title: Relationship between salivary and serum testosterone levels in response to different exercise intensities.
abstract: The anabolic hormone testosterone (T) continues to be researched extensively in exercise studies, with blood serum or plasma samples collected routinely. This method is considered both valid and reliable; however, the collection process can be invasive and difficult during exercise. For this reason, non-invasive sampling, such as saliva collections, is increasing in popularity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the association between salivary and serum T before and after various intensities of exercise to assess the validity of saliva collection for T measurement.
  
  
  METHODS
  12 endurance-trained males (Mean ± SD; VOVO2max 58.2 ± 6.4 ml/kg/min, 22 ± 4.6 years, BMI 21.6 ± 1.9) completed three 30-minute exercise (cycling) sessions at 40% (Low), 60% (Moderate), and 80% (High) of VO2max as well as a 30-minute resting Control session on four separate days. Salivary (s) and serum (S) samples were assessed for T prior to (Pre), immediately post (Post), and 30 minutes post (30 Min Post) each session.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Low exercise caused a significant (p<0.05) increase in ST, but not sT, while Moderate and High exercise caused an increase (p<0.01) in both ST and sT. A strong positive correlation (Spearman [rs]) existed between sT and ST in the Moderate (rs = 0.912 [p<0.001; n=36; 12 subjects x 3 measurement times-samples]), and High (rs = 0.898 [p<0.001]) sessions, but not as strong for the Low (rs = 0.517 [p=0.001]) session.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that sT and ST levels are strongly associated to exercise. However, the exercise-related sT and ST responses-changes were more closely aligned at Moderate and High intensities, suggesting a greater validity between the saliva and serum responses to higher intensity exercise.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Section - Applied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Amy R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Section - Applied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina, USA, Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hackney
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone