Evaluation of in vitro assays for determination of estrogenic activity in the environment

TABLE 3. Comparison of key parameters for the various in vitro assays for detection of estrogenic activity Assay type ER binding Reporter gene assays Cell proliferation Assay ER binding ER-CALUX MVLN Chimeric receptor YES E-screen Cells T47D MVLN MCF-7 HeLa HGELN Yeast MCF-7 Laboratory requirements Isotope laboratory Sterile laboratory equipment Cell culture laboratory Sterile lab. equipment Cell culture Relatively demanding Relatively simple Relatively demanding Miniturisation/ automation No Yes Yes Yes Costs Relatively expensive Relatively expensive Relatively inexpensive Relatively expensive Detection of anti-estrogens No Yes Limited Yes Assay time (days) 1-2 3 4 ~ 3 ~ 3 ~ 6 Detection limit^a) (ng E2/l) 272 0.1 5 1-3 0.27 LOQ for the whole method^b) (ng EEQ/l) 0.001^c) 0.03^d) 0.07-0.14 a) Detection limit not including concentration factors (see section 5.3.1).