An attempt has been made to assess the pituitary response to the nasal application of synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in three oligospermic and two azoospermic men. Intranasal administration of 3 mg of GnRH in aqueous or natural plant gum solution produced a pituitary response pattern similar to that produced by the intramuscular injection of 100 microng, with respect to plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). No technical difficulties or side effects were observed. GnRH in a nasal drop preparation seems to be effective in releasing LH and FSH in men. These findings may have a practical application in those cases where long-term therapy with the hormone is indicated.

Administration, Intranasal↗

PubMed1977

Thyroxine concentration in human milk.

Thyroxine (T4) concentrations were measured by RIA in 37 milk samples from 19 healthy eutryroid mothers, obtained between 3-165 days postpartum. The mean milk T4 concentration in the first week postpartum was 0.38 +/- 0.07 microgram/100 ml (mean +/- SEM). The mean T4 concentrations between 8 and 48 days rose to 4.27 +/- 0.50 microgram/100 ml (mean +/- SEM), and decreased to 1.11 +/- 0.25 microgram/100 ml (mean +/- SEM) after 50 days postpartum. The data suggest that human milk can provide a significant exogenous source of T4 to the infant. In the hypothyroid infant, the amount of T4 in human milk may delay clinical recognition of the disease. Although this exogenous source of T4 may alleviate the disease, it is insufficient to prevent the detrimetal effects of hypothyroidism.

Female↗

PubMed1977

The effects of testosterone and its 5alpha-reduced metabolites on pituitary responsiveness to gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH).

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of androgens on gonadotrophin release in response to gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) stimulation in vitro. Hemipituitaries of mature male rats were pre-incubated for 90 min with T, DHT, 3alpha- or 3beta-diol (4 ng or 4 microgram/ml medium), and the incubation continued for 240 min after adding Gn-RH (1 ng/ml medium). Gn-RH caused a 4-5-fold rise in the secretion of LH and a 2-fold rise in FSH secretion. The effect of the androgens was dose-dependent. At low levels, T and DHT exerted no effect on Gn-RH-stimulated gonadotrophin release, whereas the two androstanediols (3alpha- and 3beta-diol) augmented the Gn-RH stimulation of both gonadotrophins, though preferentially LH. With high doses of androgens, the results obtained showed: a) no effect of T; b) DHT suppression of the Gn-RH-stimulated FSH release; c) suppression of Gn-RH stimulation by 3alpha- and 3beta-diol regarding both LH and FSH. It is concluded that T exerts through its reduced metabolites a feedback effect on the pituitary gland responsiveness to Gn-RH stimulation.

Androstane-3,17-diol↗

PubMed1977

Stilbestrol administration in the puerperium and its effect on the prolactin excretion of non-lactacting patients.

The relationship between stilbestrol treatment and placebo treatment was studied in 2 groups of non-nursing patients. Plasma prolactin levels were evaluated in these 2 groups on day 1, 3 and 7 of the treatment, by a radioimmunoassay technique with the double antibody method using Serono hPRL kit. Our results show that prolactin values increased significantly in the stilbestrol-group and decreased in the placebo group. It seems that the main reason for "the drying up of milk" is the lack of stimulation of the nipples, which after a releatively constant time of 5--10 days will lead to decreased prolactin levels. Stilbestrol treatment is not effective in "drying up" the milk more rapidly in patients who do not want to nurse. When patients have symptoms a combination of analgesia and breast support usually brings relief within 24 to 48 hours.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

PubMed1977

Paper chromatographic estimation of fructose and myo-inositol in human seminal fluid: a method for evaluating seminal vesicle and prostatic function.

A semiquantitative paper chromatographic method for the separation of myo-inositol and fructose in human seminal fluid was described. The intensity of the chromatographic zones characteristic of myo-inositol, which is a marker for human prostatic secretion and for fructose, which is useful in evaluating seminal vesicle function, were estimated after staining with an alkaline silver nitrate reagent. Characteristic patterns were found for patients with prostatic or vesicular dysfunction, and for patients with agenesis or blockage of the vas deferens. Paper chromatographic analysis of split ejaculate samples allowed evaluation of the sequence of ejaculation of the prostate and seminal vesicles.

Chromatography, Paper↗

PubMed1977

Classification of anovulatory patients using GnRH.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Amenorrhea↗

PubMed1977

Beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol in the treatment of steroid-dependent chronic bronchial asthma in adults.

15 adult chronic asthmatic patients who were on daily maintenance dose of oral steroid for at least 6 months were studied. Following an investigation period of 2 weeks, the patients were started on BDA, 100 microgram four times daily. The daily oral steroid dose, which averaged 12 mg of prednisone or its equivalent, was gradually reduced by about 1 mg per day. The trial lasted 8 weeks, at the end of which, ten patients were as good or better on BDA than on oral steroids. Two patients had to return to oral corticosteroid therapy before the trial ended and three patients were unable to discontinue their oral steroid treatment. The lack of systemic effects of BDA was demonstrated by the appearance of symptoms which were apparently previously suppressed by the oral steroids and the excretion of normal amounts of 17-OHCS in the urine in some to the patients who had evidence of adrenal suppression while on oral steroids.

