Sebum measurements for rapid identification of hyperandrogenism due to an ovarian Leydig cell tumor.

Direct measurements of sebum with the Sebumeter were used in a patient with a benign androgen-producing tumor of the ovary. Androgen levels fell immediately after surgery, whereas the markedly elevated sebum levels found preoperatively dropped to normal after a delay of more than 2 weeks. Therefore, the Subumeter, due to its simplicity, may be useful for the preliminary screening and follow-up of patients with hyperandrogenic states.

The effect of smoking and menopause on the small blood vessels.

The small blood vessels were examined in 31 premenopausal and 31 postmenopausal women. In each group there were 14 non-smokers and 17 smokers of age groups 35-45 and 45-59. The women underwent full gynecological examination.

In vitro fertilization. Correlation of vaginal cytology and hormonal profile with success rates.

Cytologic parameters of the vaginal epithelium in 59 women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (ET) were correlated with plasma levels of 17-beta estradiol and progesterone on the oocyte pickup (OPU) and ET days. On the OPU day a late proliferative/late proliferative-early secretory pattern was observed in 84.6% of the 13 women who conceived (group 1) but in only 52% of the 46 who failed to conceive (group 2) (P less than .

Lipid cell tumor of the ovary: steroid hormone secretory pattern and localization using 75Se-selenomethylcholesterol.

Ovarian lipid cell tumors are rare and can be difficult to localize by conventional means. We report a postmenopausal patient where rapid progression of symptoms and very high sebum levels suggested the presence of such a tumor which could not be visualized by computed tomography or ultrasound. Localization was accomplished noninvasively using 75Se-selenomethylcholesterol.

The cytology of vaginal, cervical and endometrial smears obtained at the time of embryo transfer during in vitro fertilization.

Seventy-four women enrolled in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program had cytologic smears of the vagina, cervix and endometrium obtained at the time of embryo transfer (ET). Of these, 68 vaginal, 46 cervical and 25 endometrial smears were available for cytologic examination. Of the 68 vaginal smears, 4% showed a proliferative pattern, 40% were early secretory and 56% were advanced secretory.

Vacuum extraction at cesarean section--neonatal outcome.

The use of the vacuum extractor at cesarean section has been advocated in order to avoid extension of the uterine incision and to facilitate the delivery of a floating head. We have evaluated, prospectively and retrospectively, the neonatal outcome of vacuum extraction at cesarean section in comparison with regular cesarean section. The interval between the final uterine incision and complete delivery (U-D interval) was significantly prolonged (P less than 0.

Vaginal and oral cytology of the menopause. A comparative study.

A comparative cytologic study was made of the hormonal content of the vaginal and oral mucosa of menopausal women. Twenty-three women between one and ten years (early menopause) and 33 patients more than ten years (late menopause) after cessation of menstruation had oral and vaginal smears taken. Comparable smears from 21 young women, and oral smears from 18 males served as controls.

Serum levels of polychlorinated biphenyls and some organochlorine insecticides in women with recent and former missed abortions.

Polychlorinated biphenyls and some organochlorine insecticides (DDT isomers and their metabolites, lindane (gamma-BHC), dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide) were assessed in the serum of 17 women with recent missed abortions, 7 women who experienced one or several missed abortions in their past, and 7 women with normal, second trimester pregnancy. Fifty-three percent of the cases of recent missed abortion had PCB serum levels higher than the mean plus two standard deviations of the control group. The mean PCB serum level in women with recent missed abortion and relatively high PCB serum levels was significantly different from that of the control group (103.

Comparative studies on the antimicrobial activity of peritoneal and ascitic fluids in human beings.

The antibacterial activity of peritoneal fluid obtained from 28 women undergoing laparoscopy was compared with that of ascitic fluid obtained from 11 patients with various pathologic conditions. Similar antibacterial activity was found in these two types of fluid. The activity varied from bactericidal to bacteriostatic and was directed mainly against gram-negative bacilli-Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Bacteroides fragilis.

Vaginal and urinary cytology and blood hormonal examinations in patients with premature rupture of membranes.

Vaginal smears and urinary sediments of 29 pregnant women in their third trimester with premature rupture of membranes (PRM) were examined. Plasma radioimmunoassays (RIA) for estriol, human chorionic gonadotropin, human placental lactogen and progesterone were performed. Twenty-three normal pregnant women in the third trimester, serving as controls, underwent the same examinations.

The cytology of the retained IUD with relation to the mechanism of action.

Cellular reactions to 82 IUDs retained for different periods of time have been examined using the "loopal smear" method. The smears were divided according to periods of retention and degree of inflammatory reaction. In 47 cases the inflammatory reaction was graded as moderate to severe, while in 35 cases the reaction was graded as mild.

The cytology of the human peritoneal fluid.

A series of 19 human peritoneal fluids obtained by aspiration at laparoscopy and cul-de-sac punctures were analysed for their cellular content. Four types of cells were differentiated: macrophages, mesothelial cells, lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The macrophages and mesothelial cells represented the two major types of cells, each group constituiting about 36 per cent of the population, while the lymphocytes and polymorphonuclears represented 18 and 7 per cent of the population, respectively.

Isolation of mycoplasmas from the genital tract of women with reproductive failure, sterility or vaginitis.

The presence of mycoplasma was investigated in 77 women with infertility, 34 women complaining of sterility, 92 women with vaginitis and 66 healthy control subjects. The group of infertile women was subdivided into those with one or two spontaneous abortions, those with three or more abortions and those with missed abortions. The isolation rate of mycoplasma from the vagina and cervix of the infertile women ranged from 18 to 36%.

Foam test, amniotic fluid cytology, creatinine and fetography in evaluation of fetal maturity.

Amniocenteses were performed in 73 pregnant women for maturity assessment in cases of high risk pregnancies, pregnancies of unknown gestational age and before an elective cesarean section. The evaluation of fetal maturity was based on: 1) foam test; 2)amniotic fluid cytology; 3)creatinine concentration; 4) fetography and 5) clinical criteria. The results which were assessed as to the proven infant maturity were as follows: Foam test 84.

Isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: induction of ovulation with exogenous gonadotropins.

Six patients with all of the clinical and laboratory characteristics of isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (bihormonal gonadotropin deficiency) were treated with human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG, Pergonal) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Of a total of 37 courses of treatment administered, there was evidence of ovulation in 32 (29%). The first four subjects had a total of six pregnancies in 13 treatment cycles.