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Response of the Primate Secretory Endometrium to Subchronic Hypercortisolemia

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The Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation: JSGI Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To assess the impact of subchronic and moderate hypercortisolism on the secretory endometrium of the cynomolgus monkey.

Methods

Osmotic pumps containing hydrocortisone phosphate (HP) were implanted subcutaneously in each monkey on the first day of the menstrual cycle; each monkey also received pumps containing saline in another cycle. Blood was obtained three times per week and urine was collected daily for hormone analyses. Endometriectomy was performed 13 ± 1 days after the serum estradiol (E2) peak in each study cycle.

Results

Infusion of HP elevated serum Cortisol levels by an average of 70%. Mean serum progesterone (P) levels were decreased by 50% during the secretory phase of HP-treatment cycles by comparison with self-control cycles (9 <.01); as a result, the mean endometrial glycogen concentration was reduced by 30% (P <.05) and the activity of 17$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was decreased by 70% (P <.05). Serum E2 levels were not consistently elevated by HP treatment, but cytosolic estrogen receptor levels of the endometrium were decreased by 50%) (P <.01), indicating increased estrogenic stimulation. Histologic development of the secretory endometrium was retarded, but the length of the secretory phase was not affected by the treatment.

Conclusion

A moderate elevation of serum Cortisol levels over one menstrual cycle consistently produced a reduction in serum P and a hypoprogestogenic-hyperestrogenic response of the secretory endometrium in the cynomolgus monkey, (J Soc Gynecol Invest 1997;4:152-159)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Medical School, 333 East Superior Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60611, USA

    Włodzimierz B. Kowalski MD, Rafael F. Valle MD & Robert T. Chatterton Jr PhD

Authors
  1. Włodzimierz B. Kowalski MD
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  2. Rafael F. Valle MD
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  3. Robert T. Chatterton Jr PhD
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Additional information

This study was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, P01 HD 21921. and a Biomedical Research Support Grant from Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago. Illinois. The authors thank Drs. Anne Colsron Wentz and Wadi A. Bardawil for assessment of endometrial morphology.

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Kowalski, W.B., Valle, R.F. & Chatterton, R.T. Response of the Primate Secretory Endometrium to Subchronic Hypercortisolemia. Reprod. Sci. 4, 152–159 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1177/107155769700400307

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