Ultrasonographic assessment of skin thickness in patients with PCOS - a case-control study.

Objective: To measure skin thickness in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in comparison to controls and to examine a possible association with sex steroids, body mass index, lipid profile and hyperinsulinemia.

Methods: Thirty patients with confirmed PCOS were compared to thirty-two women presenting for infertility workup. Skin thickness was measured using high-resolution ultrasound in a standardized area, blood samples were collected once at presentation.

Quantitative levonorgestrel plasma level measurements in patients with regular and prolonged use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.

Background: The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) is well accepted as an easy-to-use contraceptive with an excellent side-effect profile. It contains a reservoir of 52 mg of levonorgestrel (LNG) with continuous release of the steroid. Its contraceptive use is approved for 5 years.

An ultra-sensitive online SPE-LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of levonorgestrel released from intrauterine devices.

A selective and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of very low levonorgestrel (D-(-)-norgestrel) serum levels such as those found in patients using levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine devices (IUDs) was developed. To achieve the sub-nanomolar sensitivity needed to measure such serum levels, a diethyl ether extraction sample preparation protocol was applied prior to the online solid-phase extraction-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS/MS) assay. Analyte quantification from the selected reaction monitoring experiments relied on the use of sixfold deuterated norgestrel as internal standard.

Metformin, naltrexone, or the combination of prednisolone and antiandrogenic oral contraceptives as first-line therapy in hyperinsulinemic women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

To compare the short-term effects of metformin (M), naltrexone (N), and a combination of OC and prednisolone (OC/Pr) on the metabolic state and the ovarian function of PCOS women, we randomized 29 women to a 3-month course of therapy. We observed significant improvements in hyperandrogenemia and ovulation rates in PCOS women of all three groups, in the absence of changes in the metabolic state, suggesting that insulin resistance in PCOS patients is only one of several factors leading to hyperandrogenemic ovarian failure.

No protection of the ovarian follicle pool with the use of GnRH-analogues or oral contraceptives in young women treated with escalated BEACOPP for advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma. Final results of a phase II trial from the German Hodgkin Study Group.

Background: The reduction of treatment-related toxic effects is the main goal in the current trials of the German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG). In this regard, the protection of the ovarian reserve in young women is very important. Therefore, the GHSG investigated the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-analogues (GnRH-a) and oral contraceptives (OC) in young women with advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma (HL).

Leydig-cell-tumor of the ovary that responded to GnRH-analogue administration - case report and review of the literature.

Progressive hirsutism can be a symptom of an androgen-producing tumor, especially in postmenopausal women. We report a case of a 58-year-old woman who complained of progressive hirsutism, nervousness, irritability, anxiousness and an increased libido. Examination showed an unusual redness of her head, décolleté, palms and soles of her feet.

Use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system: an Austrian perspective.

Approximately 12 million women worldwide use the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (IUS), with approximately 180,000 users of this IUS currently reported in Austria. A patient satisfaction study of 591 women in Austria revealed a high number of 'very satisfied' (79%) and 'satisfied' (19%) patients. Reliability, comfort, excellent compatibility and less severe, shorter and less painful monthly periods were the most frequently named advantages of the levonorgestrel-releasing IUS.

Uterine mechanisms of ipsilateral directed spermatozoa transport: Evidence for a contribution of the utero-ovarian countercurrent system.

Objective: Spermatozoa transport into uterus and fallopian tubes is directed to the side of the dominant follicle and seems to be controlled by the ipsilateral ovary. The objective of this study was to evaluate the temperature in the fallopian tubes as well as the concentrations of estradiol and progesterone in the utero-ovarian veins draining the ipsilateral ovary and compare these to the contralateral side of the uterus.

Study Design: A prospective clinical study.

Polycystic ovarian disease unmasked by pulsatile GnRH therapy in a subgroup of women with hypothalamic amenorrhea.

Objective: To present the observation in six out of 120 women treated with pulsatile GnRH for ovulation induction, who developed hyperandrogenemia and polycystic ovaries during treatment.

Design: Clinical observation.

Setting: Department of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria.

Physiology of upward transport in the human female genital tract.

The uterus and fallopian tubes represent a functionally united peristaltic pump under the endocrine control of ipsilateral ovary. We have examined this function by using hysterosalpingoscintigraphy (HSS), recording of intrauterine pressure, electrohysterography, and Doppler sonography of the fallopian tubes. An uptake of labeled particles into the uterus was observed during the follicular and luteal phases of the cycle after application into the vagina.

Treatment of hereditary angioneurotic oedema (HANE) with tibolone.

Objective: Eight women, aged 25-58 years, with hereditary angioneurotic oedema (HANE) were treated with tibolone, a synthetic steroid exhibiting oestrogenic, androgenic and progestational activity.

Design: Pilot study.

Results: Tibolone at a dose of 2.

Symptoms of premenstrual syndrome may be caused by hyperventilation.

Objective: To determine whether women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) differ from healthy women in the extent of hyperventilation during the luteal phase of the cycle.

Design: Case report.

Setting: Medical university.

Dysregulated monocyte iron homeostasis and erythropoietin formation in patients with anemia of chronic disease.

Anemia of chronic disease (ACD) is frequently found in patients with chronic immune activation. Since most studies on ACD pathophysiology were performed with cell culture or animal models but not in humans, we examined 37 ACD patients suffering from autoimmune diseases or infections, 10 subjects with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA), 10 anemic patients with hereditary spherocytosis (HS), and 27 age-matched controls. Although hemoglobin concentrations were comparable between ACD and IDA patients, the latter presented with significantly higher serum erythropoietin concentrations than ACD patients.

Female fertility after cytotoxic therapy--protection of ovarian function during chemotherapy of malignant and non-malignant diseases.

Due to the dramatic improvements in cure and survival of young patients of reproductive age suffering from malignant or systemic disease, the preservation of fertility and ovarian function during cytostatic treatment has become of increased importance during the last decade. Pharmacological therapy with GnRH analogues and the cryopreservation of ovarian tissue are discussed in this context. The value of these treatment procedures and their potential clinical applications are critically reviewed in this article.

Possible role of cytokine-induced tryptophan degradation in anaemia of inflammation.

Anaemia of inflammation (AI) is a frequent complication in patients suffering from chronic inflammatory disorders including infections, autoimmune and malignant disease. Cytokine imbalance with a shift towards T-helper (Th)1-type immune response seems to be important in the pathogenesis of this type of anaemia. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha may affect the growth and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells.