progesterone cream
[Cytoplasmic estradiol and progesterone receptors in human endometrium with normal menstrual cycles: 116 cases]

[Article in Chinese]

Niu EM, Cai GS, Tang ZH.

PIP: Endomentrial samples were obtained from 116 patients who underwent hysterectomy or dilatation and currettage. The normal menstrual cycles were determined on the basis of clinical and histological features. They were divided into 6 categories: early, middle and late proliferative and secretory phases. The highest progesterone receptor level was present in the late profilerative phase and the lowest in the late secretory phase. Expect for the fact that the lowest level of estrogen receptor was present in the late secretory phase, differences in the other phases were not significant. The data was split into younger and older groups and analyzed separately. In the proliferative phase, the estrogen and progesterone receptor levels were higher in the perimenopausal group than in the premenopausal group, but no significant differences were found in the secretory phase. On the whole, the estrogen and progesterone receptor levels were higher in proliferative than in the secretory samples, and the progesterone receptor level was much higher than the estrogen receptor level in both phases. These findings were in agreement with data from the literature. Simultaneously, the estradiol and progesterone levels in serum and cytosol were measured in some cases. The progesterone receptor level was closely correlated with progesterone level in serum and tissues (negative correlation) and also closely correlated with estradiol in tissues (positive correlation). The variations in the estrogen and progesterone receptors in endometrial cytosol during the normal menstrual cycle of Chinese women may offer some useful information for further basic or clinical research in the fields of planned parenthood and gynecology. (author's modified)

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12313203&dopt=Abstract progesterone, progesterone cream



progesterone cream
Correlation between endometrial biopsy and serum progesterone level in prediction of corpus luteum function.

El-hefnawi N, Abou-gabal A, El-etriby A, Maged M, Wafa G, Ragab I.

PIP: This study aimed to determine the correlation between endometrial biopsy and serum progesterone level in prediction of corpus luteum function in regularly menstruating women. Endometrial biopsy specimens were obtained from 40 women 20-25 years old with unproven fertility 2-3 days before the anticipated onset of menses. A simultaneous blood sample was obtained for measurement of serum progesterone levels using a radioimmunoassay technique. 27 biopsies were considered to be in-phase (IP) by histologic criteria, and the remaining 13 were out-of-phase (OOP). The mean serum progesterone level obtained from women with OOP biopsies 3-4 days before onset of menses was significantly lower than that obtained 1-2 days before the onset of menses. Menstruation occurred in women with OOP biopsies at a time when serum progesterone level was apparently rising. On the other hand, values were too small to identify any significant difference between groups of women with IP and OOP biopsies when these biopsies were performed very late in the cycle. The author states the importance of evaluating both serum progesterone and endometrial biopsy dating in the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Serum progesterone was easy to perform, while endometrial biopsy showed the end result.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12315537&dopt=Abstract progesterone, progesterone cream



progesterone cream
Binding sites specific to steroid hormones on the plasma membrane of hormone-dependent breast tumors.

Calzada L, Wusterhaus AH, Salazar EL.

PIP: Hormone receptor assays and electron microscopy were conducted on tissue samples of mammary carcinoma tumors excised from women attending the oncology service of the Luis Castelazo Ayala Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Mexican Social Security Institute in Mexico City. Researchers aimed to quantify binding sites of the plasma membrane of the tumor cell specific to estradiol or progesterone so they can better understand changes on the surface of the tumor cell caused by the plasma membrane's ability to accumulate and retain steroids. The binding union specific values for cytosolic receptors to estradiol ranged from 275 to 535 fmol/mg protein and those for progesterone ranged from 75 to 150 fmol/mg protein. The accumulation of estradiol or progesterone ceased within 10-20 minutes. No increase occurred after 60 minutes of incubation. Thus, accumulation of estradiol and progesterone by the plasma membrane is saturable and time-dependent. Further, at 30 minutes, the specific binding capacity of estradiol and progesterone was about four times less at 4 degrees Celsius than it was at 37 degrees Celsius. This suggests that the accumulation of estradiol or progesterone is also temperature-dependent. These findings suggest that hormone-binding sites play a critical role in changes in the plasma membrane structure. Specifically, they may help in the recognition, orientation, and mediation for the subsequent incorporation of estradiol and progesterone by a mechanism mediated by the plasma membrane.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12320021&dopt=Abstract progesterone, progesterone cream



progesterone cream
Metabolism of progesterone by the central nervous system, pituitary gland and uterus.

[No authors listed]

PIP: The metabolism of progesterone by the central nervous system, pituitary gland, and uterus was investigated. Specific regions of the rat brain were incubated in tritiated-progesterone. The primary metabolites identified were 5alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione, 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one, and 20alpha-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, which indicates that the enzymes delta-4-steroid 5alpha reductase, 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase are present in these tissues. Progesterone was recovered mostly unchanged from the uterus, medial basal hypothalamus, cerebral cortex, and muscle, but was mostly transformed to 5alpha-dihydroprogesterone in the pituitary. Most of the 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone in the uterus, cortex, and muscle tissue was recovered as 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one, while that in the pituitary and medial basal hypothalamus was mostly unconverted. Levels of progesterone were generally similar in tissue and plasma, whereas 5alpha-dihydroprogesterone was present in much greater amounts in the pituitary and hypothalamus, but not in the uterus, plasma, or tissue.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12326806&dopt=Abstract progesterone, progesterone cream



progesterone cream
Menstrual pattern and blood loss with U-coil inert progesterone-releasing IUDs.

Hefnawi F, Hamza A, El Sheikha Z, Serour G, Yacout M.

Menstrual blood loss (MBL) was estimated before and after insertion of the U-coil progesterone-releasing device in 37 patients. The same procedure was carried out in 39 cases fitted with an inert U-coil IUD of the same size and shape. Blood loss was estimated by the atomic abosorption technique during the preinsertion cycle and at the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th postinsertion cycles. MBL was significantly reduced in patients fitted with a progesterone-releasing U-coil compared to those fitted with an inert U-coil who showed a significant increase in MBL. The cycle length was prolonged with the progesterone U-coil, and was reduced with inert U-coil devices. The duration of flow was significantly reduced with the progesterone U-coil and significantly prolonged with the inert device. The incidence of intermenstrual spotting was higher with the progesterone U-coil than with the inert U-coil. The hemoglobin level was significantly increased with the progesterone U-coil while it was significantly reduced with inert U-coil devices.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12338175&dopt=Abstract progesterone, progesterone cream



progesterone cream
[Intrauterine contraception in women over 35-years old: comparison between copper and progesterone IUDs]

[Article in Italian]

Calzolari E, Galoppi P, Masala L, Parisi C, Iannucci D, Salmaggi P, Custo GM, Zichella L.

PIP: Lately physicians have become more cautious about dispensing oral contraceptives to their patients aged 35 and older. Therefore, there has been a increase in IUD prescriptions for this age group. Research has also increased to determine which IUD is most effective and which causes fewer side effects. An Italian survey comparing copper and progesterone IUDs provides some of the necessary facts. The survey was conducted on 100 women ages 35 and over (50 with the progesterone and 50 with the copper). Many had previously used IUDs and most had already had children. The doctors expected to find some alterations in the rhythm of the menstrual cycle but found no significant variations. There was, however, a notable difference in the duration of and in the amount of blood flow during the menstrual cycle. Although apparently augmented in both groups, with copper IUDs the flow seems to be more abundant but the prolongation is less, while with the progesterone the duration seems to be prolonged but blood flow is limited. The few episodes that could be described as hemorrhage were found in progesterone users, who complained with greater frequency of white cell loss. The 1st finding was that 86% of the women studied with the copper IUD were able to complete the designated term, while only 76% were able to with progesterone IUDs. Of the 3 pregnancies which did occur (1 of them was ectopic), all were from progesterone IUD users. Hemorrhaging played a role in early removal in some progesterone users and the reduction in the flow quantity caused a tolerance problem in some cases. The only real drawback to the copper IUD is that it causes more pelvic back pain cases. There are no valid reasons indicated for preferring the progesterone IUD. Overall, 96% of the copper IUD users were satisfied while only 70% of those with the progesterone IUDs were satisfied.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12342024&dopt=Abstract progesterone, progesterone cream