Effect of steroid hormones on the rat endometrium.
The effects of estradiol (E), progesterone (P), cortisol (C), and combinations of the three hormones on the uterus luminal epithelia, mitotic index, and leukocyte infiltration were studied. At 24 hours, E treated groups showed increased uterine weight. The highest weight increase was observed in groups treated with E alone, and the maximal atrophic picture in terms of the luminal epithelia was found in the group treated with C + P. At 48 hours, only E and C + E showed increased uterine weight. At 24 hours, all groups treated with E showed increased mitotic figures. The highest values were found in groups treated with E, and with C + E + P. At 24 hours, C and P inhibited the E effect. At 48 hours, only E and C + E treated groups showed a mitotic increase. It is proposed that C antagonizes P or potentiates some E actions.
D000818:Animals; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D013256:Steroids / Q000378:metabolism*
D013256:Steroids; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D006854:Hydrocortisone