SECRETORY AND DECIDUAL CHANGES INDUCED IN THE ENDOMETRIUM OF OOPHORECTOMIZED WOMEN BY ADMINISTRATION OF ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE

Abstract

4 young ovariectomized women were given estrogens in doses ranging from 0.5 to 2 mg. daily for 3 weeks. Progesterone in doses ranging from 5 to 100 mg. daily were started during the 2d week of estrogen therapy and continued for 2 weeks. 5 courses of treatment were completed on each patient. Early secretory changes, as evidenced by subnuclear vacuoles in the glandular epithelium, were present after 7 days of progesterone treatment whether the dose was 5, 10 or 100 mg. daily. Premenstrual secretory endometrium, characterized by tufted glandular epithelium with basal nuclei was obtained in the 2d week when progesterone was given in doses of 50 mg. or more daily. Decidual changes in the stroma were evident late in the 2d week or in the 3d week of progesterone treatment. Menstrual bleeding frequently started during the 2d week of treatment with progesterone when the dose was 20 mg. daily. Bleeding did not occur during progesterone treatment when doses of 50 mg. or more were being given. The larger doses of estrogen were more effective in augmenting this action of progesterone.