An investigation into the immunogenicity of a GnRH analogue in male rats: a comparison of the toxicity of various adjuvants used in conjunction with GnRH-glycys.

Immunization of male Copenhagen Fischer rats with a gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue, conjugated to PPD resulted in high levels of antibody being produced which disrupted gonadal function in male rats. The antibody reduced serum testosterone levels and subsequently suppressed spermatogenesis. Alternatives to Freund's adjuvant were tested, namely, aluminium hydroxide and non-ionic surfactant vesicles (NISV).

Development of a hormone neutralizing vaccine, using GnRH-glycys-PPD, for use in the treatment of oestrogen-dependent disorders.

The aim of this study was to develop an effective and nontoxic vaccine, suitable for use in humans, which was capable of effectively controlling oestrogen levels. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were immunized with a conjugated analogue of gonadotrophin releasing hormone, GnRH-glycys-PPD. This resulted in high levels of neutralizing antibody which disrupted GnRH function and consequently caused a reduction in serum oestrogen.

Role of the newborn's sex in mixed maternal-newborn lymphocyte culture reactivity.

One-way-stimulated mixed mother-newborn lymphocyte cultures (MMNLC) from male and female newborns were evaluated and compared shortly after delivery. Newborn sex-correlated differences were observed in the strength of the MMNLC reactivity with responding maternal as well as newborn cells. The reactivity of MMNLC with responding maternal cells from male as compared to female newborns was significantly less inhibited in maternal and newborn serum.

Changes in jejunal permeability and passive permeation of sugars in intestinal biopsies in coeliac disease and Crohn's disease.

1. The relative effects of changes in mucosal surface area and mucosal permeability on the passive uptakes of mannitol and raffinose have been studied in vitro using jejunal biopsies from 48 controls, 32 patients with coeliac disease and 11 patients with Crohn's disease. Total mucosal permeation was corrected for surface area measured morphometrically to provide an index of mucosal permeability.

A quantitative investigation into some ultrastructural characteristics of guinea-pig oesophageal striated muscle.

Electron micrographs of guinea-pig oesophageal striated muscle have been subjected to quantitative assessment. The results show that whereas the motor end-plates are considerably simpler than those of control hindlimb muscles, the Z-line width and M-line bridges are those of fast-twitch, oxidative and glycolytic fibres. Guinea-pig oesophageal striated muscle continues to defy classification into the normally accepted subtypes for skeletal muscle and should thus be considered as an example of 'visceral striated muscle'.