Methods for quantitative estimation of prostaglandins.

For an understanding of the biological role of prostaglandins and related compounds, specific and sensitive quantitative methods have to be developed. The three most frequently employed methods today are bioassay, gas-liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry, and radioimmunoassay. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods will be discussed. In the approach to the prostaglandin assay, a suitable parameter must first be selected, e.g. a primary prostaglandin, a metabolite, or a derivative of a prostaglandin compound. This parameter must be a compound that is really indicative of the endogenous prostaglandin levels, i.e. it must neither be enriched due to artifactual production, nor be degraded before analysis. It is also very important that the compound selected for analysis has been shown to be related to the biological situation under study.