Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT) has developed Human Chronic Gonadotrophin (HCG) assay kit, an Immuno Radiometric Assay (IRMA) system for detection of complication in pregnancy. BRIT is seeking approval from the Radio Pharmaceutical Committee (RPC) for its regular production and supply.

“HCG is a hormone secreted by placenta during pregnancy. Estimation of this hormone in blood allows the early detection of pregnancy. A small serial analysis in blood of this hormone as the pregnancy progress will reflect the foetal well being status. Estimation of HCG is important in diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, a condition requiring emergency diagnosis”, said sources in BRIT.

HCG test can also be used to stage the severity of cancer. As certain cancer such as chorio carcinoma produces HCG, it is used to determine the severity of the disease as well as monitor the therapy and to detect the recurrence of the cancer after treatment. BRIT has developed an assay kit based on indigenously produced magnetisable particle (patented) coated antibody.

Also, BRIT recently developed a progesterone radioimmunoassay kit for veterinary application for the early detection of pregnancy in cows by estimation of progesterone in blood. The detection of pregnancy is important in monitoring the artificial insemination programme and reduces non- productive period of the animal.

The kit is also useful in area transplantation in animal reproduction. The clinical evaluation of the kit was carried in collaboration with BAIF, Pune.