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Subcellular progesterone in human myometrium during late pregnancy
Clinical Endocrinology
|August 1, 1977
Summary
Human myometrium progesterone levels are higher during labor, particularly in nuclear and microsomal fractions. This study found no significant decrease in progesterone with labor, but a different estrogen ratio in myometrium compared to plasma.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Molecular Pharmacology
Background:
- Progesterone plays a crucial role in maintaining pregnancy.
- Understanding progesterone's role in human myometrium during labor is essential for obstetric care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify endogenous progesterone concentrations in subcellular fractions of human myometrium.
- To investigate the impact of labor on myometrial progesterone levels.
- To compare estrogen ratios in myometrium versus plasma.
Main Methods:
- Myometrial tissue samples were collected from patients undergoing cesarean sections.
- Tissue was fractionated into nuclear, mitochondrial, microsomal, and cytosol components.
- Progesterone, estrone, and estradiol concentrations were measured using radioimmunoassay.
Main Results:
- Progesterone concentrations were significantly higher in the crude nuclear and microsomal fractions during labor compared to elective cesarean sections.
- Absolute progesterone levels were lowest in the nuclear and highest in the microsomal fraction.
- Myometrial cytosol exhibited a distinct estrogen ratio (estrone higher than estradiol) compared to plasma.
Conclusions:
- Labor does not significantly decrease progesterone levels in human myometrium.
- Myometrium possesses a unique estrogenic environment distinct from circulating plasma levels.
- These findings contribute to understanding the hormonal regulation of human myometrium during pregnancy and labor.