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Immunoassay reagents intended to perform qualitative and/or quantitative analyses on a body fluid sample (typically in serum) to determine sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), a protein that closely resembles serum globulin. Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone circulate mainly bound to SHBG in men; steroids bound to SHBG are biologically inactive. The level of SHBG in serum is useful for interpreting blood levels of its tightly bound testosterone, a sex steroid vital for human reproduction. Lack or low levels of testosterone during fetal, prepubertal, and postpubertal life affect the normal male reproductive function, producing diseases such as male infertility and growth of glandular breast tissue (gynecomastia) in male adults.
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