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METABOLISM OF ESTRONE SULFATE IN POSTMENOPAUSAL VAGINAL MUCOSA

Although estrogen deficiency usually transforms the postmenopausal vaginal mucosa into an atrophic condition, a proliferated vaginal epithelium can sometimes be observed several years after the menopause, even in patients with low peripheral estrogen levels (1). One explanation for this may be individual differences in the estrogen receptor (ER) content of the target tissue. Another explanation may be elevated intracellular formation in the target tissue of the terminal biologically active estrogen estradiol-17-0 (E,) from other steroids. This may lead to local E, concentrations sufficiently high to cause estrogenic stimulation, despite low peripheral E, levels. Estrone sulfate (E3) is the major peripheral estrogen in non-pregnant women and considerable serum levels, i.e. 1-3 nM, are present even after the menopause (cf 2). We have previously demonstrated an association between the conversion of E,S into E, and various signs of estrogenic activity in endometrial samples and in mammary carcinomas obtained from postmenopausal women with normal peripheral estrogen levels (3,4). The present communication describes the metabolism of I ’H I E,S in vitro by vaginal mucosae showing varying degrees of proliferation, obtained from postmenopausal women.