Alterations in Sex Steroid-Binding Protein (SBP), Corticosteroid-Binding Globulin (CBG), and Steroid Hormone Concentrations during Pregnancy in Rhesus Macaques1

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Abstract
Temporal relationships between concentrations of sex steroid-binding protein (SBP), corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), total and free estradiol, total and free testosterone, cortisol and progesterone were studied in plasma obtained at 1- to 3-day intervals throughout gestation in sex rhesus macaques. Concentrations of SBP and CBG were measured by diethylaminoethyl cellulose filter assays. Total and free steroids were estimated by radioimmunoassay and ultrafiltration dialysis, respectively. We found that SBP was elevated between days 30 and 50 and CBG between days 60 and 140; both then declined until term (167 days). Estradiol increased gradually throughout gestation. Testosterone was elevated beween days 10 and 40, then declined, and rose slightly in late gestation until approximately 15 days before delivery, when it increased markedly. Free estradiol and testosterone increased dramatically before parturition. Progesterone was elevated between days 25 and 45 and declined to relatively constant levels thereafter. Cortisol was essentially unchanged throughout gestation. Our data show that in the pregnant rhesus, (1) levels of SBP and CBG vary independently of one another, but both decline before term; (2) concentrations of both total and free estradiol and testosterone increase markedly before parturition; (3) in late gestation, elevated estrogen is not associated with increased levels of SBP or CBG (as it is in human females).