Biochemical changes in rat endometrium induced by oestrogens

• Published in: Acta endocrinologica (Copenhagen) Vol. 96; no. 3; pp. 382 - 388
• Main Authors: Jelínková, M, Jelínek, J, van der Vies, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark 01.03.1981
• Subjects: Acid Phosphatase - metabolism; Alkaline Phosphatase - metabolism; Animals; Castration; DNA - metabolism; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endometrium - metabolism; Enzymes - metabolism; Estradiol - pharmacology; Ethinyl Estradiol - pharmacology; Female; Glucuronidase - metabolism; Glutamate Dehydrogenase - metabolism; Isocitrate Dehydrogenase - metabolism; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase - metabolism; Proteins - metabolism; Rats; Uterus
• ISSN: 0804-4643; 0001-5598; 1479-683X
• DOI: 10.1530/acta.0.0960382

The effect of oestradiol (Oe2) or ethinyloestradiol (EOe) on several enzymes, soluble protein and DNA in the endometrium was studied in ovariectomized adult rats. The most marked effect of Oe2 was the increase in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). If the treatment was started on the day of ovariectomy, it took approximately 8 days to reach a constant elevation. If the administration of Oe2 was started one week after castration, the maximum response was seen after 4 days of treatment. Using the latter schedule a linear dose-reponse regression curve of LDH/DNA was obtained with λ = 0.086. This parameter is considered suitable for the comparison of the effects of different oestrogens. Administration of Oe2 for 8 days beginning on the day of ovariectomy gave no linear dose-response curve of LDH/DNA. Administration of EOe caused a very marked increase of the specific activity of pyruvate kinase, LDH, M-type LDH and some slight, but significant decreases in isocitrate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase. The changes of β-glucuronidase were only slight. The content of DNA per wet weight of endometrium decreased after oestrogen treatment, the protein content remained reasonably constant. It is concluded that, after stimulation with oestrogen, the rat endometrium produces the energy needed for its own growth mainly via anaerobic glycolysis and that the Krebs cycle plays a relatively small role.