A monoclonal antibody against Lates calcarifer vitellogenin and a competitive ELISA to evaluate vitellogenin induction after exposure to xenoestrogen

A monoclonal antibody specific to sea bass(Lates calcarifer) vitellogenin(VTG) was developed,for use as a tool for monitoring endocrine disrupting chemicals(EDCs). VTG was induced in sea bass by intramuscular injection of 17β-estradiol(E_2: 2 mg/kg) every three days. Blood was collected three days after the last injection. Plasma VTG was then purified by chromatography in hydroxyapatite and a sephacryl-S300 column. Characterizations of purified VTG were done by phospholipoglycoprotein staining on a native-PAGE with confirmation by mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS). Antibody was raised in mice by injection of purified VTG. After monoclonal antibody production, the hybridoma clone No. 41(MAb-sea bass VTG 41)was selected and developed for quantification of VTG by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The ELISA method was sensitive with a detection limit of VTG 40 ng/mL. MAb-sea bass VTG 41 was specific to VTG from E_2-treated sea bass and others EDCs(Nonylphenol, Benzo[a]pyrene and CdCl_2). Moreover, cross-reactivity was also found in E_2-treated coral grouper(Epinephelus corallicola). The ELISA method obtained from this work can be further applied for the assessment of EDCs in Thailand and Southeast Asia's aquatic environment.