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Biomedical subjects

D Boucher

Publications and source records attributed to D Boucher.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

[Digitized intravenous angiography in Takayasu's disease. Apropos of 44 cases].

Forty-four patients with Takayasu's disease were investigated by digitised intravenous angiography (DIVA) during a diagnostic and pretherapeutic work up (N = 29) or at surgery (N = 15); the aim of this retrospective study was to assess the role of DIVA in the investigation of this condition. The patients were 36 women, 6 men and 2 children; the average age was 31 years. The intravenous injections were performed in a central vein in 74% and in a peripheral vein in 26% of patients; the average amount of contrast medium injected was 140 ml per investigation (32 g of iodine %). Depending on the site of the lesions, the distribution of the 43 successfully investigated patients was as follows: Type I: 13 (20%), Type II: 6 (14%), Type III: 12 (28%), Type IV: 12 (28%). In the group of patients managed medically (N = 14) no other angiographic investigations were considered. In the group with an indication for surgery or percutaneous angioplasty (N = 15), the procedure was carried out without further angiography in 13 cases; in 2 patients the imaging of the distral vessels was inadequate and complementary angiography was required. All postoperative controls (N = 15) but one were satisfactory. These results show that DIVA is sufficiently reliable for it to be considered as an investigation of first intent in patients with suspected Takayasu's disease. The investigation is well tolerated and can be repeated when necessary to determine the optimal time for surgery. Arterial angiography should seem only to be indicated when the venous approach has failed, which was rare in this series.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Monoclonal antibodies to lampbrush chromosome antigens of Pleurodeles waltlii.

Germinal vesicles of oocytes from Pleurodeles waltlii were used for immunization of BALB/c mice to obtain hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies. The hybridomas were screened for reactivity of their antibodies against lampbrush chromosomes of oocytes, as revealed by indirect immunostaining. Antibodies labelling the lampbrush chromosomes were also tested on histological sections of oocytes, embryos, and larvae of Pleurodeles. Characterization of the antigens was accomplished through immunoblotting of two-dimensional electrophoretic gels of germinal vesicle proteins. The ten monoclonal antibodies giving a positive reaction were classed into five groups. Group 1, exemplified by antibody A33, recognizes all the lampbrush chromosome transcribing sites (loops). Moreover, it differentially labels the cell nuclei during embryonic and larval development. Group 2, antibody B71, also stains all the loops of the lampbrush chromosomes, but does not react with cell nuclei of embryos and larvae. Group 3, antibody A1, labels specific loops, some of which are heterozygous in the strain of P. waltlii used. These heterozygosities have allowed us to localize and to characterize a chromosomal segment on bivalent IV which is heteromorphic in the two partners of the bivalent. We suggest that this heteromorphism represents a morphological distinction between Z and W heterochromosomes. Moreover, this antibody reacts with only one transcription unit along a loop that contains several units. Group 4, antibody B24, stains the only two structures in the lampbrush chromosomes of P. waltlii that do not have a loop organization, the mass "M" and the spheres. Group 5, antibody A35, reacts with the chromomeres. The antigens corresponding to antibodies A33 and B24 have been identified as proteins, which have apparent molecular weights of 80 and 104 kilodaltons, respectively. They correspond to proteins abundant in the germinal vesicles. All the antibodies described here cross-react with the lampbrush chromosomes of five other species of Urodeles.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Ultrasonic demonstration of porto-caval anastomosis in portal hypertension in children.

Seventy-one children with portal hypertension and a portocaval anastomosis were studied by ultrasound. The patency of the shunt may be inferred when it directly visualised. There are four indirect signs of patency: (1) decrease of the thickness of the lesser omentum; (2) decrease of the gastro-oesophageal collaterals; (3) decrease of the portal vein size; and (4) increase of the diameter of the inferior vena cava, as compared to pre-operative ultrasound.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Effects of endurance training on the androgenic response to exercise in man.

