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Competition by estrogens for catecholamine receptor binding in vitro.

We have examined the ability of various steroids to compete for high-affinity binding of 3H-labeled ligands to catecholamine receptors in membranes prepared from rat cerebral cortex, striatum, and anterior pituitary. Ligands employed were: [3H]WB4101, [3H]prazosin, [3H]yohimbine, and [3H]clonidine (alpha-noradrenergic); [3H]dihydroalprenolol (beta-noradrenergic); [3H]spiperone and [3H]ADTN (dopaminergic). Only the 17 beta estrogens were effective and only binding of [3H]spiperone and [3H]ADTN in striatum and [3H]WB4101 and [3H]prazosin in cerebral cortex was reduced. Thus putative dopaminergic and alpha 1-noradrenergic sites alone appear to recognize estrogens. A slight competitive effect on [3H]spiperone binding to anterior pituitary membranes was also observed. Among the 17 beta estrogens tested, the most effective in all cases was the catechol estrogen 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE2). The ability of 2-OHE2 (IC50 = 20-30 micro M) to inhibit ligand binding to alpha 1 receptors was comparable to that of norepinephrine (IC50 = 10-20 micro M), whereas for dopamine receptors in striatum and pituitary 2-OHE2 was an order of magnitude less effective than dopamine (IC50 = 12 micro M) in reducing binding of 3H ligands. Estradiol-17 beta and 2-hydroxyestrone were also able to inhibit binding, but the order of steroid potency was different for alpha 1 and dopaminergic receptors. Progesterone, testosterone, and corticosterone were without effect in all cases. These results show that there is specificity of steroid interactions with catecholamine receptors in the brain, both in terms of steroid structure and receptor type. The possible relevance of these interactions to neuroendocrine function is discussed.

Animals↗

Characterization of common UGT1A8, UGT1A9, and UGT2B7 variants with different capacities to inactivate mutagenic 4-hydroxylated metabolites of estradiol and estrone.

The oxidative metabolism of estrone (E1) and estradiol (E2) to form carcinogenic 4-hydroxy-catecholestrogens (4-OHCE) is associated with uterine and breast carcinogenesis. In this study, we conducted functional analyses of genetic variants in the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase UGT1A8, UGT1A9, and UGT2B7 enzymes primarily involved in the inactivation of 4-OHCEs. Compared with UGT2B7*2 (H268Y), UGT2B7*1 exhibited a 2-fold lower efficiency (intrinsic clearance) at conjugating 4-hydroxyestrone and 4-hydroxyestradiol at positions 3 and 4 caused by altered capacities (Vmax) and affinities (Km). The -79 G>A promoter variation, characterizing the UGT2B7*2g haplotype, leads to a 50% reduction of transcription (P < 0.001) in human endometrial carcinoma-1B cells. Furthermore, a >12-fold decreased intrinsic clearance of the *1 proteins was induced by selected amino acid substitutions in UGT1A8 (*3 C277Y) and UGT1A9 (*3 M33T). Frequencies of the low-activity alleles in Caucasians were 45% for UGT2B7*1, 5% for the -79A promoter variant, 1.2% for UGT1A8*3, and 2.2% for UGT1A9*3. Supporting a protective role in two organs sensitive to 4-OHCE-induced damages, the expression of UGT enzymes was shown by immunohistochemistry in normal breast and endometrial tissues and confirmed by Western blotting in a subset of samples. Altogether, findings suggest that specific polymorphisms in UGT genes may modulate the exposure to carcinogenic metabolites of E2 and potentially lead to an altered risk of breast and endometrial cancers in women carrying the variant alleles.

