Are catechol oestrogens obligatory mediators of oestrogen action in the central nervous system? I. Characterization of pharmacological probes with different receptor binding affinities and catechol oestrogen formation rates.

In an attempt to define pharmacological probes with which to test the role of catechol oestrogen formation in the central nervous system, five oestrogens (oestradiol-17 beta, oestradiol-17 alpha, 4-fluoro-oestradiol, 2-fluoro-oestradiol and moxestrol (11 beta-methoxy-17 alpha-ethynyloestradiol) were studied for binding to oestrogen receptors and conversion to catechol metabolites. Binding to cytosol oestrogen receptors was measured in the hypothalamus-preoptic area-amygdala (HPA), pituitary gland and uterus of ovariectomized rats. Conversion to catechol oestrogens was tested in microsomes from the HPA, pituitary gland and liver, using a catechol-O-methyltransferase-coupled radioenzymatic assay.

Placental and circulating pregnancy-associated plasma protein A concentrates in normal and pathological term pregnancies.

The relationship between placental and peripheral concentrations of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) was investigated, using specific radioimmunoassay techniques. At term, placental concentrations of PAPP-A were significantly lower in diabetic pregnancies; 1.9 +/- 0.

Monoamine oxidase activity in the term human placenta.

Using a radioenzymatic assay, placental monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity was measured at term after delivery in normal and high-risk pregnancies where decreases in placental blood flow previously were shown. MAO activity in placentas of healthy controls after spontaneous labor was similar to that after elective cesarean section not in labor (mean +/- SE, 133 +/- 18 versus 100 +/- 15 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively). Compared to controls, there was a significant reduction in placental MAO activity in high-risk pregnancies (chronic hypertension, toxemia, and diabetes mellitus), 71 +/- 14, 69 +/- 22, and 69 +/- 7, respectively (P less than 0.

The role of ACTH in placental steroidogenesis.

We have studied the possible function of the placental adrenocorticotrophic hormone-(ACTH-) like substance (PALS) in placental steroidogenesis by measuring oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) in term human placental explants incubated with commercially available porcine ACTH I-39. There was a dose-dependent increase in the E2 and P4 released into the medium at 24 h as compared to controls. At 48 h, no significant effect was noted.

The value of real time ultrasonography in first trimester termination.

The value of real time ultrasonography (RTUS) in the management of first trimester elective pregnancy terminations was studied in 120 consecutive patients. RTUS was found essential in determining accurate gestational ages, identifying incomplete pregnancy terminations, diagnosing abnormal pregnancies, and in performing difficult terminations. It is suggested that RTUS be employed in the routine management of first trimester pregnancy terminations.

Insulin modulates neuronal plasma membrane development in human fetal spinal cord neurons in culture.

The number of intramembrane protein particles (IMP) in the protoplasmic face of the perikaryal plasma membrane was evaluated in neurons from 9 week-old and 12 week-old human fetal spinal cord in culture. An increased number of IMP was observed in membranes from 12 week-old fetal neurons when compared to membranes from 9 week-old fetal neurons. The addition of insulin (100-2500 microU/ml) to the culture media resulted in a significantly increased number of IMP in neuronal membranes.

A comparison of three techniques for ovarian reconstruction.

We compared three methods of ovarian reconstruction in 23 mature female New Zealand White rabbits. Each animal was its own control. The right ovary in each rabbit was incised and repaired by placing three 8-0 nylon sutures through and through the base of the defect (method A).

Reappraisal of the postcoital test: a controlled study.

The test results of 34 couples, who were previously infertile, in whom a postcoital test (PCT) was performed during the cycle of conception were compared to the scores obtained in a group of patients with cervical factor only infertility (N = 55). Both the mucus scores and number of motile progressive sperm were significantly (P less than 0.001) higher in the previously infertile group compared to those with the cervical factor infertility.

Progesterone, estradiol, and alpha-human chorionic gonadotropin secretion in patients with ectopic pregnancy.

Plasma free alpha hCG, estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P4) concentrations were measured in 38 patients with histologically confirmed ectopic pregnancy (EP). The menstrual gestational ages ranged from 6-10 weeks. Free alpha hCG levels, although significantly lower than those in women with a normal intrauterine pregnancy, increased markedly during this time period, from 1.

Effect of antihypertensive drugs on catechol-O-methyltransferase and monoamine oxidase activity in human term placental explants.

The effects of therapeutic concentrations of antihypertensive drugs on catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities in term placental explants were studied. The enzyme activities were measured in tissue fractions using radioenzymatic techniques. At 6 h the incubation COMT activity increased significantly following exposure to verapamil and hydralazine, while exposure to alpha methyldopa caused a significant suppression of the enzyme.

In vitro production of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) by trophoblastic cells.

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) a high molecular weight glycoprotein, is found in high concentration in the maternal circulation during pregnancy. Immunohistochemically, PAPP-A can be localized in the trophoblast and in the decidua. Short term cultures of trophoblastic and decidual explants produce PAPP-A in vitro.

