Abstract
The metabolism of [3H] estrone sulfate was studied in endometrial tissue obtained from postmenopausal women with atrophic endometrium (I), benign endometrial proliferative changes (II) and endometrial carcinoma (III) and in perimenopausal women with proliferative (IV) and secretory (V) endometrium. Total hydrolysis (i.e. formation of [3H] estrone+ [3H] estradiol-17β) of [3H] estrone sulfate as well as formation of [3H] estradiol-17β only was significantly less in group I than in the other groups. The formation of [3H] estradiol-17β was greater in group V than in the other groups. It is speculated that formation of estradiol-17β in the endometrium from estrone sulfate may be of importance in the genesis of endometrial disorders in the postmenopausal woman.