Pregnenolone ELISA Kit

Pregnenolone (3β-hydroxypregn-5-en-20-one) is the first steroid synthesized from cholesterol in the steroidogenesis pathway and serves as the universal precursor for all adrenal and gonadal steroid hormones. Its production occurs in the mitochondria of steroidogenic cells, where the P-450SCC enzyme cleaves the C-20 side chain of cholesterol. From there, pregnenolone enters one of two primary biosynthetic pathways, either converting into 17-OH pregnenolone via 17α-hydroxylase or into progesterone via 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Because of its central role in hormone synthesis, pregnenolone is a key biomarker for evaluating endocrine function, particularly in adrenal and gonadal disorders.

Clinically, elevated pregnenolone levels are observed in forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), particularly in deficiencies involving 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase or 17α-hydroxylase. It has also been found in higher concentrations in women with idiopathic hirsutism. Studies indicate that pregnenolone levels vary with age and sex, peaking during late adolescence and declining by the late 30s, with women generally showing slightly higher levels than men. As such, measuring serum pregnenolone may aid in the diagnosis of enzyme deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and developmental or reproductive abnormalities.

The Pregnenolone ELISA is a competitive immunoassay designed for accurate quantification of pregnenolone in serum samples. During the assay, endogenous pregnenolone competes with an HRP-labeled pregnenolone conjugate for a limited number of antibody binding sites on the microplate wells. After unbound components are washed away, the TMB substrate is added, resulting in a colorimetric reaction inversely proportional to the concentration of pregnenolone. Absorbance is measured at 450 nm, and the results are calculated using a calibrator curve. This method supports both clinical diagnostics and research into steroid metabolism and neuroactive steroid function, including studies on its metabolite, pregnenolone sulfate, which has emerging roles in brain and central nervous system activity.

This product is manufactured in USA by Eagle Biosciences.