Characterization of the uterine junctional zone prior to IVF/ICSI: an observational study.

Purpose: The uterine junctional zone as documented by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has shown to be of significance with respect to the early process of human reproduction. In this study, MRI findings were related to the outcome of an IVF/ICSI program.

Materials And Methods: In 113 infertile women, the diameter of the anterior and posterior junctional zone (JZ) myometrium was documented by MRI prior to the use of ART.

Prevalence of Cheyne-Stokes respiration in modern treated congestive heart failure.

Introduction: The prevalence of sleep breathing disorders in patients with congestive heart failure is relevantly high. According to historical studies Cheyne-Stokes respiration is an oscillatory ventilation during sleep in up to 40% of patients with congestive heart failure. During the last decade the medical treatment of congestive heart failure has been improved.

Adenomyosis as a disorder of the early and late human reproductive period.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows the diagnosis of adenomyosis in vivo with a high sensitivity and specificity. Usually the diagnosis of adenomyosis is obtained from women in their fourth to fifth decade of life. However, recent data suggest that adenomyosis may develop much sooner in life, particularly in women with endometriosis.

Oxytocin--a stimulator of directed sperm transport in humans.

Rhythmic peristaltic contractions of the muscular wall of the non-pregnant uterus, as well as rapid sperm transport from the vagina to the Fallopian tubes, have long been documented by means of vaginal sonography and hysterosalpingoscintigraphy. Uterine peristaltic activity reaches a maximum before ovulation and is controlled via oestradiol secretion from the dominant follicle systemically and into the utero-ovarian countercurrent system; it is also enhanced by oxytocin. In this study, the effect of oxytocin and its receptor antagonist atosiban on uterine peristalsis and thus directed sperm transport during the mid and late follicular phases was examined.

Control and function of uterine peristalsis during the human luteal phase.

Rhythmic peristaltic contractions of the muscular wall of the non-pregnant uterus can be demonstrated throughout the menstrual cycle, with a maximum just before ovulation. However, not only during the follicular phase but also during the luteal phase, the uterus shows remarkable contractile activity. The present study was conducted in order to examine uterine peristaltic activity and its function during the luteal phases of the human menstrual cycle.