[Effect of the conditions of coupling in testosterone-albumine conjugates on the quality of the antibodies produced in the rabbit].

In order to produce antibodies against small molecules as steroid hormones a necessary step in the preparation of the antigen includes a covalent linkage of the hapten to a "carrier" protein. Two coupling procedures (mixed anhydrid method and carbodiimide method) have been utilized in the preparation of testosterone conjugate linked in the C3 position. The same batches of testosterone (o-carboxy methyl) oxime and crystallized bovine serum albumine have been used. In the 2 different antigens the steroid/BSA molar ratio was identical (30). Antibodies have been raised in female New-Zealand rabbits. It is concluded that experimental conditions of covalent linkage influenced the antigenic potency of the conjugate used. Antibodies of considerably higher titer, capacity and affinity were obtained when the mixed anhydrid method was used. However the specificity of these antibodies did not appear to be influenced by the type of antigen used.