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Effect of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha), indomethacin, tamoxifen or estradiol-17beta on prostaglandin E (PGE), PGF2alpha and estradiol-17beta secretion in 88 to 90-day pregnant sheep.

Treatment with PGF2alpha plus estradiol-17beta aborts 90-day pregnant ewes, whereas PGF2alpha or estradiol-17beta alone does not abort ewes. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate whether tamoxifen, an estrogen receptor antagonist, estradiol-17beta, prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha), indomethacin, or some of their interactions affected ovine uterine/placental secretion of PGF2alpha, estradiol-17beta or prostaglandins E (PGE), because a single treatment with PGF2alpha and estradiol-17beta given every 6 h aborts 90-day pregnant ewes. Concentrations of PGF2alpha in uterine venous blood were increased (P < or = 0.05) by estradiol-17beta, PGF2alpha + estradiol-17beta, and PGF2alpha + tamoxifen, and decreased (P < or = 0.05) by indomethacin or PGF2alpha + indomethacin at 72 h when compared to the 0 h samples. Concentrations of PGE in uterine venous blood were decreased (P < or = 0.05) by indomethacin and PGF2alpha + indomethacin and increased (P < or = 0.05) by PGF2alpha + estradiol-17beta at 72 h when compared to the 0 h samples. Concentrations of PGF2alpha in inferior vena cava blood at 6 h were increased (P < or = 0.05) by PGF2alpha either alone or in combination with indomethacin, tamoxifen, or estradiol-17beta, which is due to the PGF2alpha injected. Concentrations of PGF2alpha in inferior vena cava blood in PGF2alpha + estradiol-17beta-treated 88- to 90-day pregnant ewes increased (P < or = 0.05) linearly over the 72-h sampling period and averaged 4.0 + 0.4 ng/ml. Concentrations of PGF2alpha in inferior vena cava blood of control, PGF2alpha, tamoxifen, PGF2alpha + indomethacin, PGF2alpha + tamoxifen, and estradiol-17beta-treated ewes did not differ (P > or = 0.05) and averaged 0.4 + 0.04 ng/ml. Profiles of PGE in inferior vena cava blood of 88- to 90-day pregnant ewes treated with vehicle, PGF2alpha, estradiol-17beta, tamoxifen, tamoxifen + PGF2alpha, or estradiol-17beta + PGF2alpha did not differ (P > or = 0.05). Concentrations of PGE in inferior vena cava blood of 88- to 90-day pregnant ewes treated with indomethacin or PGF2alpha + indomethacin were lower (P < or = 0.05) than in control ewes. Concentrations of estradiol-17beta in jugular venous plasma of PGF2alpha + estradiol-17beta-treated 88- to 90-day pregnant ewes increased linearly and differed (P < or = 0.05) from controls. Profiles of estradiol-17beta in jugular venous plasma of PGF2alpha, indomethacin, tamoxifen, and PGF2alpha + tamoxifen and PGF2alpha + indomethacin, estradiol-17beta, and controls did not differ (P > or = 0.05). It is concluded that treatment with a single injection of PGF2alpha and estradiol-17beta given every 6 h causes a linear increase in PGF2alpha and estradiol-17beta.

Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal↗

Estradiol esters can replace 17 beta-estradiol in the stimulation of DNA and esterase synthesis by MCF-7 cells: a possible role for the estrogen-sensitive MCF-7 cell esterase.

