Human 17-OH Progesterone (free) ELISA Kit

17 alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) is a 21-carbon steroid produced by adrenals, ovaries, testes and placenta. 17OHP is the metabolite of progesterone and 17-hydroxyprognenolone, and is a precursor to cortisol. Serum levels are primarily used to diagnose congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Deficiency of 21-hydroxylase blocks synthesis of cortisol, resulting in an increase of serum 17OHP levels, which leads to increase in ACTH secretion. Besides the classical CAH, late-onset and milder heterozygous forms of CAH also occur. They may clinically manifest themselves during the peripubertal period in the form of menstrual disturbances and hirsutism. Even in adulthood, hirsutism can signal the possible presence of a heterozygous form of CAH. Measurements of basal and post-ACTH stimulation 17OHP levels are helpful in the differential diagnosis of these conditions. The measurement of 17OHP in serum or plasma samples from babies or young children is difficult because the high concentrations of conjugates present in blood. Therefore such serum and plasma samples should be extracted prior to the assay. The importance of the extraction step increases with decreasing age of the patient. In saliva the interference with the conjugates is not relevant at all, as conjugates are not present in saliva. Therefore salivary measurements of 17OHP even in newborns can be done without extraction step! This is not possible in serum or plasma samples.