The "trouble" with salivary testosterone.
In a series of studies, we identify several specific issues that can limit the value of integrating salivary testosterone in biosocial research. Salivary testosterone measurements can be substantially influenced during the process of sample collection, are susceptible to interference effects caused by the leakage of blood (plasma) into saliva, and are sensitive to storage conditions when samples have been archived. There are gender differences in salivary testosterone levels and variance, the serum-saliva association, the relationship of salivary testosterone to age and pubertal development, and the stability of individual differences in salivary testosterone levels over time. The findings have important implications at several levels of analysis for research that aims to test biosocial models of testosterone--behavior relationships. Recommendations are provided to steer investigators around these "troubles" with salivary testosterone.
Department of Biobehavioral Health, Behavioral Endocrinology Laboratoty, Pennsylvania State University, 315 E. Henderson Building, University Park, PA 16801, USA. dag11@psu.edu
Douglas A
DA
Granger
Elizabeth A
EA
Shirtcliff
Alan
A
Booth
Katie T
KT
Kivlighan
Eve B
EB
Schwartz
D000367:Age Factors; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D008297:Male; D006472:Oral Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013739:Testosterone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000009:adverse effects
D013739:Testosterone