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Plasma concentrations of protein hormones (LH, FSH, prolactin) and steroid hormones (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol) have been assayed during the follicular and luteal phase of the cycle in patients with benign cysts and endometrioid cysts of the ovaries. Endometrial estradiol and progesterone receptors were also examined in these patients in the midluteal phase. These studies described steroid and gonadotropic hormone secretion of both the luteal and follicular phase in the two populations, as well as steroid receptors of the secretory endometrium. The most serious abnormalities were found in the endometrium of the patients with endometrioid ovarian cysts. These disorders suggest their relationship with infertility in the patients with benign ovarian neoplasms.

Patients with ovarian endometriosis have been examined during the follicular and luteal phase of the ovulatory and the second phase of the anovulatory cycles. Estradiol and progesterone blood concentrations measured on operation days and during the respective ovulatory phases were in a normal range. Ovulation and endometrial hyperplasia reduced basal progesterone concentrations. Comparison of findings on steroid receptor systems in the endometrium and endometrioid ovarian cysts indicated that they were identical. The findings were different in ovulation and endometrial hyperplasia. These patterns provided criteria for endometrial response to female sex hormones by assaying endometrial intracellular steroid receptor systems in normally ovulating patients with ovarian endometriosis.