Effect of Steroid Sex Hormones on Distribution of Alkaline Phosphatase in Uterus of Mouse.

Abstract

The distribution of alkaline phosphatase was studied in the uteri of untreated ovariectomized mice and in castrates in-jected wi th 3 steroid sex hormones. In the untreated castrate, large amts. of the enzyme were found in the longitudinal muscle and smaller amts. were found in the circular muscle. Occasional small amts. were also present in the uterine glands and epithelium. Injection of estrogen was followed by marked increase of phosphatase in the uterine glands and epithelium and in the circular muscle. Progesterone and androgen did not have this effect. Progesterone given concurrently with estrogen did not alter the enzyme response to estrogen.