MATERNAL, UMBILICAL, UTERINE AND AMNIOTIC PROSTAGLANDIN-E AND PROSTAGLANDIN-F-2-ALPHA LEVELS IN LABOR

This paper confirms the important role played by prostaglandins in the induction of uterine contractions and the initiation of human labour, although the exact mechanism of action in labour remains unclear. Seventeen pregnant women at term were studied. Of these nine were in labour and the remainder underwent elective section. Prostaglandin E and F2α levels were measured in maternal, umbilical and uterine plasma and amniotic fluid by radioimmunoassay. Levels of prostaglandin E were generally higher than prostaglandin F2α but they were significantly lower in maternal and uterine plasma. Levels of prostaglandin F2α were significantly higher in maternal plasma during labour. The highest levels of prostaglandin were found in amniotic fluid. Measurements indicate that the decreasing ratio of prostaglandin E/F2α is more important in the initiation of labour than absolute levels of either prostaglandin. </jats:p

Endometrial biopsy findings in infertility: Analysis of 12,949 cases

Objective - Endometrial biopsy has been an important way of assessing infertile couples for several years. In this review of a wide-ranging series of endometrial biopsies of infertile couples in the Turkish population it was our aim to find the distribution of results according to the years 1956-1966, 1967-1980, 1981-1992. Setting - University hospital. Subjects - 12,949 endometrial biopsies, referred to our gynecological pathology laboratory for infertility investigation between 1956 and 1992. Method - Patient report files from pathology laboratory data, analyzed retrospectively. The assessment of the biopsies is made by the same pathologist. Results - 78.8% of cases had primary infertility, 21.2% secondary. Most of them were in the age group 26-35 years (48.8%). 37.58% of cases were found to show normal secretory endometrium, 20.95% proliferative endometrial changes, and 28.22% signs of luteal phase defect (LPD). Other local endometrial factors were also encountered, but in 1.79% the sample was considered insufficient for diagnosis. Moreover, in nine cases, malignancy was diagnosed with the help of endometrial biopsy. During the study period, cases of normal secretory endometrium and tuberculous endometritis were observed to decrease and LPD to increase significantly. It is worthy to note that in only 28 (0.21%) cases had endometrial biopsies been performed during a pregnancy cycle. Conclusion - We conclude that endometrial biopsy not only shows the hormonal response of endometrium but gives additional information about the local factors of endometrium concerning atrophy, specific and non-specific infections, and malignancy

Sperm selection based on motility in polyvinylpyrrolidone is associated with successful pregnancy and embryo development

The aim of this study was to investigate whether spermatozoon motility in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is associated with better embryo development and pregnancy rates in ICSI cycles. A total of 123 primary ICSI treatment cycles were included in this study. Semen samples were tested for motility before ICSI procedure in PVP. Within 3min, the presence or absence of motility was recorded. Sperm functions were examined by the aniline blue (AB) chromatin condensation test and the hypoosmotic swelling test, and the chromatin stability was evaluated by inducing its decondensation with sodium dodecyl sulphate and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Fertilisation and embryo scoring were evaluated. Fifty (64%) of 78 women conceived in the PVP (+) group; and 12 (26%) of 45 women conceived in the PVP (-) group; the pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the PVP (+) group (P=0.003). Semen parameters were observed to be similar in both groups. The mean number of total embryos obtained in ICSI procedure and transferred grade 1 embryos were significantly higher in PVP (+) group (P=0.01 and P=0.003 respectively). The presence of sperm motility in PVP is associated with increased pregnancy rate, higher percentage of good quality embryos, sperm chromatin condensation and decondensation

Elevated LH levels draw a stronger distinction than AMH in premature ovarian insufficiency

Objectives A significant number of individuals have high serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels but do not meet the criteria for diagnosis of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) due to ongoing menstruation. We compared a group of women with elevated FSH levels and POI with a control group in terms of biochemical markers