Uptake and Metabolism of Tritiated 17ß-Oestradiol and Oestrone by Rabbit Uterine Tissue in vitro

Abstract

To determine whether the established capability of rabbit uterine tissue to interconvert 17 p-oestradiol and oestrone might have some effect on the mode of action of the oestrogens in this organ, the in vitro interconversion of [3H]-17p-oestradiol and [3H]oestrone by rabbit endometrial and myometrial tissue was investigated and the identity of radiometabolites in 'soluble, 'mitochondrial-microsomal' a'nd 'nuclear' preparations was studied. Both endometrial and myometrial tissue were found to be capable of oxidoreduction of the oestrogens, the equilibrium of the reaction favouring the reduction of oestrone. Irrespective of the tissue--steroid combination studied, the greater part of the radioactivity in all fractions was associated with 17p-oestradiol. The relative proportions of [3Hl-17p-oestradiol and [3H]oestrone varied between fractions, the nuclear preparation consistently showing a lower proportion of oestrone than the other fractions. Sephade<c fractionation of a 0'4M KCl 'nuclear extract' revealed that proportionately less oestrone than 17p-oestradiol was bound to the nuclear 'receptor'. These findings provide further evidence for 17p-oestradiol being the ovarian oestrogen which is active in the uterus, and suggest a role for uterine oxidoreduction of oestrogens in the control exercised over this organ by these steroids.