Distribution of phosphorylase in the uteri of cyclic and hormone treated rats.

Abstract

Following the technic of Takeuchi and Kuriaki, phosphorylase activity was identified in the uterus of cyclic and hormone treated rats. In the proestrous uterus phosphorylase activity was more pronounced in the outer longitudinal muscle layer than in the inner circular layer. In the diestrous as well as in the castrate uterus, enzymatic activity was observed in the outer longitudinal muscle layer, and only scattered amounts in the inner circular layer. Following estrogen treatment phosphoryhase activity was very pronounced in both layers, particularly in the outer longitudinal layer. In castrate progesterone-treated rats enzymatic activity was observed in the outer longitudinal layer. In rats that received estrogen and progesterone concurrently, phosphorylase activity was heavy in the outer longitudinal muscle layer and weak in the inner circular muscle layer. In general, phosphorylase activity in the uterus of the rat corresponds to the distribution of glycogen in the rat uterus. However, enzymatic activity was observed in the uterus when glycogen was not detected by using the periodic acid-Schiff technic. The distribution of glycogen in the rat uterus is discussed.