection of insulin to dogs. The test is completed in 1 day and is carried out on one dog. The interassay variability of seven repeated tests of an off the shelf soluble insulin was +/- 8%.