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Studies on Estrogen Receptors in Rat Uterus during Protein Malnutrition and Steroid-Maintained Pregnancy^1,2,

Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Chattar Manzil Palace, Lucknow 226001, India

The present studies were performed to determine the nature and subcellular distribution of estrogen receptors (ER) in rat uterus, exposed to several cellular and hormonal responses as a result of dietary protein restriction. In protein-deficient rats, the concentration of estrogen receptors in uterine nuclei was lowered as compared to animals fed an 18% casein diet. No remarkable changes were observed in the cytosol estrogen receptor concentration in protein-deficient groups when values were expressed per milligram DNA. On day 15 of normal and steroid-maintained pregnancy, most of the receptor population was localized in the nuclear compartment with a significant decrease in cytosol receptor levels, as compared to virgin controls. However, on day 20 of steroid-maintained pregnancy, a marked reduction was recorded both in nuclear and cytosol estrogen receptors, as compared to that of day 15. Translocation study with protein-deficient rats revealed that the pattern of nuclear accumulation of estrogen receptors as a function of time was identical to 18% casein-fed group. However, the magnitude of translocated receptors was significantly higher at 2 hours after hormone treatment in protein-deficient animals. Additionally, the antagonistic, antiestrogenic effect of progesterone on estrogen receptor distribution was more pronounced in the protein-deficient group. The changes in estrogen receptor concentrations and their correlation with hormonal variations during protein malnutrition have been discussed.

KEY WORDS: • uterine estrogen receptors • protein malnutrition • steroid-maintained pregnancy

¹ Supported by Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India.

² Part of this paper has been presented in V International Congress on Hormonal Steroids, India (Oct. 1978).

Manuscript received 26 December 1979.