Six healthy subjects, aged 35.8 +/- 4.4 years, volunteered to participate in a 40-week training program on a bicycle ergometer [three 60-min sessions per week at 80%-85% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max)]. Before training and at the 10th, 20th, 30th, and 40th weeks of the training program, plasma testosterone, cortisol, and androstenedione concentrations were measured at rest (t0) and at the end (t60) of a 1-h endurance exercise requiring 85%-90% of VO2 max. Training resulted in significant increases of anaerobic threshold (12.6%) and VO2 max (7.3%). The training program did not significantly alter the resting values of plasma testosterone, androstenedione, and cortisol; in contrast, the exercise responses (delta = t60-t0) of testosterone, androstenedione, and cortisol were increased. The highest amplitude of these responses was reached at the 30th week for cortisol and androstenedione and at the 40th for testosterone. These results suggest that long-term training enhances both testicular adrenal and responses to endurance exercise. The possible role of hormonal changes in the mobilization of energy substrates during exercise is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Seminal biochemistry and sperm characteristics in infertile men with bacteria in ejaculate.

Sperm examination, quantitative sperm culture, citric acid, acid phosphatase, and fructose were assayed in three groups of men: fertile controls without significant bacteriospermia (group I), infertile men with significant bacteriospermia; idiopathic infertile men (group II), and infertile men with varicocele (group III). Level of significance of bacteriospermia was greater than or equal to 10(4) germs/ml of ejaculate. In group II, motility and typical morphology percentages were lower, independently of the degree and the nature of bacteriospermia. Incidence of pathogenic bacteria was higher than in group III and linked to the degree of bacteriospermia. Fructose was unaltered in the two groups of infected men. No modification of prostatic markers was observed in any groups, except in group II, where they decreased when bacteriospermia was lower than 10(5) germs/ml and when biological pattern of semen evoked chronic prostatitis. Thus, the presence of germs in ejaculate alters the motility and the typical morphology percentages but does not result in any obvious modifications of biochemical markers of prostate and seminal vesicles. For idiopathic infertile men, it is suggested that the quantitative criterion of pathogenic bacteriospermia is a germ count greater than or equal to 10(5)/ml.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1984

Fibronectin synthesis during oogenesis and early development of the amphibian Pleurodeles waltlii.

Fibronectin (FN) synthesis during oogenesis and early embryogenesis of the amphibian Pleurodeles waltlii was investigated. The isotopically labelled amino acids [3H]leucine and [35S]methionine were incubated with oocytes or microinjected into embryos. Newly synthesized FN was analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, using the high resolution two-dimensional gel system described by O'Farrell. With this method and fluorography we demonstrate that FN synthesis begins during oogenesis. De novo synthesized FN appears during cleavage and gastrulation. Using actinomycin D we show the presence of maternal messenger RNA coding for FN. It is translated during the cleavage and gastrulation stages.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Lack of melatonin action on testosterone production by superfused rat interstitial cells.

The direct effect of increasing doses of melatonin (10(-8) to 10(-5) M) on testosterone production by superfused rat interstitial cells was studied. A constant basal testosterone output was observed for approximately 3 h after the initial high release. A continuous hypothalamo-pituitary stimulation induced a rapid testosterone response reaching peak values in 40-60 min, then decreasing progressively. Basal testosterone release was not modified by 20 or 140 min melatonin infusions. Furthermore, melatonin induced no alteration of the stimulative testosterone response when directly infusing the cells. This study demonstrates that melatonin in vitro has no direct effect on testosterone production by adult rat interstitial cells. It would seem, therefore, that the well known inhibitory influence of melatonin on rat reproductive function is not produced by a direct effect on Leydig cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Effects of bromocriptine on pituitary-testicular function in the rat: possible inhibition of in vitro production of androgen by Leydig cells.

