Loss of WT1 expression in the endometrium of infertile PCOS patients: a hyperandrogenic effect?

Context: In fertile patients the endometrial Wilms tumor suppressor gene (WT1) is expressed during the window of implantation. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients suffer from hyperandrogenemia and infertility and have elevated endometrial androgen receptor (AR) expression. WT1 is known to be down-regulated by AR.

Persistent primary hypogonadism associated with anabolic steroid abuse.

Objective: To report a case of primary gonadal failure due to the chronic abuse of anabolic steroids used for bodybuilding.

Design: Case report.

Setting: Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom.

MUC1 as a discriminator between endometrium from fertile and infertile patients with PCOS and endometriosis.

Context: Endometrium of fertile women expresses progesterone-regulated Mucin 1 (MUC1) that carries selectin ligands recognized by the human blastocyst. Altered MUC1 expression at the time of implantation may contribute to endometrial infertility.

Objective: The aim was to assess the expression of MUC1 in the endometrium from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and fertile women in comparison with other hormone-regulated proteins [hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) 1, HSD2, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR)].

L-selectin ligands in human endometrium: comparison of fertile and infertile subjects.

Background: L-selectin ligands, localized to the luminal epithelium at the time of implantation, may support the early stages of blastocyst attachment. We have assessed the expression of two L-selectin ligands, defined by MECA-79 and HECA-452 monoclonal antibodies, and the sulfotransferase GlcNAc6ST-2, involved in generation of L-selectin ligand epitopes, in the secretory phase of the endometrium from fertile and infertile patients.

Methods: Endometrial samples were obtained from 33 fertile, 26 PCOS, 25 endometriosis and 33 patients diagnosed with unexplained infertility.

Progesterone induces nano-scale molecular modifications on endometrial epithelial cell surfaces.

Background Information: The endometrial epithelial cell membrane is a key interface in female reproductive biology. Steroid hormones play a predominant role in cyclic changes which occur at this interface during the female menstrual cycle. Specific changes in the morphology of the endometrial epithelial cell surface become apparent with the epithelial transition that drives the switch from a non-receptive to receptive surface due to the action of progesterone on an oestrogen primed tissue.

Inversion of the uterus at caesarean section.

Introduction: Inversion of the uterus through the uterine incision during caesarean section is a rare event. Therapy is usually simple and maternal morbidity is low when re-inversion of the uterus can be accomplished immediately. In cases of prolonged uterine inversion thereof, haemodynamic instability and shock, often out of proportion to the degree of blood loss, have been reported as serious sequelae.

Perimortem surgical intervention in cardiorespiratory arrest secondary to ruptured ovarian neoplasm.

Perimortem caesarean section is the intervention of choice for unresponsive cardiorespiratory arrest during the third trimester of pregnancy. We present a case of emergent surgical intervention in an arrested patient with an abdominopelvic mass, which revealed a ruptured granulosa cell ovarian neoplasm with haemoperitoneum.

Women's attitudes towards management of breech presentation at term.

Current advice on the management of breech presentation at term is that all uncomplicated cases should be offered external cephalic version (ECV) or an elective caesarean section. Clinical experience suggests that ECV is currently not offered as widely as advised and that the majority are delivered electively by caesarean section. We present the results of a patient attitude survey of term breech deliveries in a university teaching hospital over 12 months.

Cohort study of the neonatal outcome of twin pregnancies that were treated with prophylactic or rescue antenatal corticosteroids.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the neonatal outcome of 2 approaches to antenatal corticosteroid therapy for threatened preterm delivery in twins: a prophylactic approach in which corticosteroids were administered every 2 weeks from 24 to 32 weeks of gestation and a rescue approach in which corticosteroids were given to women at immediate risk of preterm delivery.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study of 1038 twin babies delivered between 1990 and 1996 in a University Teaching Hospital. One hundred thirty-six babies were exposed to prophylactic therapy, and 902 babies were treated expectantly with rescue therapy.

Antibiotic treatment based on seminal cultures from asymptomatic male partners in in-vitro fertilization is unnecessary and may be detrimental.

We questioned the policy of routine microbiological culture of semen prior to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) with a view to prescribing antibiotics to reduce the risk of introducing seminal infection into the embryo culture system. An initial retrospective study examined serum microbiology reports of 449 couples undergoing IVF or gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT). In semen samples taking >/=1 days to reach the microbiology laboratory compared with same-day delivery there was increased frequency of significant culture of enterococci (27 versus 15%, P < 0.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome may be more likely if multiple pregnancy occurs following assisted conception.

Whereas modern assisted conception with such techniques as in vitro fertilisation now helps many subfertile couples to fulfill their ambition to have a child, it has not been without a price. The increased incidence of multiple pregnancies, with their attendant maternal and perinatal sequelae following assisted conception is well known, but perinatologists may be far less familiar with the Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) which is the other major complication when controlled ovarian hyperstimulation is used during assisted conception treatment. Mild forms of OHSS are common and require no more than symptomatic treatment.

Experience using preparations of follicle-stimulating hormone alone to stimulate the ovaries for assisted conception after pituitary desensitisation and simplified management of treatment.

The results are reported of 2,204 cycles of treatment started for in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer or gamete intrafallopian transfer, during 5 years, 1990-1994, using only follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) preparations to stimulate the ovaries following pituitary desensitisation, combined with greatly simplified scheduling and monitoring of treatment. The physiological principles underlying these choices are discussed. In all women under 40 years of age and men with normal sperm, the use of unpurified urinary FSH in 1990-1993 resulted in oocyte collection in 94% of cycles started, pregnancy in 29% and live births in 23%.

The interaction of benzodiazepines with thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptors on clonal pituitary cells.

1. Seven benzodiazepines were investigated for their ability to interact with receptors for thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on GH3 and GH4C1 pituitary tumour cells. 2.