Direct fluoroimmunoassay of salivary estradiol in sequential clomiphene citrate-gonadotropins therapy

ABSTRACT

Serum and salivary estradiol [E2] levels in 26 females, during clomiphene citrate-gonadotrophins therapy for ovarian stimulation, were measured by direct fluoroimmunoassay [FIA]. There was a good correlation between E2 concentrations in serum and saliva samples as well as between levels measured with and without prior extraction of the saliva [r = 0.75 and 0.94, respectively]. The mean ratio of salivary to serum E2 levels was 2.2% +/- 0.25. The salivary E2 level reached a pre-ovulatory peak on day 12, and a second luteal phase peak on day 18 of the stimulated cycle [concentrations were 127 +/- 13 and 77 +/- 8 pmol/L, respectively]. The noninvasive nature of saliva collection in multiple sampling regimens, coupled with non-isotopic FIA for measuring salivary E2 levels, could serve as a useful tool for monitoring follicular response to any therapeutic ovarian stimulation scheme