| Abstract: | Hyaluronidase activity of human endometrial tissues and uterine fluids was investigated. Endometrial tissue and uterine fluid specimens were obtained from normal human subjects, and different cases of uterine dysfunction induced by steroidal contraceptives, copper IUD, lactational amenorrhea, and in early pregnancy. Hyaluronidase activity was found to increase from Cycle Days 8 to 10 and reach the maximum value during the secretory phase. Hyaluronidase activity was reduced in both endometrial tissue and uterine fluid during lactational amenorrhea and early pregnancy, and was drastically reduced in copper-IUD and steroidal contraceptive users. The low hyaluronidase activity in the early phase of the cycle may be due to rapid growth of endometrial tissue. In the secretory phase, the corresponding activities were found to increase because of high secretory activity and enhanced catabolic processes. In early pregnancy, the low lysosomal enzyme activity may also be explained on the basis of increased endometrium tissue growth. Low hyaluronidase activity of amenorrhic subjects may be due to the absence of ovarian steroids. |
