Histochemical Studies on Glycogen Deposition in Uterus of the Rat III. Effect of Starvation

Abstract

In rats fed ad libitum glycogen is deposited in the smooth muscle of the uterus under the influence of estrogen. The present study was made to determine whether estrogen could induce glycogenesis in the uteri of ovariectomized and ovariectomized-hypophysecto-mized rats starved prior to the beginning of hormone treatment. Under these conditions., glycogen was found to accumulate in the myometrium in quantities comparable to those deposited in well-nourished control animals. The results demonstrate that estrogen remains effective as a stimulant for glycogenesis in the uterus even after the carbohydrate stores of the animal are depleted by prior starvation. Although the biochemical mechanisms involved are not known, it seems reasonable to assume that the effect of estrogen is directly on the uterine muscle and acts either through facilitation of glycogenesis from blood glucose, despite the lowered concn. of the latter, or through promotion of glyconeogenesis.