Influence of menstrual cycle, parity and oral contraceptive use on steroid hormone receptors in normal breast

• Published in: British journal of cancer Vol. 65; no. 4; pp. 601 - 607
• Main Authors: BATTERSBY, S, ROBERTSON, B. J, ANDERSON, T. J, KING, R. J. B, MCPHERSON, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basingstoke Nature Publishing Group 01.04.1992
• Subjects: Age Factors; Biological and medical sciences; Breast - metabolism; Contraceptives, Oral - pharmacology; Epithelium - metabolism; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Menstruation; Mother. Fetoplacental unit. Mammary gland. Milk; Multivariate Analysis; Parity; Population; Pregnancy. Parturition. Lactation; Receptors, Steroid - metabolism; Vertebrates: reproduction; Human; Menstrual cycle; Oral administration; Contraceptive; Mammary gland; Sex steroid hormone; Parity; Hormonal receptor; Contraceptive Usage; Estrogens; Cytology; Hormone Receptors; Menstrual Cycle; England; Biology; Hormones; Research Methodology; Postpartum Women; Reproduction; Clinical Research; Fertility; Fertility Measurements; Histochemical Effects; Contraceptive Methods; Population; Research Report; Physiology; Oral Contraceptives; Cytologic Effects; Demographic Factors; Progestational Hormones; Menstruation; Northern Europe; Europe; United Kingdom; Contraception; Histology; Family Planning; Puerperium; Endocrine System; Mammary Gland Effects; Membrane Proteins; Developed Countries; Progesterone; Population Dynamics
• ISSN: 0007-0920; 1532-1827
• DOI: 10.1038/bjc.1992.122

Steroid receptor was assessed immunohistochemically in 158 samples of normal breast for variation through the menstrual cycle. Patterns and intensity of reaction were used in a semi-quantitative scoring system to examine the influence of cycle phase, cycle type, parity and age. The changes in oestrogen receptor for natural cycle and oral contraceptive (OC) cycles indicated down-regulation by progestins. Progesterone receptor did not vary significantly in natural cycles, but increased steadily through OC cycles. This study provides strong evidence that both oestrogen and progesterone influence breast epithelium, but dissimilarities from the endometrium are apparent. The interval since pregnancy had a significant negative effect on frequency and score of oestrogen receptor and score of progesterone receptor. Multivariate analysis established the phase of cycle and OC use as independent significant influences on oestrogen receptor. The interval since pregnancy was an independent significant factor for both oestrogen and progesterone receptor presence.