Estrogen and progesterone receptor assays on the vulvar epithelium.

Seventy-seven samples of healthy and diseased vulvar epithelium (one per patient) were processed using the carbon-coated-dextran biochemical technique. The results were analyzed according to Scatchard or the unique point technique. The samples of normal tissue were obtained from patients who underwent surgical procedures for different gynecologic pathologies. The samples of diseased tissue were obtained with punch biopsy from patients with several vulvar disorders. Ten samples were obtained from the episiotomy wound in pregnant patients during labor. Estrogen receptors were assayed in all cases. Progesterone receptors were assayed simultaneously in 73 of the cases. The minimum concentration considered positive was 2 fmol/mg of protein. A map of the vulvar region was drawn, and samples were obtained from different sites whenever possible.