In this communication we extend our earlier observations on estrogen-sensitive carboxyl esterases in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells able to hydrolyze esters of estradiol. Using either estradiol acetate or p-nitrophenyl hexanoate as substrates, esterase activity was found to increase 2-3-fold in MCF-7 cells maintained in the presence of 10(-8) M estradiol. Following sucrose density centrifugation, over 85% of total esterase activity was found in the cytoplasmic fraction. No esterase activity was found in spent media from growing cells. By size exclusion chromatography, estradiol acetate esterase activity exhibited a mol. wt of 45-50 kDa. Attempts to demonstrate incorporation of [3H]estradiol into estradiol fatty acid esters by the above MCF-7 cell line (203P) were unsuccessful, although, such incorporation could be demonstrated in two other MCF-7 cell sublines. Incubation of the 203P cells with 10 nM [3H]estradiol in the presence of 0.5 mM radioinert estradiol acetate resulted in the incorporation of 35 +/- 12% of the label into the estradiol acetate in 10 min. In the absence of radioinert estradiol acetate, no incorporation was observed. When MCF-7 cells were incubated with [3H]estradiol in the presence of a large excess of radioinert estradiol valerate, label was found only in estradiol valerate. Similarly, when the incubation was carried out in the presence of a mixture of radioinert estradiol acetate and valerate, label was incorporated into both esters. We conclude that the apparent formation of radiolabeled estradiol esters by MCF-7 cells incubated under the above conditions, results at least in part, from an esterase-catalyzed exchange reaction. Under conditions where no ester hydrolysis could be detected in the absence of cells, valerate and stearate esters of estradiol were found to be as effective as unesterified estradiol in stimulating esterase synthesis and the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA. These results are consistent with a model in which an intracellular esterase in MCF-7 cells can generate estradiol from an exogenous lipoidal steroid and elicit an estrogen response.

Acetates↗

Estradiol requirements for induction and maintenance of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone surge: implications for neuroendocrine processing of the estradiol signal.

Two experiments were performed to examine the temporal requirements of the estradiol signal for the GnRH and LH surges in the ewe. Hypophyseal portal and jugular blood (to measure GnRH and LH, respectively) were sampled from ewes set up in an artificial follicular phase model. After progesterone withdrawal to simulate luteolysis, circulating estradiol was raised to a preovulatory level by inserting estradiol implants, which then were removed at different times to vary estradiol signal duration. The objective of the first experiment was to assess the effect of withdrawing estradiol at surge onset on development and maintenance of the GnRH/LH surges. Removal of estradiol, before surge onset, neither altered the LH surge in relation to that induced when the estradiol stimulus was maintained nor affected stimulation of a massive and sustained GnRH surge that outlasted the LH surge by many hours. Continued estradiol treatment, however, did prolong the GnRH surge. In the second experiment, the estradiol stimulus was shortened to test the hypothesis that estradiol need not be present for the whole presurge period to induce GnRH/LH surges. Ewes received estradiol either up to the time of surge onset (21 h) or for periods equivalent to the last 14 h, the last 7 h, or the earliest 7 h of the 21-h signal. Shortening the signal to 14 h did not reduce its ability to stimulate a full GnRH surge, but it did reduce the amplitude of the resultant LH surge. Further shortening of the signal to 7 h, however, produced a mixed response. Most animals (8 of 10 combining the two 7-h groups) did not express GnRH surges. In the two ewes that did, GnRH surge amplitude and duration were again within the range observed with the 21-h estradiol signal, but the LH response was greatly reduced. These results indicate that, once the GnRH/LH surges of the ewe have begun, elevated estradiol is not required for surge maintenance. Development of a full GnRH surge requires elevated estradiol for only a portion of the presurge period. More prolonged exposure to estradiol, however, is needed to maximize pituitary responsiveness to GnRH. Since the estradiol signal for the GnRH surge is relatively short (7-14 h) and temporally located well in advance of the surge itself, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that estradiol is required only to activate the steroid-responsive neuronal elements and not for progression of the signal from these elements to the actual surge process of GnRH release.

Animals↗

Differential effects of oral and transdermal estradiol treatment on circulating estradiol fatty acid ester concentrations in postmenopausal women.

Estradiol fatty acid esters are potent lipophilic estrogens with antioxidant properties, transported by lipoproteins in blood. We investigated effects of oral and transdermal estradiol replacement therapy on concentrations of estradiol fatty acid esters in serum in postmenopausal women in a double-blind, randomized fashion. The first group (n = 9) received oral (2 mg/d); the second (n = 10), transdermal estradiol (patch delivering 50 microg/d); and the third group (n = 7), placebo treatment for 12 wk. After extraction of serum and separation of esterified estradiol from nonesterified estradiol, the concentration of saponified estradiol esters was measured by time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay. In the oral estradiol group, the median serum estradiol fatty acid ester concentration rose by 27%, from 77 to 98 pM (P = 0.028) but remained unchanged in the transdermal estradiol and placebo groups. The median concentrations of serum nonprotein-bound estradiol increased similarly in the oral and transdermal estradiol groups. The change in serum estradiol ester concentrations during treatment, but not that of nonesterified estradiol, correlated positively with enhanced forearm blood flow responses in vivo. These data raise the possibility that an increase in serum estradiol fatty acid esters may contribute to beneficial effects of oral estradiol treatment, compared with an equipotent dose of transdermal estradiol.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Functional characterization of an anti-estradiol antibody by site-directed mutagenesis and molecular modelling: modulation of binding properties and prominent role of the V(L) domain in estradiol recognition.

The high-affinity monoclonal anti-estradiol antibody 9D3 presents a specificity defect towards estradiol-3-sulphate and 3-glucuronide conjugates incompatible with use in direct immunoassays. The corresponding single-chain variable fragment (scFv), cloned and produced in E. coli, exhibited a 10-fold lower affinity for estradiol (K(a)=1.2 x 10(9) M (-1)) and a slightly increased specificity defect for the 3-position. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed critical residues involved in estradiol recognition and produced mutants exhibiting up to a 3-fold increase of the binding affinity for estradiol and up to a 2-fold decrease of the cross-reactivity with estradiol-3-sulphate. A comparative model of the antibody 9D3-estradiol complex was built in which the estradiol D-ring is buried into the binding pocket while the 3-, 6- and 7-positions are solvent exposed, agreeing with the lack of specificity for these three positions. Two potential alternative orientations of the A-ring, one close to CDR H3 and L2 loops, and the other one close to CDR H2 and L3 loops, have been considered for the docking of estradiol, none of which could be unambiguously privileged taking into account data from cross-reactivity measurements, photolabelling and mutagenesis studies. For both orientations, estradiol is stabilized by hydrogen bonding of the 17beta-OH group with TyrL36, His89 and GlnH35 in the first case, or TyrL36, only, in the second case and by van der Waals contacts from TyrL91 with alpha- or beta-face of estradiol, respectively, and from ValH95 and GlyH97 with the opposite face. To elucidate the molecular basis of antibody 9D3 specificity, as compared with that of another anti-estradiol antibody 15H11, single variable domains (V(H) and V(L)) and scFv hybrids have been constructed. The binding activity of V(L)9D3 as well as the specificity of the V(L)9D3/V(H)15H11 hybrid, both similar to antibody 9D3, revealed a prominent role of V(L) in estradiol recognition. These findings establish premises for antibody engineering to reduce cross-reactivity, especially with estradiol-3-conjugates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Estradiol control of expression and levels of estradiol-binding proteins in the medial preoptic area, medial hypothalamus and pituitary.

The brains of mammals have at least three estradiol-binding proteins: estradiol receptor-alpha (ERalpha), ERbeta, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). In this study we compare the effects of estradiol treatment on the expression of mRNA for these three estradiol-binding proteins in two reproductively important brain areas, the medial preoptic area-anterior hypothalamus (MPOA-AH) and medial hypothalamus (MH) as well as in the hippocampus in ovariectomized rats, using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We also used surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization time of flight (SELDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) to analyze the effects of estradiol in ovariectomized rats on SHBG levels in the MPOA-MH as well as the neurohypophysis. In vivo estradiol treatment in ovariectomized rats eliminated or significantly reduced expression of all three estradiol-binding proteins in both the MPOA-AH and MH. This change in ERalpha, ERbeta, and SHBG expression did not occur in the hippocampus. Both Northern blot and DNA sequence analysis confirmed the results of the RT-PCR for SHBG. SELDI-TOF MS analysis demonstrated that in vivo estradiol treatments resulted in dramatically decreased levels of SHBG in the hypothalamus and that a reduction in SHBG mRNA by estradiol treatment also resulted in a reduction in SHBG protein levels. Estradiol treatment also eliminated detectable SHBG from the neurohypophysis, suggesting that estradiol controls SHBG levels in this release site. That in vivo estradiol treatments had the same inhibitory effects on mRNA levels for SHBG and both ERs suggests similar translational control mechanisms for all three steroid-binding proteins in the brain. That estradiol treatments also reduced pituitary SHBG suggests that such treatment releases SHBG from the neurohypophysis.

Animals↗

Evidence for direct action of estradiol on growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) in rat hypothalamus: localization of [3H]estradiol in GRF neurons.

Sex steroids have been shown to influence the secretion of GH. There appears to be no good evidence of the effect of estradiol on the anterior pituitary, while the central site of estradiol action on the regulation of GH secretion is not known. The present investigation was carried out to determine whether some of the GH-releasing factor (GRF) neurons and somatostatin (SRIF) neurons in the hypothalamus and GH cells in the pituitary contain estradiol receptors. Colocalization of [3H]estradiol and antibodies to GRF or SRIF in brain and antibodies to GH in pituitary was studied to show interrelationships between estrogen target cells and peptidergic cells. Eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized, each rat was treated with colchicine, and 24-48 h later the animals were given an iv injection of [2,4,6,7,16,17-3H]estradiol (SA, 166 Ci/mM) at a dose of 0.5 micrograms/100 g BW. One hour after the injection, the rats were perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). The hypothalami from the perfused rats and the pituitaries from unperfused rats were frozen in isopentane precooled in liquid nitrogen (-190 C) and processed for autoradiography. The brain autoradiograms were immunostained for GRF, SRIF, and tyrosine hydroxylase [TH; an enzyme for the synthesis of dopamine (DA)], and the pituitary autoradiograms were immunostained for GH by the avidin-biotin peroxidase method. The majority of GRF-containing neurons were found in the arcuate nucleus, with some scattered cells in the lateral region of the ventromedial nucleus and the basal lateral hypothalamus. In the central portion of the arcuate nucleus, 20-30% of GRF-containing neurons showed nuclear concentration of [3H]estradiol. In the anterior portion of the hypothalamus, 10-15% of immunoreactive GRF-containing neurons were labeled with [3H]estradiol. In the lateral basal hypothalamus and the lateral region to the ventromedial nucleus, a few GRF neurons showed nuclear concentration of radioactivity. In contrast, a few SRIF cells in hypothalamic periventricular nucleus showed nuclear labeling with [3H]estradiol. Dual immunostaining with GRF and TH antibodies revealed that the estradiol-labeled GRF neurons did not contain TH immunoreactivity. In addition, 80-90% of GH cells in the anterior pituitary showed nuclear concentration of [3H]estradiol. The present studies demonstrate for the first time that certain populations of GRF neurons are targets for estradiol and indicate that estradiol acts directly on certain hypothalamic GRF neurons. The results suggest that estradiol may have a role in the regulation of GH secretion by modulating GRF release and acting directly on the somatotrophs.

Animals↗

Regional and subcellular [3h]estradiol localization in selected brain regions and pituitary of female mice: effects of unlabeled estradiol and various anti-hormones.

Groups of ovariectomized mice were pretreated for 30 min with either vehicle, unlabeled estradiol benzoate or one of the following anti-hormones: cyproterone acetate, CI-628 or CN-69, 725-27. One hour after an I.V. injection of [3H]estradiol the levels of toluence extractable radioactivity retained in the crude nuclear and cytosol fractions of selected brain regions, pituitary and plasma were determined by liquid scintillation spectrometry. The major findings were: (1) In vehicle treated animals [3H]estradiol uptake in the pituitary greatly exceeded that in all brain regions. Within the brain uptake was greatest in the preoptic anterior hypothalamus (POA-AH) and medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) samples. Nuclear uptake exceeded cytosol uptake only in the pituitary and POA-AH and MBH samples. (2) Estradiol benzoate pretreatment greatly reduced nuclear, and to a lesser extent cytosol [3H]estradiol uptake in pituitary, POA-AH and MBH samples. Estradiol benzoate pretreatment also reduced nuclear uptake in the dorsal middle hypothalamus (DMH). (3) The anti-androgen cyproterone acetate, previously shown to have anti-estrogenic effects in female sexual behavior tests, was found to have no effect on nuclear or cytosol [3H]estradiol uptake in brain and pituitary. (4) The anti-estrogen CI-628 was found to reduce nuclear [3H]estradiol uptake in the POA-AH and pituitary samples. It also reduced cytosol [3H]estradiol uptake in the pituitary sample. The anti-estrogen CN-69, 725-27 produced a much greater inhibition of nuclear [3H]estradiol uptake than CI-628 in the POA-AH, MBH, DMH, dorsal posterior hypothalamus and pituitary samples. This anti-estrogen also reduced cytosol [3H]estradiol uptake in the POA-AH, MBH and pituitary samples. (5) A preliminary chromatographic analysis of vehicle control samples indicated that 70-98% of the nuclear radioactivity in target regions such as POA-AH, MBH and pituitary was iso-polar with authentic estradiol, while less than 50% of the radioactivity in plasma and cortex behaved as estradiol.

Animals↗

(3H)-estradiol binding by chick liver nuclear extracts: mechanism of increase in binding following estradiol injection.

Specific high affinity binding of [3H]-estradiol by 0.5 M KCl extracts of chick liver nuclei is substantially increased by estradiol injection of the immature chick. The effect is observed shortly after estradiol injection, while the estradiol-induced production of serum phosphoproteins (vitellogenic response) is not detectable until about 24 hr. Cycloheximide given 90 min before estradiol inhibits the increase in nuclear binding for 12-15 hr. At 24-48 hr the levels of nuclear binding are similar to those in the estradiol-treated animals not given cycloheximide, but serum phosphoprotein levels are depressed by about 80% at 48 hr. By 75 hr however the serum of the cycloheximide-treated estrogenized chicks contains about twice as much phosphoprotein as does serum of chicks given estradiol alone. It is suggested that the inhibition of protein synthesis for 12-15 hr delays the vitellogenic response until sufficient levels of nuclear [3H]-estradiol binding protein can be synthesized. A correlation between the levels of nuclear [3H]-estradiol binding at 24 hr and phosphoprotein at 48 hr is shown in a dose-response experiment. In vitro, nafoxidine-HCl (Upjohn 11,100 A) inhibits binding of [3H]-estradiol by the chick liver nuclear extracts. In vivo, a single injection of nafoxidine with estradiol inhibits phosphoprotein production. Injection of nafoxidine alone results in a small but significant increase in [3H]-estradiol binding by nuclear extracts, but it is not estrogenic. A possible interpretation is that nafoxidine transfers low levels of a putative cytosol receptor to the nucleus, but is unable to induce the amplification mechanism required to give the levels of nuclear estradiol-binding protein needed for the vitellogenic response.

Animals↗

Plasma estradiol concentrations and effect of HCG on plasma estradiol and testosterone in normal subjects and patients with endocrine disorders.

Plasma estradiol concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay in various endocrine disorders using antiserum to estradiol-17beta succinyl bovine serum albumin. Clinical significance and diagnostic value of plasma estradiol were assessed in hypothalamic-pituitary, adrenal and gonadal disorders. In general, estradiol concentration was correlated well with the degree of sexual maturity and was of great diagnostic use. Plasma estradiol in females mainly originated from the ovary, while the testis is the principal source of estradiol in males. The adrenal gland seemed to play a minor role as a source of estradiol at least in normal males and females. The role of estradiol in gynecomastia and in liver disease was also investigated. More than a half of the cases with gynecomastia had elevated concentrations of plasma estradiol, which probably explains the pathogenesis of this manifestation. Cirrhotic patients showed frequently hyperestrogenemia probably due to delayed disappearance of estradiol. In the study of stimulation with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), 3,000 IU daily for three days in ten normal men, the peripheral concentrations of esradiol showed maximum and fourfold increases 24 hours after the 1st injection of HCG. The testosterone levels, on the other hand, increased stepwise and reached a maximum of about two times preinjection levels 24 hours after the 3rd injection. In gonadal disorders, HCG produced various patterns of plasma estradiol and testosterone in accordance with the gonadal conditions and dissociated response patterns of both sex hormones were frequently found. The determination of plasma estradiol was useful in the study of the function of not only the ovary, but also the testis and the simultaneous measurement of plasma estradiol and testosterone after HCG administration presented interesting informations about pathophysiology of gonadal disorders.

Adolescent↗

Serum estradiol-binding profiles in postmenopausal women undergoing three common estrogen replacement therapies: associations with sex hormone-binding globulin, estradiol, and estrone levels.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of three commonly prescribed estrogen replacement therapies-oral conjugated equine estrogens (CEE; n = 37), oral micronized estradiol (ME; n = 25), and transdermal estradiol (TE; n = 24)-on the binding characteristics of plasma estradiol as related to the concentrations of blood sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), estradiol, and estrone. DESIGN: Menopausal volunteers, opting for estrogen replacement therapy, gave blood at 0, 2, and 4 months. SHBG was assayed by automated immunoabsorbent technology. Estradiol and estrone were determined by quantitative gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. After tritiated estradiol was added to serum, the percentage of estradiol not bound to protein was determined by ultrafiltration and the percentage of estradiol bound to SHBG was measured by a method exploiting that this protein, even when bound to estradiol, binds avidly to Concanavalin A-Agarose. RESULTS: In each study, 2- and 4-month data were similar. Increases in SHBG concentrations were 100% (p < 0.001), 45% (p < 0.001), and 12% (nonsignificant) for subjects who were receiving CEE, ME, and TE regimens, respectively. Decreases in the percentage of estradiol not bound to protein and increases in the percentage of estradiol bound to SHBG correlated with changes in the concentrations of this protein mediated by the therapies. The order for increases in estradiol was ME-TE >> CEE, whereas for estrone, the order was ME > CEE >> TE, divergent from the SHBG responses. CONCLUSIONS: The diverse responses observed can be explained by differences in the estrogen load delivered to target tissues as controlled by the intermediary circulation and metabolism of the hormones introduced in these regimens.

Adult↗

A functional androgen receptor is not sufficient to allow estradiol to protect bone after gonadectomy in estradiol receptor-deficient mice.

Although the role of estradiol in maintaining bone mass is well established, the relative contributions of the estradiol receptors ERalpha and ERbeta and of the androgen receptor (AR) remain controversial. To determine the role of ERalpha-mediated, ERbeta-mediated, and non-ER-mediated mechanisms in maintaining bone mass, gonadectomy and estradiol treatment were studied in ER-knockout mice. Estradiol treatment of ovariectomized ERalphabeta(-/-) mice failed to prevent bone loss, precluding significant effects of estradiol on bone through non-ER-signaling pathways. In contrast, estradiol prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss in ERbeta(-/-) mice, as in WT males and females, indicating that ERalpha is the major mediator of estradiol effects in bone. No response of bone to estradiol was detected in orchidectomized ERalpha(-/-) mice, suggesting estradiol cannot protect bone mass via the AR in vivo. In contrast to female ERalphabeta(-/-) and male ERalpha(-/-) mice, female ERalpha(-/-) mice were partially protected against ovariectomy-induced bone loss by estradiol, confirming that ERbeta mediates estradiol effects in bone, but only in females and with a lower efficacy than ERalpha. We conclude that ERalpha is the main effector of estradiol's protective function in bone in both male and female mice, and that, in its absence, AR is not sufficient to mediate this response.

Androgen Antagonists↗

Endotoxin disrupts the estradiol-induced luteinizing hormone surge: interference with estradiol signal reading, not surge release.

