Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Saliva ELISA Kit

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Saliva ELISA Kit

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a C19 steroid produced primarily in the adrenal cortex and serves as a precursor in testosterone and estrogen synthesis. Due to the prescence of a 17-oxo-group, DHEA itself has a relatively weak androgenic activity, which has been estimated to be ~10% that of testosterone. However, circulating DHEA levels may be several-fold higher than testosterone concentrations, and rapid peripheral tissue conversion to more potent androgens (androstenedione and testosterone) and estrogens may occur. The physiological functions of DHEA are still the subject of investigation. DHEA reportedly plays a role in immune function, lipid metabolizm, cholesterol, the nervous system, ageing and protection against viral infection. Serum DHEA levels are relatively high in the fetus and neonates, low during childhood, and increase during puberty (adrenarche) until the third decade of life after which they decline steadily. DHEA concentrations in saliva correlate well to serum, however, levels may be 10-100 lower than found in the blood. In addition, salivary DHEA levels show diurnal variation which is dependent on adrenocortioctropic hormone (ACTH) levels. Measurement of salivary DHEA is a useful marker of adrenal androgen synthese. Abnormally low levels may occur in hypoadrenalism, and elevated levels may occur in several conditions, such as 21-hydroxylase and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiencies, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and some cases of femal hirsutism.

This Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Saliva ELISA Kit is manufactured in USA by Eagle Biosciences.