The effect of bromocriptine (BR) on pituitary-testicular function has been investigated in vivo and in vitro in adult male rats. Testosterone production in vitro by collagenase- dispersed Leydig cells from 84-day-old rats was evaluated in the presence and absence of hCG and/or different doses of BR. In the presence of 1.5 X 10(-5) M BR, both basal and hCG-stimulated testosterone production were decreased whereas at lower doses BR was ineffective. In vivo 60-day-old rats were injected sc with BR (150 micrograms/rat or 750 micrograms/rat twice daily) or vehicle for 24 days. This treatment reduced the plasma level and pituitary content of prolactin, slightly increased the plasma levels of LH and FSH but did not affect pituitary gonadotrophin content. Irrespective of the dose of BR injected, plasma levels of androgen did not change, but with the large dose of BR a decrease in testicular content of testosterone (P = 0.05) was observed. In the same animals the number of LH/hCG receptors was significantly reduced, and the sensitivity of the isolated Leydig cells to hCG stimulation in vitro was reduced; however, both the basal secretion and the maximum testosterone response to hCG were unaffected. These results show impairment of pituitary-testicular function in BR-treated rats, either as a result of BR-induced hypoprolactinaemia or as a consequence of direct effects of BR on the Leydig cells.

Androgens↗
PubMed1982

[Pituitary-gonadal function in male diabetic patients (author's transl)].

Pituitary-gonadal function was studied in 50 male diabetic patients under 53 years of age. Forty-three had normal sexual activity and 7 were impotent. Plasma testosterone levels and urinary 17 ketosteroids, androsterone and dehydroepiandosterone levels were measured. LH and FSH levels before and after LHRH, and prolactin levels before and after TRH were also measured in plasma. No significant changes in pituitary-gonadal function were detected, irrespective of the patient's sexual activity. Neither the type and degree of control of diabetes nor the presence of absence of microangiopathy had any influence on the results. Basal LH and FSH levels were slightly higher in older patients. Prolactin levels after TRH were significantly higher in the later stages of the test in patients with microangiopathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Testicular receptors of human chorionic gonadotrophin in adult men. Binding and degradation of the hormone.

Binding and degradation of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) to testicular tissue obtained by biopsy from 9 men with gonadal disorders were investigated. Vacant hCG receptors were assayed in partially purified testicular homogenates using [125I]hCG (radioiodinated with chloramine T). Degradation of [125I]hCG during exposure to human testicular preparations was measured in terms of the ability of supernatants to specifically bind to rat testicular receptors. Binding of [125]hCG was time and temperature dependent. At 37 degrees C, a maximum was reached at 8 h. It was also found to be a saturable process with respect to homogenate and hormone concentrations. Association constants and number of binding sites determined in 9 men, using Scatchard plot and saturation curve analysis ranged, respectively, from 0.2 to 1.8 x 10(10) M-1 and from 92 to 3427 fmol/g testis or 7 to 380 fmol/mg protein. Degradation of [125I]hCG increased with temperature and time of exposure to human testicular homogenate. It increased also with increasing human testicular homogenate concentration and substrate concentrations. For a similar concentration of [125I]hCG, per cent of degraded hormone ranged from 32 to 57, according to the subjects. These results show that human testicular homogenates are capable of binding and degrading hCG in vitro. Biological and physiological implications of degradation for hormone binding are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Pituitary-gonadal axis in sterile male mice heterozygous for autosomal reciprocal translocation T145H.

Male mice heterozygous for the reciprocal autosomal translocation T(7,19)145H (T145H/+) were completely sterile, Spermatogenesis was arrested at some stage during the first meiotic division. The pituitary-gonadal axes of these mice were compared with those of normal male littermates (+/+) at 63 days of age. Testis and epididymis weights were significantly lower than in normal males, but no deficiencies in circulating FSH were observed despite drastic loss of germinal cells, suggesting that spermatids were not involved in the feed-back control of FSH (T145H/+, 2155 +/- 64 ng/ml; +/+, 1830 +/- 94 ng/ml; mean +/) s.e.m.). Androgen activity in T145H/+ males seemed normal judging by weights of androgen target tissues (prostate, seminal vesicles), serum LH and testosterone levels (T145H/+ : LH = 132 +/- 19 ng/ml, testosterone = 5.5 +/- 2.8 ng/ml; +/+ : LH = 127 +/- 22 ng/ml, testosterone = 7.4 +/- 2.7 ng/ml). These results indicate that the translocation in the heterozygous state does not modify control of FSH secretion or the LH-interstitial cell axis.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

[Inhibition of prolactin secretion and androgenic function in the adult male rat].

The effects of bromocriptine induced hypoprolactinemia on the testicular function were studied in adult rats. Bromocriptine treatment (1500 micrograms/day for 24 days) reduced serum and pituitary Prolactin levels, indicating a decrease in prolactin secretion and synthesis. No change in reproductive organ weights was seen in treated animals. Hypoprolactinemia had no effect on plasma testosterone or androstenedione levels and testicular androstenedione content, but decreased significantly testicular testosterone content. These findings indicated that experimental hypoprolactinemia induced a decrease in testicular testosterone content without affecting androgens levels.

Androgens↗
PubMed1982

[Testicular functions in mice bearing an autosomal translocation (T 145H)].

In the mouse, the autosomal reciprocal translocation T (7; 19) 145 H caused complete male sterility. The spermatogenesis was arrested at prophase or early metaphase I stages during the first meiotic division. The exocrine and endocrine testicular functions of azoospermic males (T 145 H/+) were compared with those of normal male littermates (+/+) at 63 days of age. Testis and epididymis weights in T 145 H/+ were significantly lower than those in +/+. By histological examination, the interstitial cells appeared preponderant but this was probably illusory due to the decrease in seminiferous tubular size and diminished testicular size. Moreover, androgen activity in T 145 H/+ seemed normal judging by weights of androgen target tissues (prostate, seminal vesicles), and plasma testosterone level.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

[Validity of radioimmunoassay for blood and pituitary prolactin in the male rat. Effect of bromocriptine and thyrotropin-releasing hormone].

Validity of a radioimmunoassay for rat prolactin (PRL) in serum and pituitary is analysed in adult male rats. Data are presented bearing on the accuracy, precision and sensitivity of the method. Serum levels and pituitary content are respectively ranged from 2.56 to 28.03 ng PRL RP2 ml-1 and from 7.36 to 21.44 microgram PRL RP2 per gland in intact animals. Treatment with bromocriptine (10 days) results in a decrease of serum PRL levels and pituitary PRL contents. In progesterone-estradiol benzoate pretreated rats, serum PRL levels are increased 20 min after the injection of TRH.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Effect of foetal pinealectomy on the pituitary gonadal axis in male rats.

Pinealectomy was performed on rat foetuses aged 16.5 days +/- 8 h. Sham-pinealectomized animals were bred under the same conditions. Animals were killed when 50 or 64-days old. Plasma LH response to Gn-RH (100 ng via carotid artery) was studied in undisturbed adult male rats. 1. Body weight at birth was higher in pinealectomized rats than in sham-pinealectomized animals but, in 50 or 64-day-old body weights were not different. 2. In 50-day-old pinealectomized rats, absolute weights of testis and epididymis were higher than in sham-pinealectomized animals. When organ weights were compared to body weight by analysis of covariance, only the epididymis weight was enhanced by pinealectomy. 3. In 64-day-old animals, foetal pinealectomy did not increase reproductive organ weights. In contrast, prostate weight was decreased after pineal removal. 4. Plasma and pituitary gonadotropins were not modified by foetal pinealectomy. In undisturbed adult male rats, the plasma LH response to Gn-RH administration was identical in pinealectomized rats and in sham-pinealectomized animals. These findings may suggest an inhibitory effect of the pineal and foetal growth, but foetal pinealectomy exerts no gonadal stimulation in the adult male rats.

Animals↗