Effect on low implantation of the placenta on maternal blood pressure and placental function.

Low implantation of the placenta may protect against the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and is associated with improved values in tests of placental function. PIH occurred in six of 201 (3%) consecutive patients with placenta praevia managed at the City Hospital, Nottingham, from 1 April 1973 to 30 June 1981. None of the six patients developed associated proteinuria.

Production of active and inactive renin by cultured explants from the human female genital tract.

Myometrium, decidua, chorio-decidua and amnion were collected from women undergoing caesarean section and from pregnant women at hysterectomy and hysterotomy for comparison with myometrium, cervix and endometrium taken from non-pregnant women at hysterectomy. Homogenates of chorio-decidua and amnion contained the largest concentrations of active and inactive renin. Cultured explants of all tissues except amnion were found to produce both types of renin.

Prolactin levels in the premenstrual syndrome.

Serum prolactin was measured in 18 subjects complaining of premenstrual syndrome and results were compared with those in 10 control subjects. No consistent changes were seen during the course of the menstrual cycle in either group. There were no significant differences between the prolactin levels of the two groups.

Levels of circulating immune complexes in patients with ovarian cancer.

Sera from patients with ovarian tumours were assayed for circulating immune complexes (CIC) by four well established assays based on the interaction of immune complexes with components of the complement system. There was no difference in control, pre- or post-operative or BCG-treated patients' sera. Levels were also unchanged in sera in antigen excess.

The effect of captopril (SQ14,225) upon mother and fetus in the chronically cannulated ewe and in the pregnant rabbit.

1. An inhibitor of angiotensin-I-converting enzyme activity (D-3-mercapto-2-methylpropanoyl-L-proline, Captopril) was given to five chronically cannulated pregnant ewes and eleven rabbits in late pregnancy. 2.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme and the renin-angiotensin system in normotensive primigravid pregnancy.

In a prospective study the interactions between ACE and the renin-angiotensin system in 18 primigravid normotensive women were investigated throughout pregnancy. ACE activity was found to be depressed throughout pregnancy, rising in the last trimester and returning to non-pregnant values by 6 weeks post partum. No significant differences were found between cord arterial or venous and maternal venous ACE levels at delivery.

A prospective study of plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme in normotensive primigravidae and their infants.

Plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has been measured prospectively throughout pregnancy, at delivery and in the puerperium in 18 normotensive primigravidae and their infants. Plasma ACE was consistently lower during pregnancy than in comparable, non-pregnant controls, but rose progressively from about 30 weeks to term. At vaginal delivery maternal and fetal ACE levels did not differ significantly.

Active and inactive renin in human seminal plasma.

The occurrence of renin and renin substrate has been described in human seminal plasma. Mean levels of active and total renin were higher in seminal plasma than in normal male plasma (7.1 compared to 3.

A study of angiotensin II binding sites in human placenta, chorion, and amnion.

The binding of tritiated angiotensin II to 20,000 x g particulate tractions of human placenta, chorion, and amnion was investigated. Binding to particles from the three tissues reached equilibrium within 10 minutes at 29 degrees C and was displaced by the addition of 1,000-fold excess of unlabeled angiotensin II. Scatchard analysis of the data showed that two classes of binding sites were present in the placental preparation.

The titanium/silicone rubber clip for female sterilization.

A composite titanium/silicone rubber clip has been developed for female sterilization. The 12.7 mm long metal clip is lined with silicone rubber and is bent round the Fallopian tube by means of an applicator that can be used laparoscopically.

Factors affecting plasma angiotensin II concentration in labour.

Concentrations of plasma angiotensin II (AII) have been measured in the second stage of labour or before delivery by elective Caesarean section in 134 women and some factors influencing the levels have been assessed. Plasma AII concentrations in the second stage of labour were higher than levels previously observed before the onset of labour in both primigravid and multiparous women. Markedly lower levels were found following delivery by elective Caesarean section than following vaginal delivery.

Umbilical cord plasma progesterone at term in relation to mode of delivery.

The progesterone concentration in the umbilical venous and arterial plasma has been measured by radioimmunoassay. In 35 normal spontaneous vaginal deliveries the concentration in the umbilical venous plasma was highly correlated with the difference between venous and arterial plasma concentrations. There was no correlation of progesterone levels with infant birth weight or placental weight, but slightly higher amounts were found in samples taken from women with female fetuses than those with male fetuses.

The normal condition of the fetal electrocardiogram during labour.

A real-time computer system was employed to monitor continuously the fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) during labour. Signals from a scalp electrode were amplified, filtered and passed through an interface system to a digital computer. From 110 patients studied, 37 were selected by rigid criteria which fulfilled a strict definition of normal fetal condition in labour and delivery.

Progesterone, fluid, and electrolytes in premenstrual syndrome.

Changes in mood, plasma progesterone concentration, urinary volume, sodium excretion, sodium:potassium ratio, and body weight during the menstrual cycle were determined in 18 women with premenstrual syndrome and 10 symptomless (control group) women. Plasma progesterone concentration was higher in the women with symptoms during the postovulatory phase of the cycle, and the peak progesterone concentration appeared earlier. The changes in progesterone concentration were accompanied by a natriuresis and diuresis that fell towards preovulatory values in the premenstrual phase.