Abstract
HISTOCHEMICAL and biochemical investigations of the human endometrium have revealed variations in the activity of a number of enzymes throughout the normal menstrual cycle1–3. Marked differences in the concentration and localization of enzymes have been found between endometrial gland cells and stromal cells. It is commonly assumed that these variations in enzyme activity are mediated by oestrogens and progesterone. I thought that a more detailed knowledge of hormone action at a cellular level might be obtained by combining organ culture of human endometrium with quantitative histochemical methods. Maurer has, for example, recently demonstrated the value of organ culture techniques for the study of the effects of steroid sex hormones on target tissues in animals4. By the combined techniques I have now detected an increase in malate dehydrogenase activity in the human endometrium stimulated in vitro by oestradiol-17β. The increase in enzyme activity occurs mainly in the cells of the endometrial glands and is suppressed by actinomycin D and I think that it is due to the formation of new enzyme.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Atkinson, W. B., and Engle, E. T., Endocrinology, 40, 327 (1947).
Hughes, E. C., Jacobs, R. D., Rubulis, A., and Husney, R. M., Amer. J. Obst. Gynec., 85, 594 (1963).
Cohen, S., Bitensky, L., Chayen, J., Cunningham, G. J., and Russell, J. K., Lancet, ii, 56 (1964).
Maurer, H. R., Rounds, D. E., and Raiborn, C. W., Nature, 213, 182 (1967).
Cunnigham, G. J., Bitensky, L., Chayen, J., and Silcox, A. A., Ann. Histochim., 7, 433 (1962).
Pearse, A. G. E., Histochemistry, Theoretical and Applied, 911 (Churchill, London, 1960).
Jones, G. R. N., Maple, A. J., Aves, E. K., Chayen, J., and Cunningham, G. J., Nature, 197, 568 (1963).
Segal, S. J., Davidson, O. W., and Wada, K., Proc. US Nat. Acad. Sci., 54, 782 (1965).
Karlson, P., and Sekeris, C. E., Acta Endocriol., 53, 505 (1966).
Mansour, A. M., and Niu, M. C., Proc. US Nat. Acad. Sci., 53, 764 (1965).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
WILSON, E. Induction of Malate Dehydrogenase by Oestradiol-17β in the Human Endometrium. Nature 215, 758–759 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1038/215758a0
Received:
Revised:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/215758a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.