Abstract

Selective cellular and subcellular localization of [3H]progesterone or its metabolites was observed in autoradiograms of guinea pig cervix prepared 15 and 30 min after the injection of labeled progesterone. Radioactivity was found to be concentrated in nuclei of epithelial cells of the cervical canal and in basal cells of the tubular glands, in connective tissue cells of the lamina propria and in smooth muscle cells of the muscular layer. Mucus secreting cells showed little or no radioactivity. Preinjection of unlabeled progesterone inhibited the nuclear concentration of radioactivity, whereas cortisol had no effect. The results demonstrate for the first time progestin target cells in the cervix, supporting the concept of a direct action of progestins on these tissues.

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