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Biomedical subjects

A Amit

Publications and source records attributed to A Amit.

141 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Filtering capacity of bovine cervical mucus towards abnormal forms of human-ejaculated spermatozoa.

The filtration capacity of bovine cervical mucus (BCM), fresh bovine cervical mucus (FBCM) or frozen and thawed bovine mucus (BCMF) was studied, using human-ejaculated spermatozoa in comparison with the properties of human cervical mucus (HCM). Thirty semen specimens of good quality were used in cervical mucus (CM) penetrations, using capillary tubes containing CM of 30 HCM, 77 FBCM and 77 BCMF samples. Spermiocytograms were carried out on semen and cervical mucus at 1st and 3rd centimeter of the capillary tube after one hour of incubation. Smears were stained by Papanicolaou and the patterns of seven forms of sperm cells (normal, tapering, macrocephals, microcephals, pinhead, neck pathology and amorphous cells) were counted on a total of 100 cells in each slide. A clear, highly significant (P less than 0.0001) selection of cells penetrating the CM has been shown, preventing certain abnormal forms from penetrating the CM (macrocephals, neck pathology and amorphous cells) and enabling good penetration of normal sperm forms and moderate penetration of tapering, microcephals and pinhead cells. On the average, a specimen with normal sperm forms of 72% showed a spermiocytogram of 90% normal forms at the 3rd centimeter of migration. The same patterns of filtration were recorded in all the three sources of CM. It is suggested that BCM be used as a filter towards abnormal sperm forms in a highly teratozoospermic ejaculate in order to improve its quality for artificial inseminations.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Sperm penetration in vitro: correlations between parameters of sperm quality and the penetration capactiy.

A nonlinear regression analysis was used in order to fit a logistic model to 200 runs of human ejaculated spermatozoa penetrating cervical mucus of good quality. The data revealed excellent correlation between the number of sperm penetrating (sigma penetration, SP) and the motility (r = 0.776) and vitality (r = 0.534) of the spermatozoa. The percentage of abnormal spermatozoa found in the ejaculate was negatively correlated (r = -0.649), while sperm concentration showed a poor correlation with SP (r = 0.327). Furthermore, concentration was shown to have no effect in samples containing over 5 million sperm/ml. The conclusion of this study is that the two major parameters of sperm quality determining the capacity of spermatozoa to penetrate cervical mucus are motility and the presence of normal forms of spermatozoa.

Cell Survival↗
PubMed1978

Effect of caffeine on sperm penetration rate into cervical mucus in-vitro.

A system for determination of sperm penetration into cervical mucus in a glass capillary tube is described. Repeated counts are made of the number of sperm at fixed horizontal distances from the semen reservoir. The yields indices for total numbers of spermatozoa entering the mucus per unit time and the rate migration of the sperm through the mucus. It was found that the rate of entry was sensitive to changes in motility such as those induced by caffeine, and differences in cervical mucus quality. The system allowed quantitation of these differences.

Caffeine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quantitative determination of the major saponin mixture bacoside A in Bacopa monnieri by HPLC.

Bacoside A, the putative bioactive component of the Indian medicinal plant Bacopa monnieri, was found to be a mixture of saponins with bacoside A3 (1), bacopaside II (2), jujubogenin isomer of bacopasaponin C (3) and bacopasaponin C (4) as major constituents. An HPLC method together with an optimised extraction procedure was developed for the estimation of 1-4 in B. monnieri to enable standardisation of the latter. Concentration ranges of the analytes in samples of B. monnieri collected from different regions of India were 0.14-0.85% (w/w) (1), 0.12-0.69% (2), 0.05-0.72% (3) and 0.05-0.44% (4). The importance of using bacoside A, with known concentrations of 1-4, as a reference standard for the routine analysis of B. monnieri is highlighted. Two common flavonoids, luteolin and apigenin, were present in all samples of B. monnieri.

Bacopa↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Excess expression of uterine ribosomal protein genes P2 and S25 during the "implantation window" in the rat.

OBJECTIVE: The present study describes the isolation of "implantation-related" uterine cDNA clones. It further describes their temporal and spatial expression and their identification as the messengers for two ribosomal proteins: RP2 and RS25. METHODS: Libraries of cDNA, representing spayed rats treated with progesterone for 3 consecutive days and with estrogen for either 12 or 36 hours, were screened using homologous and heterologous probes. Two cDNA clones showing differential intensity of the signal were sequenced, the timing of their expression was analyzed by Northern analysis, and their spatial expression was visualized by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: The steady-state level of RP2 mRNA was temporally and spatially controlled by estrogen and progesterone. Whereas estrogen, alone or in combination with progesterone, stimulated this gene, the spatial distribution of the activation was different. Estradiol alone directed RP2 expression to the endometrial-myometrial border, whereas combined treatment increased epithelial staining and directed heavy expression to the stratum vasculare. In normal pregnancy, during the implantation-window period, RP2 was mainly expressed on the mesometrial side, with much less staining on the antimesometrial side. The steady-state levels of the RS25 messenger were elevated by estrogen alone or in combination with progesterone and were confined to the uterine epithelium. RS25 mRNA was evenly distributed throughout the uterine stroma during implantation. CONCLUSION: A developmental pattern of expression of RP2 is reported that corresponds temporally with the primary decidual response but is spatially expressed at the site of the secondary response.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Primary choriocarcinoma of the vulva.

