The authors analyze the intrauterine pregnancies observed in women with four different models of copper IUD. The study was made in a period of 54 months on 3216 insertions. The pregnancy index oscillated between 1.22 of the ML Cu-250 and 4.13 of the 7 Cu-200 (balanced percentage). The permanence of the IUD "in situ" in pregnant women increased the incidence of spontaneous abortions. The authors do not observe infections in pregnant women with the IUD, nor do they register malformations in the newborn.
Administration of melatonin at the 250 micrograms/ml dose by intraperitoneal injection to adult female rats, during a month before mating and throughout the whole pregnancy, inhibited both the fetuses' growth and the ovarian weight of the daughters and did not modify the testes weight of the sons. Adrenal gland weight of the sons of blinded female rats is lower for this group than for the sons of both control and melatonin treated rats. Daughters of blinded rats in this group showed vaginal opening before that in the control: a statistically significant difference.
The aim of the present work is to find out whether nervous structures (hypothalamus, hypophysis, septal area, amygdala, caudate nucleus, anterior cortex (latero-frontal), posterior cortex (latero-occipital); and the glandular structures (testicles, adrenal gland, and seminal vesicle) involved in the regulation of the sexual behaviour of the male rat, are altered after an alcohol intake extending over 36 generations. The animals were killed by decapitation immediately after the sexual behaviour test was carried out. Then the oxidative metabolism (manometric technique) and the weight of the structures mentioned above were examined. The statistical analysis of the results showed that prolonged intake of alcohol over a period of 36 generations produces a significant increase in the consumption of O2 where the ventromedial hypothalamus, septal area, hypophysis, amygdala, caudate nucleus, and anterior cortex are concerned; whereas a significant decrease in the weight of testicles, hypophysis, and adrenal gland was observed. However the weight of the seminal vesicles underwent a significant increase after intake over a long period of ethanol when it was compared with its respective control. In view of these results the influence of alcohol on the oxidative metabolism of the lymbical structures is discussed, as is also the effect of alcohol on the reproductive system of these animals.
Ten cases with testicular feminization syndrome (TFS) diagnosed at the National Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, were studied. The patients were interviewed and subjected to the following psychological tests: Raven's Progressive Matrices, the MMPI, the 16PF, and the TAT. Laboratory determinations included: nuclear chromatin, karyotype, FHS, LH, estradiol, testosterone and nitrogen retention test. Intellectual achievement was found normal, and as far as psychological stability is concerned (MMPI) there was no common profile typical of the group. Psychosexual attitudes showed alterations related to acceptance of body image, fears to be unable to maintain the stability of the couple, and lack of a strong maternal drive. Personality profile manifested two outstanding traits in the group: Dominance (E+) and Shrewdness (N+), the former being remarkably high for a female population. A hypothesis is advanced in regard to the psychological alterations of the possible role of partial androgenization of the central nervous system in these patients.
Six patients with unexplained infertility were administered a partially desialylated hCG preparation (Desialo hCG). 5000 and 10000 IU of this preparation were given as a single IM dose, following the administration of hMG-Pergonal. The circulatory half-life (t 1/2) of Desialo hCG was found to be 42.6 hours, which is similar to the t 1/2 of 35.6 hours previously reported for a hybrid hCG preparation. The t 1/2 values were shorter than the t 1/2 of 65.3 hours estimated for commercial hCG administered by the same route. In spite of the similarities in t 1/2 values between the two preparations, serum progesterone levels were significantly increased 48 to 96 hours after the administration of Desialo hCG, and only 8 to 10 hours after the administration of the hCG hybrid. The difference in response may reflect differences in receptor occupancy at the ovarian level. Large scale testing of preparations with half-lives approaching the t 1/2 of the physiological hormone, hLH, should be carried out in order to determine if the risk of overstimulation and/or multiple pregnancies could be reduced thus, allowing for a safer therapeutic modality in patients pre-treated with hMG.
To achieve maximum dilatation of the Fallopian tubes so as to improve the pregnancy: non-pregnancy ratio of hysterosalpingography (HSG) treatment, a high-pressure injection technique was evaluated. For this purpose a disposable cannula and an adapted pair of tenacula were developed and a remote-control procedure using an auto-injector and an adapted pressure recorder was used to assure the safety of doctors and staff. 1780 cases who underwent 400 mmHg high-pressure HSG treatment were compared with 903 conventional HSG cases. Results indicated a higher pregnancy ratio for the high-pressure experimental group after treatment. In addition, it was found that side effects due to the use of disposable cannula and highly viscous water-soluble mediums developed for use in angiography were less common than for conventional materials.
