Oestrogen sulphatase and sulphotransferase activities in the endometrium of the sow and ewe during pregnancy

Abstract

Sows and ewes were killed at various times during gestation. Minced uterine samples were incubated for 3 h with [6,7-3H]oestrone sulphate or [2,4,6,7-3H]oestrone, respectively. Contrasting patterns of enzyme activities were found in the sow and ewe. In the sow, endometrial sulphotransferase activity declined after Day 30 of gestation, while in the ewe, sulphation gradually increased after Day 16. The inverse was found for the activity of oestrogen sulphatase during pregnancy.