Effects of hydrogen peroxide on human spermatozoa.

Purpose: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been reported widely to cause deleterious effects on sperm viability and function due to peroxidation of membrane lipids. However, their action appears more selective at low concentrations; recent evidence indicates that the superoxide anion can promote capacitation and induce hyperactivated motility (HA) in human spermatozoa and that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) may participate in capacitation of hamster spermatozoa. The objective of these studies was to investigate the direct effects of H2O2 on functions crucial to fertilization in human spermatozoa.

In vivo effects of a potent GnRH antagonist ORG 30850: physiologic evidence that down-regulation of GnRH receptors does not occur.

Objective: Our purpose was to determine the pituitary responsiveness to exogenous GnRH in GnRH antagonist-suppressed ovariectomized monkeys.

Methods: This was a prospective experimental non-human primate study performed at the research laboratories of The Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine. Seventeen long-term ovariectomized cynomolgus monkeys were studied.

Fertilization efficiency of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa in assisted reproduction is further impaired by antisperm antibodies on the male partner's sperm.

Objective: To investigate the influence of antisperm antibodies on the sperm surface on the outcome of IVF and GIFT.

Design: Matched controlled retrospective review of two large series.

Setting: Reproductive endocrine divisions of two level-three academic centers.

Sperm morphology as diagnosed by strict criteria: probing the impact of teratozoospermia on fertilization rate and pregnancy outcome in a large in vitro fertilization population.

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of sperm morphology assessed by strict criteria on IVF outcome.

Design: Retrospective analysis of all IVF cycles (January 1987 to December 1992).

Main Outcome Measures: All patients were assigned to one of three groups based on sperm morphology: P-pattern (< 4% normal forms), G-pattern (4% to 14% normal forms), and N-pattern (> 14% normal forms).

Transfer of cryopreserved-thawed pre-embryos in a natural cycle or a programmed cycle with exogenous hormonal replacement yields similar pregnancy results.

Objective: To examine the results of 7 years of thawed ET during natural or controlled cycles using exogenous steroids.

Design: Retrospective evaluation to compare implantation and pregnancy rates with two protocols for transfer of cryopreserved-thawed pre-embryos.

Setting: Tertiary care academic center.

Reduced pregnancy outcome in patients with unilateral or bilateral hydrosalpinx after in vitro fertilization.

In a retrospective study, we compared 118 patients with hydrosalpinx and 157 patients with bilateral salpingectomy entering an established in vitro fertilisation programme between 1988 and 1992. Patients with unilateral or bilateral hydrosalpinx had a lower clinical pregnancy rate, a higher miscarriage rate, and a lower ongoing pregnancy rate than patients with absent Fallopian tubes.

The effect of progesterone on the accumulation of leukocytes in the human endometrium.

Objective: Our purpose was to determine the role of progesterone on the number and type of leukocytes found in human endometrium.

Study Design: Endometrial tissue was obtained from normally cycling women and from women receiving hormone replacement therapy for premature ovarian failure. All tissues were formalin fixed, sectioned, and stained with specific antibodies to leukocytes, T cells, B cells, and macrophages.

The influence of pentoxifylline (Trental) on the antifertility effect of intrauterine devices in rats.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that the inflammatory response stimulated by intrauterine devices (IUDs) plays a role in the antifertility action of IUDs. We treated rats with pentoxifylline (Trental; Hoechst-Roussel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Somerville, NJ) and evaluated its effect on the anti-implantation action of IUDs.

Impact of cryopreservation on spermatozoa from infertile men: implications for artificial insemination.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cryopreservation-thawing on the quality of sperm from men with subfertile semen parameters. Twenty-seven patients with teratozoospermia, six of whom also had asthenozoospermia, were studied and their sperm parameters were compared to those of fertile donors (n = 71) in their fresh, post-thaw, and washed samples. After thawing, the percentage decrease in motility was significantly greater in patients than in donors, but the motility yield (post-thaw motility/prethaw motility) reached an average of 58% in the patient group vs.

A sequential analysis of the effect of progesterone on specific sperm functions crucial to fertilization in vitro in infertile patients.

The objective of these studies was to evaluate the modulatory effect(s) of progesterone on sperm functions crucial to fertilization in infertile men with abnormal sperm parameters. A prospective, controlled study applying a sequential diagnostic analysis capable of identifying specific dysfunctions of the male gamete was performed. Patients (n = 14) were allocated to the study group if they had a history of infertility of > 1 year duration and after semen evaluation showed teratozoospermia (< 14% normal sperm forms as diagnosed by strict criteria) or terato-asthenozoospermia (< 50% progressive motility).

The reduction of postoperative adhesions by two different barrier methods versus control in cynomolgus monkeys: a prospective, randomized, crossover study.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of two different surgical membranes in preventing postoperative adhesions as compared with control and to evaluate the benefit as compared with "second-look" adhesiolysis.

Design: A randomized, prospective, crossover study.

Setting: A colony of individually caged non-human primates, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School Norfolk, Virginia.

Cryopreservation of human prophase I oocytes collected from unstimulated follicles.

Objective: To evaluate the cryopreservation of immature human oocytes obtained from unstimulated ovarian tissue.

Design: Immature prophase I oocytes were obtained from unstimulated follicles and were either cryopreserved or cultured as controls. Cryopreservation was performed in a programmable freezing machine using one of two protocols.

Non-competitive anti-oestrogenic activity of progesterone antagonists in primate models.

