Levels of sex hormone-binding globulin and corticosteroid-binding globulin mRNAs in corpus luteum of human subjects: Correlation with serum steroid hormone levels

Abstract

To understand regulation of the function of human ovarian corpus luteum by sex steroid-binding proteins, the levels of luteal intracellular sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) mRNAs and serum steroid hormones were simultaneously determined. The expression of SHBG and CBG mRNAs was detected in all samples analyzed. SHBG mRNA level was positively correlated with serum estradiol-17β level (p < 0.05), but not with serum progesterone level. There was a positive correlation between SHBG mRNA level and serum estradiol-17β/progesterone ratio (p < 0.01). On the other hand, CBG mRNA level was positively correlated with serum estradiol-17β and progesterone level (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). There was no correlation between CBG mRNA level and serum estradiol-1 17β/progesterone ratio. SHBG and CBG mRNA levels were not correlated with the levels of serum testosterone, free testosterone or Cortisol. These findings suggest that the synthesis of luteal SHBG and CBG is complexly regulated by estrogen and progesterone, and that SHBG and CBG interact with estrogen and progesterone, respectively, for luteal steroidal activity.

Key Words:

• Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
• Corticosteroid-Binding Globulin
• Corpus Luteum
• Estrogen
• Progesterone
• mRNA

Additional information

Notes on contributors

T. Tamaya

Joyce Laing works in the Department of Child and Family Psychiatry, Playfield House, Cupar, Fife, and is a Consultant Art Therapist to Psychiatric Hospitals and Prisons and Chairwoman of the Scottish Society of Art and Psychology.