The plasma protein binding of the endogenous glucocorticosteroids is of vital importance for the concentrations in hair and saliva

The serum concentrations (free and total) of both glucocorticosteroids rise up continuously during the time of pregnancy and decrease after delivery. The free and total serum concentrations were well correlated. No change was detected for the intensity of PPB of F. In contrast, the PPB of E decreases from 86.3% to 80.7% during pregnancy. The concentration ratios of F to E change from 3:1 in total serum to 1:1 in free serum. For hair samples, an increase of F and E in proximal segments was confirmed with the highest concentration 6.5 weeks postpartum. Independently, corticosteroid concentrations in corresponding hair segments were found to be reduced with increasing distance from the root; an average decline of F and E by half in 5 and 6 months was estimated, respectively. The counter effect of the mechanisms incorporation and wash-out is clearly visible. For saliva samples a good correlation with free, non-protein bound serum concentration was detected.