Exceptional diagnostics for
reproductive disease state management.
Blood Banking
Centrifugation
Access DHEA-S
Chemistry
Flow Cytometry
Hematology
Hemostasis
Immunoassay
Information Systems
Lab Automation
Molecular Diagnostics
Rapid Diagnostics
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) is a
steroid prohormone produced primarily by the adrenal
gland from cholesterol.1 DHEA-S can be converted
to free steroid DHEA by removing the sulfate group.
Subsequently, DHEA and/or DHEA-S may be partially
metabolized into active androgens and estrogens
(e.g. testosterone and estradiol).1, 2
Synthesis Pathway for
Steroid Hormone Production
Serum and plasma DHEA-S levels are found to be
the highest of all steroids. Maximum levels of DHEA-S
are reached around age thirty, then decrease in both
men and women.3 The relatively long half-life of serum
DHEA-S and the limited diurnal variation make DHEA-S
a convenient marker for the assessment of adrenal
production.4
DHEA-S may be used in the differential diagnosis of
Cushing’s syndrome and also to evaluate adrenocortical
diseases, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia and
adrenal tumors.4, 5 In hirsute female patients, increased
DHEA-S levels have been associated with virilizing
adrenal tumors.6 Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
(PCOS) have often demonstrated elevated levels of
DHEA-S, suggesting an adrenal androgen contribution
to the defect in this disorder.7, 8, 9
Access DHEA-S offers:
•3
0-minute time to first result
•S
erum or plasma (heparin or EDTA) is compatible
with the assay, providing testing flexibility
•B
road reportable range of 2 – 1000 μg/dL (0.05 27.14 μmol/L) reduces the need for sample dilution
saving laboratory time
•S
mall sample size of 10 μL allows the entire
reproductive panel to be run from a single collection
tube
DS-14988A
Access DHEA-S
Expected Values
Each laboratory should establish its own reference ranges to assure proper representation of specific populations.
In one study, DHEA-S was measured in human serum, heparinized plasma, and EDTA plasma samples from apparently healthy male
and female subjects using the Access DHEA-S assay. The observed ranges of DHEA-S concentrations are shown below, for each
population represented:
n
Median*
(μg/dL)
95% Reference Interval**
(μg/dL)
18 - 21
10
177
51 - 321
21 - 30
39
170
18 - 391
31 - 40
40
141
23 - 266
41 - 50
42
121
19 - 231
51 - 60
39
58
8 - 188
61 - 70
30
61
12 - 133
> 71
33
35
7 - 177
Age (years)
Females
Males
18 - 21
10
302
24 - 537
21 - 30
44
238
85 - 690
31 - 40
45
217
106 - 464
41 - 50
43
193
70 - 495
51 - 60
36
119
38 - 313
61 - 70
29
78
24 - 244
> 71
34
45
5 - 253
*Actual median of samples
**Based on parametric model for 2.5% to 97.5% reference interval
Characteristics
Sample Type / Size
Serum / plasma (EDTA or heparin) / 10 μL
Time to First Result
30 min
Analytical Sensitivity
< 2 μg/dL (< 0.05 μmol/L) - 95% confidence
Approximate Calibrator Levels
0, 20, 50, 200, 500 & 1000 μg/dL
Reportable Range
2 – 1000 μg/dL (0.05 - 27.14 μmol/L)
Open Pack Stability
28 days
Calibration Stability
28 days
Precision
≤ 10% CV at ≥ 20 μg/dL
Ordering Information
Reagent Kit (2 x 50 tests)
A10826
Calibrators (1 set, 6 x 2.0 mL)
A10827
References
1.Meikle W, et al. Adrenal androgen secretion and biological effects.
Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America. June 1991;
Vol. 20 No. 2.
2.Nestler J, et al. Metabolism and actions of dehydroepiandrosterone in
humans. J Steriod Biochem Molec Biol. 1991; 40: 599-605.
3.Davis S, et al. Androgens and the postmenopausal woman. Journal of
Clinical Endrocrinology and Metabolism. 1996; 81: 2759-2763.
4.Dhar T, et al. Determination of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in
plasma by a one-step enzyme immunoassay with a microtitre plate.
Clin Chem. 1985; 31: 1876-1879.
5. Burtis, CA and Ashwood, ER. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry,
3rd edition. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA (1999).
6. Derksen J, et al. Identification of virilizing adrenal tumors in hirsute
women. New England Journal of Medicine. Oct. 1994; 968-1016.
7. Invitti C, et al. Increased urinary free cortisol and decreased serum
corticosterioid-binding globulin in polycystic ovary syndrome.
Acta Endrocinological. 1991; 125: 28-32.
8. Claudine B, et al. Relationships of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in the
elderly with functional, psychological, and mental status, and short-term
mortality: A French community-based study. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA.
1996; 93: 13410-13415.
9. Helzlsour, JK, et al. Relationship of prediagnostic serum levels of
dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate to the risk
of developing premenopausal breast cancer. Cancer Research. 1992;
52: 1-4.
Access Reproductive – A Menu that Matters
AFP (ONTD)
DHEA-S
Estradiol
hFSH
hLH
Inhibin A
PlGF*
Progesterone
Prolactin
sFlt-1*
SHBG
Testosterone
Total βhCG
Unconjugated Estriol
*In development
Access reproductive solutions are part of a comprehensive assay menu featured on Access and
UniCel Immunoassay Systems. To learn more, visit www.beckmancoulter.com/reproductive.
Space for
FSC Logo
Beckman Coulter, the stylized symbol, Access and UniCel are trademarks of Beckman Coulter, Inc.
and are registered in the USPTO.
Printed with soy ink
For Beckman Coulter’s worldwide office locations and phone numbers, please visit “Contact Us” at www.beckmancoulter.com
B2011-12154-DG-3K
© 2011 Beckman Coulter, Inc.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.