Steroidal control of rat uterine 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity.

The interconversion of estradiol-17 beta and estrone in the rat uterus is due to the action of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Whole uteri or 800 x g supernatant fractions of the uteri were incubated in the presence of [3H] estradiol-17 beta and NAD at 37 degrees C for 3 h or 1 h, respectively. In the mature rat uterus the oxidation of estradiol-17 beta and estrone was dependent on the stage of the estrous cycle, suggesting hormonal control. The 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was highest at estrus (200 fmol estrone) and lowest at diestrus (80 fmol estrone). An enhancement of activity occurred when adult rats at each stage of the estrous cycle were administered estradiol-17 beta, while progesterone administration at each stage resulted in decreased enzyme activity. The uterine 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity of estradiol-17 beta treated ovariectomized rats was time and dose dependent but decreased when progesterone was administered with or without estradiol-17 beta administration. These results suggest that estradiol-17 beta caused an increase in enzyme activity that was inhibitable by progesterone in the rat uterus. The increased 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity may reflect a specific response of the rat uterus to estradiol-17 beta.