transport
Last reviewed 01/2018
98-99% of sex steroids are transported haematogenously by combination with protein. This is required because:
- steroids are relatively insoluble in plasma
- it minimizes filtrative losses by the kidney
The contribution of individual proteins is dependent on the particular sex steroid subclass:
- oestradiol: 48% bound to albumin; 51% bound to specific binding globulin
- progesterone: 48% bound to albumin; 50% bound to specific binding globulin
- androgen: 40% bound to albumin; 58% bound to specific binding globulin