DHEA-S Saliva ELISA

5-Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA-5) is a
endogenous natural steroid hormone with 19 carbon
atoms. It is the principal steroid hormone produced by
the secretion of the adrenal glands, but it is also
produced in the gonads and brain. DHEA is the most
abundant circulating steroid in human beings.
DHEA-S is a natural steroid hormone found primarily
in the kidneys and it is derived from the enzymatic
conversion of DHEA in the adrenal and extra-adrenal
tissues. It is the most abundant hormone in the
human body and is a precursor of all sex steroids. As
most DHEA-S is produced by the zona reticularis of
the adrenal, it is argued that there is a role in the
immune and stress response. DHEA-S may have
more biologic roles: for example its production in the
brain suggests a role as neurosteroid. The majority of DHEA-S in saliva is non-protein bound
and enters the saliva via intracellular mechanisms.
Salivary DHEA-S levels are unaffected by salivary
flow rate or salivary enzymes.
Measurement of serum DHEA-S is a useful marker of
adrenal androgen synthesis. Abnormally low levels
may occur in have been reported in hypoadrenalism,
while elevated levels occur in several conditions, e.g.
virilizing adrenal adenoma and carcinoma, 21- hydroxylase and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
deficiencies and in some cases of female hirsutism.
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome tend to have
normal or mildly elevated levels of DHEAS.