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As we mentioned in previous articles, infertility is defined as inability of a couple to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse or can not carry the pregnancy to term. It effects over 5 millions couple alone in the U. S. and many times more in the world. Because of unawareness of treatments, only 10% seeks help from professional specialist. In this article, we will discuss what is female infertility Radioimmunoassays (RIAs) ?

I. Definition
Radioimmunoassay (RIAs) is a very sensitive medical technique used to measure concentrations of antigens such as quantitating the binding, or the inhibition of binding, of a radio-labeled substance to an antibody which help your doctor to determine that the infertility is not or caused by hormone imbalance during menstrual cycle.

II. Procedure
By mixing a known quantity of an antigen and antibody with the sample of serum from a patient containing an unknown quantity, it helps to measure the interaction of testosterone, LH, FSH, prolactin hormones.

III. Diagnosis
After the uterine lining is shed and the previous menstrual cycle end. The surge of estrogen indicate the new menstrual cycle is begun. The levels of estrogen stimulate hypothalamus to secret gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), it helps the pituitary gland to secret Follicle stimulated hormone (FSH) for production of eggs from the ovaries. When the eggs is mature, the production of luteinizing hormone (LH) causes mature egg being extruded from the ovaries a few days before ovulation and allows the cervix to produce the sperm friendly mucus, then the levels of progesterone surge to soften the lining of uterus for implantation of the embryo if fertilized, otherwise the uterine lining is shed and prepare the next menstrual cycle. Anything gone wrong in hormone secretion during this process will influence the quantitating the binding or the inhibition of binding that can be detected by a radio-labeled substance to an antibody.

IV. Risk
No risk is known.