Abstract. β-glucuronidase, cathepsin D, acid and alkaline phosphatases were studied in rhesus monkey endometrium during the menstrual cycle (day –6 to day + 10) and pre-implantation stages (day +3 to day +6) of gestation, with day 0 considered as the day of ovulation. Acid hydrolases exhibited low levels in proliferative phase endometria followed by their gradual rise in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. Despite no shifts in the levels of serum progesterone and estradiol-17β, the pre-implantation period was, however, associated with distinct changes in enzyme profiles characterized by lower absolute levels (P < 0.05) of acid phosphatase and β-glucuronidase on days 3 to 6 of gestation, whereas cathepsin D activity declined significantly (P < 0.05) on days 5 and 6. Alkaline phosphatase showed a characteristic rise during the pre-ovulatory period with a gradual lowering of its level in post-ovulatory phase endometria of a non-fertile cycle; in contrast, during early gestation, alkaline phosphatase activity showed a marked elevation (P < 0.05) on days 5 and 6 of gestation. The significance of these findings is discussed.
Changes of Plasma Estradiol, Progesterone and LH Level in the Menstrual Cycle of the Adult Female Japanese Monkey during the Mating Season
