Immunoassay Techniques -- High-Performance Liquid Chromatography for Hormone Assay -- Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry -- An Introduction to PCR Techniques -- Methods for the Investigation of Thyroid Function -- Assays for LH, FSH, and Prolactin -- Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone and Related Peptides -- Measurement of Glucocorticoids in Biological Fluids -- Urinary Steroid Profiling -- Measurement of Aldosterone in Blood -- Measurement of Plasma Renin Activity -- Measurement of Androgens -- Measurement of Gut Hormones in Plasma -- Measurement of Melatonin and 6-Sulphatoxymelatonin.

Although automated systems can measure all common hormones in human blood, they are expensive and often incapable of measuring hormones in urine, saliva, and animals. In Hormone Assays in Biological Fluids, expert researchers who have developed and applied significant new assays describe in step-by-step detail readily reproducible methods for measuring a broad variety of hormones, related peptides, and synthetic steroids in various biological fluids. The hormones measured range from glucocorticoids in biological fluids, urinary steroids, aldosterone in blood, and plasma renin activity, to gut hormones in plasma, melatonin, prolactin, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, and androgens in blood, saliva, and hair. The emphasis is on noncommercial assays so that investigators can develop novel methods suited to their special needs. Commercial assays are also described for comparative purposes. Tutorials on radioimmunoassay, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, and polymerase chain reaction techniques help readers choose the best methods for their purpose. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular Medicine™ series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principles behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Wide-ranging and highly practical, Hormone Assays in Biological Fluids illuminates the many different methods available for a broad range of hormone assays, enabling researchers to choose the optimal existing methods or develop novel assays for their specialized purposes.