Androstenedione Up-Regulation of Endometrial Aromatase Expression via Local Conversion to Estrogen: Potential Relevance to the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

Abstract

Context: Up-regulation of aromatase expression in endometrial cells disseminated into the peritoneal cavity may enhance their survival via local estrogen synthesis, which may lead to endometriosis. The factors that mediate induction of aromatase in the endometrium are not well defined, but increased expression of steroidogenic factor (SF)-1 may play a role