Qualitative and Quantitative Changes in Uterine mRNA Populations in Response to Oestradiol Treatment of Rats

Abstract
The mRNA population of immature rat uteri, responding to different lengths of estradiol[E2]-induced differentiation, were compared by the technique of DNA hybridization with heterogeneous RNA. Over the first 4 h of hormone induction there are continuing qualitative and quantitative changes in the poly(A)-containing mRNA such that, by 4 h after E2 administration, the population bears little resemblance to that of the unstimulated animal. Between 2 h and 4 h after E2 administration, the most striking changes appear to be in sequences of intermediate abundance. The possible significance of these findings is discussed.