Stress responses in blood donors: Oral fluid hormone dynamics and implications for donor support

Glucocorticoids (cortisol and cortisone) hormones are potential biomarkers for monitoring physiological stress in humans. These hormones are released into the bloodstream but are also detectable in other biological matrixes such as oral fluid. Oral fluid hormone levels reflect those found in the blood, but oral fluid sampling is quicker and non-invasive, making it a viable alternative matrix for studying stress markers. This study investigates the stress response of blood donors at three different donation moments by analyzing cortisol and cortisone levels in oral fluid samples. To simultaneously detect these analytes, we developed and validated a new highly sensitive method using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (HPLC-MS/MS). Glucocorticoid hormones were found in all samples with cortisone exhibiting higher concentrations than cortisol. Statistical results revealed a weakly negative trend over time for both analytes levels, indicating that the most crucial donation moment is upon donors' arrival. A notable distinction was found in the evolution of the glucocorticoid hormones in different locations, suggesting that different environmental factors influence stress level more than the act of donation itself.