Merckotest® UCG (Urine chorionic gonadotropin)

In one box are located 11 of an original 22 test tubes, 2 of which have a cork bung. The second box contains the test tube stand for the Merckotest®

For the haemagglutination inhibition test, one needs 1) antiserum, obtained through sensitizing rabbits to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which acts as an antigen, (= anti-hCG serum), and 2) sheep erythrocytes that are coated with hCG.

The principle: if the urine of a pregnant woman (contains hCG) comes into contact with anti-hCG serum, then the latter is bound by the hCG in the urine. Now one adds hCG-coated sheep erythrocytes. Since the anti-hCG serum is already bound, the sheep erythrocytes cannot react with it; they sink to the bottom and form a sharply defined, clearly visible dark ring - the result is positive.

If the urine contains no hCG, then the hCG-coated sheep erythrocytes react with the anti-hCG serum (agglutination). As a result, the sheep erythrocytes stay in suspension, i.e., they don’t sink to the bottom, and no ring develops— the result is negative.

Source: W. Pschyrembel, Praktische Geburtshilfe (Practical Obstetrics), 1967

 

Inventory Number
2753
Dating
Mai 1969
Place of Origin
Darmstadt
Material
glass, Plexiglass, cork, plastic
Size in cm
Gläser: 8,4 x 1,2 cm; Ständer: 7,3 x 12,3 x 3,9
Condition
good, but incomplete: has only test tubes and test tube stand
Donor
Lilli & Werner Repetzky