| Field | Specification |
|---|---|
| Mfr No | |
| Alternative Names | (11β)-11,21-dihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione |
| Assay Type | |
| Detection Method | |
| Product Type | |
| Sample Type(s) | Serum, EDTA Plasma, Heparin Plasma, Urine, Tissue Culture Media, Dried Fecal Samples |
| Sensitivity | |
| Shipping | |
| Species | |
| Storage | |
| Target |
Scientific Background
Corticosterone (C₂₁H₃₀O₄) is the dominant glucocorticoid in rodents, synthesized by the adrenal cortex under ACTH stimulation and widely used as the primary model compound for studying hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis regulation and stress physiology. Unlike cortisol in humans, corticosterone is the principal endogenous ligand for both mineralocorticoid receptors (MR, high affinity) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR, lower affinity) in the rodent brain.
Chronic elevation of corticosterone has been shown to impair spatial memory and hippocampal long-term potentiation, alter sleep architecture, suppress neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus, and accelerate accumulation of phosphorylated α-synuclein in hypothalamic dopaminergic neurons—findings that directly link chronic stress physiology to Parkinson's disease pathology.
Corticosterone measurement in fecal extracts enables minimally invasive, longitudinal HPA axis profiling in murine and avian research models, avoiding the confounding acute stress responses associated with blood collection. Its measurement is foundational in stress neurobiology, behavioral pharmacology, and corticosteroid-pathway drug development.
Product Description
StressXpress®
The Corticosterone EIA Kit (Cat. # SKT-205) from StressMarq Biosciences is a research-grade kit for quantitative Corticosterone measurement in Serum, EDTA Plasma, Heparin Plasma, Urine, Tissue Culture Media, Dried Fecal Samples. This kit employs a sandwich immunoassay principle with colorimetric TMB/spectrophotometric readout on a standard 96-well microplate reader.
Product Specifications
| Analyte / Target | Corticosterone |
|---|---|
| Assay Type | Sandwich EIA (Enzyme Immunoassay) |
| Detection Method | Colorimetric (microplate spectrophotometry) |
| Sensitivity | 18.6 pg/ml |
| Detection Range | 78.125–10,000 pg/ml |
| Compatible Matrices | Serum, EDTA Plasma, Heparin Plasma, Urine, Tissue Culture Media, Dried Fecal Samples |
| Species Reactivity | Species Independent |
| Throughput | 39 samples in duplicate |
| Platform | Microplate (96-well) |
| Catalog Number | SKT-205 |
| Storage | 4ºC and -20ºC |
| Trademark | StressXpress® |
Assay Principle
This kit uses a competitive or sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA) format—a microplate-based immunoassay technique functionally equivalent to ELISA. Corticosterone in the sample competes with enzyme-labeled conjugate for a limited number of antibody binding sites. Bound conjugate is detected colorimetrically via TMB substrate; absorbance is inversely proportional to the Corticosterone concentration, interpolated from a calibration curve (range: 78.125–10,000 pg/ml).
The kit measures total Corticosterone and is fully validated for use in Serum, EDTA Plasma, Heparin Plasma, Urine, Tissue Culture Media, Dried Fecal Samples. The Steroid Solid Extraction Protocol (where provided) enables reliable extraction from complex matrices such as dried fecal samples.
Kit Components
| Component # | Description | Quantity / Volume |
|---|---|---|
| SKC-205A | Coated Clear 96-Well Plate | 1 Each |
| SKC-205B | Corticosterone Standard | 125 µl |
| SKC-205C | StressXpress® Corticosterone Antibody | 3 ml |
| SKC-205D | StressXpress® Corticosterone Conjugate | 3 ml |
| SKC-205E | Assay Buffer | 28 ml |
| SKC-205F | Dissociation Reagent | 1 ml |
| SKC-205G | Wash Buffer Concentrate | 30 ml |
| SKC-205H | TMB Substrate | 11 ml |
| SKC-205I | Stop Solution | 5 ml |
| SKC-205J | Plate Sealer | 1 each |
Quality Control & Validation
✓ Peer-Reviewed & Research Validated
Each lot is validated for sensitivity, intra-assay precision (CV <10%), and linearity of recovery. Products from the StressXpress® range cite published peer-reviewed literature for independent validation.
Safety & Regulatory
ADR Classification: Non-hazardous. Shipping: cold-chain (blue ice). Harmonized Tariff Code: 3822.19.0030 (UNSPSC: 12352203). Country of Origin: Canada.
The kit is validated for use with the following sample matrices: Serum, EDTA Plasma, Heparin Plasma, Urine, Tissue Culture Media, Dried Fecal Samples. Dried fecal samples require a solid-phase extraction step using the Steroid Solid Extraction Protocol (provided separately). Samples should be processed and stored according to the included kit booklet to ensure assay accuracy.
The minimum detectable dose (sensitivity) of this Corticosterone EIA Kit is 18.6 pg/ml. The quantification range spans 78.125–10,000 pg/ml. Samples falling outside this range should be diluted (high) or concentrated (low) accordingly.
Total assay time is approximately 2–3 hours. Key incubation steps include: antibody/sample incubation (varies by step; total assay time approximately 2–3 hours), conjugate incubation, and TMB substrate development. Refer to the Kit Booklet for the precise protocol timeline.
A standard 96-well microplate spectrophotometer (ELISA plate reader) capable of measuring absorbance at 450 nm is required. Additional equipment includes a microplate washer or multichannel pipette, pipettes, and a timer. All reagents are supplied within the kit.
Yes. This kit is species-independent—the assay detects Corticosterone based on structural recognition rather than species-specific antibodies. It is validated for use in human, murine, avian, and other mammalian matrices including dried fecal extracts commonly used in non-invasive stress biology studies.
Intra-assay precision (within-run CV) is <10% across tested concentration ranges. Three or more samples of known concentration are tested in ≥20 replicates per lot to establish lot-specific precision certificates. Refer to the Kit Booklet for lot-specific CV data.
This product may be available in custom quantities, alternative formulations, or with additional quality certifications to meet specific experimental requirements. Contact our scientific team through the BioHippo product page to discuss custom sizing, bulk ordering, and specialized packaging options. Special pricing may be available for volume orders and institutional customers.
