The effect of intrauterine progesterone on the DNA-content in isolated human endometrial cells.
The effect of an intrauterine progesterone-releasing device on the DNA-content in human endometrial cells has been studied by means of a microfluorometric method. Following six of seven months' use of the progesterone-releasing device a significant decrease in the mean DNA-content per cell nucleus was found in the epithelial cells indicating a suppression of the proliferative activity of the endometrium. The mean DNA-values of the endometrial cells remained at a low level throughout the cycles in spite of circulating levels of steroids indicating a normal ovarian function. It is suggested that the progesterone released in utero interferes with the DNA-synthesis of the epithelial cells, which may result in a disturbed metabolic function of the endometrium at the time of implantation.
D000328:Adult; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000032:analysis; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000032:analysis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D008598:Menstruation; D010060:Ovulation; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*
D011374:Progesterone; D004247:DNA