17-Ketosteroids↗

PubMed1976

Epididymis and seminal vesicle as sources of carnitine in human seminal fluid: the clinical significance of the carnitine concentration in human seminal fluid.

Carnitine determinations in human seminal fluid were shown to be useful in assessing epididymal and seminal vesicle function and in locating blockages in the male reproductive tract. The carnitine concentrations in 50 samples of seminal fluid ranged from 15 to 530 mug/ml (as carnitine-HCl). The patients could be divided into four classes. Patients with normal seminal vesicle and epididymal function had values of 250 mug/ml or above. Those with a defective epididymis and a functional seminal vesicle had intermediate carnitine levels (100 to 200 mug/ml) and normal fructose values in the seminal fluid. Patients with a defective seminal vesicle but a functional epididymis had intermediate carnitine concentrations and low fructose levels. Extremely low carnitine values (less than 100 mug/ml) were found in seminal fluid from patients whose epididymis and seminal vesicle both were defective. The possible role of carnitine in sperm maturation was discussed.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMed1976

Histochemical demonstration of delta5-3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in ovaries of intact infant mice and mice treated with anti-rat gonadotropin.

The localization of delta5-3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was demonstrated histochemically in the neonatal mouse ovary. Histochemical studies were also undertaken in an attempt to investigate the effects of gonadotropic deprivation from birth to age 7 or 14 days on the distribution of enzymatic activity. Between birth and the age of 2 weeks, delta5-3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was observed in virtually all follicles. In the newborn mouse ovary, the activity was found in granulosa cells of follicles developing in the center of the organ. On the 14th day, the granulosa cells of some apparently normal follicles histochemically were relatively inert, while others, obviously atretic, demonstrated extensive, localized, diformazan granules. Deprivation of endogenous circulating gonadotropin by daily injections of anti-rat gonadotropin had specific effects on follicular development and histochemical patterns in animals deprived of gonadotropins for 14 days but not for only 7 days.

Animals↗

PubMed1976

Retrograde ejaculation: pathophysiologic aspects and report of two successfully treated cases.

The ejaculatory process consists of two stages. During the first stage the semen is pumped into the posterior urethra and during the second stage the semen is propelled via the urethra through the external meatus. A pathologic second stage may lead to retrograde ejaculation of the semen into the urinary bladder. Attempts to achieve fertility in such patients can be made in two ways; namely through procedures to restore antegrade ejaculation (mainly using alpha-sympathomimetic agents) and procedures to regain viable and fertile sperm from the urinary bladder after sexual intercourse, with subsequent artificial insemination. The latter way of treatment was used in two patients who were referred for infertility and in whom retrograde ejaculation had been diagnosed. Postcoital urinary specimens were obtained by micturition and centrifuged. In one patient the sediment was washed with a nutrient solution; the other patient received alkalizing agents prior to intercourse in order to neutralize the urinary pH. The wives were inseminated on appropriate days and conceived. Both delivered healthy babies after uneventful pregnancies.

Adult↗

PubMed1976

Varicocle in oligospermic patients: pathophysiology and results after ligation and division of the internal spermatic vein.

We have followed for up to 32 months 51 oligospermic patients with varicoceles who underwent high ligation and division of the left spermatic vein. Of these patients 59.9 per cent had improvement in total sperm count, 47.1 per cent in sperm motility and 42.1 per cent in the morphological pattern of the spermatozoa. Pregnancies were reported by 13 patients. Improvement in sperm motility occurred first, followed by improvement in morphology. The last improvement was in total sperm count. We suggest that the observation period after a varicocele operation be restricted to 9 months, in which time about 75 per cent of the expected improvement takes place. A clinical classification for the degree of varicocele is proposed. No correlation between size of the varicocele and treatment results could be observed. A classification of sperm analysis is proposed, using a 3-digital index that might enable better comparison of sperm analysis and better communication among physicians. We could not define a specific group of oligospermic patients who might benefit more than other groups from a varicocele operation. Pathophysiological pathways leading to impaired spermatogenesis in patients with varicoceles are discussed.

Fertility↗

PubMed1976

The hypothalamus as a regulator of reproductive function.

In this review of the role of the hypothalamus as a regulator of reproductive function we have presented a short history of the important anatomical and physiological findings, the structure and properties of gonadotrophin releasing hormone and its function and mode of action in the reproductive process. The latest clinical studies have been presented and we have discussed the therapeutic and diagnostic applications of GnRH. Although the progress in the last few years has been relatively enormous, research on the physiological and clinical implications of these discoveries has probably only now reached its peak and it was thus felt that the time was ripe to write this summary.

Animals↗