One-tube radiotransinassay for determination of cortisol at ambient temperature.

After extraction of the sample (on filter paper) in the counting vial, cortisol is assayed by adding 50 microL of horse serum containing tritiated cortisol, and 2 mL of toluene scintillator, shaking for 20 min, and counting the radioactivity in a liquid-scintillation counter at ambient temperature. The method can be applied to saliva, serum, or urine--directly as wet samples or dried on the filter paper. Only inexpensive reagents, which are stable for months to years, are needed.