CYCLIC RELATIONSHIP OF ESTROGEN SULFURYLATION TO THE NUCLEAR RECEPTOR LEVEL IN HUMAN ENDOMETRIAL CURETTINGS

Human endometrial curettings were selected principally from patients undergoing tubal ligations for elective sterilization. Specimens were analyzed for the metabolism of 17β-[6, 7-3H]estradiol and Na235SO4; assayed for the nuclear receptor content with 17β-[6, 7-3H]estradiol; and examined for the cytosol receptor content with 17β-[2, 4, 6, 7-3H]estradiol. The results of these experiments demonstrated that a) estrogen sulfotransferase activity is greatly stimulated during the secretory phase; b) although estrogen dehydrogenase is active throughout the menstrual cycle, the formation of estrone is elevated in concert with sulfurylation; and c) this increased metabolism of 17β-estradiol is accompanied by a decreased nuclear uptake of the estrogen receptor complex. The importance of this endometrial estrogen metabolism in the maintenance of a secretory tissue is discussed. © 1979 by The Endocrine Society.