We have summarized some of the studies containing basic biological data suggesting potential therapeutic utility of the anti-proliferative activity of antiprogestins on uterine tissues. The non-competitive anti-oestrogenic effects of RU486 were examined using oestradiol-treated ovariectomized monkeys given RU486, progesterone or both. The oestradiol-induced luteinizing hormone surge of control animals was abrogated by progesterone and/or RU486.

Hypothalamo-pituitary effects of RU486: inhibition of progesterone-induced hyperprolactinaemia.

Monkeys given oestrogen priming at physiological levels for at least 1 week become hyperprolactinaemic upon the addition of physiological progesterone administration. Here, using RU486, we test whether that this oestrogen/progestin-induced hyperprolactinaemia results from classical progesterone actions at the hypothalamo-pituitary level. Blood samples were collected daily from study day 1-67.

Clinical and metabolic features of desogestrel: a new oral contraceptive preparation.

Desogestrel is a highly selective gonane progestin. A monophasic formulation containing 150 micrograms of desogestrel and 30 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol has recently been approved as an oral contraceptive (OC) in the United States. Although desogestrel-containing formulations are new to the United States, they have been the most widely prescribed OCs in Europe for almost 10 years.

Fertilization and in vitro development of cryopreserved human prophase I oocytes.

Objective: To determine the potential for in vitro maturation, fertilization, and cleavage after cryopreservation of immature, prophase I human oocytes.

Design: Immature oocytes obtained in excess of the number required by the patient were randomized and cryopreserved at the prophase I stage or cultured as control. After thawing and maturation in vitro, test and control oocytes were inseminated with husband's sperm and evaluated for fertilization and cleavage in vitro.

Bleeding patterns in postmenopausal women taking continuous combined or sequential regimens of conjugated estrogens with medroxyprogesterone acetate. Menopause Study Group.

Objective: To compare the bleeding patterns obtained with two continuous combined and two sequential regimens of conjugated estrogens with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and conjugated estrogens alone.

Methods: This was a 1-year double-blind, randomized study done with 1724 postmenopausal women at 99 sites in the United States and Europe. All five treatment groups received 0.

Hemizona index (HZI) demonstrates excellent predictability when evaluating sperm fertilizing capacity in in vitro fertilization patients.

The objective of this work was to assess the power of the hemizona assay to predict in vitro fertilization (IVF) results using receiving operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. In a tertiary medical center setting, 94 couples undergoing IVF were included in the study comparing their fertilization results to sperm function during the hemizona assay. Using ROC analysis, fertilization in IVF (mature oocytes only) was compared to performance of the sperm in the sperm-zona pellucida binding test as expressed by hemizona index (HZI; [number of test sperm bound/number of control sperm bound] x 100).

Pharmacokinetics of a triphasic oral contraceptive containing desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol.

Objective: To demonstrate that pharmacokinetic measurements were made at steady state. Subsequently, dose proportionality for desogestrel and ethinyl E2 kinetics were demonstrated.

Design: Open-label, noncomparative study.

Existence of P2-purinoceptors on human and porcine granulosa cells.

This study examines the possible roles of extracellular purine nucleotides in regulating ovarian granulosa cell function. Using luteinized human (L-hGC) and porcine granulosa cells (PGC), we examined the effects of purine nucleotides on intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i), and whether they have any effect on steroidogenesis and cell proliferation. L-hGC and PGC were responsive to ATP and ADP at concentrations ranging from 0.

Maturation antigens present in epididymis of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

Problem: The present study was carried out to evaluate the changes in morphology and motility of spermatozoa retrieved from different regions of the epididymis of the cynomolgus monkey. The role of the epididymis in sperm maturation is assessed by assaying protein synthesis within different regions of the epididymis and by correlating these with changes in spermatozoal membrane surface components.

Method: Spermatozoa retrieved from proximal caput (CP), midcorpus (CO), and distal cauda (CD) were assessed by morphological evaluation and computerized motion analysis.

Defective calcium influx and acrosome reaction (spontaneous and progesterone-induced) in spermatozoa of infertile men with severe teratozoospermia.

Objective: To evaluate the acrosome reaction and its prerequisite, a calcium influx, in spermatozoa of infertile men with a high incidence of abnormal sperm forms.

Design: Prospective, controlled study.

Setting: Academic tertiary assisted reproduction center.

Early follicular rise of serum progesterone concentration in response to a flare-up effect of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist impairs follicular recruitment for in-vitro fertilization.

A retrospective study of 150 cycles of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) was undertaken to determine the impact of elevated serum progesterone in the early follicular phase of IVF cycles utilizing gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) initiated in the follicular phase. A total of 127 patients identified as being at risk for poor response to stimulation were treated with a flare-up protocol of GnRHa combined with high dose follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Patients were excluded for severe male factor requiring micromanipulation.

Postpartum anovulation in non-nursing monkeys: hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian refractoriness is not induced by the milieu of early pregnancy.

To evaluate the role of the early pregnancy milieu in inducing postpartum refractoriness of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, pregnancies in rhesus monkeys were terminated on either day 35 of gestation or near term at 162 days. Non-nursing mothers with gestations interrupted near term resumed ovulation at a mean of 56 +/- 12 (mean +/- SE) days postpartum, in contrast to the 17 +/- 2 days required for the females having had abortions at day 35. These results demonstrate that the early pregnancy milieu is not determinant of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian refractoriness observed in non-nursing mothers delivering at term.