Plasma sex hormone binding globulin concentration and binding capacity in children before and during puberty

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Abstract
The steroid binding capacity and concentration of plasma sex hormone binding globulin were compared in 116 children aged between 2 and 14 yr. Concentration was measured by electroimmunodiffusion standarized with reference to the mass of the pure protein and binding capacity by quantitating the binding of radiolabeled 5.alpha.-dihydrotestostrone. Binding capacity correlated highly with concentration in all subjects and neither differed significantly between the sexes before or during puberty. Both were significantly lower in pubertal than in pre-pubertal children. The metabolism of the protein apparently is similar in boys and girls; the fall in its steroid binding capacity at puberty in fact is due to a fall in its concentration rather than to changes in its physicochemical properties.

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