Resumption of Spermatogenesis and Fertility Post Withdrawal of Hydroxyurea Treatment.

Hydroxyurea (HU), a drug for treating cancers of the blood and the management of sickle cell anemia, induces hypogonadism in males. However, the impact of HU on testicular architecture and function, as well as its effects on the resumption of male fertility following treatment withdrawal, remain poorly understood. We used adult male mice to determine whether HU-induced hypogonadism is reversible.

Radiographically occult pulmonary metastases from gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is a spectrum of diseases including partial and complete hydatidiform moles, placental site trophoblastic tumor, and choriocarcinoma. One of the most important considerations is recognition of the possibility of GTN after molar pregnancy or even normal pregnancy. It is common practice to use chest x-ray for the detection of pulmonary metastasis.

Waning immunity to varicella in infants of human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive and -seronegative mothers.

Immunity to varicella in HIV-exposed and -unexposed infants born to unvaccinated mothers, acquiring protective antibodies at birth declined to nonprotective (<1:8) levels by 5 months of age. Therefore, infants become susceptible to varicella before 12 months, which is the recommended time for varicella immunizations in the United States. Vaccination of susceptible HIV-seronegative women in the postpartum period may be important to consider.

Perturbation of the developmental potential of preimplantation mouse embryos by hydroxyurea.

Women are advised not to attempt pregnancy while on hydroxyurea (HU) due to the teratogenic effects of this agent, based on results obtained from animal studies. Several case reports suggest that HU may have minimal or no teratogenic effects on the developing human fetus. Fourteen cases of HU therapy in pregnant patients diagnosed with acute or chronic myelogenous leukemia, primary thrombocythemia, or sickle cell disease (SCD) have been reported.

Immunity to measles in pregnant mothers and in cord blood of their infants: impact of HIV status and mother's place of birth.

Antibody levels to measles were evaluated in 16 HIV-seropositive and 34 seronegative pregnant women and in cord blood samples of their infants. Infants were followed prospectively, and a second blood sample was taken at 3-7 months of age. Antibody levels were significantly lower in HIV-seropositive pregnant women and HIV-exposed cord bloods at birth (p=0.

Alteration of fertility endpoints in adult male F-344 rats by subchronic exposure to inhaled benzo(a)pyrene.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive risk associated with exposure of adult male Fisher-344 rats to inhaled benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). Rats were assigned randomly to a treatment or control group. Treatment consisted of sub-chronic exposure of rats via inhalation to 75microgBaP/m(3), 4h daily for 60 days, while control animals were unexposed (UNC).