Studies of plasma beta-globulin: sex difference and effect of ethinyl estradiol and testosterone.

SummaryA sex related difference in the concentration of protein in a β-globulin band, separated from plasma by starch gel electrophoresis, was found, with normal women (391 ± 49 (SD) mg/100 ml) having significantly higher levels than normal men (315 ± 53 mg/100 ml). Administration of estrogens to normal men significantly increased both the concentration of protein in the β-globulin band and the percentage binding of testosterone in plasma while the administration of testosterone to normal women produced the opposite effect. The findings suggest that the concentration of protein in the β-globulin band may be related, in part, to the effect of the sex steroids.