Saliva as a fluid for measurement of estriol levels.

The purpose was to establish saliva as a reliable sample for the determination of estriol levels in pregnant women. Literature and laboratory analyses were used to develop an assembly system to collect and analyze saliva for estriol level. An enzyme-linked immunoassay for estriol has been developed to use whole saliva samples. Analytic performance characteristics for the assay have been determined to be appropriate for clinical determination of preterm risk assessment. Saliva can serve as a reliable sample for estriol determination when coupled with an appropriate assay method.