Human endometrial fibroblasts immortalized by simian virus 40 large T antigen differentiate in response to a decidualization stimulus.

Human endometrial fibroblasts have been immortalized by infection with simian virus 40 large T antigen and established as a permanent cell line, St-2. Biochemical differentiation of this cell line has been demonstrated by the ability of a decidualizing stimulus, 8-bromo-cAMP plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), to induce PRL secretion and increase the enzymatic activity of estrone sulfatase. MPA, alone or in combination with estradiol, was unable to elicit this response, but potentiated the effect of 8-bromo-cAMP on PRL production and estrone sulfatase activity.

Uterine junctional zone: function and disease.

The myometrium is usually thought of as a homogeneous mass of smooth muscle fibres. However, magnetic resonance studies of the uterus have revealed two distinct zones--the subendometrial myometrium or junctional zone and the outer myometrium. The junctional zone is not only structurally but also functionally different from the outer myometrium.

The role of myometrial needle biopsies in the diagnosis of adenomyosis.

Objective: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of myometrial needle biopsies in the diagnosis of adenomyosis uteri in vitro.

Design: Eight needle biopsies and 8 corresponding myometrial blocks were taken from 27 hysterectomy specimens with adenomyosis and 13 specimens with adenomyosis. Adenomyosis was graded on the basis of the depth of endometrial invasion into the myometrium: grade I, adenomyosis within the inner third of the myometrium; grade II, limited to the inner two thirds; and grade III, endometrial penetration into the outer one third of the myometrium.

Endovaginal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of adenomyosis uteri: identifying the predictive characteristics.

Objective: To evaluate prospectively the role of endovaginal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of adenomyosis and to identify predictive characteristics.

Setting: In Vitro Fertilisation Unit, Hammersmith Hospital.

Subjects: Fifty-six women with menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea.

The potential value of magnetic resonance imaging in infertility.

The potential value of magnetic resonance imaging as a diagnostic tool in infertility was investigated. Twenty-six women with primary or secondary infertility and symptoms of dysmenorrhoea or menorrhagia were studied prospectively using conventional T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo techniques. Positive diagnoses were obtained in 20 of 26 (76.

Conservative laparoscopic treatment of ectopic pregnancies using the CO2-laser.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of CO2-laser-endoscopic surgical treatment for large and/or ruptured ectopic pregnancies, and to compare the results with those of microsurgical salpingotomy.

Design: A retrospective review of all women treated for an ectopic pregnancy during a 6-year period, 1984-1989. During 1988 and 1989 treatment was randomized by the day of admission, depending only upon the surgeon in charge, some performing a linear salpingotomy (n = 42) and some a CO2-laser laparoscopy (n = 34) in all women haemodynamically stable.