β-GLUCURONIDASE STUDIES IN WOMEN. V. THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE: AND SERUM β-GLUCURONIDASE ACTIVITY IN ESTROGENTREATED POSTMENOPAUSAL SUBJECTS*†

Abstract

The activity of [beta]-glucuronidase in the vaginal fluid has been correlated with the events of the menstrual cycle in normal healthy women. Low values were consistently found at mid-menstrual cycle in women whose periods were of 28 and of 35 days'' duration. One of these subjects underwent ovariectomy and panhysterectomy. following which the vaginal fluid [beta]- glucuronidase rose to a much higher level. At that time, admn. of estrogen resulted in a rapid fall in the [beta] -glucuronidase activity of her vaginal fluid. The majority of postmenopausal women given a course of stil-bestrol therapy exhibited an elevation in blood serum [beta]-glucur-onidase. This response was demonstrated with amounts of stilbestrol as low as 1 to 5 mg. per day for seven days. These findings are discussed in relation to the factors which control [beta]-glucuronidase activity in vaginal fluid and in blood.