INTERACTION OF ESTRADIOL, PROGESTERONE AND CORTICOSTERONE ON UTERINE CONNECTIVE-TISSUE DEGRADING ENZYMES

The impact of ovarian hormones and corticosterone acetate on uterine c onnective tissue degrading enzymes were studied in mature albino rats. Ovariectomy resulted in a significant increase in the activities of a lpha- and beta- galactosidases and glucosidases in the uterus. Adminis tration of estradiol to ovariectomized rats brought back the activitie s of alpha-galactosidase and alpha-glucosidase to normalcy. While beta -galactosidase and beta- glucosidase were significantly decreased. Adm inistration of progesterone to ovariectomized rats resulted in the inc rease of alpha- and beta-galactosidases and glucosidases. Administrati on of corticosterone to ovariectomized rats produced a further increas e in alpha- and beta-gatactosidases and glucosidases in the uterus. Ad renalectomy in ovary intact rats produced a decrease in alpha-galactos idase however, beta-glucosidase was significantly increased. Administr ation of corticosterone to ovary intact rats significantly increased t he activities of alpha- and beta-galactosidases, while alpha- and beta -glucosidases were found to be decreased. Ovariectomy resulted in a si gnificant increase in the activities of cathepsin-D and cathepsin-E. A dministration of estradiol to ovariectomized rats brought back the act ivity of cathepsin-D to normalcy, whereas cathepsin-E was significantl y increased. Administration of progesterone as well as estradiol to ov ariectomized rats significantly increased the levels of cathepsin-E, h owever, cathepsin-D was brought back to normalcy. Administration of co rticosterone to ovariectomized rats as well as ovariectomy + adrenalec tomy significantly increased the activity of cathepsin-D and cathepsin -E. Adrenalectomy significantly decreased the activity of cathepsin-D, while administration of corticosterone increased the cathepsin-D and cathepsin-E in the uterus. Therefore, these results suggest that estra diol is a potent ovarian steroid protecting the extra cellular matrix components. The effect of progesterone appears to modulate and act han d in hand with estradiol. Corticosterone appears to have an opposite e ffect to that of estradiol.