Interrelationships between Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin and 17β-Estradiol, Testosterone, 5α-Dihydrotestosterone, Thyroxine, and Triiodothyronine in Prepubertal and Pubertal Girls*

Abstract

Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), 17β-es-tradiol (E₂), testosterone (T), 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), T₄,and T₃ were measured in prepubertal (age, 1–8 yr; n = 44; group I) and pubertal (age, 9–16 yr; n = 56; group II) girls. The main results were as follows. 1) In group I, a higher mean (±SEM) value for SHBG was found (73.5 ± 2.82 nmol/1) compared to that in Group II (56.8 ± 3.37; P < 0.001). 2) Despite a significant increase of the androgens T and DHT withage in group I (r_{T age}= 0.578; r_{DHT age} = 0.544; P < 0.01 for each), no significant alteration of SHBG with age was present. 3) In group II, a significant decrease of SHBG with age occurred (r._SHBGage =–0.438; P < 0.05)along with the expected increases of E₂(r_{E2 age}= 0.691; P < 0.001), T (r_{T age}= 0.765; P < 0.001), and DHT (r_{DHT age}= 0.712; P < 0.001). 4) The analysis of the data by partial correlation coefficients supports the suggested role for androgens in the decline of SHBG during puberty in girls,(whereas correlations of SHBG with E₂ or the thyroid hormones were insignificant.