Progesterone, estradiol and their receptors in leiomyomata and the adjacent normal myometria of black Kenyan women.

The contents of progesterone and oestrogen, and their respective receptors in uterine leiomyomata and adjacent normal myometrial tissue in indigenous black women in Kenya were studied. A random selection of twenty women undergoing hysterectomy for uterine fibroids at Kenyatta National Hospital was used for the studies. The myometria contained higher levels of E(2 ) (181% : P < 0.001); and P(4 ) (240.6 % : P < 0.001); as compared to the leiomyomata. On the other hand uterine leiomyomata contained significantly higher levels of ER (147.6% : P < 0.001); and PR (178.7% : P < 0.001 ); than normal myometria. These findings differ slightly from those reported in black women in developed countries, but support the proposal that manipulation of sex steroids may be useful in the treatment and management of uterine leiomyomata.