Differential responses of rabbit endocervix and uterus to medroxyprogesterone acetate

Uteri and cervices were obtained from estrous rabbits (controls) and from rabbits 24 h or 7 days after a single intramuscular injection of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA; 2.14 mg/kg). Estrogen and progesterone receptor concentrations were measured by Scatchard analysis, cell-free DNA synthesis was measured by (3H)-TTP incorporation, and tissue sections were examined histologically. The uterine endometrium underwent marked changes in histology, including extensive infoldings of the mucosal surface, glands were continuous into crypts and secretory epithelial cells were noted. In addition, total estrogen receptor content and DNA synthesis were decreased. In contrast, there was no significant change in the histology of the endocervical epithelial-stromal complex, and total estrogen receptor remained constant. However, DNA synthesis in the endocervix was decreased. Thus we conclude that: DNA synthesis is not linked to changes in estrogen receptor in the endocervix; and differential effects of progestogen on the estrogen receptor system occur coincident with different morphological responses within two target tissues from the same animal.