STUDIES ON ENDOMETRIAL ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE DURING THE HUMAN MENSTRUAL CYCLE AND IN THE HORMONE-TREATED MONKEY1

Abstract

In the monkey treated with estrogen alone, alkaline phosphatase is found chiefly in the endometrial glands and in the surface epithelium. When estrogen is followed by progesterone there is a considerable reduction of phosphatase in the surface epithelium and in the portions of the glands lying in the functionalis. Marked variation in the enzyme content of these tissues is seen also during the menstrual cycle in women. The alkaline phosphatase activity, high during the proliferative phase, is reduced during the secretory phase and disappears several days before the onset of menstruation.