A simple isotope derivative assay for prostaglandins and prostaglandin metabolites. I. Assay of e-type prostaglandins.

Prostaglandins of the E series may be reduced with ³H]borohydride to their corresponding counterparts of the F series: during reduction a tritium label is incorporated into the molecule. We describe a simple assay based on this reaction which can be used to measure E-type prostaglandins, and with slight modifications, to measure F-, A-, and D-type prostaglandins, as well as the 15-keto and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto metabolites. The assay will estimate 1–10 ng PGE compounds (～10^?11–10^?12 moles) but some prior purification of the sample is necessary.