Oestrone Sulphate Metabolism in Normal Human Endometrium Grown in Organ Culture

Abstract

Samples of human endometrium were maintained in organ culture for 6 days on growth medium. On Day 6, ultrastructural studies were performed on endometrial explants, demonstrating that human endometrium grown in organ culture preserved its normal structure. The effect of oestrone sulphate was studied on the endometrium explants. The endometrium was cultured on harvest medium for 4 days to ensure the complete removal of endogenous steroids, the tissues were then incubated with 10(-7) M oestrone sulphate for 24 h. The oestrone sulphatase known to interfere with oestrone sulphate metabolism was present in endometrial organ culture. By incubation with estrone sulphate for 24 h it was demonstrated that oestrone sulphate is hydrolysed to active oestrogens.

A sensitive HPLC method for the assessment of metabolic conversion of estrogens

“…Principally because estrogen sulfates are rapidly taken up by human endometrial tissue and estrogen sulfatase activities are very high in the endometrium [8][9][10].…”

Endometrial maturation: the role of oestradiol and progesterone

“…Another source of oestrogens is the pool of sulphated oestrogen in the circulation. The human endometrium expresses steroid sulfatase (STS) which converts sulfated oestrogens, such as oestrone-3-sulfate which is the most abundant circulating oestrogen metabolite with a long half-life [69], into hormonally active oestrogens [70]. The uptake and conversion of oestrogen sulfates by human endometrial tissue is rapid [70].…”

“…The human endometrium expresses steroid sulfatase (STS) which converts sulfated oestrogens, such as oestrone-3-sulfate which is the most abundant circulating oestrogen metabolite with a long half-life [69], into hormonally active oestrogens [70]. The uptake and conversion of oestrogen sulfates by human endometrial tissue is rapid [70]. Similarly, the DHEA sulfate which also has a very slow metabolic clearance rate [71], can be converted into androgestendiol and testosterone which can subsequently be converted into oestradiol.…”