Patterns of plasma sex hormone-binding globulin, thyroxine and thyroxine-binding globulin in relation to reproductive state and hibernation in female little brown bats.

A sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which bound both oestradiol and dihydrotestosterone, was studied in the plasma of adult female little brown bats throughout the annual reproductive cycle. This protein was present at low baseline levels from September to May inclusive, months which correspond to the periods of hibernation, ovulation and early pregnancy. During the second half of pregnancy in June, SHBG levels increased 15- to 30-fold and remained increased throughout lactation and anoestrus/prooestrus (July-August). Although SHBG was increased during late pregnancy, the fact that levels were also high during and after lactation indicates that this protein is not specific to pregnancy. Plasma concentrations of thyroxine (T4) and the percentage binding of T4 to thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) also showed marked seasonal variations, with T4 levels exhibiting a biphasic seasonal pattern. A major peak in plasma concentrations of T4 occurred around the time of spring arousal from hibernation and subsequent ovulation, while a second peak of lesser magnitude was measured in August, corresponding to the time of pro-oestrus and the onset of mating. The percentage binding of T4 by TBG was increased during the summer months in parallel with the increase in SHBG concentrations. Electrophoretic analysis of plasma T4 binding revealed a single peak of TBG activity throughout most of the year; however, during the early lactational period TBG was resolved as a double peak, suggesting the presence of a molecular variant during this reproductive stage.