Abstract

PIP: Ribonucleic acid (RNA) metabolism of the normal and copper-treated ( Cu-T200 IUD) human endometrium was investigated. The relative concentration of total, messenger, ribosomal and transfer RNA was measured in normal and Cu-treated endometrium using the technique of affinity chromatography in polysepharose. The transition from the proli ferative to the secretory endometrium in normal women was accompanied by significant increases (p less than .05) in total RNA, messenger RNA and in ribosomal RNA. The relative proportions of bound and free messenger RNA were also modified by endometrial maturation changing from 70% bound messenger RNA in the proliferative to 83% in the secretory phase. Cu-T200 Cu release appeared to particularly affect RNA metabolism in the secretory phase. During the proliferative phase only the concentration of transfer RNA and the proportion of bound to free messenger RNA were modified by the Cu-T200. The Cu-T200 induced significant decreases (p less than .01 and p less than .05) in all RNA parameters, with the exception of the RNA/deoxyribonucleic acid ratio.