Progesterone effects on deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in normal mouse mammary glands

Current in vivo and in vitro data indicate that progesterone (P) is required for epithelial proliferation in mammary glands of adult mice. P receptors (PgR) in adult mammary glands are under estrogenic regulation. By contrast in immature, pubertal 5-week-old mice, PgR are present only in low concentration and cannot be increased by estrogen (E). Having identified two different mammary gland developmental states with differing PgR compositions, the purpose of the present studies was to investigate the roles of E-dependent and -independent PgR in epithelial cell proliferation. DNA histoautoradiography was used to quantitate the effect of P on DNA synthesis; hormonal effects on mammary gland morphology were also assessed. The results demonstrate the P, rather than E, has a major role in stimulating epithelial DNA synthesis in the adult mammary gland. The morphological correlate of P's stimulatory effect on cell proliferation was increased ductal side-branching. We postulate that P is acting via E-dependent PgR and that one important way in which E promotes epithelial cell proliferation in adult tissue is by its ability to increase PgR concentration. In the immature mammary gland E rather than P is primarily responsible for stimulation of epithelial cell proliferation at this developmental stage. It appears likely that the absence of a predominant, P-mediated cell proliferative effect is related to the lack of E-dependent PgR.