THE EFFECTS OF OESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE ON THE SODIUM AND POTASSIUM CONCENTRATIONS OF RAT UTERINE FLUID

Abstract

SUMMARY Studies of the electrolyte concentrations of uterine fluid samples from spayed rats, after injection of ovarian hormones, showed a much higher potassium concentration after treatment with oestrogen (42·3 m-equiv./1.) than with progesterone (20·8 m-equiv./1.). There was an even more pronounced change in the sodium: potassium ratio, which fell from 7·3 to 1 with progesterone to 2·5 to 1 with oestrogen. These findings are supported by recalculation of the results of Heap & Lamming (1962). It is suggested that these changes in the Na+ and K+ concentrations of uterine fluid produce changes in the membrane potential of the endometrium which could account for delayed implantation of the negatively charged blastocyst under progesterone dominance and implantation under oestrogen dominance.