Serum oestrone, oestradiol and oestriol concentrations in castrated women during intramuscular oestradiol valerate and oestradiolbenzoate-oestradiolphenylpropionate therapy

A review of study findings of the risks and benefits of oestrogen therapy in the female climacteric

A literature review was conducted to assess the evidence regarding the risks and benefits of oestrogen therapy in climacteric women. Consideration was given to the route of administration, effects on lipid levels, the skin and urinary symptoms, endometrial cancer, mortality and replacement therapy. It was concluded from the data examined that properly administered oestrogen treatment does not increase the risk of endometrial cancer and that the relative risk of death in oestrogen users aged over 40 is markedly lower than than in non-users.

Effect of estriol treatment on the menstrual cycle and prolactin secretion

In order to study the biological effects of estriol in women 20 mg estriol was administered daily to 7 young women. Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), progesterone (Pg) and prolactin (Prl) were measured during a treatment and a control cycle every second or third day. Further 3, 6 or 20 mg estriol was administered in a single dose to 5 women and plasma Prl, unconjugated and conjugated estriol (E3) measured over 24 h at 2-3 intervals. In 2 experiments with 20 mg E3, blood samples were taken more frequently, over 6 h. When 20 mg E2 was administered daily, 2 of the 7 young women had anovulatory cycles. The mean plasma E2 was lower during the follicular and ovulatory phases (P less than 0.025) and mean plasma LH was higher (P less than 0.005) during the luteal phase, when E3 was given. Because of the 2 anovulatory cycles the mean Pg value during the luteal phase was lower (P less than 0.05) during treatment. There was a slight decrease in mean Prl in 5 out of 6 women (P less than 0.0005), but in only 1 woman was this decrease substantial (from a mean value of 27.6-18.9 ng/ml; P less than 0.01). When 6 or 20 mg E3 was administered orally in the morning a significant negative correlation (P less than 0.01) between plasma Prl and unconjugated E3 was found. The correlation coefficient was highest (r = -0.74) with 6 mg E3. When 3 mg was administered no obvious effect on Prl section was seen. However, when results from all experiments with identical time schedules were pooled (two with 3 mg, two with 6 mg and one with 20 mg E3) and the mean values for plasma Prl calculated and compared with the mean values obtained in 7 control experiments, it was found that E3 administration in the morning almost abolishes the Prl rise during the following night. There was a statistically significant (P less than 0.0125) decrease in the difference between the maximum value during the night and the minimum value during the day. The minimum value was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) and the maximum value significantly lower (P less than 0.025) after E3 treatment, compared to the control values. It is concluded that long-term administration of 20 mg E3 usually has only a slight but significant decreasing effect on mean plasma Prl concentration measured in the morning, before the next dose is taken.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Serum oestrone, oestradiol and oestriol levels in ovariectomized women receiving a high dose of oestradiol valerate

Fourteen recently ovariectomized women received 4 mg of oestradiol valerate therapy daily for 6 mth. Serum oestrogens were measured by radioimmunoassay at monthly intervals. The results of therapy produced a 25-fold increase in serum oestrone (E1) concentration. Circulating oestradiol (E2) increased 5-to 6-fold. No accumulation of oestrogens was observed as a consequence of treatment. Serum concentration of oestriol (E3) showed no elevation. One month after the completion of therapy the E1 and E2 concentrations had returned to pre-treatment levels. Although therapy of high-dose oestradiol valerate was well-tolerated, it is not recommended because of the non-physiological high serum concentrations of oestrone and high serum level of oestradiol.

The vaginal absorption of oestrogens in post-menopausal women

Serum E1, E2 and E3 concentrations and E2/E1 ratio were measured after vaginal application of conjugated oestrogens, micronized 17 beta-oestradiol and oestriol. 2.4 mg of conjugated oestrogens caused a prompt elevation in the serum E1 concentration; the E2 level changed only slightly. After vaginal application of 2 mg micronized 17 beta-oestradiol the main serum oestrogen is E2 and the conversion of E2 to E1, as in oral administration, does not occur. A significant elevation in the serum E3 concentration was noted 2 h after the vaginal application of 0.5 mg oestriol. The E2/E1 ratio changed little after the application of conjugated oestrogens but increased considerably after the vaginal administration of 2 mg micronized 17 beta-oestradiol.