Sex Hormone Receptor Expression in the Human Vocal Fold Subunits.
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to evaluate the existence of sex hormone receptors in the subunits of vocal fold.


STUDY DESIGN
This is a cadaver study.


METHODS
The androgen, estrogen, and progesterone receptors were examined in the epithelium (EP), superficial layer of the lamina propria (SLP), vocal ligament (VL), and macula flava (MF) of the vocal folds from 42 human cadavers (21 male, 21 female) by immunohistochemical methods. Their staining ratios were scored and statistically compared.


RESULTS
The androgen receptor score was significantly higher for the MF than for the EP and SLP (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). The androgen receptor score was significantly higher for the VL than for the EP and SLP (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). No significant difference was noted in the androgen receptor scores between the MF and VL and between the EP and SLP. The estrogen receptor score showed no significant difference between the MF and VL, whereas all other areas showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between the EP and SLP in terms of progesterone receptor scores, but statistically significant differences were detected among the other areas.


CONCLUSION
Sex hormone receptors exist within several subunits of the vocal fold, mostly in the MF and VLs.
['Kirgezen|Tolga|T|', 'Sunter|Ahmet Volkan|AV|', 'Yigit|Ozgur|O|', 'Huq|Gulben Erdem|GE|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D002648:Child D002675:Child, Preschool D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007223:Infant D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D011944:Receptors, Androgen D011960:Receptors, Estrogen D011980:Receptors, Progesterone D014827:Vocal Cords D055815:Young Adult
Sex hormone receptor Vocal fold subunits Vocal ligament Macula flava Vocal fold epithelium