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Estrogen Receptor α and Progesterone Receptor A and B Concentration and Localization the Lower Uterine Segment in Term Parturition

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Abstract

Objective

To determine the localization and concentrations of estrogen receptor α and progesterone receptors A andB in the lower uterine segment during term parturition.

Methods

Biopsies were taken from 70 patients during nonelective cesarean delivery. The patients were at different stages of cervical dilatation (<2 cm, 2–3.9 cm, 4–6 cm, >6 cm) and different duration of labor (≤6 hours, >6–12 hours, >12 hours). The receptor concentrations were determined with solid phase immunoassays, and their localization was investigated immunohistochemically.

Results

Estrogen receptor α concentration decreased significantly from 2.12 fmol/mg protein at less than 2 an dilatation to 1.08 fmol/mg (4–6 cm) but tended to increase at greater than 6 cm. Progesterone receptor A and B concentration was 84.7 fmol/mg at less than 2 cm dilatation, decreased significantly to 36.6 fmol/mg (2−3.9 cm), and increased again with further dilation. Concentrations of both receptors did not depend on duration of labor. By immunohistochemistry only progesterone receptor A and B was found to be expressed by endothelial and smooth muscle cells of the vessels, stromal fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells in the myometrium, and glandular epithelial cells. Regardless of the extent of cervical dilatation, expression of progesterone receptors A and B was marked.

Conclusion

A decrease in estrogen receptor α and progesterone receptor A and B concentration in the early phase of first stage labor may play a role in cervical dilation at term.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obseterics and Gynecology, Institute of Anatomy and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, and Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, University Hospital, Technical University, Aachen, Germany

    Matthias Winkler PhD, Birgit Kemp MD, Irmgard Clssen-Linke PhD, Dagmar-Christiane Fischer PhD, Sultana Zaltinsi MS, Josef Neulen PhD, Henning M. Beier PhD & Werner Rath PhD

Authors
  1. Matthias Winkler PhD
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  2. Birgit Kemp MD
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  3. Irmgard Clssen-Linke PhD
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  4. Dagmar-Christiane Fischer PhD
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  5. Sultana Zaltinsi MS
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  6. Josef Neulen PhD
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  7. Henning M. Beier PhD
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  8. Werner Rath PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Birgit Kemp MD.

Additional information

The study was supported by grant no. 13/96-SII from the “START-Program,” Medical Faculty, University Hospital, Technical University, Aachen, to Matthias Winkler, PhD.

The authors are grateful to Thorsten Reineke, MSc, Institute of Medical Statistics and Biometry, University Hospital, Technical University, Aachen, Germany for performing the statistical analysis and to Margaret Ruck, MSc, for translation of the manuscript.

Both Matthias Winkler, PhD, and Birgit Kemp, MD contributed equally to the manuscript.

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Winkler, M., Kemp, B., Clssen-Linke, I. et al. Estrogen Receptor α and Progesterone Receptor A and B Concentration and Localization the Lower Uterine Segment in Term Parturition. Reprod. Sci. 9, 226–232 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1177/107155760200900408

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/107155760200900408

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