Sex Hormone Detection In Human Tear Film Using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Endocrinology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• The tear film is crucial for ocular health and can serve as a diagnostic fluid.
• Sex hormones influence tear film composition, but their measurement in tears is challenging due to low sample volumes.
• Dry eye disease (DED) is a common ocular surface disorder potentially linked to hormonal changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a protocol for quantifying 17β-estradiol and testosterone in basal tears.
• To adapt commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits for low-volume tear samples.
• To establish tear fluid as a viable matrix for hormone measurement in ocular research.

Main Methods:

• Collection of basal tears using microcapillary tubes.
• Adaptation of commercial ELISA kits for hormone detection.
• Optimization of sample dilution and assay preparation for low-volume tear analysis.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated feasibility and reproducibility of detecting 17β-estradiol and testosterone in tear fluid.
• Successfully adapted ELISA methods for analyzing small tear sample volumes.
• Presented representative results illustrating assay performance.

Conclusions:

• The developed protocol enables reliable hormone measurement in basal tears.
• This method supports tear fluid analysis for hormone levels in ocular surface research.
• The findings may advance understanding of hormonal influences on eye health and DED.