title: Sex hormone binding globulin: effect of synthetic steroids on the assay and effect of oral contraceptives.
abstract: The effect that synthetic steroid components of different oral contraceptives have on the assay system for measurement of sex hormones binding globulin (SHBG)-binding capacity, has been examined. Interference with the assay was not demonstrable at therapeutic levels of the drugs. d-Norgestrel was the only steroid studied which bound to SHBG with an affinity comparable to the endogenous sex hormones; it also tended to decrease SHBG-finding capacity, whereas preparations containing low levels of norethisterone increased the binding capacity. We suggest that measurement of changes in SHBG-binding capacity in subjects taking oral contraceptives may prove useful in indicating changes in sex hormone balance, particularly in view of the well-recognised side-effect of these drugs.
mesh_terms: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D045166:Estradiol Congeners / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000494:pharmacology; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; D045166:Estradiol Congeners; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone