Distribution of Guaiacol Peroxidase in Human Endometrium and Endocervical Epithelium during the Menstrual Cycle *

Abstract

Guaiacol peroxidase (G-Px) was measured in extracts from five sections along the length of human uterus on different days of the menstrual cycle or after menopause. The lower uterine-endocervical region had a significantly higher G-Px content (expressed as enzyme units per g wet tissue) than the other sections, although in postmenopausal patients the G-Px activity was uniformly low in all sections of the uterine cavity. We observed no significant changes in G-Px levels during the menstrual cycle, except, possibly, a decrease around ovulation, which precluded a positive correlation between plasma estrogen levels and uterine G-Px content; such estrogen dependence of G-Px has been previously shown in the rat. In vitro, G-Px was inhibited by estriol and 17 beta-estradiol, marginally inhibited by estrone, and most notably inhibited by the catecholestrogens tested (2-hydroxy-17 beta-estradiol, 2-hydroxy-estriol, and 2-hydroxy-estrone), which were equipotent inhibitors; LH and FSH, progesterone, or cortisol had no effect on G-Px activity. We hypothesize that catecholestrogens are natural substrates and regulations of G-Px activity in the human uterus.

Prevalence of hydrogen peroxide-producing Lactobacillus species in normal women and women with bacterial vaginosis

“…The uterine fluid of estrogenprimed rats contains a peroxidase which can utilize the H202 generated by L. acidophilus to kill Escherichia coli (18) or spermatozoa (19) in the presence of a halide ion. Peroxidase activity has been demonstrated in human cervical mucus (3) and in endometrium and endocervical epithelium (11,31,32). The peroxidase of human cervical mucus has been partially purified (26).…”

“…It is of interest that the pH of vaginal fluid of women with bacterial vaginosis is typically greater than 4.5 (1). Variations in cervical mucus peroxidase activity in the menstrual cycle have been reported, with a fall midcycle (32). The source of the peroxidase of cervical mucus (e.g., granulocytes, endocervical epithelium, and endometrium) is not known.…”

Immunocytochemical Localization of Keratin in Normal, Dysplastic and Neoplastic Cervical Epithelium

“…Sec tions 5-6 mm in thickness were deparaffinized and dehydrated following standard histologic techniques. Endogenous peroxidase, known to be significant in the cervix [14], was eliminated by the immersion of slides into HiCh-mcthanol.…”

Estrogen–androgeri interaction: selective inhibition of estrogen-induced uterine peroxidase by testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone

“…It would help to answer whether uterine growth could occur without an accompanying increase in peroxidase content and also whether peroxidase is a truly specific marker of estrogen-stimulated tissue changes (1 2). In humans, uterine peroxidase activity decreases around ovulation and may be useful as a predictor of this event in fertility control (13,14).…”