RESPONSE OF THE PRIMATE SECRETORY ENDOMETRIUM TO SUBCHRONIC HYPERCORTISOLEMIA

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of subchronic and moderate hypercortis olism 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. B lood was obtained three times per week and urine was collected daily f or 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 pha se of HP-treatment cycles by comparison with self-control cycles (P < .01); as a result, the mean endometrial glycogen concentration was red uced by 30% (P < .05) and the activity of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehyd rogenase was decreased by 70% (P < .05). Serum E2 levels were not cons istently elevated by HP treatment, but cytosolic estrogen receptor lev els of the endometrium were decreased by 50% (P < .01), indicating inc reased estrogenic stimulation. Histologic development of the secretory endometrium was retarded, but the length of the secretory phase was n ot affected by the treatment. CONCLUSION: A moderate elevation of seru m cortisol levels over one menstrual cycle consistently produced a red uction in serum P and a hypoprogestogenic-hyperestrogenic response of the secretory endometrium in the cynomolgus monkey. Copyright (C) 1997 by the Society for Gynecologic Investigation.