Effect of progestins, androgens, estrogens and antiestrogens on3H-thymidine uptake by human endometrial and endosalpinx cells in vitro

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Abstract
The present study describes the effects of 11 steroid hormones and 3 non-steroidal antiestrogens on the3H-thymidine uptake by human endometrial and endosalpinx cells in long-term cultures. The compounds were added in various concentrations ranging from 10−9 to 10−4 M. Progesterone and 19-nortestosterone caused a dose-dependent reduction of the3H-thymidine incorporation resulting in a 94–98% inhibition at a concentration of 10−4 M, gestonoroncaproate and d,1-norgestrel were less effective causing a 49% and 40% decrease. Antiproliferative effects were also noted after the addition of androgens (testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, 5β-dihydrotestosterone and danazol). The inhibitory effect of testosterone was equivalent to progesterone at concentrations of 10−4 M. The addition of estrogens (estrone, estradiol-17β and estriol) and antiestrogens (tamoxifen, N-desmethyl- and 4-OH-tamoxifen) produced a dual respone in monolayer cultures as low concentrations (10−9–10−6 M) were associated with a slightly increased3H-thymidine incorporation while pharmacological concentrations (10−5–10−4 M) were followed by a significant decrease. Cells originating from the endosalpinx did not respond to either estradiol-17β or progesterone. These results suggest that in contrast to endometrium, the proliferation of endosalpinx cells is independent of sex steroids.