Indeed, the U.K. investigators concluded that alpha-amylase, the principal salivary protein secreted from the parotid gland, may be a "novel biomarker for assessing psychosocial stressors and reproductive end points, as mediated via the sympathetic nervous system." They pointed out that because alpha-amylase is produced locally in the oral cavity, it remains in relatively high concentrations compared with other salivary markers such as cortisol that is released elsewhere in the body by the adrenal gland and transported to the saliva via ultrafiltration.
Dr. Lynch and her colleagues reported no relevant financial disclosures.