[Estrogen and progesterone receptors in uterine cervix].

This report describes the measurement of estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) in cytosols of human exocervix and endometrium, using a charcoal dextran method. Endometrial tissues were obtained from patients undergoing hysterectomy. Curettage specimens of exocervix were obtained from healthy women throughout the menstrual cycle, from women taking combined oral contraceptives, and from postmenopausal women. The highest ER and PR concentrations and ER/PR ratio were detected in endometrium. Exocervix ER and PR levels were lower as compared to endometrium (14% and 3.6% respectively) and no cyclic variations were detectable. Specimens of exocervix from women taking oral contraceptives showed a significant PR decrease. In postmenopausal women, cervical ER and PR levels were significantly higher than in premenopausal women. No difference in binding specificity of estradiol and progesterone to their receptors could be found between endometrium and exocervix. The authors concluded that the effect of estrogen and progesterone on the cervix is limited by the low cytoplasmic receptor levels.