Vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-8 in ovarian cystic pathology

OBJECTIVE: To determine the levels of the angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin (IL-8) in ovarian cysts. DESIGN: Prospective descriptive study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): One hundred women, of whom 9 had ovarian carcinomas, 38 had ovarian endometriomata, 43 had serous ovarian cysts, and 10 had follicular ovarian cysts. INTERVENTION(S): Sampling of serum and ovarian cystic fluid before and during surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Levels of VEGF and IL-8 in cystic fluid and serum. RESULT(S): Levels of both VEGF and IL-8 were found to be significantly higher in the cystic fluid of ovarian carcinomas and endometriomata than in serous and follicular cysts. In endometriomata fluid, levels of VEGF and IL-8 were found to be directly correlated (r = 0.68; P=.0074). Serum levels of VEGF were significantly higher in women with ovarian carcinomas and endometriomata than in those with serous and follicular cysts. Ovarian cancers and endometriomata were similar in terms of cystic concentrations of VEGF and IL-8 and in serum levels of VEGF. CONCLUSION(S): An increase in angiogenic factors that differentiate ovarian carcinomas and endometriomata from other kinds of ovarian pathology is demonstrated

Membrane integrity evaluation in rabbit spermatozoa

Objectives: The behaviour of head and tail sperm membrane subjected to different vitality tests was evaluated, searching for possible correlations with sperm motility. Study design: On fresh semen from seven rabbits we performed: the Eosin Exclusion Test (EET) and, with different incubation times (T-0, T-5, T-30), a Hypoosmotic Swelling Test (HOS-test) and a combined Hypoosmotic and Eosin Test (HE-test). Kinetic parameters were determined by using the CASA system CELL-TRAK. Statistical analysis was performed by one way ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: The HOS-test revealed significant differences between percentages of curled spermatozoa at To (67.86 +/- 4.28) versus T-5 (72.86 +/- 3.28) and versus T-30 (75.14 +/- 6.5). Among four types of spermatozoa obtained with the HE-test. percentage of Type 1 sperm (HOS+/Eosine) at T-0 (32.3% +/- 6.65), was lower than motile sperm (66.86% +/- 9.72) but positively correlated Conclusions: The HE-test is a rapid instrument for predicting sperm motility, selecting spermatozoa with a high degree of membrane resistance both in the tail and the head compartment. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved