In addition to its role as a sex hormone, progesterone also serves as a precursor compound for many of the other steroid hormones. Progesterone is also synthesized in the brain and nervous system, where it functions as a neurosteroid that can influence survival and growth of cells, (8,9) and it is involved in brain development and behavior. (8-11)
In blood only 1 to 15% of progesterone is in its unbound or biologically active form. The remaining progesterone is bound to serum proteins. Unbound progesterone enters the saliva via intracellular mechanisms, and the majority of progesterone in saliva is not protein-bound. (12) Correlations obtained between plasma and salivary levels measured in the same subjects have generally been quite high. (13)
Technical Summary
| Analyte Summary | |
|---|---|
| Analyte: | Progesterone |
| Aliases: | 4-pregenene-3,20-dione |
| Serum-Saliva Correlation: | 0.80 |
| Optimum Collection Volume: | 125 μL* |
| Assay Summary | |
|---|---|
| Methodology: | ELISA |
| Sensitivity: | 5 pg/mL |
| Assay Range: | 10 pg/mL - 2430 pg/mL |
| Assay Type: | Quantitative |
Collect Saliva Samples
PROGESTERONE SALIVA COLLECTION CONSIDERATIONS
Better results begin with better saliva collection. This collection protocol features general considerations to maximize salivary Progesterone analysis. Use this analyte specific collection protocol to plan your collection methodology and sampling schemes.
APPROVED SALIVARY PROGESTERONE COLLECTION METHODS
Test Saliva Samples
| Order Code (lab): | 5170 |
| Transport Requirements: | Ship on Dry Ice |
Add DNA Analysis to My Study
Considerations for adding Salivary DNA to analyte Studies:
You can combine salivary analytes with easy, accurate, and affordable genomic testing using Salimetrics SalivaLab and the same sample that you are already collecting – no specialized saliva collection devices or additional samples are required.
Don’t know what SNPs are right for you? The SalivaLab’s DNA team specializes in genetic testing services, we recommend you Request a DNA Consult (gratis) to learn more about common considerations such as # of samples, participant ethnicity, and IRB Approval.
All DNA Services
DNA Extraction and Normalization
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Genotyping
VNTR & STR Analysis
References & Salivary Progesterone Research
- Tuckey, R.C. (2005). Progesterone synthesis by the human placenta. Placenta, 26(4), 273-81.
- Strott, C.A., Yoshimi, T., Lipsett, M.B. (1969). Plasma progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone in normal men and children with congential adrenal hyperplasia. J Clin Invest, 48(5), 930-39.
- Soules, M.R., Clifton, D.K., Steiner R.A., et al. (1988). The corpus luteum: Determinants of progesterone secretion in the normal menstrual cycle. Obstet Gynecol, 71(5), 659-66.
- Eppig, J.J. (2001). Oocyte control of ovarian follicular development and function in mammals. Reproduction, 122(6), 829-38.
- Veldhuis, J.D., Christiansen, E.C., Evans, W.S., et al. (1988). Physiological profiles of episodic progesterone release during the midluteal phase of the human menstrual cycle: Analysis of circadian and ultradian rhythms, discrete pulse properties, and correlations with simultaneous luteinizing hormone release. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 66(2), 414-21.
- Junkermann, H., Mangold, H., Vecsei, P., Runnebaum, B. (1982). Circadian rhythm of serum progesterone levels in human pregnancy and its relation to the rhythm of cortisol. Acta Endocrinol, 101(1), 98-104.
- Shah, C., Modi, D., Sachdeva, G., et al. (2005). Coexistence of intracellular and membrane-bound progesterone receptors in human testis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 90(1), 474-83.
- Djebaili, M., Guo, Q., Pettus, E.H., et al. (2005). The neurosteroids progesterone and allopregnanolone reduce cell death, gliosis, and functional deficits after traumatic brain injury in rats. J Neurotrauma, 22(1), 106-18.
- Stein, D.G. (2008). Progesterone exerts neuroprotective effects after brain injury. Brain Res Rev, 57(2), 386-97.
- Wagner, C.K. (2006). The many faces of progesterone: A role in adult and developing male brain. Front Neuroendocrinol, 27(3), 340-59.
- Brown, S.L., Fredrickson, B.L., Wirth, M.M., et al. (2009). Social closeness increases salivary progesterone in humans. Horm Behav, 56(1), 108-111.)
- Vining, R.F., McGinley, R.A. (1987). The measurement of hormones in saliva: Possibilities and pitfalls. J Steroid Biochem, 27(1-3), 81-94.
- Ellison, P.T. (1993). Measurements of salivary progesterone. In: Saliva as a diagnostic fluid, Malamud, D., Tabak, L., eds. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 694, 161-176.