We describe a simplified electroimmunoassay for quantification of human apolipoproteins A-I and B on prepared plates. A solution of agarose at 55 degrees C, containing hydroxyethylcellulose and antibodies, is poured onto a plastic film and allowed to gel. Wells are punched in the gels and the plates are dried for storage. Before use, they are rehydrated and buffered. We use succinylated Sudan Black to prestain lipoprotein fractions of plasma. After electrophoresing samples of plasma or standards for 3 h at 4 degrees C at 12.5 V/cm, we measure the peak heights and read the results from a standard curve prepared by using calibrated sera of known apolipoprotein B and A-I content as secondary standard. The within- and between-assay coefficients of variation were less than 4% in all cases. Results correlated well with those obtained by classic electroimmunodiffusion. Subjects with confirmed atherosclerotic lesions had significantly (p less than 10(-9)) lower ratios of apolipoprotein A-I to apolipoprotein B, compared with ratios in controls.