Cyclic changes in phospholipid content and composition in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle.
A significant increase in total phospholipid content of the endometrium took place during the secretory phase of the human menstrual cycle (26% increase from mid-proliferative to premenstrual stage). The major phospholipid, phosphatidylcholine, was increased by 30%, whereas phosphatidylethanolamine was unchanged. Phosphatidyl-serine and -inositol underwent the largest percentage increases (40%). Phosphatidic acid levels were the only ones to decrease (-52%), a finding consistent with the role of this lipid as precursor of the increased phospholipids. The changes did not markedly affect phospholipid composition, except for a significant decrease in the proportions of phosphatidate and phosphatidylethanolamine. Arachidonate and eicosatrienoate (n-6) were the major polyunsaturated fatty acids. C22 tetra-, penta- and hexa-enoic fatty acids of the n-3 and n-4 families were also present in all major endometrial glycerophospholipids throughout the cycle. The mass changes in phospholipids during the cycle occurred without alteration of their fatty acid composition.
D000328:Adult; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D010712:Phosphatidic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000378:metabolism; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines / Q000378:metabolism; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols / Q000378:metabolism; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000378:metabolism; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism*
D005227:Fatty Acids; D010712:Phosphatidic Acids; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D010743:Phospholipids