Primary extrauterine choriocarcinoma is very rare, found mostly in the genital tract (tube, cervix, ovary, vagina). Other sites such as lungs, gastrointestinal tract, heart, brain and submentum also have been reported. A 31-year-old woman presented with abnormal uterine bleeding 6 weeks after her last menstrual cycle. Her HCG titer level was 900 mIu/ml. She underwent dilation and curettage (D & C). Pathology failed to reveal any chorionic villi. Further evaluation was done, including a second D & C, laparoscopy, exploratory laparotomy, CT, MRI and ultrasound which all failed to define a source for the elevated HCG titer which subsequently rose to 95,000 mIu/ml 130 days after her last menstrual cycle. At that time a vulvar mass was observed. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) was positive for choriocarcinoma. The patient was treated with one course of methotrexate 60 mg intramuscularly every other day for 5 days. Actinomycin-D 0.5 mg given intravenously daily for 5 days was added to courses 2-7. Radiotherapy (4000 rads) was applied concomitant with the chemotherapy. The remainder of the mass was subsequently excised. The patient has remained with no evidence of disease for 10 years. This is the first case report of primary vulvar choriocarcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Concurrent primaries of vaginal clear cell adenocarcinoma and endometrial adenocarcinoma in a 39-year old woman with in utero diethylstilbestrol exposure.

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) was used widely in the late 1940s in an attempt to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes. In 1971 the US Food and Drug Administration proscribed its use for pregnancy support secondary to its association with clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina. Several studies in animal models demonstrated an association with endometrial cancer among offspring following in utero DES exposure. To date, there is only one case report of endometrial cancer in women exposed to DES in utero. We present the first case, to our knowledge, of a woman exposed to DES in utero who presented with double primaries of clear cell cancer of the vagina concomitant with endometrial cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Extensive subcutaneous metastases from squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix in patient with HIV.

Advanced human immunodeficiency viral disease is associated with a high prevalence of cervical squamous intraepithelial and invasive lesions and probably with a rapidly progressive course of disease. Metastases to the skin occur rarely in cervical cancer, even in terminal stage of the disease. A patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) for 14 years was diagnosed with squamous cell cancer of the cervix, Stage I-B2 in June 1997. She underwent successful radiotherapy. She then presented in January 1999 with recurrence evidenced by extensive subcutaneous nodules and multiple metastases. The patient developed rapidly progressive disease and died within two months. Patients with HIV and cervical cancer may present with a more aggressive course of disease. Aggressive treatment and closer follow-up may be indicated.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Probability of sperm detection in nonobstructive azoospermic men undergoing testicular sperm extraction procedures unrelated to clinical parameters.

The study was conducted to evaluate the significance of preoperative clinical parameters for detection of mature testicular sperm cells in nonobstructive azoospermic men. Sixty-five consecutive men with nonobstructive azoospermia underwent testicular sperm extraction procedures. Testicular samples were analyzed histologically with patterns classified as mature spermatogenesis (normal or partial), arrest of spermatogenesis, and Sertoli cell only. Testicular sperm cells were isolated for use in an IVF/ICSI program. Histologic patterns and detection rate of sperm cells were correlated to clinical characteristics. Mature sperm cells were found in all levels of serum FSH. The men were divided into 3 groups based on their clinical characteristics (serum FSH level and testicular size). The distribution of the different testicular histologic patterns, as well as detection rate of sperm cells, was similar in all groups. No correlation was found between serum levels of FSH, LH, prolactin, or testosterone and sperm presence. None of these parameters, nor the testicular size and consistency, can serve as predictive variables of the histological pattern or the presence of mature sperm cells in the testicular biopsies in cases of nonobstructive azoospermia. Until an effective predictive tool is available, a trial of sperm retrieval is recommended for all azoospermic men independent of their clinical characteristics.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The interrelationship between coping strategies and sexual functioning in in vitro fertilization patients.

This study examined the correlation between various coping strategies and sexual functioning and the likelihood of conception from in vitro fertilization (IVF). Self-reported questionnaires were distributed randomly among the 102 women enrolled in an IVF program, 96 of whom were recruited. Of the studied parameters, positive reinterpretation, and growth, and active coping strategies were found to be positively associated with sexual functioning, while there was a significantly (p < .05) adverse influence of planning and self-restraint. Being sexually active during the IVF-treatment period was found to be positively associated (p < .05) with the likelihood of conception and with adaptive coping strategies.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Separation of sperm cells by sedimentation technique is not suitable for in vitro fertilization purposes.