Biotransformation↗

Urinary hydroxyestrogens and breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that a low level of the 2-hydroxyestrogen metabolites (2-OHE) and a high level of 16alpha-hydroxyestrone (16alpha-OHE1) are associated with an enhanced risk of breast cancer. We examined the association between the metabolite levels and breast cancer in a nested case-control study, which also addressed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and estrogen receptor status of the tumors. METHODS: 24,697 postmenopausal Danish women were enrolled in the "Diet, Cancer and Health" cohort. During follow-up, 426 breast cancer cases were identified and controls were matched by age at diagnosis, baseline age, and HRT use. The concentrations of 2-OHE and 16alpha-OHE1 in spot urine were measured by an enzyme immunoassay. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated for total and estrogen receptor-specific breast cancer and were stratified according to HRT use. RESULTS: A higher incidence of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer with an enhanced 2-OHE level was observed among current HRT users, IRR per doubling = 1.30 (95% CI, 1.02-1.66), whereas no association was seen among nonusers of HRT, IRR per doubling = 1.00 (95% CI, 0.69-1.45). The association between estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer and the 16alpha-OHE1 metabolite level was in the opposite direction but slightly weaker and statistically insignificant. For estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer, no significant associations were seen. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of breast cancer, in particular the estrogen receptor-positive type, was enhanced among postmenopausal women using estradiol-based HRT and among those who had a high 2-OHE concentration.

Biomarkers↗

Catecholestrogens affect catecholamine turnover rates in the anterior part of the mediobasal hypothalamus and medial preoptic area in the male and female castrated rat.

To study the interactions of catecholestrogens with the catecholamine system we estimated the catecholamine concentrations and turnover rates in the anterior part of the mediobasal hypothalamus (AMBH) and medial preoptic area (MPO) following 2-hydroxyestradiol-17 beta (2-OHE2) or 2-hydroxyestrone (2-HOE1) treatment in castrated male and female rats. Serum concentrations of LH and prolactin were also measured. The turnover rates of catecholamines were calculated by monitoring the catecholamine loss 1 h after blocking the catecholamine synthesis with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine. Dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations were measured by a radioenzymatic assay. In males, 2-OHE2 (50 micrograms/kg) and 2-OHE1 (50 micrograms/kg) resulted in decreased serum LH values (p less than 0.05) 4 and 5 h after treatment. None of these 2-hydroxylated estrogens were able to alter serum prolactin levels significantly. There was a decline in epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations in the AMBH. The greatest change in catecholamine turnover rates in response to catecholestrogen treatment also occurred in the AMBH. 2-OHE2 and 2-OHE1 reduced turnover rates of dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine in the AMBH. Only the dopamine turnover rate was affected in the MPO, where it increased following 2-OHE2 treatment. In females, only 2-OHE2 (50 micrograms/kg) was effective in decreasing serum LH (p less than 0.05) and increasing prolactin (p less than 0.01) levels. Dopamine and epinephrine concentrations as well as their turnover rates declined in the AMBH after treatment with catecholestrogens. The concentration and turnover rate of epinephrine also decreased in the MPO. There was no significant change in norepinephrine concentration or turnover rate. It is suggested that 2-hydroxyestrogens are possibly involved in mechanisms which are inhibitory to LH secretion and stimulatory to prolactin release. These actions appear to be partly mediated by catecholamines.

Animals↗

Effect of catechol estrogens on the preovulatory content of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in the median eminence of the rat.

Cycling rats injected with 2-hydroxyestrone or 2-hydroxyestradiol at 09.00 or 10.00 h in the morning of proestrus do not express the normal preovulatory LH surge in the afternoon of the day. The LHRH content of the median eminence in control animals decreases sharply in the afternoon from elevated noon and morning levels. The catechol estrogen-treated rats fail to show the decrease. Thus the catechol estrogens block the LH surge at its usual time by influencing the changes in the concentration of LHRH in the median eminence on proestrus. Since the catechol estrogens have short biological half-lives, their effect on the LHRH content in the afternoon must originate in the morning at the time of the endogenous estradiol (E2) peak. These results have implications in the physiological processes responsible for the positive feedback of estradiol on the preovulatory LH surge in the rat.

Animals↗

Omeprazole fails to alter the cytochrome P450-dependent 2-hydroxylation of estradiol in male volunteers.

Omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, is used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases associated with hyperacidity. It binds to, and inhibits, some of the activities of hepatic cytochrome P450 resulting in increased half-lives of certain pharmacologic and endogenous compounds. It may also increase the activity of cytochrome P450 under certain conditions. Oxidative metabolism of endogenous estrogens, particularly the 2-hydroxylation pathway, is P450-dependent, and is highly sensitive to a variety of dietary and pharmacologic agents. We therefore studied the extent of estradiol 2-hydroxylation in 7 normal male volunteers before and during oral treatment with omeprazole 20 mg twice daily. Using a specific in vivo radiometric assay, the mean extent (+/- SEM) of estradiol 2-hydroxylation was found to be unchanged before and after omeprazole treatment (27.3 +/- 3.0 vs. 27.5 +/- 3.4%, respectively). The excretion of the endogenous urinary estrogen metabolites, 2-hydroxyestrone, estriol, and estrone was also unaltered by omeprazole. These results show that omeprazole, in contradistinction to other medications used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease, is without effect on estradiol metabolism in men.

Administration, Oral↗

Quantitative structure-activity relationship of various endogenous estrogen metabolites for human estrogen receptor alpha and beta subtypes: Insights into the structural determinants favoring a differential subtype binding.

To search for endogenous estrogens that may have preferential binding affinity for human estrogen receptor (ER) alpha or beta subtype and also to gain insights into the structural determinants favoring differential subtype binding, we studied the binding affinities of 74 natural or synthetic estrogens, including more than 50 steroidal analogs of estradiol-17beta (E2) and estrone (E1) for human ER alpha and ER beta. Many of the endogenous estrogen metabolites retained varying degrees of similar binding affinity for ER alpha and ER beta, but some of them retained differential binding affinity for the two subtypes. For instance, several of the D-ring metabolites, such as 16 alpha-hydroxyestradiol (estriol), 16 beta-hydroxyestradiol-17 alpha, and 16-ketoestrone, had distinct preferential binding affinity for human ER beta over ER alpha (difference up to 18-fold). Notably, although E2 has nearly the highest and equal binding affinity for ER alpha and ER beta, E1 and 2-hydroxyestrone (two quantitatively predominant endogenous estrogens in nonpregnant woman) have preferential binding affinity for ER alpha over ER beta, whereas 16 alpha-hydroxyestradiol (estriol) and other D-ring metabolites (quantitatively predominant endogenous estrogens formed during pregnancy) have preferential binding affinity for ER beta over ER alpha. Hence, facile metabolic conversion of parent hormone E2 to various metabolites under different physiological conditions may serve unique functions by providing differential activation of the ER alpha or ER beta signaling system. Lastly, our computational three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship/comparative molecular field analysis of 47 steroidal estrogen analogs for human ER alpha and ER beta yielded useful information on the structural features that determine the preferential activation of the ER alpha and ER beta subtypes, which may aid in the rational design of selective ligands for each human ER subtype.

Diethylstilbestrol↗

Catecholestrogens and release of anterior pituitary gland hormones. I. Luteinizing hormone.

We investigated the effects of peripheral administration of 17 beta-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), and the catecholestrogens, 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE2) and 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1), on anterior pituitary gland LH release in the prepuberal rat. Steroids in oil were injected sc into 25-day-old female and 35- to 40-day-old male rats. The injection of E2, E1, or 2-OHE2 caused a surge in serum LH levels in female rats 48 h later, during the after hours. Only E1 induced a LH surge 24 h after injection. The positive effects of 2-OHE2 in the females were only observed if a massive dose was administered, the steroid was injected on 2 consecutive days, or E2 or progesterone was given to 2-OHE2-primed rats. The 2-OHE1 was totally ineffective in causing a serum LH surge under a variety of experimental protocols. In male rats, the injection of any one of the four steroids decreased serum LH levels. Even the injection of E2 or 2-OHE2 for 2 days or the injection of E2 in 2-OHE2-primed rats failed to elevate the serum LH concentration in male rats. The results suggest that 2-OHE2 and E1 could play a role in the preovulatory release of LH in the female; 2-OHE2 and 2-OHE1 could play a role in the negative feedback control of LH release in the male.

Animals↗

Catecholestrogens and release of anterior pituitary gland hormones. II. Prolactin.

We investigated the effects of the peripheral administration of 17 beta-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), and the catecholestrogens, 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE2) and 2-hydroxyestrone, (2-OHE1), on anterior pituitary gland PRL release in the prepuberal rat. Steroids in oil were injected sc into 25-day-old female and 35- to 40-day-old male rats. The injection of E2, E1, or 2-OHE2, but not of 2-OHE, caused a surge in serum PRL levels in female rats 48 h later, during the afternoon hours. Only E1 induced a PRL surge 24 h after injection. In male rats, the injection of E1 or 2-OHE2, but not of 2-OHE1, elevated serum PRL levels on a chronic basis. The results suggest that 2-OHE1 plays no discernible role in PRL release in either sex, but that 2-OHE2 might play a role in the tonic release of PRL in the male and in the preovulatory release of PRL in the female.

