Steroid receptors in the uterus: Implications in endometriosis

Receptor proteins for estrogens, progesterone, androgens, and glucocorticoids have been detected in the various cell types of the uterus. Reference is made to the genes encoding these receptors, to the structure of the receptor proteins, and their functional domains. The mode of action of steroid hormones by gene activation, through their cognate receptors, and by nongenomic effects is briefly presented. The role of the steroid receptors in uterine physiology and the significance of the use of steroid receptor knock-out animals in delineating the in vivo action of the hormones is discussed. Recent results on the possible correlation of steroid receptor gene polymorphisms and of quantitative and qualitative changes in the receptor proteins to the etiopathology of endometriosis are reviewed.