Measuring DHEA-S in saliva: time of day differences and positive correlations between two different types of collection methods

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The anabolic steroid, dehydroepiandosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), is secreted from the adrenal cortex. It plays a significant role in the body as a precursor to sex steroids as well as a lesser known role in the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (HPA) response to stress. DHEA-S can be measured reliably in saliva, making saliva collection a valuable tool for health research because it minimizes the need for invasive sampling procedures (e.g., blood draws). Typical saliva collection methods include the use of plain cotton swab collection devices (e.g., Salivette^®) or passive drool. There has been some speculation that the plain saliva cotton collection device may interfere with determination of DHEA-S by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) bringing this saliva collection method into question. Because of the increasing popularity of salivary biomarker research, we sought to determine whether the cotton swab interferes with DHEA-S determination through EIA techniques.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Fifty-six healthy young adult men and women aged 18-30 years came to the lab in the morning (0800 hrs; 14 men, 14 women) or late afternoon (1600 hrs; 14 men, 14 women) and provided saliva samples via cotton Salivette and passive drool. Passive drool collection was taken first to minimize particle cross contamination from the cotton swab. Samples were assayed for DHEA-S in duplicate using a commercially available kit (DSL, Inc., Webster, TX). DHEA-S levels collected via Salivette and passive drool were positively correlated (r = + 0.83, p < 0.05). Mean DHEA-S levels were not significantly different between collection methods. Salivary DHEA-S levels were significantly higher in males than in females, regardless of saliva collection method (p < 0.05), and morning DHEA-S values were higher than evening levels (p < 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Results suggest that DHEA-S can be measured accurately using passive drool or cotton Salivette collection methods. Results also suggest that DHEA-S levels change across the day and that future studies need to take this time of day difference into account when measuring DHEA-S.</p

Testosterone Trajectories and Reference Ranges in a Large Longitudinal Sample of Male Adolescents

Pubertal dynamics plays an important role in physical and psychological development of children and adolescents. We aim to provide reference ranges of plasma testosterone in a large longitudinal sample. Furthermore, we describe a measure of testosterone trajectories during adolescence that can be used in future investigations of development.We carried out longitudinal measurements of plasma testosterone in 2,216 samples obtained from 513 males (9 to 17 years of age) from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. We used integration of a model fitted to each participant's testosterone trajectory to calculate a measure of average exposure to testosterone over adolescence. We pooled these data with corresponding values reported in the literature to provide a reference range of testosterone levels in males between the ages of 6 and 19 years.The average values of total testosterone in the ALSPAC sample range from 0.82 nmol/L (Standard Deviation [SD]: 0.09) at 9 years of age to 16.5 (SD: 2.65) nmol/L at 17 years of age; these values are congruent with other reports in the literature. The average exposure to testosterone is associated with different features of testosterone trajectories such as Peak Testosterone Change, Age at Peak Testosterone Change, and Testosterone at 17 years of age as well as the timing of the growth spurt during puberty.The average exposure to testosterone is a useful measure for future investigations using testosterone trajectories to examine pubertal dynamics

Change in college student health and well-being profiles as a function of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ObjectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic has potential for long-lasting effects on college students' well-being. We examine changes from just before to during the pandemic in indicators of health and well-being and comprehensive profiles of health and well-being, along with links between covariates and profiles during the pandemic.Participants1,004 students participated in a longitudinal study that began in November 2019.MethodsLatent class analysis identified health and well-being profiles at both waves; covariates were included in relation to class membership.ResultsMental health problems increased, whereas substance use, sexual behavior, physical inactivity, and food insecurity decreased. Six well-being classes were identified at each wave. Baseline class membership, sociodemographic characteristics, living situation, ethnicity, coping strategies, and belongingness were associated with profile membership at follow-up.ConclusionsCOVID-19 has had significant and differential impacts on today's students; their health and well-being should be considered holistically when understanding and addressing long-term effects of this pandemic

Hormone Values from the ALSPAC sample.

<p>Values are reported as Mean (SD); Range. Time of venipuncture is calculated as hour plus minutes/60. The data is taken from the following ALSPAC Focus Clinics (different visits): Focus at 9, Focus at 11, Teen Focus 2, Teen Focus 3, Teen Focus 4.</p><p>*Testosterone values are adjusted for age and time of venipuncture (see methods).</p><p>Hormone Values from the ALSPAC sample.</p

Correlates of the average testosterone exposure.

<p>Average testosterone exposure is inversely related to (A) timing of growth spurt and (B) timing of the largest testosterone increase, but is positively related to (C) magnitude of the largest testosterone increase and (D) total testosterone at 17 years.</p

Testosterone trajectories by quintiles of the growth-spurt timing.

<p>Earlier (Quintile 1) versus late (Quintile 5) growth spurt is associated with (A) earlier rising testosterone trajectories, and (B) earlier onset of peak change in testosterone. Trajectories are plotted with adjusted testosterone values (see Methods).</p

Published Values of Total Testosterone (nmol/L).

<p>Note – Two year intervals reported in the age column (6–7 refers to participants that are between 6.00–7.99 years).</p><p>Published Values of Total Testosterone (nmol/L).</p