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Updated: Sep 26, 2026

Exploring Independent Effects of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone In Vivo in a Mouse Model
Published on: August 11, 2023
5alpha-Reduced androgens block estradiol-BSA-stimulated release of oxytocin
Jack D Caldwell1, Yan Song, Ila Englöf
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine, 1601 Parkview Avenue, 61107-1897, Rockford, IL, USA. jackc@uic.edu
Abstract:
In this study we test the postulate that estradiol conjugated to bovine serum albumin (E-BSA) acts via receptors for the steroid-binding protein sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) by attempting to block E-BSA-stimulated release of oxytocin with two antagonists of SHBG receptor actions: the 5alpha-reduced androgens dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 3alpha-diol. Simultaneous superfusion with either DHT or 3alpha-diol significantly blocked E-BSA-stimulated release of oxytocin. We also found that a wide range of free 17beta-estradiol was unable to stimulate oxytocin release, suggesting that E-BSA stimulates receptors other than those for free estradiol to release oxytocin, perhaps SHBG receptors.
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