Administration of the hormone for 3 weeks significantly reduces the in vitro incorporation of S³⁵-sulfate into cartilage and thoracic aorta without significantly altering the amount of hydrolyzable sulfate in these tissues.

The reduction of sulfate incorporation into these tissues by estradiol represents reduced synthesis since the hormone reduces incorporation of sulfate into the acid mucopolysaccharides of the tissue to the same extent and since reduction in incorporation of C¹⁴-glucose also parallels S³⁵-sulfate incorporation into acid mucopolysaccharides.

The rate of synthesis of sulfated acid mucopolysaccharides is greater in thoracic aorta than abdominal aorta or cartilage. Since the amount of hydrolyzable sulfate is the same in these two portions of aorta, the turnover is also more rapid in the thoracic aorta.