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Changes in four hydrolytic enzymes, namely acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, arylsulphatase A and B, of the cervix of the rat and hamster have been studied during the 4-day oestrous cycle. All four enzymes showed maximal activity on the day of oestrus and least activity on day 2 of dioestrus. All the enzymes showed significant reduction of activity after ovariectomy, arylsulphatase A and B showing the earliest changes in specific activity.

A single subcutaneous injection of 0·02 µg oestradiol-17β/rat increased the specific activity of arylsulphatase A and B from the low ovariectomized level to that observed in control oestrous animals within 18 and 6 h respectively. A higher concentration of oestradiol-17β (2·0 µg) had an inhibitory effect. Progesterone was without effect on arylsulphatase B activity, but when given (2·0 mg) with 0·02 µg oestradiol-17β, it inhibited the response to oestrogen.

Cycloheximide prevented the rise in arylsulphatase B activity occurring after oestrogen injection, suggesting a regulation of cervical arylsulphatase B at the level of protein biosynthesis. These results suggest that arylsulphatase B activity may be induced by oestrogen in the cervix of the rat.