Abstract
A biosensor system was developed to measure progesterone levels in the urine of female numbats (Myrmecobius fasciata) as an index of ovarian function. Screen printed sensors were coated with a monoclonal progesterone antibody, and incubated in a mixture of sample/standard and progesterone-3-CMO-horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The difference in potential between the working and reference electrode was measured, after exposure to an HRP substrate. EIA and biosensor standard curves showed parallelism, and the biosensor gave values similar (r = 0.83) to the conventional EIA. Progesterone concentrations at different stages of the oestrus cycle were not significantly different to those obtained by EIA.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The role of Vicki Power, Cathy Lambert and the keeping staff at Perth Zoo in maintaining the numbats and collecting the urine is greatly appreciated.