[Salivary testosterone levels in normal boys at puberty].

Salivary testosterone (Salivary-T) was measured in 133 normal boys at puberty (8-14 years old) and 21 adult males (24-36 years old) by using radioimmunoassay. Also, a simultaneous measurement was performed on salivary-T and serum total testosterone (Total-T) and free testosterone (Free-T) in order to study the correlation between saliva and serum. The results were summarized as follows: (1) Good correlations were observed in the values between Salivary-T and Total-T or Free-T. The correlation coefficient value was 0.54 between Salivary-T and Total-T, 0.84 between Salivary-T and Free-T when measured by DPC kit. Correlation coefficient value was 0.59 between Salivary-T by Wien kit and Total-T by DPC kit, also 0.77 between Salivary-T by Wien kit and Free-T by DPC kit. (2) Salivary-T, in the mean level, increased by age. The most rapid increase of Salivary-T was observed at 13 years of age. (3) Diurnal change of Salivary-T was observed at 13 years of age through adult age. Salivary-T level was highest in the morning and declined toward evening. (4) These results suggest that Salivary-T measurement was highly reliable and applicable for use in the monitoring of androgen status.