AUTORADIOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION STUDIES WITH NATURAL OESTROGENS

Abstract

The distribution of labelled estrogens, 14C-estrone and 3H-estradiol, has been investigated autoradiographic ally in mice. A selective accumulation has been observed in the adrenal cortex, the granulosa layer of large ovarian follicles and in the endometrium. These sites are believed to be target areas of the estrogens. The activity in the uterine glands seems to be located mainly in the nuclei. A fairly high concentration was also found in the central nervous system. The fetuses of pregnant mice showed a higher concentration of radioactive substance than the mother. The target sites during the whole course showed a slightly higher concentration of activity than most tissues but did not show any appreciable specific retention of the accumulated activity. A gradual increase of activity in liver and intestine probably due to excretion could be observed.