Sex steroid receptors in human myometrium and fibroids: changes during the menstrual cycle and gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment.

The content of estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER, PR) is higher in fibroid tissue than in homologous myometrium, and both receptors seem to be regulated by the levels of circulating sex steroids. Myometrial and fibroid tissues were recovered from women undergoing gynecological operations during different phases of the menstrual cycle and during treatment with an analogue of GnRH (GnRHa). Contents of ER and PR in the tissue cytosol were determined by enzyme immunoassay.

Microbial flora of the cervix assessed at the time of embryo transfer adversely affects in vitro fertilization outcome.

Objective: To investigate whether the presence of cervical microorganisms, as detected on catheters used for ET, alters the outcome of IVF-ET.

Design: Prospective analysis.

Setting: The assisted reproduction unit of a hospital in Clamart, France.

Neonatal exposure to 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl: changes in spontaneous behaviour and cholinergic muscarinic receptors in the adult mouse.

We have previously reported that 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB) affects muscarinic cholinergic receptors (MAChR) in the neonatal mouse brain when given to suckling mice at the age of 10 days. As shown in the present study, such early exposure to TCB may also lead to a permanent change in the MAChR and disturbed behaviour of the mice as adults. Male NMRI mice were given two single oral doses of TCB, 0.

Clinical and reproductive effects of Clophen A50 (PCB) administered during gestation on pregnant guinea pigs and their offspring.

Female and male guinea pigs exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in utero and via mother's milk showed growth retardation and signs of delayed onset of sexual maturation. In female young exposed to PCBs first vaginal opening occurred at a significantly older age and was of shorter duration compared with control females. The age at the first ovulation did not differ significantly between PCB-exposed females and control females.

Plasma concentrations of 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF-2 alpha, oestrone sulphate, oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone in pregnant guinea-pigs treated with polychlorinated biphenyls.

Guinea-pigs treated by gavage with a total dose of 100 mg polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB: Clophen A50) during Days 17-61 of gestation had higher plasma concentrations of 15-keto-13,14-dihydroprostaglandin F-2 alpha, oestrone sulphate and oestradiol-17 beta during the later stages of gestation than did vehicle-treated guinea-pigs. No changes were observed in plasma progesterone concentrations. Our results provide no support for the hypothesis that an enzyme-induced decrease in progesterone concentrations is the main cause of the fetal death observed in PCB-treated guinea-pigs.