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Biomedical subjects

E Kemmann

Publications and source records attributed to E Kemmann.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Home urinary luteinizing hormone immunoassays: clinical applications.

Home ovulation prediction kits represent a valuable advance in monoclonal antibody technology and offer patients a quick, reliable, and relatively inexpensive means to predict the day of ovulation. These kits are used widely by patients trying to conceive and are commonly recommended by physicians involved in the care of infertile couples. They provide a more accurate and practical means to prospectively predict the time of ovulation than do BBT graphs or cervical mucus exams, and can be used as presumptive evidence of ovulation. Whereas ovulation prediction kits appear to be most useful for couples in timing sexual intercourse, other possible uses exist, including timing of AI, the PCT, and the endometrial biopsy for luteal phase evaluation. Despite multiple potential applications, clinical studies which support the use of urinary LH immunoassays in the evaluation and treatment of the infertile couple are quite limited. More well-designed studies to define the clinical value of ovulation prediction kits need to be undertaken.

Female↗

Risk of a second consecutive first-trimester spontaneous abortion in women who conceive with menotropins.

It is generally recognized that a spontaneous abortion rate of approximately 25% exists in human menopausal gonadotropin/human chorionic gonadotropin (hMG/hCG)-induced pregnancies. Despite this, little is known regarding the prognosis of future menotropin-induced pregnancies in women who abort in their first hMG pregnancy. We retrospectively reviewed the obstetrical outcome of women who achieved two or more menotropin pregnancies between the years 1980 and 1987. Nineteen of 40 patients (48%) whose first hMG pregnancy ended in an early spontaneous abortion went on to abort in a second hMG pregnancy, as compared with only 1 of 15 women (6.7%) whose first hMG pregnancy was successful. Age, parity, weight, height, and plasma estradiol levels at hCG administration did not differ between the two groups. From this data we conclude that women whose first hMG pregnancy results in a spontaneous abortion are at high risk for another spontaneous abortion in a subsequent menotropin conception.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Impact of stress on objectively recorded menopausal hot flushes and on flush report bias.

The hot flush (or flash) is the most widely reported menopausal symptom. Anecdotal reports suggest that women experience more hot flushes when stressed. Although stress may actually trigger hot flushes, another possibility is that women under stress may be more aware of the physiological changes associated with flushes and, therefore, more likely to report them. The goal of this study was to test these hypotheses by investigating the association between stress and both objective (i.e., physiologically recorded) and subjective hot flushes. Twenty-one postmenopausal women who reported having frequent hot flushes each underwent psychophysiological monitoring during stressful and nonstressful laboratory sessions. Significantly more objective flushes were recorded during the stress session than during the nonstress session. The stress manipulation, however, did not affect subjects' propensity to report flushes. These results suggest that the observed association between reported hot flushes and stress is not due to changes in report bias. The physiological mechanisms through which stress may stimulate hot flushes are discussed.

Adult↗

Adnexal torsion in menotropin-induced pregnancies.

Adnexal torsion of enlarged ovaries during early pregnancy is an infrequent but serious complication of menotropin therapy. Over 4 years, we encountered four cases of adnexal torsion among 648 menotropin-induced pregnancies. Multiple gestation may be a predisposing factor. The history of exogenous gonadotropin use, the acute clinical presentation, and the use of pelvic sonography facilitate the diagnosis. Although adnexectomy is well tolerated and pregnancy outcome is acceptable, future efforts should involve identifying preventive measures and more conservative means of therapy in these women.

Adnexal Diseases↗

A prospective study on the lack of development of antisperm antibodies in women undergoing intrauterine insemination.

To test the hypothesis that intrauterine insemination with washed spermatozoa induces antisperm antibody formation, we measured serum antisperm antibody levels by the Immunobead technique in a population of women receiving exogenous gonadotropins. Antibody levels were measured before therapy (baseline) and then serially during subsequent stimulation cycles, for a maximum of six cycles. Twenty-eight patients underwent intrauterine insemination; each patient served as her own control. An additional 25 patients were treated with exogenous gonadotropins but did not undergo intrauterine insemination; they served as external controls. Antisperm antibody levels in women who underwent concomitant intrauterine insemination were compared with levels in those who did not. Of the 53 enrolled patients, 18 completed six treatment cycles, and 35 achieved pregnancy before six cycles. Forty-five patients (85%) had less than 10% Immunobead binding, six (11%) had binding between 10% and 25% (mean 16%, range 14% to 20%), and two had binding greater than 25% (28% and 42%, respectively). Mean binding was similar (less than 10%) in the intrauterine insemination and external control groups. Eighteen patients conceived in the intrauterine insemination group and seventeen in the control group. Of patients who conceived, all but one had less than 10% Immunobead binding at the time of conception (mean 1.6 months). In patients who did not conceive, there was no difference in Immunobead binding between control and intrauterine insemination groups after 6 months of therapy. Our data do not support the hypothesis that serum antisperm antibody levels, as detected by Immunobead binding, will increase in menotropin-stimulated women undergoing intrauterine insemination over a prolonged treatment period.

Adult↗

The relationship of sperm parameters to cycle fecundity in superovulated women undergoing intrauterine insemination.

Semen parameters of raw and prepared (post-swim-up) specimens from 451 cycles of intrauterine insemination (IUI) were analyzed in relation to cycle fecundity in 232 patients undergoing ovarian stimulation with sequential clomiphene citrate/menotropin therapy. Pregnancy occurred in 42 cycles, resulting in an overall pregnancy rate of 17.7%, and a cycle fecundity of 9.3%. Cycle fecundity was positively correlated with the parameters of post-swim-up log sperm density (r = 0.994), and with log total motile sperm inseminated (r = 0.964; inseminates were limited to a maximum of 20 million total motile sperm). Post-swim-up motility did not correlate (r = 0.308) with cycle fecundity; however, most specimens had a motility of greater than 40% post-swim-up. Only one pregnancy occurred when less than 1 million motile sperm were inseminated (38 cycles), which resulted in a cycle fecundity of 2.6% for these cycles. This may represent the threshold of effectiveness for IUI in this setting. Highest cycle fecundity was obtained with an inseminate containing approximately 10 million or more motile sperm. Parameters of raw samples correlated less well with cycle fecundity than did prepared specimens. Analysis of post-swim-up semen parameters can provide useful prognostic information for women undergoing IUI with ovarian stimulation; this information is helpful in counseling patients regarding their chances of success with this therapy.

Adult↗

Exogenous gonadotropin requirements are increased in leuprolide suppressed women undergoing ovarian stimulation.

We used a subcutaneously administered GnRHa for 21 to 26 days prior to menotropin stimulation, to suppress endogenous LH surges in four patients participating in IVF. GnRHa-pretreated cycles were compared with previous menotropin treatment cycles. Endogenous LH surges were successfully suppressed in all patients. Peak E2 levels and ultrasonographic parameters of follicular development were comparable in the two treatment groups. Exogenous gonadotropin requirements were increased 2- to 4-fold in GnRHa pretreated cycles (P less than 0.05). Ovum recovery rates were not improved by adjuvant LA. These studies indicate that there was an increased ovarian requirement for exogenous gonadotropins as a result of GnRHa therapy. It has to be considered that this may be a direct effect of GnRHa upon the ovary. Alternatively, the absence of endogenous pituitary support in GnRHa-treated patients may account for the increased gonadotropin requirement. Finally, it is possible that this effect is indigenous to this select patient population of poor responders to menotropin stimulation, or to a specific effect of subcutaneously (as opposed to intranasally) administered GnRHa on the ovary. Further studies are needed to clarify the extent to which any or all of these postulated mechanisms may be influencing ovarian response to exogenous gonadotropins after subcutaneous GnRHa pretreatment.

Adult↗

Multiple gestation is associated with the use of high sperm numbers in the intrauterine insemination specimen in women undergoing gonadotropin stimulation.

Over a 27-month period, the authors observed 70 pregnancies in 66 women following intrauterine insemination (IUI) in conjunction with human menopausal gonadotropins/human chorionic gonadotropin (hMG/hCG) stimulation. Excluding ectopic pregnancies (n = 3) and spontaneous miscarriages (n = 15) during the first 10 weeks of gestation, 14 of the 52 pregnancies (27%) included multiple fetuses: nine twins, four triplets, and one quadruplet. Analysis of patient characteristics and clinical management, as well as semen characteristics of the conception cycle, revealed a significant correlation between gestation type (multiple versus singleton) and the total number of motile sperm in the IUI inseminate (P less than 0.01, Fisher's exact test). General linear models procedures did not identify additional significant relationships between various combinations of parameters examined and the gestation type. The authors conclude that IUI with high numbers of motile sperm constitutes a risk factor in the genesis of multiple gestation. The risk of multiple gestation rises significantly when the inseminate contains more than 20 million motile sperm.

Adult↗

Unsuccessful in vitro fertilization: a follow-up study.

Results from a follow-up questionnaire completed by 28 women who had unsuccessfully completed one or more trials of in vitro fertilization (IVF) are reported. The mean time lapse since completing IVF was 8.4 months. During that period, 33% of the respondents had applied for adoption and 11% had secured an adoptive child. More than half the respondents had abandoned biological attempts to conceive and 52% felt as though they had "resolved" the infertility crisis. Nevertheless, 93% of the respondents indicated that they would participate in any new reproductive options that would enhance the likelihood of a biological pregnancy! The results and implications of this study are discussed.

Adoption↗

Risk factors for spontaneous abortion in menotropin-treated women.

Women who conceive with human gonadotropins have a high rate of spontaneous abortions. The causes for this poor outcome are unknown. In a retrospective analysis, the authors analyzed potential factors in 45 menotropin-treated patients with spontaneous first-trimester miscarriages. Data were compared with 119 menotropin-treated patients who conceived and delivered viable infants. Patient factors that were analyzed included the following: age, history of past miscarriages, duration of infertility, diagnostic category, weight, body surface area, duration and weight-corrected dose of menotropin administration, maximum estradiol level, estradiol pattern, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) dose, presence or absence of hCG support in the luteal phase, results of postcoital testing, methods of insemination, and results of husband's semen analysis. There was a significant difference between the miscarriage group and the control group in regard to age and weight distribution. All other characteristics were not significantly different. Patients over 81.8 kg as well as patients aged 35 years and older were both significantly (P less than 0.01) at increased risk to have a spontaneous first-trimester miscarriage. The data suggest that obesity and advanced age contribute to the high miscarriage rate in menotropin-treated patients. It appears reasonable to suggest that women weighing more than 81.8 kg should make every effort to lose weight before beginning menotropin therapy.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Active ovulation management increases the monthly probability of pregnancy occurrence in ovulatory women who receive intrauterine insemination.

The authors examined the hypothesis that active ovulation management would increase the monthly probability of pregnancy occurrence (MPO) in ovulatory women who require intrauterine insemination (IUI). All patients were initially treated during spontaneous ovulatory cycles with IUI performed after the detection of an endogenous lutenizing hormone (LH) surge (phase 1). For phase 2, those patients who had not conceived were offered treatment with fertility medication and IUIs were scheduled accordingly. Four of 76 (5.3%) patients conceived during 180 treatment cycles in phase 1; 9 of 44 (20.5%) patients conceived during 105 treatment cycles in phase 2. The average MPO was 0.022 in phase 1, and 0.085 in phase 2: the difference is significant (P less than 0.02). The authors conclude that fertility medication improves MPO in ovulatory women who undergo IUI for certain infertility situations.

Adult↗

A prospective study of intrauterine insemination of processed sperm from men with oligoasthenospermia in superovulated women.

The effectiveness of intrauterine insemination (IUI) was compared with that of intracervical insemination (ICI) in 49 infertile couples, in whom the major cause for infertility was oligoasthenospermia. All women had ovulation stimulated with either a clomiphene citrate (CC)-human gonadotropin combination or human gonadotropins alone. The ovulatory dose of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was given after adequate estradiol levels were reached. The timing of inseminations was standardized--IUI was 28 hours after hCG and ICI was immediately after hCG administration. Only one insemination per month was performed with either IUI or ICI. The first treatment cycle was assigned randomly to be either IUI or ICI, and subsequent inseminations were alternated. A total of 182 cycles were completed, with 96 IUIs and 86 ICIs. Pregnancy occurred in eight patients, seven with IUI (14.3%) and one with ICI (2.0%); the difference is significant at P less than 0.05. The pregnancy rate per treatment cycle was 7.3% versus 1.2% (P less than 0.001). This study supports the use of IUI with processed sperm in the treatment of infertility due to oligoasthenospermia.

Adult↗

Timing and frequency of artificial insemination in women under menotropin therapy.

The timing and frequency of AID were reviewed in 36 women who received menotropin therapy. One hundred thirteen treatment cycles were reviewed with AID done once per cycle in 39, twice per cycle in 63, and three times per cycle in 11 cases. The pregnancy rate was 19.5% per treatment cycle, with 21 of the 36 patients (58%) conceiving. No difference in pregnancy rate was found with single or multiple inseminations when AID application included the day of hCG administration. Evidence is presented that suggests that frequently the fertilizing sperm may have resided in the woman for over 30 hours before fertilization occurred.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗

Sexual expression and its determinants in the post-menopausal woman.

Anatomic, hormonal, psychosocial and psychosexual variables of sexual expression were evaluated in 69 non-patient post-menopausal women. Subjects received a 2-h individually administered interview, a gynecologic examination with subjective scoring of vaginal atrophy, and serum determinations of estrone, estradiol, and androstenedione, testosterone, FSH and LH. Sexual repertoire of the 34 coitally active (coitus greater than 3 X monthly) was compared to the 29 coitally inactive (coitus less than 10 X yearly) subjects. The majority of subjects engaged in traditional sexual activities, with emphasis on physical affection and coitus. The active and inactive women were similar on all demographic variables except family income and weight/height ratio. The inactive women were slightly more obese and had lower incomes. Post-menopausal patterns of sexual activity correlated with post-menopausal sexual expression as did partner availability and function. The active women had a significantly higher LH level. No correlation was found between current or ideal sexual frequency and androgen or estrogen levels.

Aged↗