TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE HUMAN ENDOMETRIUM

Abstract

ABSTRACT Using neutron activation analysis, the levels of zinc, copper and manganese were estimated in the endometrium, cervical mucus and blood plasma in seven women at various phases of the normal menstrual cycle. The zinc concentration of the endometrium was lowest in the late proliferative phase (cycle days 10–12); it gradually increased thereafter and reached its highest level during the late secretory phase (cycle days 25–27). No significant changes were found in the zinc levels of cervical mucus and plasma. The copper concentration of the endometrium was lowest around the expected time of ovulation (cycle days 14–15) and highest in the mid- and late secretory endometrium (cycle days 20–27). The copper concentration of the cervical mucus and plasma did not show any significant changes. The endometrial and plasma patterns of manganese differed strikingly from those of zinc and copper. The endometrial pattern was characterized by a peak concentration in the early proliferative phase (cycle days 6–8). Furthermore, the manganese concentration of the proliferative endometrium was higher than that of the secretory endometrium. Also the plasma levels of manganese were significantly higher during the proliferative phase (cycle days 6–15) than during the secretory phase (cycle days 16–27). The manganese content of the cervical mucus was lowest at the expected time of ovulation (cycle days 14–15).