Two methods of sperm preparation for in vitro fertilization were compared: the swim-up technique vs. the migration-sedimentation technique. The study comprised fresh semen samples obtained from 25 couples treated in the In Vitro Fertilization Unit. Oocytes aspirated in a single cycle were divided into two groups, each inseminated by sperm prepared by one of these techniques. Motility, degree of motility, and normal morphology were improved by both methods. The improvement was greater when the migration-sedimentation technique was applied. However, fertilization rate was significantly higher after the swim-up technique. In order to clarify this contradiction, an additional group of 26 semen samples was divided and then prepared by the swim-up or migration-sedimentation techniques. Sperm quality was examined up to 72 h after separation. Compared with the swim-up technique, sperm characteristics were better after separation by the migration-sedimentation technique. However, this difference abated after 24 h. The better results of the swim-up technique in the "survival experiment' may explain its improved performance in in vitro fertilization, despite lower separation capacity. Thus, the migration-sedimentation technique is not recommended for sperm preparation in in vitro fertilization.

Cell Separation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Correlation between sperm penetration into the human zona pellucida and in vitro fertilization rates.

Sperm penetration into the zona pellucida of unfertilized oocytes, and its correlation with in vitro fertilization rates of the sibling oocytes, were assessed. This was performed in order to evaluate the prediction rate of the sperm penetration test into the zona pellucida. Unfertilized oocytes (n = 1872) from 371 cycles were pipetted through a microcapillary, and the remaining sperm cells penetrating the zona pellucida were counted. The mean (+/- SD) number of spermatozoa that penetrated the zona pellucida of unfertilized oocytes was 12.9 +/- 16.37. A significant correlation was found between the fertilization rate and the mean number of spermatozoa that penetrated into the zona pellucida of the unfertilized sibling oocytes (r = 0.48; P < 0.001), or the percent of unpenetrated zonae pellucidae in a cohort (r = -0.43; P < 0.001). However, a distinct variation in the number of spermatozoa that penetrated into the zona pellucida was detected. A step-wise regression analysis proved the number of spermatozoa penetrating the zona pellucida to be more predictive for fertilization rates than the variable of percent of unpenetrated zonae pellucidae. The results imply that although there is interdependence between penetration into the zona pellucida and fertilization rate, the predictive value of sperm penetration test for prognosis and future management after the first in vitro fertilization attempt, is limited.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of sperm preparation with TEST yolk buffer on sperm-binding capacity under hemizona assay conditions.

The study was conducted to evaluate the diverse effect and clinical significance of TEST yolk buffer treatment on sperm samples of 128 infertile men. Sperm samples were incubated with TEST yolk buffer and control medium (Ham's F-10) at room temperature for 2 h. The hemizona indices (mean +/- SE) of the TEST yolk buffer and medium-treated sperm samples were 29 +/- 2.3% and 22 +/- 1.6%, respectively. Inspection of the individual response of each sperm sample to TEST yolk buffer revealed that 63 samples (49%) improved (double the interassay variation = 28%) their binding to zona pellucida, 36 (28%) remained unchanged, whereas the binding capacity of 29 samples (23%) decreased. Furthermore, TEST yolk buffer treatment of 24 samples (19%) resulted in an increased binding beyond the hemizona index threshold set up at 23%. This level was previously shown to be the cut-off point between fertile and infertile sperm samples. It was concluded that when applied to an unselected group of infertile men, TEST yolk buffer significantly increased sperm binding capacity to the zona pellucida. However, only 19% of the sperm samples showed improvement with clinical significance. The other sperm samples may have improved, remained unchanged or even deteriorated independently on basic sperm variables. Thus, the effect of TEST yolk buffer treatment on sperm binding should be tested prior to its clinical use to avoid possible damage to certain sperm samples.

Buffers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The possible association between in vitro fertilization treatments and cancer development.

The objective of this paper is to assess whether ovarian hyperstimulation and in vitro fertilization (IVF) are associated with increased risk of cancer development, using an historical cohort analysis of infertile women who attended the IVF unit, Lis Maternity Hospital Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. One thousand and 82 women participated in the IVF treatment program between 1984 and 1992. Cancer incidence rates were determined through the National Cancer Registry and were compared to the expected rates with respect to appropriate age and continent of birth. Twenty-one cases of cancer were observed as compared to 11 that were expected (SIR 1.91; 95% CI 1.18-2.91). When cancer cases that were diagnosed within one year of the IVF treatment were excluded from the analysis (SIR = 1.46; 95% CI 0.83-2.36), no significant excess risk of cancer was noted. We conclude that in this cohort of infertile women, the higher than expected cancer rate could not be attributed to IVF treatments. Special attention should be made to women who may be diagnosed with cancer during or shortly after IVF treatment.

Adult↗