Relation between steroid receptor levels and prolactin level in the endometrial stromal cells

The levels of estrogen receptors (ERs), progesterone receptors (PRs), androgen receptors (ARs) and prolactin (PRL) in the stromal cells were determined during the secretory phase of the endometrium. The total levels of cellular ER during the early and mid-secretory phases and those in cellular PR during the mid-secretory phase were significantly higher than those during the late secretory phase. No changes were seen in stromal AR level during these phases. The total ER levels was always significantly higher than those of other receptors in any phase of endometrium. The total AR level was significantly higher than the PR level in any phase of endometrium except that in late secretory phase. Cytosol PRL levels were low in 42% of the subjects in whom PRL was detected. The cytosol PRL level in these subjects was inversely correlated only to cellular ER levels.