Three experiments were conducted to investigate whether the immune/inflammatory stimulus endotoxin disrupts the estradiol-induced LH surge of the ewe. Ovariectomized sheep were set up in an artificial follicular phase model in which luteolysis is simulated by progesterone withdrawal and the follicular phase estradiol rise is reproduced experimentally. In the first experiment, we tested the hypothesis that endotoxin interferes with the estradiol-induced LH surge. Ewes were either infused with endotoxin (300 ng/kg/h, i.v.) for 30 h beginning at onset of a 48-h estradiol stimulus or sham infused as a control. Endotoxin significantly delayed the time to the LH surge (P < 0.01), but did not alter surge amplitude, duration, or incidence. The second experiment tested the hypothesis that the delaying effects of endotoxin on the LH surge depend on when endotoxin is introduced relative to the onset of the estradiol signal. Previous work in the ewe has shown that a 14-h estradiol signal is adequate to generate GnRH and LH surges, which begin 6-8 h later. Thus, we again infused endotoxin for 30 h, but began it 14 h after the onset of the estradiol signal. In contrast to the first experiment, endotoxin given later had no effect on any parameter of the LH surge. In the third experiment, we tested the hypothesis that endotoxin acts during the first 14 h to disrupt the initial activating effects of estradiol. Estradiol was delivered for just 14 h, and endotoxin was infused only during this time. Under these conditions, endotoxin blocked the LH surge in five of eight ewes. In a similar follow-up study, endotoxin again blocked the LH surge in six of seven ewes. We conclude that endotoxin can disrupt the estradiol-induced LH surge by interfering with the early activating effects of the estradiol signal during the first 14 h (reading of the signal). In contrast, endotoxin does not disrupt later stages of signal processing (i.e. events during the interval between estradiol signal delivery and surge onset), nor does it prevent actual hormonal surge output. Thus, endotoxin appears to disrupt estrogen action per se rather than the release of GnRH or LH at the time of the surge.

Animals↗

[Studies of binding of testosterone-estradiol binding globulin for estradiol-17beta (author's transl)].

A fundamental study of testosterone-estradiol binding globulin (TeBG) activity for estradiol-17beta was investigated by equilibrium dialysis. In addition, the interaction of TeBG activity for estradiol and estradiol metabolism during a menstrual cycle and in hyperthyroidism was attempted to elucidate. Estradiol in plasma and 24 hrs urine was measured by radioimmunoassay. TeBG binding capacity (TBC) was measured by ammonium sulfate method and associate constant (Ka) of TeBG for estradiol was estimated by equilibrium dialysis. 1. In several pooled plasmas, the mean Ka of TeBG for estradoil was 1.25 X 10(8) L/M at 4 degrees C and 0.78 X 10(8) L/M at room temperature. The Ka decreased with increasing temperature and could not be determined with a sufficient accuracy at 37 degrees C. The mean TBC was 4.4 X 10(-8) M/L. 2. TBC and Ka of TeBG for estradiol during the normal menstrual cycle of a woman were fairly unchanged. The unconjugated estradiol value in urine showed the same biphasic pattern with a midcycle peak as that of the unconjugated estradiol value in urine. 3. A normal man was induced hyperthyroidism with a administration of triiodothyronine. The treatment of triiodothyronine caused a remarkable increase of TBC, but no changes of Ka of TeBG for estradiol and unconjugated estradiol values in plasma and urine. From these results it was suggested that the rate of metabolism of estradiol increased in hyperthyroidism.

Animals↗

Pharmacokinetics of estradiol and of estrone during application of three strengths of an estradiol transdermal patch with active matrix.

The pharmacokinetic pattern of estradiol (CAS 50-28-2) and of estrone (CAS 53-16-7) during and after application of three strengths of a new transdermal estradiol patch (Dermestril) with active matrix was investigated in a cross-over study in 24 women in natural or surgical menopause. Free estradiol and estrone were assayed by GC-MS on plasma samples obtained during a 4-day application on the upper buttocks of the patches with 3 strengths and release rates of 25, 50 and 100 micrograms/day estradiol. The estradiol concentrations in plasma increased from 0-10 pg/ml typical of menopause to average concentrations of 23, 40 and 79 pg/ml during the application of the new estradiol transdermal patches with the three strengths. The concentrations of estradiol are in the range of those during the early follicular phase in women in fertile age. The increases were linearly related with the strength of the patches. Upon removal of the patches the estradiol concentrations returned to the basal low values in 8-24 h. Retarded with regard to estradiol, there was also an increase of estrone, from basal average concentrations of 22-32 pg/ml up to 31, 39 and 60 pg/ml. The increase of estrone was less pronounced than that of estradiol. Also estrone returned to its basal concentrations 24 h after removal of the patches. The estradiol/ estrone ratio from very low values typical of postmenopause increased to values of about 1, i.e. in the range of those found during the fertile age of woman. The adhesion of the patches was satisfying, provided that direct rough frictions were avoided. The patches were locally well tolerated, with rare mild and transient irritating effects on the skin. Also the systemic tolerability was good, with occasional mild or moderate side effects typical of estradiol (headache, mastodynia and pelvic heaviness) which in the practical use can be easily avoided by the application of patches of lower strength.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Estradiol production by preimplantation blastocysts and increased serum progesterone following estradiol treatment in llamas.

