Influence of an oral contraceptive progestin-estrogen combination on simian uterine phosphatases.

PIP: 16 adult female rhesus monkeys received combined oral quingestanol acetate and ethinyl estradiol in a 10:1 ration, 4 received steroids in a 20:1 ration. After 6 cycles of 21 days on and 7 days off the uterine alkaline and acid phosphatases were analyzed histologically. Dose groups included: 4 monkeys given 4 mcg per kg ethinyl estradiol and 40 mg quingestanol acetate, 4 given 20 and 200, 8 given 10 and 100, 4 given 50 and 1000. Most monkeys were killed 8 days after the last dose. In the 6 controls glandular phosphatases were low in early follicular phase, highest in late follicular phase, and declining in the stratum functionale in luteal phase; also acid phosphatase appeared in the stromal cells with eccentric nuclei in luteal phase. 90% of the low and middle dose monkeys were in follicular phase and had normal menstrual cycles. Their alkaline phosphatase was greater in stratum functionale than in stratum basale, and the acid phsophatase resembled controls in follicular phase. Most monkeys given high doses were in luteal phase and their enzymes were correlated with cycle phase.^ieng