Animals↗

Catecholestrogen regulation of prolactin synthesis in pituitary cell culture.

The 2-hydroxycatecholestrogens, 2-hydroxyestradiol [1,3,5-(10)estratriene-2,3,17 beta-triol] (2-OHE2) and 2-hydroxyestrone [2,3-dihydroxy-1,3,5-(10)-estratriene-17-one] (2-OHE1) were tested for their ability to alter PRL production and PRL messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in rat pituitary cell cultures. Treatment of cells with 10(-8) M 2-OHE1 or 2-OHE2 resulted in increased PRL secretion at 24 and 48 h (to 167% and 211% of control, respectively), but not at 4 h. Metabolism studies of radioactive 2-OHE1 and 2-OHE2 in parallel cultures demonstrated that the major metabolite at all times for either compound was the 2-methoxy derivative. After 24 h of treatment, nearly 40% of each compound was the original catecholestrogen, and at no time was there any detectable conversion to estradiol or estrone. Treatment of pituitary cells for 48 h with increasing concentrations of 2-OHE1 or 2-OHE2 resulted in a biphasic PRL dose response. PRL secretion was increased 3.6-fold for 2-OHE2 and 2.4-fold for 2-OHE1 between 10(-10) M and 10(-8) M. At concentrations above 5 X 10(-8) M, however, both compounds decreased PRL levels until, at 10(-6) M 2-OHE1 or 2-OHE2, PRL levels were 40-70% of control. Changes in PRL mRNA levels paralleled those of secretion. Treatment of pituitary cells with 10(-8) M of either 17 beta-estradiol (E2), 2-OHE1, or 2-OHE2 resulted in 2- to 5-fold increases in translatable and hybridizable PRL mRNA. The addition of 10(-7) M E2 plus 10(-8) M 2-OHE1 or 2-OHE2 resulted in PRL secretion and PRL mRNA levels equal to those resulting from E2 stimulation alone. The inhibition in PRL secretion and PRL mRNA levels caused by 10(-6) M 2-OHE1 or 2-OHE2 was partially overcome by coincubation of cultures with E2. Thus, 2-OHE1 and 2-OHE2 at low concentrations (less than 10(-8) M) can act on the pituitary as E2 agonists to increase PRL synthesis but at high concentrations may act as inhibitors of PRL production.

Animals↗

Radioimmunoassay and metabolism of the catechol estrogen 2-hydroxyestradiol.

Plasma levels of 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE2) were measured using a new RIA procedure. Values were below the detection limit of the assay (less than 10 pg/ml), except in the third trimester of pregnancy, when they rose to approximately 15 pg/ml. The infusion of 130 microgram/h purified 2-OHE2 elevated its plasma concentration to 155 pg/ml, consistent with a plasma MCR (MCRp) of approximately 20,000 liters/day. The infusion of [3H] 2-OHE2 to equilibrium and chromatographic separation of the extracted plasma metabolites yielded an MCRp of about 13,000 liters/day; the major plasma metabolite comigrated with 2-methoxyestradiol, and [3H] xi-methoxyestrone was also formed. The MCRp, of 2-OHE2 is approximately half that of 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1), but much higher than those of other steroids. As is true for 2-OHE1, the clearance of 2-OHE2 must occur primarily in the blood compartment. Together, the measured MCRp values and estrogen receptor affinities of 2-OHE2 and 2-OHE1 predict a relative potency for effects upon gonadotropin secretion which is close to that observed in vivo.

2-Methoxyestradiol↗

Metabolism of 2-methoxyestrone in normal men.

