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Biomedical subjects

F W Hanson

Publications and source records attributed to F W Hanson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Detection of antisperm antibodies: their localization to human sperm antigens that are transferred to the surface of zona-free hamster oocytes during the sperm penetration assay.

The authors have developed an extension of the sperm penetration assay for detecting serum immunoglobulins to sperm antigens that are transferred to the plasma membrane of a sperm-penetrated hamster oocyte. After the hamster oocytes have been scored for sperm penetration by observing for the presence of swollen sperm heads, they are incubated in serum followed by either a 20-minute treatment with rhodamine-conjugated protein A (which binds to most subclasses of IgA, IgG, and IgM) or a 2-hour incubation in guinea pig serum (complement). Positive fluorescence indicates that the serum contains antibodies to sperm antigens that were transferred to the surface of an oocyte during gamete fusion. Complement-mediated lysis indicates that the immunoglobulin that is bound can also fix complement. The advantages of this assay for detection of serum antisperm antibodies are that it is an extension of a widely used assay, is rapid and requires readily available reagents and equipment, can detect most subclasses of IgA, IgG, and IgM, detects antibodies to those sperm antigens that may be transferred to the oocyte during fertilization, and indicates whether the detected antisperm antibodies can mediate complement-dependent lysis of the fertilized oocyte.

Animals↗

Midtrimester screening for open neural tube defects: correlation of sonography with amniocentesis results.

Eight pregnancies with open neural tube defects were detected in 70 midtrimester patients referred for sonography and amniocentesis because of elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels. Two cases of anencephaly were detected by sonography, aborted without amniocentesis, and confirmed by pathologic examination. Six cases of open spina bifida were detected through amniocentesis by elevation of alpha-fetoprotein and acetylcholinesterase levels. In only three of these six was the abnormality seen on sonography. All six pregnancies were terminated, and open spina bifida defects were confirmed on pathologic examination. Amniocentesis was 100% sensitive for diagnosis of open spina bifida, while sonography was only 50% sensitive. Our results indicate that, in patients with elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein and a normal fetal sonogram, amniocentesis should be performed to rule out open spina bifida.

Amniocentesis↗

Ultrasound needle guidance for amniocentesis in pregnancies with low amniotic fluid.

In six pregnancies accompanied by oligohydramnios (three cases) or decreased amniotic fluid and maternal obesity (three cases), needles specifically designed for use with ultrasound were successfully utilized in combination with real-time ultrasound guidance for amniocentesis. There was successful fluid retrieval in all six, with two requiring more than one needle pass. All three cases accompanied by oligohydramnios later resulted in fetal death. In the three cases accompanied by decreased amniotic fluid and maternal obesity, the amniocentesis results were helpful in ensuring the existence of a normal pregnancy. A specially designed ultrasound needle used in combination with a real-time guidance system is helpful in the performance of difficult amniocentesis.

Amniocentesis↗

Analysis of the significance of discolored amniotic fluid detected at midtrimester amniocentesis.

In 110 midtrimester amniocenteses of the 3349 procedures done at the University of California, Davis, Medical Center between 1979 and 1984, the fluid obtained was noted to be discolored. The significance of this finding was evaluated with review of pregnancy history and outcome and by using biochemical techniques. A significant increase in miscarriage was seen in the pregnancies where discolored fluid was obtained (9%), in comparison with the entire group of pregnancies in which amniocentesis was done at the same institution over the same period (1.6%). This increase was most marked in the pregnancies in which, in addition to discolored fluid, there was a prior history of pregnancy bleeding. Thirty-four discolored fluid samples and 18 clear fluid samples were studied with spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, and chromatography. These studies indicate that in most cases the discoloring pigment is blood rather than fetal bowel contents, as had been suggested by others.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Assessment of follicular function in women by measurement of urinary estrogen conjugates.

Daily early morning urine samples from 23 women during their conception cycles were evaluated for urinary estrone (E1) conjugates and pregnanediol-3-glucuronide (PdG) levels and indexed by creatinine (Cr) concentrations. These 23 cycles were classified into two groups according to the rate of E1 conjugates increase following implantation. Urine from 16 nonconception cycles was available for 11 of the women. The two groups differed significantly both before and after, but not during, the midcycle E1 conjugates peak. The length of the follicular phase was significantly shorter in the group of women with the lower E1 conjugate levels. These data suggest that differences in estrogen excretion at times other than the preovulatory estrogen surge represent the endocrine activity of subdominant ovarian follicles. Further, such urinary estrogen profiles may represent useful parameters for defining ovarian follicular populations and/or indicating the effects of hazards to female reproduction.

Embryo Implantation↗

Analysis of 2136 genetic amniocenteses: experience of a single physician.

