Canine TSH ELISA Kit

Sample

serum, EDTA-plasma

Species Reactivity

Canine

Intended Use

The TSH canine ELISA is an enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative measurement of canine TSH (thyrotropin) in serum and EDTA-plasma.

Storage

When stored at 2°C to 8°C unopened reagents will be stable until expiration date. Do not use reagents beyond this date. Opened reagents must be stored at 2-8 °C. After first opening the reagents are stable for 30 days if used and stored properly. Microtiter wells must be stored at 2-8 °C. Take care that the foil bag is sealed tightly. Store Standards refrigerated, they will be stable at 2-8 °C for 7 days after reconstitution. For longer storage aliquot and freeze at -20 °C.
Protect TMB-Substrate Solution from light.

Precision

Intra-assay
The intra-assay variation was determined by 18 replicate measurements of 3 serum samples within one run using the TSH canine ELISA. The intra-assay variability is shown below:

Inter-assay
The inter-assay variation was determined by duplicate measurements of 3 serum samples in 10 different runs using the TSH canine ELISA. The inter-assay variability is shown below:

Sensitivity

The analytical sensitivity of the TSH canine ELISA was calculated by adding two standard deviations from the mean of twenty-two (22) replicate analyses of Standard A. The analytical sensitivity of the assay is 0.00002 ng/ml.

General Description

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH, thyrotropin) in dogs is similar in function to TSH found in other mammalian species, including humans. It is a glycoprotein produced by the anterior pituitary gland. Through its action on the thyroid gland, it plays a major role in maintaining normal circulating levels of the iodothyronines, T4 and T3. The production and secretion of TSH is controlled by negative feedback from circulating T4 and T3, and by the hypothalamic hormone TRH (thyrotropin releasing hormone). The TSH molecule is composed of two nonidentical subunits, α and β, that are bound together in a noncovalent manner. Within a species, the TSH α subunit is structurally identical to the α subunits of the related glycoprotein hormones (LH, FSH and chorionic gonadotropin). The β subunit of TSH and the  subunits of the related hormones are structurally hormonespecific, and account for their unique biological activities.
Hypothyroidism is considered to be a common endocrine disorder in dogs, whereas hyperthyroidism in this species is nearly unknown. Dogs mostly suffer from primary hypothyroidism, involving impaired production of the thyroid hormones, T4 and T3. In this condition, elevated TSH levels are expected. Secondary or tertiary hypothyroidism, where thyroid hormone production is low as a consequence of hypothalamic or pituitary disease, is believed to account for less than 5% of canine hypothyroidism cases. In the latter conditions, decreased levels of TSH would be expected. Usually, hypothyroidism in dogs is suspected on the basis of clinical history and the presence of decreased levels of thyroid hormones. However, suppressed thyroid hormone levels are nonspecific indicators of the disease, since they are often observed in nonthyroid illnesses. The evaluation of thyroid function and the diagnosis of hypothyroidism in dogs can be greatly improved through the use of the valid assay for the determination of canine TSH.