Medica 2026
Nov 16-19, 2026 - Düsseldorf, Germany

Cortisol ELISA Kit: For High-Throughput Quantification of Stress Hormone

The Cortisol ELISA Kit is a cutting-edge analytical tool specifically designed for the high-throughput quantification of cortisol, a key stress hormone, in various biological samples. Developed with advanced enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technology, this kit offers exceptional sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility, making it an ideal choice for research laboratories, clinical diagnostic facilities, and pharmaceutical companies. It streamlines the process of cortisol detection, enabling simultaneous analysis of multiple samples, thus significantly improving workflow efficiency and reducing experimental time. Whether used in studies related to stress physiology, endocrinology, or psychiatric research, this kit provides reliable and accurate results to support scientific investigations and clinical decision-making.

Cortisol

Cortisol is secreted by the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex and exists in both bound and free forms in the blood. Cortisol in a free state accounts for only about 10%, has biological activity, and can be filtered through the kidneys; The bound state mainly binds to glucocorticoid binding protein (CBG), with a small amount bound to albumin. It has no biological activity, is not destroyed by liver cells, and cannot be filtered from the glomerulus. The secretion of cortisol is mainly regulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. Its secretion has a clear circadian rhythm, reaching its peak around 8am and gradually decreasing thereafter, reaching its lowest point at midnight. Cortisol plays a crucial role in the metabolism of substances, immune function, and physiological functions of various organs in the body.

Aspergillosis.Figure 1. Cortisol.

Clinical Significance

(1) Patients with Cushing's syndrome caused by adrenal cortex hyperplasia, adenoma, cancer, etc. have significantly increased cortisol levels in plasma, 24-hour urine, and saliva, and their circadian rhythm disappears. Patients with pituitary ACTH cancer and ectopic ACTH syndrome may experience a corresponding increase in plasma cortisol levels due to increased ACTH secretion. High glucose corticosteroid binding protein (CBG) anemia caused by various reasons significantly increases blood cortisol levels. Cortisol can also be elevated in critical illnesses such as obesity, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accidents, and shock. (2) Diseases with decreased cortisol concentration include primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency, familial corticosteroid binding protein (CBG) deficiency, Graves' disease, hypoalbuminemia, severe liver disease, or kidney disease. Long term use of glucocorticoids, sedatives, central antihypertensive drugs, and other medications can also cause a decrease in cortisol levels.

Technology Platform

Sample Compatibility

  • Human Samples
  • Cell culture
  • Serum, plasma

Sensitivity Range

  • High Sensitivity
  • Broad Dynamic Range
  • Low Limit of Detection
  • High Precision

Main Uses

  • Diagnosis
  • Risk screening
  • Outbreak screening

Cortisol ELISA Kit

This ELISA kit operates on the competitive principle. Endogenous cortisol in the sample competes with a cortisol-enzyme conjugate (horseradish peroxidase, HRP) for binding sites on a limited amount of cortisol-specific antibody that is pre-coated onto the microplate. After an incubation period, the plate is washed to remove unbound materials. A substrate solution is then added, producing a blue color. The enzymatic reaction is stopped, changing the color to yellow, which is measured spectrophotometrically. The key principle is that the intensity of the color is inversely proportional to the concentration of cortisol in the sample, allowing for accurate quantification.

Product Specifications and Performance

Key Features & Product Specifications

  • Feature/Specification: Details
  • Detection Method: Competitive ELISA
  • Sample Type: Human & Animal Serum, Plasma, Saliva, Urine
  • Assay Time: Approximately 60-90 minutes (fast protocol)
  • Detection Range: Broad dynamic range (e.g., 1-500 ng/mL, please verify with kit insert)
  • Sensitivity: High sensitivity (<1.0 ng/mL, please verify with kit insert)
  • Precision: Intra-assay CV < 8%; Inter-assay CV < 10%
  • Specificity: High specificity for cortisol. Minimal cross-reactivity with other major steroids.

