Enzymic changes in the cervix of the rat and hamster during the oestrous cycle and the effect of steroids.
Changes in four hydrolytic enzymes, namely acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, arylsulphatase A and B, of the cervix of the rat and hamster have been studied during the 4-day oestrous cycle. All four enzymes showed maximal activity on the day of oestrus and least activity on day 2 of dioestrus. All the enzymes showed significant reduction of activity after ovariectomy, arylsulphatase A and B showing the earliest changes in specific activity. A single subcutaneous injection of 0-02 microng oestradiol-17beta/rat increased the especific activity of arylsulphatase A and B from the low ovariectomized level to that observed in control oestrous animals within 18 and 6 h respectively. A higher concentration of oestradiol 17beta (2-0 microng) had an inhibitory effect. Progesterone was without effect on arylsulphatase B activity, but when given (2-0 mg) with 0-02 microng oestradiol-17beta, it inhibited the response to oestrogen. Cycloheximide prevented the rise in arylsulphatase B activity occurring after oestrogen injection, suggesting a regulation of cervical arylsulphatase B at the level of protein biosynthesis. These results suggest that arylsulphatase B activity may be induced by oestrogen in the cervix of the rat.
Enzymic changes in the cervix of the rat and hamster during the oestrous cycle and the effect of steroids. Changes in four hydrolytic enzymes, namely acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, arylsulphatase A and B, of the cervix of the rat and hamster have been studied during the 4-day oestrous cycle. All four enzymes showed maximal activity on the day of oestrus and least activity on day 2 of dioestrus. All the enzymes showed significant reduction of activity after ovariectomy, arylsulphatase A and B showing the earliest changes in specific activity. A single subcutaneous injection of 0-02 microng oestradiol-17beta/rat increased the especific activity of arylsulphatase A and B from the low ovariectomized level to that observed in control oestrous animals within 18 and 6 h respectively. A higher concentration of oestradiol 17beta (2-0 microng) had an inhibitory effect. Progesterone was without effect on arylsulphatase B activity, but when given (2-0 mg) with 0-02 microng oestradiol-17beta, it inhibited the response to oestrogen. Cycloheximide prevented the rise in arylsulphatase B activity occurring after oestrogen injection, suggesting a regulation of cervical arylsulphatase B at the level of protein biosynthesis. These results suggest that arylsulphatase B activity may be induced by oestrogen in the cervix of the rat.