Characterization of glycoprotein hormone free alpha-subunit from human pituitary and placenta extracts.

Standard alpha-subunit dissociated from glycoprotein hormones differs from individual (free) alpha-subunit found in sera or in cell culture media; secreted free alpha-subunit is larger, more acidic and lacks the ability of recombining in vitro with standard hCG-beta. It is unclear whether the large free alpha-subunit is only a secretory product or whether it is also present in tissue. Herein were studied the molecular size, the isoelectric pH, and the recombining activity of free alpha-subunit obtained from pituitary and placenta extracts.

LRFD6a has a dose-related stimulatory or inhibitory effect on the ovary in normal luteal phase women.

A dose response curve for LRFD6a-a potent LRF agonist-was established in normal midluteal phase women. At low doses (3-10 micrograms) an acute stimulatory effect on gonadotropins and ovarian steroidogenesis of estradiol and progesterone was observed. Despite large increases in circulating gonadotropins following the highest dose (30 micrograms LRFD6a), no acute changes in plasma steroids were noted.

Long-term prognosis of infertile couples with normal basic investigations: a life-table analysis.

The long-term prognosis of 58 untreated infertile couples with normal medical histories and physical examinations, and normal basic infertility investigations, including biphasic basal body temperature, hysterosalpingogram, postcoital test, and semen analysis, was studied using life-table analysis. Of these women, 34% were pregnant by six months, 76% by two years, and 87% by five years. These rates of conception were found to be significantly higher than those found in a large infertile population (P = .

The role of catecholestrogens in placental steroidogenesis.

The effect of the catecholestrogen, 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1), on placental steroidogenesis was studied by incubating 2-OHE1 with placental explants for 24 hours and measuring the output of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4). 2-OHE1 stimulated the accumulation of E2 and P4 in the media. This effect was inhibited by the alpha-adrenergic blocker, phenoxybenzamine, and the beta-adrenergic blocker, propranolol.

The day of initiation of human menopausal gonadotropin stimulation affects follicular growth in in vitro fertilization cycles.

The attainment of synchronous follicular development in human menopausal gonadotropin/human chorionic gonadotropin-stimulated cycles for in vitro fertilization (IVF) continues to be a perplexing problem. Two regimens of follicle stimulation for IVF cycles were, therefore, compared. Twenty-nine patients commenced human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) therapy on day 1 of the menstrual cycle (Group I), while 30 women received hMG from the third day of the cycle (Group II).

Estrogen replacement and tardive dyskinesia.

A double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted among 10 post-menopausal women with tardive dyskinesia (TD) to test the effect of estrogen replacement of the severity of abnormal movements and other outcome variables. After 3 weeks of treatment, the mean Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) score decreased by 38% in the estrogen group and by 9% in the placebo group; the difference between groups was marginally significant (p less than 0.10).

Delaying human chorionic gonadotropin administration in human menopausal gonadotropin-induced cycles decreases successful in vitro fertilization of human oocytes.

Correct timing of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration in induced cycles for in vitro fertilization is of crucial importance to oocyte maturation and normal luteal function. The purpose of this work was to compare the effect of hCG timing on follicular development, oocyte maturation, and fertilization in vitro, as well as on the pattern of luteal phase hormone secretion. Ovulation was induced in 32 normally cycling women by human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG)/hCG administration.

Kinetics of catechol estrogen-estrogen receptor dissociation: a possible factor underlying differences in catechol estrogen biological activity.

The mechanisms underlying the differences in uterotrophic potency between 2- and 4-hydroxyestrogens were explored. Doses of estradiol (E2)(10 micrograms/kg), 2-OHE2 (500 micrograms/kg) and 4-OHE2 (100 micrograms/kg) sufficient to induce near maximal cell nuclear estrogen receptor (ERn) binding were injected subcutaneously into 26 day old female rats. Uterine ERn concentrations declined more rapidly after 2-OHE2 than after E2 or 4-OHE2.

Infertility due only to the cervical factor: management and long-term prognosis.

Fifty-five couples with infertility related only to the cervical factor, defined by the use of a new postcoital test scoring system (PCT), were followed prospectively until conception occurred, or 5 years had passed, on were lost for follow-up. Twenty-eight of the female partners were treated with D&C only and had a conception rate of 47% after 6 months and 64% after 5 years from registration. This rate is significantly higher (P = 0.

New vacuum stethoscope for immediate monitoring and recording of resuscitation of the newborn.

A new, low-cost, noninvasive system is described, which accurately monitors and records both the initial respirations and heart rate of the neonate during resuscitation and the first critical seconds of life. The apparatus consists of a vacuum stethoscope attached to an ordinary cassette tape recorder and a 12-inch loudspeaker. The system was found to be a more accurate tool for assessing neonatal heart rate than the empirical estimation as part of the Apgar scoring system.

Studies on polyspermia.

Thirty-one couples in whom the only apparent abnormality was polyspermia in the male partner were studied in light of a suggested new definition of polyspermia. The rate of infertility was 22.5% versus 17.