Oestrogen induction of riboflavin-binding protein in immature chicks.

In hyperthyroid chicks, oestrogen-induced plasma accumulation of riboflavin-binding protein was diminished, whereas the reverse situation prevailed in hypothyroid birds. Under hyperthyroid conditions, higher concentrations of oestrogen were required to elicit a response comparable with that obtained in normal birds treated with lower concentrations of the hormone. Elevated hepatic cytochrome P-450 concentrations and decreased half-life of the induced protein in hyperthyroid animals suggest that higher catabolic rates of the inducer and induced protein are contributory factors to the diminished response.