Diaryl dimers of estradiol and of estrone may be formed as major metabolites by mouse mammary glands.

The formation of a novel estrogen metabolite by mammary tissues was investigated. Polar and nonpolar metabolites of endogenous estrogens are formed in liver and other tissues. Polar products such as the catechol estrogens are implicated in tumorigenesis in breast tissue, whereas a nonpolar metabolite, 2-methoxyestradiol, may be protective. Diaryl ether dimers, as a novel form, have been reported as nonpolar products from liver microsomes. We have noted major amounts of nonpolar metabolites in other tissues that were neither 2-methoxyestrogens nor estrogen fatty acid esters. The possible formation of such novel metabolites by breast tissues from adult nulliparous mice with [(3)H]-labeled estrogens as substrates was considered. Steroids were recovered from media by solid-phase extraction and profiles were obtained from HPLC (acetonitrile:water). Saponification was done with an internal standard of estradiol stearate. Major amounts of nonpolar metabolites were formed in all instances, with one or two principal peaks. Alkaline hydrolysis had no effect on the nonpolar product(s) but released estradiol from its stearate. Strong acid treatment also had no effect as shown by HPLC. Thus, it is suggested that diaryl dimers of estrogens may be formed as major metabolites by mouse mammary glands.