[Androgen binding in human plasma and its physiological significance (author's transl)].

The literature on the determination and the meaning of androgen binding to plasma proteins is reviewed. Because of the high affinity for the active androgens the sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is of considerable importance. The blood level of this globulin varies according to sex, age, medicamentation and pathological conditions. The influence of protein binding on the metabolism and mechanism of action of androgens is discussed and the hypotheses of several authors are compared.