Uterine and ovarian estrogen receptor levels in climacteric women

Abstract

High affinity cytoplasmic estrogen receptors in the endometrium, myometrium and ovary of 15 climacteric women were studied. In addition, the concurrent serum estradiol and progesterone level of each woman was estimated and the endometrium examined histologically. The cytoplasmic estrogen receptor level of the endometrium and myometrium had remained extremely high in some cases several years after the menopause and in the presence of a completely atrophied endometrium. The lowest endometrial and myometrial estrogen receptor levels in pre-menopausal women were measured towards the end of the menstrual cycle. The eodometrial estrogen receptor level was roughly 2--3 times the comparable myometrial level. Estrogen receptors were also encountered in all cases in the cervical myometrium. The estrogen receptor levels of the ovary were low in all cases.

PIP: Uterine and/or ovarian estrogen receptor (ER) levels were studied in 15 patients aged 40-59 years, most of whom were premenopausal but were experiencing irregular menstrual cycles. Concurrent serum estradiol and progesterone levels of each women were estimated along with a histological examination of endometrial tissue. The cytoplasmic ER level of the endometrium and myometrium remained high, in some cases even several years after menopause. The ER concentration in endometrium was 2-3 times those in the myometrium. The same pattern was seen also for the high receptor concentration of atrophic endometrium. Compared with endometrium and myometrium, ovarian ER levels were low in all cases. The lowest endometrial and myometrial ER levels were measured toward the end of the menstrual cycle in premenopausal women. Cervical ERs are also reported.