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Intracrine Control of Estrogen Action in Human Gestational Tissues at Parturition

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Abstract

Objective

We examined whether estrogen action in human parturition is regulated by an intracrine mechanism mediated by target tissue expression of specific 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17βHSD) isozymes that interconvert estrone (El) and estradiol (E2), such that the onset of labor is associated with an increase in local E2 bioavailability.

Methods

The extent of 17βHSD-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, and -7 expression (measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) and the capacity to interconvert E1 and E2 were compared in amnion, chorion, placenta, decidua, and myometrium obtained from women at term before (n = 6) and after (n = 6) the onset of labor.

Results

In chorion, abundance of 17βHSD-1 (converts E1 to E2) mRNA decreased 2.7-fold (P <.05) in association with labor onset. In myometrium, 17βHSD-1 and 17βHSD-4 (converts E2 to E1) mRNAs increased two-fold and five-fold, respectively, with the onset of labor (P <.05 for each). No other statistically significant labor-associated change in 17βHSD expression was observed. In chorion, 17βHSD oxidative (E2 to E1) and reductive (E1 to E2) activities and the net E2 synthetic capacity increased with labor. In decidua, both activities decreased with the onset of labor, but there was no change in net E2 synthetic capacity. The capacity to interconvert E1 and E2 did not change in the other tissues.

Conclusion

The increase in E2 synthetic capacity in the chorion might contribute to an increase in local estrogen bioactivity in association with the onset of labor. However, it cannot be explained by changes in 17βHSD isozyme expression and is unlikely to account for the increased estrogen action at parturition. These data show that intracrine mechanisms based on 17βHSD isozyme expression play a minor role, if any, in controlling estrogen action in gestational tissues during human parturition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mothers and Babies Research Centre, University of Newcastle and John Hunter Hospital, Locked Bag 1 HRMC, Newcastle, New South Wales, 2310, Australia

    Gemma Madsen MSc, Tamas Zakar MD, PhD, Ursula Manuelpillai PhD, Euan Wallace MD, Kenneth Kwek MD, George S. H. Yeo MD, Roger Smith MD, PhD & Sam Mesiano PhD

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

    Gemma Madsen MSc, Tamas Zakar MD, PhD, Ursula Manuelpillai PhD, Euan Wallace MD, Kenneth Kwek MD, George S. H. Yeo MD, Roger Smith MD, PhD & Sam Mesiano PhD

  3. Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore, Singapore

    Gemma Madsen MSc, Tamas Zakar MD, PhD, Ursula Manuelpillai PhD, Euan Wallace MD, Kenneth Kwek MD, George S. H. Yeo MD, Roger Smith MD, PhD & Sam Mesiano PhD

Authors
  1. Gemma Madsen MSc
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  2. Tamas Zakar MD, PhD
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  3. Ursula Manuelpillai PhD
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  8. Sam Mesiano PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sam Mesiano PhD.

Additional information

This work was supported in part by grants to S.M. from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (#9902490), The Hunter Medical Research Institute, The Mothers and Babies Research Centre and the University of Newcastle.

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Madsen, G., Zakar, T., Manuelpillai, U. et al. Intracrine Control of Estrogen Action in Human Gestational Tissues at Parturition. Reprod. Sci. 11, 213–219 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsgi.2003.12.003

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsgi.2003.12.003

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