We studied, in four normal men, the metabolism of 2-methoxyestrone (2-MeOE1) using pulse injections of either [3H]2MeOE1 (two men) or [14C]methoxy-2-MeOE1 plus [3H]2-MeOE1 (two men) by analysis of blood samples drawn at increasing time intervals after the pulse and of urine collected for 5 days. The disappearance from the blood of radioactivity as 2-MeOE1 could be characterized as a function that was the sum of three exponentials. The mean +/- SE value for the initial volume of distribution was 32 +/- 9 liters, and the mean MCR was 2470 +/- 770 liters/day. The disappearance of total 3H radioactivity from the blood was considerably slower, with a mean MCR of 290 +/- 30 liters/day, indicating the presence of a slowly turning over pool of 2-MeOE1 metabolites, probably including the 2-MeOE1 3-sulfate conjugate. The disappearance of total 14C radioactivity was slower than that of total 3H, indicating considerable demethylation of 2-MeOE1 with a very slow excretion of 14C from the released methyl group. In none of the subjects could we find in the blood radioactivity as unconjugated [3H]2-hydroxyestrone ( [3H]2-OHE1). However, examination of the urine indicated that considerable demethylation of [3H]2-MeOE1 had occurred. At least 64% of the urinary 3H-containing metabolites from the mixed dose had lost the 14C-bearing methoxylcarbon atom. The fractionated metabolites were qualitatively and quantitatively similar to those found earlier for [3H]2-OHE1. We conclude that 2-MeOE1, which of itself has little biological activity, can act as a pool of potentially active 2-OHE1 in the tissues.

Adult↗

Altered hydroxylation of estrogen in patients with postmenopausal osteopenia.

To study the possible contributions of the differences in estrogen metabolism to bone mass in postmenopausal osteopenia, spinal and femoral bone mineral densities (BMD) were measured, and 18 urinary metabolites of estrogen were analyzed by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry assay system in 59 postmenopausal women (5-10 yr after menopause). The BMD of the spine and femoral neck showed positive correlations with body weight, height, and body mass index as we expected. Compared to nonosteopenic subjects, there were no significant differences in serum estrone (E1) and estradiol (E2) levels in patients with osteopenia. However, the urinary 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone [16 alpha-(OH)E1] level was significantly lower in patients with spinal osteopenia (P < 0.001). Among the 18 urinary metabolites of estrogen, the 16 alpha-(OH)E1 and 16 alpha-(OH)E1/2-hydroxyestrone [2-(OH)E1) ratio showed positive correlations with spinal BMD (P < 0.05), whereas 2-(OH)E2 showed a negative correlation with femoral neck BMD (P < 0.05). The urinary 16 alpha-(OH)E1 level also revealed a positive correlation with the age-matched z score of BMD in the spine (P < 0.05). In multiple stepwise regression analysis, weight, 16 alpha-(OH)E1, interaction between 16 alpha-(OH)E1 and 2-(OH)E2, 2-(OH)E2, and years after menopause were statistically significant for spinal BMD (r2 = 0.4968). For femoral neck BMD and weight, 16 alpha-(OH)E1 and 2-(OH)E2 were the independent determinants (r2 = 0.3369). In conclusion, the activity of estrogen 16 alpha-hydroxylase was decreased and/or the activity of estrogen 2-hydroxylase was enhanced in post-menopausal osteopenia. We speculated that these derangements may serve as contributing factors for the acceleration of bone loss in post-menopausal osteoporosis.

Aged↗

Characterization of catecholestrogen membrane binding sites in estrogen receptor positive and negative human breast cancer cell-lines.

A specific membrane-binding of an estradiol metabolite, the catecholestrogen (CE) 2 hydroxyestrone (2OH-E1), was demonstrated in two receptor-positive (MCF7 and VHB1) and one receptor-negative (MDA-MB-231) human mammary carcinoma cell lines. The three cell lines were found to be able to synthesise and inactivate CE. Solubilization of membrane bound CE results in a high molecular weight component whose specificity differs from that of the classical estrogen receptor. Apparent dissociation constants were 6-10. 10(-9) M and binding capacities were higher in the receptor-positive cell lines than in the receptor-negative one. Since CE are susceptible to rapid degradation, the presence of such a site may be relevant in the protection and concentration of 2OH-E1 which has been shown to have "in vitro" anti-estrogenic properties in MCF7 breast tumor cells.

Binding Sites↗

Effect of catecholestrogens on [3H]-GABA uptake by hypothalamic crude synaptosomes.

