tcle7981 Quantitative Cortisol saliva ELISA Kit.

Cortisol is a corticosteroid hormone or glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex, that is part of the adrenal gland (in the Zona fasciculata and the Zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex). It is usually referred to as the "stress hormone" as it is involved in response to stress. It increases blood pressure and blood sugar, and reduces immune responses.

The amount of Cortisol present in saliva undergoes diurnal variation. During the first 2 or 3 hours after typical wake-up time there is a distinct concentration peak-value. The position of this peak-value is strongly influenced by the average wake-up time during the past week. It is not as dependent on the actual wake-up time of the specific day of sample collection (if different from the average wake-up time of the past week). After this peak the Cortisol concentration declines until approximately midnight. The best time for sample collection to test for diseases such as Morbus Cushing (Cushing’s Disease) is midnight. Spontaneous increases in Cortisolconcentration during the day may occur, commonly due to stress or food intake. Strenuous physical exercise can also result in increased Cortisol concentrations post-exercise. Exercise-induced increases in Cortisol concentration have been reported to even exceed the morning peak concentration. After several hours postexercise the concentration should return to normal levels.