Estradiol and the uterine estradiol receptor play a critical role in the induction of luteolysis in vivo by up-regulating the endometrial oxytocin receptor. Results from our in vitro work, however, have shown that estradiol inhibits oxytocin-stimulated PGF 2 a synthesis in endometrial epithelial cells. We are currently trying to understand why estradiol has a stimulatory effect in vivo but an inhibitory effect in vitro. Results have shown that the response of endometrial cells to estradiol changes with the duration of culture.
Work is in progress to understand the mechanisms involved in the change in response to estradiol.
In collaboration with Jean Sirois, we are studying the regulation of PGHS-2 in endometrial cells.