Between 1979 and 1984, 2136 midtrimester genetic amniocenteses were performed by a single physician at the University of California (Davis) Medical Center. The medical records were reviewed for maternal age, amniocentesis indication, ultrasound findings, location of placenta, location of the needle insertion (transplacental versus nontransplacental), color of the amniotic fluid, results of prenatal testing, complications of procedure, and pregnancy outcome. Follow-up data were available for 88% of the pregnancies. There were 38 miscarriages (1.9%), 18 stillbirths (0.9%), and four neonatal deaths (0.2%), resulting in a total postprocedural loss rate of 3.1%. Miscarriage within 2 weeks of amniocentesis occurred in only 0.4% of procedures (seven of 1918). No significant difference in pregnancy outcome was noted between transplacental and nontransplacental amniocentesis. Greenish brown discolored amniotic fluid was found in 3.6% of procedures (76 of 2136). In this group there was a 14.5% fetal loss rate with an overall 22.4% adverse outcome.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Urinary hormone levels at the time of ovulation and implantation.

Daily early morning urine samples were collected from women receiving donor artificial insemination and were evaluated for estrone conjugates, pregnanediol-3-glucuronide, and human chorionic gonadotropin. All hormone concentrations in urine were indexed by creatinine levels and expressed as the concentration of hormone per milligram creatinine. Composite profiles of 23 women who conceived normal full-term pregnancies were compared with composite profiles obtained from 11 of the same women during nonconception cycles. The endocrine profiles of seven pregnancies that spontaneously aborted and two ectopic pregnancies were also evaluated retrospectively. The combined application of these three urinary hormone indices provides a practical approach for prospective monitoring of the major hormone dynamics during ovulation and implantation and during relatively infrequent events such as spontaneous abortion and ectopic pregnancy. The rise of estrone conjugates which precedes detectable increases of urinary human chorionic gonadotropin at the time of implantation appears to be an early indicator of implantation and may prove to be the best method for detection of occult pregnancy. This method is also suitable for monitoring early pregnancy when exogenous gonadotropins have been employed, as in embryo transfer following in vitro fertilization.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Assessment of human sperm function after recovery from the female reproductive tract.

The physiology and fertile life of human spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract have received little previous attention. A technique was developed for recovering spermatozoa from human cervical mucus at various intervals after artificial insemination. The functions of these cells as measured by penetration of the human zona pellucida and fusion with the zona-free hamster oocytes were examined. Penetration into the zona pellucida was consistently observed when sperm were recovered from 1 to 80 h after insemination. Penetration through the zona into the perivitelline space (PVS) was seen from 1 to 72 h after insemination. Fusion of human sperm with zona-free hamster oocytes was observed from 1 to 48 h after insemination. Motile sperm were recovered 112 and 120 h after insemination with swimming speeds comparable to freshly capacitated spermatozoa. Concentrations of recovered sperm at these longer intervals from insemination were insufficient for sperm-oocyte assays. These studies demonstrate that human spermatozoa aged in vivo may be recovered from cervical mucus for physiologic study, and suggest that the fertile life of human sperm may be 80 h or more.

Animals↗

What functions of the sperm cell are measured by in vitro fertilization of zona-free hamster eggs?

Human spermatozoa were capacitated in media containing either high concentrations (3.5%) of human serum albumin (HSA) or low concentrations (0.3%) of bovine serum albumin (BSA). The effects of both capacitation media were assessed immediately and after overnight preincubation (18 to 24 hours) by adding a mixture of nonliving human oocytes and living zona-free hamster eggs to the sperm suspension. Overnight preincubation of sperm in media containing 3.5% HSA enhanced sperm fusion with hamster vitelli, but the capacity for zona penetration was lost. These effects could be attributed to the concentration of HSA rather than a general effect of albumin concentration, because overnight preincubation in 3.5% BSA did not interfere with zona penetration. During overnight incubation in 3.5% HSA, the percentage of acrosome reactions increased, as did alterations in the equatorial segment of the acrosome-reacted sperm. The percentage of motile sperm remained high after overnight incubation in 3.5% HSA, but both the mean swimming speed and flagellar activity on the zona surface declined. The sperm also lost their ability for strong zona binding after overnight incubation in 3.5% HSA.

Animals↗

A comparative study of two types of prostaglandins for abortion during the second trimester.

A comparative study of two techniques of prostaglandin midtrimester abortion was performed. Patients were randomly assigned to either intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2 alpha or intravaginal prostaglandin E2 methods. Mean induction to abortion intervals were 9.99 +/- 6.18 and 9.19 +/- 2.59 hours, respectively. The incidence of side-effects for the two methods was similar. Both prostaglandin F2 alpha and E2 are considered to represent equivalent midtrimester abortifacients.

Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal↗

A study of the relationship of motile sperm numbers in cervical mucus 48 hours after artificial insemination with subsequent fertility.

