Introduction This study observed the daily changes in the concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and testosterone (T) in saliva, the relationship between the concentration of DHEA-S and T in saliva and serum, and the influence of a bout of heavy exercise training on the concentration of DHEA-S and T in saliva and serum in swimmers. The aim of the study was to explore the possibility of applying the non-invasive detection of DHEA-S and T in saliva as a monitoring tool for swimmers` status. Methods Subjects were selected from swimmers at the national masters level: 12 males and 12 females. Saliva samples were collected 8 times during 24 hours (at 7:10~7:30, 9:40~10:00, 11:40~12:00, 14:10~14:30, 16:20~16:40, 18:20~18:40, 21:10~21:30, and the following 7:10~7:30). Blood samples were collected at 7:10~7:30. Strenuous exercise was avoided during the experimental period. Saliva and blood samples of the same subjects were also collected in the morning, within 2 h after an 8~15 km training session, and again the following morning. The concentration of DHEA-S and T in saliva and serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosobent assay (ELISA). Results For hormones in the saliva, the peak concentration occurred at 7:00~7:30 (male: DHEA-S=3.3±1.0 ng/ml, T=292.0±159.3 pg/ml; female: DHEA-S=2.3±1.2 ng/ml, T=69.5±29.0 pg/ml), the lowest concentration occurred at 18:20~18:40 (male: DHEA-S=1.4±0.8 ng/ml, T=143.1±54.5 pg/ml; female: DHEA-S=0.9±0.9 ng/ml, T=23.4±15.5 pg/ml), and the sub-peak concentration occurred at 14:10~14:30 (male:DHEA-S=2.8±0.9 ng/ml, T=173.1±38.4 pg/ml; female: DHEA-S=2.1±1.5 ng/ml, T= 44.6±17.3 pg/ml) in both genders (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the concentration of DHEA-S and T in saliva among the other sample times. Significant positive correlations were found between DHEA-S in saliva and in serum (male: =0.72, p<0.01; female: =0.83, p<0.01), T in saliva and in serum (male: =0.66, p<0.05; female: =0.58, p<0.05), DHEA-S and T in serum (male: =0.70, p<0.05; female: =0.97, p<0.01), and DHEA-S and T in saliva (male: =0.73, p<0.01; female: =0.65, p<0.05) in both genders. DHEA-S and T in saliva decreased significantly after a bout of heavy exercise training and recovered the following morning in both genders. DHEA-S and T in serum had no significant change after exercise except DHEA-S in females. Discussion / Conclusions The concentration of DHEA-S and T in saliva may reflect the concentration of DHEA-S and T in serum. The daily change in concentration of DHEA-S and T in saliva was relatively smooth when the highest and lowest concentration levels were excluded. DHEA-S and T in saliva could be used as potential markers for monitoring the functional status of swimmers.
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