Intended Use

  • This kit is intended for research use only (RUO). It is specifically designed for:
  • HPA Axis Research: Monitoring cortisol dynamics in stress studies, sleep research, and circadian rhythm investigations.
  • Endocrine Disorder Studies: Aiding in the research of adrenal gland disorders.
  • Preclinical & Toxicology Studies: Evaluating the effects of compounds on adrenal function in animal models.
  • Biomarker Analysis: Quantifying cortisol as a physiological biomarker in psychological, sports, and clinical research.

Key Features of the Product

  • Exceptional Sensitivity and Specificity: As mentioned in the performance section, the kit's high sensitivity and specificity ensure accurate detection of cortisol even in complex biological matrices.
  • Simple and Convenient Operation: The kit provides all necessary components and a detailed operation manual, with clear and easy-to-follow steps. No specialized technical training is required, and general laboratory personnel can complete the assay independently.

Performance

  • Sensitivity: The kit exhibits excellent sensitivity, with a minimum detectable concentration of cortisol as low as ≤ 0.05 ng/mL. This allows for the accurate detection of low cortisol levels in samples, such as saliva samples from normal individuals.
  • Specificity: Through careful selection and optimization of antibodies, the kit shows high specificity for cortisol. Cross-reactivity with other common steroids is ≤ 1%, which effectively avoids interference from other substances in biological samples.

Sheep Cortisol ELISA Kit

ParameterDetails
Product nameSheep Cortisol ELISA Kit
Sampleserum, plasma
Intended UseThe Cortisol ELISA kit is used for the quantitative measurement of Cortisol in sheep serum or plasma.
StorageStore the kit reagents at 2-8°C. Keep microwells sealed in a dry bag with desiccants. For more detailed information, please download the following document on our website.

Why ELISA kits are a Better Choice?

Aspergillus fumigatus.

There are various products based on different technologies in the cortisol detection kit market. However, the cortisol ELISA kit is a better choice for the following reasons:

Advantages

High-Throughput & Streamlined Workflow

This kit is designed for efficiency. The simplified protocol requires fewer steps and a shorter total incubation time compared to traditional methods, enabling the processing of a large number of samples simultaneously. This is ideal for large-scale cohort studies or screening applications.

Exceptional Versatility Across Sample Types

Unlike many kits limited to serum, this kit is uniquely validated for a wide array of matrices, including the non-invasive sample saliva, as well as urine and plasma. This flexibility allows researchers to choose the most relevant sample type for their specific study design.

Proven Reliability and Reproducibility

The combination of high precision (low CV%) and excellent specificity ensures that the results are both accurate and consistent across plates and operators. This reliability is fundamental for generating publication-quality data and for longitudinal studies where consistency over time is paramount.

Conclusion

The Cortisol ELISA Kit is a high-performance, high-throughput, and cost-effective tool for cortisol quantification. With its excellent sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and broad sample compatibility, it effectively addresses the limitations of traditional cortisol detection methods and meets the diverse needs of scientific research and preclinical applications. Whether used in studies on stress physiology, endocrinology, mental health, or pharmaceutical research, this kit provides reliable and accurate data support, helping researchers gain a deeper understanding of the role of cortisol in various physiological and pathological processes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Antibody FAQs

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A1: Cortisol is a small molecule (steroid hormone) that possesses only a single antigenic epitope. This makes it impossible for two antibodies to bind simultaneously, as required in a sandwich ELISA format. The competitive ELISA is the established and most effective method for accurately quantifying small molecules like steroids.

A2: Salivary cortisol reflects the biologically active, free fraction of cortisol in the blood and is not influenced by saliva flow rate. Collection is non-invasive, stress-free, and can be easily performed by subjects themselves in non-clinical settings, making it ideal for stress research and frequent sampling.

A3: The kit should be stored at 2-8°C upon receipt. Under these conditions, all components are stable until the expiration date printed on the box. Avoid freezing the reagents unless specifically indicated in the manual.

A4: For common samples like serum, plasma, and saliva, extraction is typically not required. However, for certain complex matrices (e.g., tissue homogenates), an extraction protocol may be recommended. Please consult the kit insert for specific guidance.

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