EFFECT OF COLCHICINE ON ESTROGEN ACTION .1. INHIBITION OF 17-BETA-ESTRADIOL-INDUCED WATER AND POTASSIUM UPTAKE IN IMMATURE RAT UTERUS

The effects of colchicine on 17β-estradiol-induced water and electrolyte uptake in the uterus of the immature rat have been examined 6 h after treatment with this estrogen. Estradiol stimulates in increase in total uterine Na+, K+ and water while intracellular Na+ and K+ concentrations remain relatively unchanged. Assuming the sodium space is equivalent to the extracellular space, the extracellular fluid compartment increases about 84% in response to estradiol Similarly, the intracellular compartment increases by about 62%. The uptake of water into the cellular compartment may be a direct response to a stimulation of K+ accumulation by uterine cells. Colchicine inhibits both estradiol- induced rise in intracellular potassium and both intra- and extracellular water. © 1978.