Why would you do that for? You ought to have used the same volume of sample in all samples evaluated, otherwise you are deliberately putting unnecessary bias in your results. For ELISA, the maximum sample volume you need per well is 100 ul, a volume you take from your initial sample (200-1000 ul, in your case), and which is usually diluted at least 2:1 prior to analysis. In fact, the dilution factor is the only thing that may vary (deliberately) in an ELISA, volumes should always be the same as it is an standarized (highly sensitive to changes) process.

In an ELISA you measure concentrations not amounts, the amount would be given by multiplying the quantity of oxytocin per ul (ELISA result) by the total donated volume, but I doubt it would have any relevance in yours or any case.

Unless you are evaluating the ELISAs linearity of dilution (although the procedure you describe is not best way), I do not understand the reason for your experiment.

Thank you!

Hi there,

The answer, I guess would depend on the format of your research.

Are you asking about a control group or about a group of adolescents that you have tested for a specific emotional reaction?

Also, what is the composition of the studied group - males, females or both? Females with well developed(ing) secondary sex traits should release more oxytocin, even in saliva.

Finally, you should not expect salivary oxytocin amounts to correlate with released volume of saliva in general.

The amount of released oxytocin in saliva would depend on factors such as: age, gender, individual genetics, the season, the current emotional state of the respondent, the level of hydration of each person, the use of contraceptives, as well as on the plasticity of hypothalamic cells in each individual.

Realistically, you cannot figure for all of these factors in your research.

I hope this helps in explaining why you get the results you are getting - it is only normal.

thank you!