Abstract:
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin from early pregnancy urine was purified to approximately 99.5 folds by HPLC technique using PA-DEAE column after ultrafiltration. The specific activity of HCG determined by ELISA method, was 2,784.0 IU/mg of protein. The purified hormone may comprise 2 subunits with molecular weights of 35,494 and 38,968 daltons as observed by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified HCG when immunized to rabbits, gave maximun titer of approximately 5 X 105. There was no difference between immunization with 1,000 IU or 2,000 IU of the hormone. The antisera obtained were pooled and purified to 357 folds by using ammonium sulphate precipitation and affinity chromatography. The purified antibody showed two bands with a molecular weight of 46,060 and 63,580 daltons by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The HCG, however, showed one sharp precipitin line and a faint line when subjected to either immunodiffusion, or immunoelectrophoresis. The faint precipitin line may be due to altered HCG or impurities in the HCG preparation.