Catecholestrogens (CE), 2-hydroxyestradiol, 2-hydroxyestrone and primary estrogens, estradiol and estrone were tested in their ability to compete for the high affinity uptake of [3H]-GABA into crude synaptosomal fractions. Aliquots of the crude synaptosomal fraction obtained from normal rats were incubated for 10 min at 37 degrees C with [3H]-GABA in the presence, or absence, of estrogens and catecholestrogens. Neither estradiol nor estrone modified the specific [3H]-GABA uptake into crude synaptosomal fractions. On the contrary, CE significantly affected the specific [3H]-GABA uptake in a dose-dependent manner: low concentrations of CE enhanced the uptake; this effect disappeared with high concentrations of the compounds. The stimulatory effect of CE on [3H]-GABA uptake was blocked when samples were coincubated with nipecotic acid, thus suggesting that this effect is specific rather than the result of non-specific interactions of CE with the hypothalamic membrane.

Animals↗

[The effects of E2 and it's metabolites on the proliferation of rat anterior pituitary cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: The present work is determined to observe the effects of E2 (estradiol), 2-OHE1 (2-hydroxyestrone), 2-OHE2 (2-hydroxyestrodiol) on the proliferation of rat anterior pituitary cells (APC) in vitro by laser scanning confocal microscopy. RESULTS: 10(-6) mol/L E2 stimulated the growth of APC. After 2 days of incubation with E2, the DNA content of APC increased to 1.3 times of the control group (P < 0.01). 10(-6) mol/L 2-OHE2 (other than 2-OHE1) stimulated proliferative activity of APC and inhibited the inhibitory effect of peribidil (10(-5) mol/L), a dopamine receptor agonist, on the poliferative activity of rat APC.

Animals↗

Anti-estrogenic activities of indole-3-carbinol in cervical cells: implication for prevention of cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer constitutes the second most common cancer in women. Estrogen promotes development of cervical cancer in cells infected with high risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs). We asked whether the phytochemical indole-3-carbinol (I3C) has anti-estrogenic activities in cervical cells with the goal of preventing cancer in HPV infected cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the cervical cancer cell line CaSki, we evaluated expression of HPV and cytochrome p450 (CYP) enzymes by Northern, RNase protection or quantitative RT-PCR. I3C binding to estrogen receptor was measured by competition with estradiol. Estrogen metabolites were measured by gas chromarography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). RESULTS: Estradiol increased expression of HPV oncogenes whereas I3C and the estrogen metabolite 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE) abrogated the estrogen-increased expression of HPV oncogenes. Both I3C and 2-OHE competed with estradiol for estrogen receptor binding. I3C enhanced gene expression of CYP enzymes responsible for 2-hydroxylation of estrogen, and induced the formation of 2-OHE. CONCLUSION: I3C has anti-estrogenic activities which should prevent cancer in cervical cells.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗

Reproducibility of plasma and urinary sex hormone levels in premenopausal women over a one-year period.

Although endogenous sex steroid hormones in premenopausal women may be associated with the risk of breast cancer and other illnesses, direct evidence to support this hypothesis is limited in large part by methodological issues in the conduct of relevant studies. One major unresolved issue is whether a single blood sample (such as is available in most epidemiological studies), collected in a specific phase of the menstrual cycle, reflects long-term levels in that phase. To address this issue, two sets of blood and urine samples were obtained from 87 premenopausal women over a 1-year period in both the follicular and luteal phases. Plasma estradiol, estrone, and estrone sulfate were measured in the blood samples obtained in both phases, whereas progesterone and urinary 2- and 16a-hydroxyestrone were measured in luteal-phase samples only. For all of the women combined, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranged, with one exception, from 0.52 to 0.71 for the plasma estrogens and the urinary estrogen metabolites. The sole exception was for estradiol in the luteal phase (ICC = 0.19); inclusion of only women who were ovulatory in both cycles and who collected each sample 4-10 days before their next period resulted in a substantially higher ICC for estradiol in the luteal phase (ICC = 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.43-0.78). These data indicate that, for several plasma and urinary sex hormones, a single follicular- or luteal-phase measurement in premenopausal women is reasonably representative of hormone levels in that phase for at least a 1-year period.

Adult↗