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Salivary testosterone measurements mirror serum testosterone findings
Among a general population sample in Britain, morning salivary testosterone measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry produced findings similar to those from serum testosterone measurements, study data show.
“The use of saliva in the investigation of testosterone status is attractive because sample collection is convenient, requires minimal training and can be easily undertaken at home,” Brian G. Keevil, MSc, from the department of clinical biochemistry at University Hospital of South Manchester, United Kingdom, and colleagues wrote. “Measurement of salivary testosterone, therefore, offers great potential in facilitating epidemiological and biomedical research at the population level.”
Keevil and colleagues analyzed morning saliva samples from participants in the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles, a probability sample survey of the British general population conducted between September 2010 and August 2012. Salivary testosterone was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS); researchers used linear and quantile regression analyses to determine the age-specific 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles for the general population (1,675 men and 2,453 women) and the population with health exclusions (1,145 men and 1,276 women).
Researchers found the mean salivary testosterone level was approximately six times greater in men vs. women, remaining constant during the age range. In the general population, the mean salivary testosterone level in men decreased from 322.6 pmol/L at age 18 years to 153.9 pmol/L at age 69 years. In women, geometric mean salivary testosterone fell from 39.8 pmol/L at age 18 years to 19.5 pmol/L at age 74 years. The annual decrease varied with age, with an average of 1% to 1.4% in men and 1.3% to 1.5% in women, according to the researchers.
For women, the 2.5th percentile fell below the detection limit (6.5 pmol/L) from age 52 years.
Researchers observed seasonal differences in salivary testosterone for men and women (P < .0001 for both). During summer, salivary testosterone level was lowest for men and highest for women; results were similar for the general population. There were no associations between salivary testosterone and geographical region (P = .243).
The researchers noted that any health conditions among participants was self-reported, menstrual cycle data for women was not available, and that single-morning saliva samples cannot account for interindividual variations; however, the data could prove useful for future research.
“These population data, which can be harmonized with those from other laboratories using validated LC-MS/MS methods, provide a benchmark for ensuring the appropriate interpretation and comparisons of [salivary testosterone] results in future research. An essential step has now been taken to allow the application of [salivary testosterone] levels in investigating the potential importance of androgen exposure in many aspects of sexual behavior and general health in largescale population surveys of men and women.” – by Regina Schaffer
Disclosure: Keevil reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for the other author’s relevant financial disclosures.