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FOLATE AND DNA SYNTHESIShold true when stimuli other than endotoxin are used to produce EP. Third, the semiquantitative data obtained by testing EPor any other substance employed in pyrogen assays-improves the accuracy of these assays and yields more meaningful information for comparison of different pyrogenic substances. Fourth, providing it is clearly defined, the concept of the minimum pyrogenic dose is useful in standardizing the pyrogenic response, and to compare data from different laboratories.It should be realized that, as a form of bioassay, fever is a relatively gross measurement and depends on many variables inherent in the recipient, including the species of animal employed(5). It seems unlikely that differences between individual recipients or even within the same recipient will ever be eliminated. For this reason alone, attempts to control the procedures employed in this assay are indicated. Summary.A semiquantitative assay for endogenous pyrogen in serum is described. The test depends on using at least 3-4 recipients at at least 4 ranges of dosage, and the use of the fever index rather than height of the fever curve. This permits construction of a dose response curve which delineates the sensitive range of pyrexia. The minimum pyrogenic dose can then be calculated and should serve as a useful standard for comparison of different pyrogenic substances.