Sex steroid binding proteins in the plasma of the green frog, Rana esculenta: changes during the reproductive cycle and dependence on pituitary gland and gonads

Gen Comp Endocrinol. 1994 Dec;96(3):401-11. doi: 10.1006/gcen.1994.1196.

Abstract

Sex steroid binding proteins (SSBP) have been reported in the plasma of female and male Rana esculenta. In both sexes SSBP bind [3H]estradiol and [3H]testosterone with medium-high affinity and high specificity. Using ion-exchange chromatography SSBP resolve into two peaks eluting at 0.27 M (peak I) and 0.36 M (peak II) NaCl. Both peaks bind [3H]estradiol and [3H]testosterone equally well. Isoelectrofocusing showed that peak I focused at pH 6.0 and 7.5, whereas peak II focused at pH 6.0. SSBP capacity for [3H]estradiol and [3H]testosterone changes throughout the reproductive cycle, showing low levels during the nonbreeding period and increasing levels during the breeding period. Hypophysectomy and/or gonadectomy result in small changes in SSBP capacity. Short-term steroid hormone treatment of gonadectomized animals does not modify SSBP capacity.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Estradiol / blood
  • Estradiol / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypophysectomy
  • Male
  • Orchiectomy
  • Ovariectomy
  • Ovary / physiology*
  • Pituitary Gland / physiology*
  • Rana esculenta / blood
  • Rana esculenta / physiology*
  • Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / isolation & purification
  • Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / metabolism*
  • Sexual Maturation / physiology*
  • Testis / physiology*
  • Testosterone / blood
  • Testosterone / metabolism

Substances

  • Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
  • Testosterone
  • Estradiol