Method and kit for detecting the preovulatory LH peak

1. A method of detecting the preovulatory Luteinizing Hormone (LH) peak in a biological sample obtained from mammals consisting of the following steps:

(a) contacting a test surface comprising an anti-Luteinizing Hormone (anti-LH) antibody with a buffer solution comprising 5 to 50 vol % of fetal calf serum;

(b) contacting said surface obtained in step (a) with a biological sample;

(c) after step (b), rinsing the test surface in a washing solution;

(d) contacting the test surface rinsed in step (c) with a buffer solution of conjugate comprising an enzyme-coupled anti-LH antibody and from 5 to 50 vol % of fetal calf serum;

(e) after step (d), rinsing the test surface in a washing solution;

(f) after step (e), contacting the test surface with a solution comprising a substrate of said enzyme, said substrate comprising 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine membrane (Membrane TMB), wherein binding of said substrate and said enzyme causes a color change on the test surface that is proportional to the amount of LH present in the test sample; and

(g) visually observing the color change on the test surface to detect the presence of LH in the biological sample.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the biological sample is selected from the group comprising blood, plasma, serum, vaginal mucus, saliva, urine, milk.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the washing solution used in steps (c) or (e) is or is not the same.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the washing solution used in steps (c) or (e) is selected from phosphate-buffered saline or water.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the mammal is a human or an animal.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the animal is selected from the group comprising bovines, pigs, sheep, goats, canines, and equines.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the mammal is a human.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the anti-LH antibody fixed on the test surface in step (a) is a polyclonal or monoclonal antibody selected from the group comprising anti-bovine LH antibody, anti-porcine LH antibody, anti-ovine LH antibody, anti-canine LH antibody, anti-feline LH antibody, anti-equine LH antibody, anti-camelid LH antibody, anti-human LH antibody.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the enzyme-coupled anti-LH antibody is a polyclonal or monoclonal antibody selected from the group comprising anti-bovine LH antibody, anti-porcine LH antibody, anti-ovine LH antibody, anti-canine LH antibody, anti-feline LH antibody, anti-equine LH antibody, anti-camelid LH antibody, anti-human LH antibody.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the anti-LH antibody is coupled to an enzyme selected from the group comprising the enzyme peroxidase, beta-galactosidase, glucose oxidase and alkaline phosphatase.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10 , in which the enzyme is peroxidase.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11 , in which the peroxidase is selected from the group comprising the peroxidases with heme or the peroxidases without heme.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which step (b) and (d) of contacting is carried out for at least 5 minutes.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which step (f) of contacting is carried out for at least 5 minutes.

15. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the Membrane TMB is diluted in a citrate buffer with a dilution factor from ½ to 1/20.

16. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the test surface is of plastic.

17. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the biological sample is blood and step (b) of contacting is carried out in a heparinized tube.

18. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which said test surface is a stick comprising several test surfaces.