Antiserum characteristics and assay quality.

On the basis of the experience derived from the setting up and standardization of different radioimmunoassay systems, this paper attempts to point out the role played by the characteristics of the antiserum in the optimization of the assay. In particular the antiserum heterogeneity, the rates of formation and dissociation of immunecomplexes, and the nature of the antigen-antibody bonds are taken into consideration as regards some implications on the extent of blank, the effect of separation procedures and the adequacy of preincubation techniques.