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The effect of progesterone (P) on peripheral estrone sulfate (E1S) was investigated in postmenopausal women using E1S constant infusions. The metabolic clearance rate of E1S (MCRE1S) was significantly lowered by P administration (p less than 0.01), while no significant changes were observed for E1S----E1 conversion ratio. The present findings suggest that P can affect the E1S peripheral fate inducing deep changes in estrogen equilibrium.

Estrogen provocation test was performed in 27 women with hypothalamic chronic anovulation: all patients received I mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) as a single im injection. Plasma 17-beta-estradiol (E2) levels were monitored during the test performed and then compared; no significant correlation was found between mean basal values of LH and E2 and the LH peak response (r = 0.246, P = 0.108 for LH; r = 0.124, P = 0.278 for E2). These data seem to indicate that basal LH values reflect the tonic secretion but not the hypothalamic responsiveness to the estrogen positive feedback; moreover, this latter seems not be influenced by the endogenous E2 levels.

The splanchnic extraction of estrone sulphate (E1 S) and estrone (E1) was calculated in post-menopausal women undergoing cardiac catheterization for diagnostic purposes. The results showed a net uptake for E1 by the splanchnic area, liver included, whereas the splanchnic extraction of E1 S was not similar for each subject. Anyway the results clearly showed that the splanchnic area does not release significant amount of E1 S into the blood in the post-menopausal women.