What is globulin binding sex hormones?
Globulin -bound sex hormones (SHBG) are known as glycoprotein, a group of carbohydrate chains connected to polypeptide chains that bind to human sex hormones. These binding proteins are most often found bound to primary male sex hormone, testosterone and primary female sex hormone estradiol, a type of estrogen. The main production of globulin bound to sex hormones occurs in the liver, but can also be produced in the brain, uterus, testicles and placenta during pregnancy. The function of this protein is to reduce the levels of active unrestrained sex hormones in the body. Very high or very low protein levels in the body can indicate various health conditions in both women and men.
Most sex hormones in the bloodstream are biochemically bound to globulins binding sex hormones. Only a small proportion of sex hormones are "free" and are able to enter cells where hormonal receptors bind. Therefore the availability of sex hormones in metallurgicalOne is directly associated with the amount of SHBG that the body produces.
In the production of the testicles, SHBG is known instead as a protein binding androgen, a protein that specifically binds to androgens or male sex hormones. This protein is produced in sertoli cells, which are cells found in seminate tubules that are responsible for the care of sperm development. High levels of androgen -binding protein in the testes allow sperm cells to mature in the process of spermatogenesis.
Globulin levels binding sex hormones in the body are affected by a number of different factors, with protein decreasing or increasing in the presence of different hormones. Insulin is a hormone that controls body metabolism and also reduces the amount of globulins binding sex hormones in the body. High levels of androgenic hormones also reduce globulin levels binding sex hormones. The amounts of binding proteins increasewith high levels of growth hormone, estrogen and thyroxine, which is one of the primary hormones produced by the thyroid gland.
Many health conditions are indicated by increased or reduced globulin levels binding sex hormones. For example, because pregnancy usually leads to the production of several female sex hormones, such as estrogen, also leads to a higher level of SHBG. Low levels of this binding protein are associated with diabetes, hypothyroidism or reduced thyroid hormones and polycystic ovary, a condition in which women produce too many male sex hormones, which is one of the main causes of female infertility.
Globulin levels binding sex hormones can be tested to assess the levels of male sex hormones in the body. The test is usually performed in men who have a lack of male sex hormones and women who have excessive male sex hormones. SHBG testing is not a common test; usualE, medical experts first test testosterone levels. In cases where these tests are inconclusive, such as cases where testosterone levels seem normal in a woman who represents a number of secondary male sexual characteristics, SHBG levels will also be tested. Higher levels of binding protein mean that the body has less "free" testosterone, while lower levels indicate increased "free" testosterone.