الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 81 |  |  |
| | | from | 81 | | |
Abstract
Salivary fluid is an exocrine secretion consisting of approximately 98% water, containing a variety of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, magnesium, bicarbonate, phosphate) hormones and proteins, represented by enzymes, immunoglobulins and other antimicrobial factors, mucosal glycoproteins, traces of albumin and some polypeptides and oligopeptides of importance to oral health. With density between 1.002 and 1.012 g/L and pH around 6.64.
Testosterone is a steroid-hormone. It is an anabolic steroid. It is primarily released from the Testes (cells of Leydig) in males, and the Ovaries in females. The Adrenal glands’ cortices also secrete small quantities of the hormone. Testosterone stimulates the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics in males, their sexual function, and the appearance attributes, such as voice characteristics and the growth of body hair.
Salivary testosterone reflects the free fraction of plasma testosterone that is able to diffuse passively across the salivary glands, independently of salivary flow-rate
The use of saliva as a sample source for hormone analysis has become increasingly attractive for clinicians and researchers because collection of saliva offers a non invasive and stress-free alternative to collection of plasma and serum. Multiple specimens of saliva for steroid hormone analysis can be easily collected by the patient, at home.
It is particularly useful in anaemic and high-risk patients as those with end-stage renal disease.
Saliva collection is simple. No special training or equipment is needed , so even children can collect saliva samples themselves without feeling afraid or stress.
There is a good correlation between salivary testosterone and serum free testosterone, indicating that salivary testosterone provides a reliable method for determination of serum free testosterone.
The aim of the study was to make use of measurement of testosterone in saliva and to correlate it to serum testosterone.
The present study was conducted on 80 apparently healthy subjects, group I (20 prepubertal children aged from 5-10 years, group II 40 adults aged from 18-40 years of whome 20 were males and 20 were females and group III 20 geriatric subjects aged ›65 years of whome 10 were males and 10 were females). Routine laboratory tests were done for all the subjects.
Serum free testosterone and salivary testosterone were measured using ELISA technique. After overnight fast, paired saliva and serum samples were obtained simultaneously at 9am.
The results of this stud