The records of 159 women who underwent 561 cycles of donor insemination (AID) in the UCD artificial insemination program were analyzed in a study of the relationship of the numbers of motile sperm seen in the cervical mucus 48 hours after AID with subsequent fertility. The numbers of motile sperm were expressed on an integral rank scale (0 to 8). A relationship between the results and subsequent fertility was demonstrated. The distribution of the data on sperm numbers for fertile and infertile cycles were qualitatively and quantitatively different. The latter were consistently skewed toward low values, while the former were not. Overall, mean values were higher for conception cycles. Selective grouping of women to eliminate factors that could potentially have an adverse influence on fertility, such as pelvic abnormality, oligoovulation, or prior pelvic operation, increased the overall conception rate. However, they did not influence the relationship between low and high motile sperm numbers and subsequent conception.

Adult↗

Alteration of cervical mucus by vanguard human spermatozoa.

Movement characteristics of 'vanguard' and 'following' human spermatozoa within cervical mucus were measured using high-speed cinemicrography. The data were applied to a mathematical model of the hydrodynamics of sperm-mucus interaction, using the methods of analysis of covariance and stepwise multiple regression. Vanguard spermatozoa swam more rapidly and more efficiently than did following spermatozoa, although the flagellar beat frequencies and amplitudes of the spermatozoa in the two populations did not differ. This distinction in sperm-mucus hydrodynamics could be due to reduced flagellar thrust and/or increased mucous resistance experienced by the following spermatozoa.

Cervix Mucus↗

Naproxen sodium, ibuprofen and a placebo in dysmenorrhea.

Seventy-one patients participated, during three dysmenorrheic episodes, in a study that combined a double-blind parallel comparison of naproxen sodium and ibuprofen to each other with a single-blind comparison of naproxen sodium and ibuprofen to a placebo. The comparative measures of efficacy included hourly and overall ratings of pain by patients, limitation of daily activity due to pain and the need for additional pain medication. Although none of these measures showed a statistically significant difference, an analysis of the differences that did emerge showed a trend slightly favoring naproxen sodium. Both drugs were highly effective and significantly superior to the placebo.

Activities of Daily Living↗

The interaction of human spermatozoa with cervical mucus in vivo.

The interaction between human spermatozoa and cervical mucus was studied during 14 cycles of artificial insemination (AI) with a cervical cup. The concentration of spermatozoa in the inseminate was determined as were the percentage of motility, mean swimming speed, and sperm morphology. The percentage of motility, swimming speed, and morphology of spermatozoa in the mucus were determined at 1 hour and 48 hours after AI. The percentage of motile sperm was always higher in the cervical mucus than in the semen. In some cases, spermatozoa appeared to swim faster in the mucus than in the semen but in other cases the reverse was true. In all 14 cases some spermatozoa could be found in the mucus at 48 hours after AI. In general, the percentage of motility and swimming speeds of the cervical sperm remained unchanged over the 48-hour study interval. The percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology was higher in the cervical mucus than in the semen. The alteration in the composition of the sperm population appeared to result from exclusion by the mucus of most classes of abnormal sperm. The morphology of the cervical sperm population was similar at 1 hour and at 48 hours after AI.

Cervix Mucus↗

Apoplexy in a prolactin microadenoma leading to remission of galactorrhea and amenorrhea.

A 28-year-old woman with bilateral headaches and vomiting was found to have normal prolactin levels despite an eight-year history of intermittent galactorrhea and amenorrhea and the current finding of a pituitary microadenoma. The microadenoma contained hemosiderin. It is concluded that pituitary apoplexy is not confined to large tumors that have outgrown their blood supply, but can occur in microadenomas with regression of a positive endocrinopathy.

Adenoma↗

Variations within and amongst normal men of movement characteristics of seminal spermatozoa.

Movement characteristics of the seminal spermatozoa of 9 men of contemporary fertility were studied using time-exposure photomicrography. Five different ejaculates, collected over a 9-month period, were analysed for each man. The assessment of sperm motility focussed on classical parameters (% motile spermatozoa and the total swimming speed, considering all motile spermatozoa) as well as several newly defined movement characteristics (% progressive spermatozoa, progressive swimming speed, and % straight-swimming, rolling and yawing spermatozoa). These new measures distinguished weakly motile from vigorously motile spermatozoa, and also assessed geometrical attributes of the swimming trajectories of the vigorous spermatozoa. The % motility and the total and progressive swimming speeds did not differ significantly amongst the fertile men. The percentage of progressive spermatozoa differed significantly among the 9 men, but this was due to the outlying values of a single donor. Significant differences among men did occur in the percentages of straight-swimming, rolling and yawing spermatozoa. In addition, considerable variability was found among the different ejaculates of individual men.

Adult↗