Response of proopiomelanocortin and gonado- or lactotroph systems to in-vitro fertilisation procedures stress.

Objective: To analyse for the first time the response of the corticotroph-type and the melanotroph-type pituitary proopiomelanocortin (POMC) system with regard to in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment using self-developed highly specific non-cross-reacting radioimmunoassay.

Setting: University hospital. patients: A total of 28 patients undergoing IVF oocyte retrieval.

Response to delivery stress is not mediated by beta-endorphin (1-31).

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the reaction of the melanotroph and corticotroph-type pituitary proopiomelanocortin (POMC) response to vaginal delivery and caesarean section stress. Furthermore, the relationship between the release of pituitary POMC fragments, gonadotropins and sexual steroids were examined.

Study Design: Blood samples were obtained from 10 women in labour on arrival in the birth room (t(A)), at cervix dilatation of 5 cm (t(B)) and immediately after spontaneous delivery (t(C)) and in 16 patients undergoing elective caesarean section before induction of anaesthesia (t(B)) and immediately after delivery (t(C)).

Patients with ARDS show improvement but not normalisation of alveolar surface activity with surfactant treatment: putative role of neutral lipids.

Background: Extensive biochemical and biophysical changes of the pulmonary surfactant system occur in the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods: The effect of intrabronchial administration of a recombinant surfactant protein C-based surfactant preparation (Venticute) on gas exchange, surfactant composition and function was investigated in 31 patients with ARDS in a randomised controlled phase I/II clinical pilot trial. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluids for surfactant analysis were obtained 3 h before and 48 and 120 h after the first surfactant application.