Estradiol is a potential candidate for the blastocyst signal responsible for maternal recognition of pregnancy in the llama (Lama glama). Two experiments were conducted to determine if the llama blastocyst produces estradiol during the presumed period of maternal recognition of pregnancy and if exogenous estradiol can extend the luteal phase. In Experiment 1, llamas were superovulated with eCG and mated 7 days later (Day 0=day of mating). Blastocysts were collected nonsurgically on Days 7, 9, or 11 or at necropsy on Days 13 and 15 post-mating and cultured for 48h. Conditioned medium was recovered, replaced with fresh medium at 24-h intervals, and assayed for estradiol-17beta. Estradiol production (pg/blastocyst) over the 48-h culture increased (P<0.05) by day of gestation where more estradiol (P<0.05) was produced by Day 11 compared to Day 7 blastocysts, Day 13 compared to Days 7-11 blastocysts, and Day 15 compared to Days 7-13 blastocysts. A dramatic increase was observed between Days 11 and 13 when estradiol production by Day 13 blastocysts increased (P<0.05) more than 50-fold. In Experiment 2, 30 females were induced to ovulate with hCG (Day 0=day of hCG injection). Starting on Day 7 and continuing through Day 15, animals received daily injections i.m. of 0 (n=11), 5 (n=7), or 10mg (n=12) estradiol benzoate (EB) dissolved in isopropylmyristate. Sera were collected immediately prior to each injection and on Days 16, 17, 18, 20, and 22 and analyzed for progesterone. Progesterone concentrations were greater (P<0.05) on Days 14, 15, 16, and 17 in llamas treated with 10mg EB compared to llamas treated with 0mg EB. These results demonstrate that llama blastocysts produce estradiol and exogenous estradiol can enhance and transiently extend luteal progesterone production. Estradiol produced by the preimplantation llama blastocyst may play a role in maternal recognition of pregnancy and early luteal support.

Animals↗

beta-Estradiol, but not alpha-estradiol, reduced myocardial necrosis in rabbits after ischemia and reperfusion.

Recent studies in several animal models have suggested that estrogen, given for the short term, may protect ischemic myocardium. Our objective was to test the effect of exogenous estradiol on the development of myocardial necrosis. Twenty minutes before coronary occlusion, rabbits were given an IV bolus of either 17 beta-estradiol, a form of the hormone that stimulates the estrogen receptor (10 micrograms) or 17 alpha-estradiol, a natural form of the hormone lacking estrogenic effects (1 mg), or vehicle. Regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF) was measured after treatment and during occlusion and reperfusion, and heart rate and blood pressure were monitored throughout. All rabbits underwent 30 minutes of coronary artery occlusion and 4 hours of reperfusion. Estradiol levels were 6 +/- 2 pg/ml in untreated rabbits, 392 +/- 78 pg/ml in rabbits given 17 beta-estradiol, and 413 +/- 68 pg/ml in rabbits given 17 alpha-estradiol. The size of the ischemic region was similar in all groups, but rabbits treated with 17 beta-estradiol developed significantly less necrosis than did control rabbits (0.33 +/- 0.04 vs 0.53 +/- 0.05 of the area at risk; p < 0.05), whereas rabbits treated with 17 alpha-estradiol did not (0.43 +/- 0.03; p = NS vs control group). Heart rate, systemic pressure, and RMBF were comparable among groups throughout the protocol. In conclusion, 17 beta-estradiol exerts a protective effect on ischemic myocardium, reducing infarct size. This beneficial effect is not associated with an increase in myocardial blood flow or alteration in hemodynamics. Because 17 alpha-estradiol did not affect infarct size, the cardioprotective effect of 17 beta-estradiol is probably receptor mediated.

Animals↗