A comparison of blood spot vs. plasma analysis of gonadotropin and ovarian steroid hormone levels in reproductive-age women.
OBJECTIVE
To compare LH, FSH, P, and E(2) levels obtained from blood spot vs. plasma (single-visit study) and to determine whether blood spots can document circulating hormone levels during ovulatory cycles (menstrual-cycle study).


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Academic center.


METHODS
Women 18-35 years of age with regular menstrual cycles and no recent use of hormonal contraception.


METHODS
Women contributed both a blood spot sample from a finger-stick and a plasma sample through venipuncture on a random day within their menstrual cycle (n = 100, single study visit). Five additional women were followed for an entire menstrual cycle with biweekly venipuncture and daily self-collected blood spot sampling. Samples were analyzed for FSH, LH, P, and E(2).


METHODS
Correlation between blood spot and plasma levels.


RESULTS
Significant positive correlations were found between the blood spot and plasma samples in the single-visit study (r(2): FSH, 0.91; LH, 0.93; P, 0.83; and E(2,) 0.70). Two of the 5 menstrual-cycle study women had ovulatory cycles based on P levels (>3 ng/mL) and an LH surge. Daily blood spot sampling was better able to document hormonal changes than biweekly venipuncture.


CONCLUSIONS
Blood spot monitoring of FSH, LH, P, and, to a lesser extent, E(2), appears to be as valid as traditional plasma assays for clinical research and care.
Edelman
Alison
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA. edelmana@ohsu.edu
Stouffer
Richard
R
Zava
David T
DT
Jensen
Jeffrey T
JT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D018962:Phlebotomy / Q000379:methods; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006062:Gonadotropins