Biomedical subjects

J L Edwards

Publications and source records attributed to J L Edwards.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Improving the utilisation of bilingual counsellors within a public sector mental health service.

An urban, public sector Area Mental Health Program reviewed its own bilingual counsellor program as part of an Area-wide quality improvement project, and found that the counsellors' roles needed to be better defined; that mainstream staff needed to have more access to their expertise as cultural consultants; and that their function as an Area team, rather than as service based staff, needed to be encouraged. The bilingual counsellors decided to take up this challenge, and with the support of the Area Director of Mental Health, worked together to redefine their roles.

Communication Barriers↗

PubMed2000

Bovine blastocyst-derived trophectoderm and endoderm cell cultures: interferon tau and transferrin expression as respective in vitro markers.

Continuous cultures of bovine trophectoderm (CT-1 and CT-5) and bovine endoderm (CE-1 and CE-2) were initiated and maintained on STO feeder cells. CT-1 and CT-5 were derived from the culture of intact, 10- to 11-day in vitro-produced blastocysts. CE-1 and CE-2 were derived from the culture of immunodissected inner cell masses of 7- to 8-day in vitro-produced blastocysts. The cultures were routinely passaged by physical dissociation. Although morphologically distinct, the trophectoderm and endoderm both grew as cell sheets of polarized epithelium (dome formations) composed of approximately cuboidal cells. Both cell types, particularly the endoderm, grew on top of the feeder cells for the most part. Trophectoderm cultures grew faster, relative to endoderm, in large, rapidly extending colonies of initially flat cells with little or no visible lipid. The endoderm, in contrast, grew more slowly as tightly knit colonies with numerous lipid vacuoles in the cells at the colony centers. Ultrastructure analysis revealed that both cell types were connected by desmosomes and tight junctional areas, although these were more extensive in the trophectoderm. Endoderm was particularly rich in rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus indicative of cells engaged in high protein production and secretion. Interferon tau expression was specific to trophectoderm cultures, as demonstrated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and antiviral activity; and this property may act as a marker for this cell type. Serum protein production specific to endoderm cultures was demonstrated by Western blot; this attribute may be a useful marker for this cell type. This simple coculture method for the in vitro propagation of bovine trophectoderm and endoderm provides a system for assessing their biology in vitro.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Culturally sensitive mental health services through quality improvement.

An urban mental health service undertook a quality improvement programme to involve staff in the identification and resolution of cross-cultural issues. The programme involved clinical file audits, staff survey and workshops, and a focus group for consumers and their carers. It was found that non-English speaking patients received a different spectrum of services from English speaking patients. Non-English speaking patients were found to receive more pharmacological treatments and less cognitive behavioural therapy. In seeking to address these issues and improve their service delivery to all patients, the mental health service is now in the process of developing cross-cultural training; revising policies and procedures; and engaging bilingual mental health counsellors in a revision of their roles, particularly to increase their availability to staff as cultural consultants.

Australia↗

PubMed2000

Neisseria gonorrhoeae elicits membrane ruffling and cytoskeletal rearrangements upon infection of primary human endocervical and ectocervical cells.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a strict human pathogen that is, primarily, transmitted by close sexual contact with an infected individual. Gonococcal infection of the male urogenital tract has been well studied in experimental human models and in urethral cell culture systems. Recent studies, using tissue culture cell systems, have suggested a role for the cervical epithelium in gonococcal infection of females; however, the nature of gonococcal infection of the normal uterine cervix remains controversial. To address this enigma, we have developed two primary human cervical epithelial cell systems from surgical biopsies. Gonococcal infection studies and electron microscopy show that N. gonorrhoeae is capable of infecting and invading both the endo- and the ectocervix. Invasion was found to occur primarily in an actin-dependent manner, but it does not appear to require de novo protein synthesis by either the bacterium or the host cervical cell. Membrane ruffles appear to be induced in response to gonococci. Consistent with membrane ruffling, gonococci were found residing within macropinosomes, and a concentrated accumulation of actin-associated proteins was observed to occur in response to gonococcal infection. Electron microscopy of clinically derived cervical biopsies show that lamellipodia formation and cytoskeletal changes, suggestive of membrane ruffles, also occur in the cervical epithelium of women with naturally acquired gonococcal cervicitis. These studies demonstrate the ability of N. gonorrhoeae to infect and invade both the endo- and the ectocervix of the normal uterine cervix. Gonococcal induced ruffling is a novel finding and may be unique to the cervical epithelium.

Actins↗

PubMed1998

Tenoxicam and paracetamol-codeine combination after oral surgery: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

We studied 90 adults undergoing surgical removal of at least both lower third molar teeth as day cases under standardized general anaesthesia. Patients were allocated randomly (with stratification for surgeon) to receive tenoxicam 40 mg, tenoxicam 20 mg or placebo i.v. at induction of anaesthesia and orally (effervescent tablets) with food on each of the subsequent 2 days. Panadeine (paracetamol 500 mg-codeine 8 mg) was given before operation and was available as needed for pain thereafter, to a limit of two tablets every 4 h. Nefopam i.v. was also available. Efficacy variables and adverse reactions were assessed over 6 days. Over the 6-day period, patients who received tenoxicam reported less pain on rest (area under the curve; P < 0.05) and less disturbance in sleep (P < 0.01) even though they used fewer Panadeine tablets (P < 0.05). Differences between tenoxicam 40 mg and 20 mg were not significant. There was no significant difference in nefopam requirements or side effects, and no adverse event attributable to the study medication.

Acetaminophen↗

PubMed1998

Regulation of preimplantation development of bovine embryos by interleukin-1beta.

Experiments were performed to determine the actions of recombinant bovine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) on the growth of preimplantation embryos. In the first series of studies, IL-1beta was added at 8-10 h after insemination, and the percentage of oocytes developing to the blastocyst stage was evaluated. IL-1beta increased development to the blastocyst stage when embryos were cultured at high density ( approximately 25-30 embryos/drop) but decreased or had no effect on development when cultured at low density ( approximately 10 embryos/drop). Thus, the positive effect of IL-1beta depends upon some other embryo-derived product. The effect of IL-1beta on embryonic development was maintained in completely denuded embryos, indicating that cumulus cells do not mediate the actions of IL-1beta. Maximum development of embryos cultured at approximately 25-30/drop occurred at 0.1-1 ng/ml; 10 ng/ml was less effective. Addition of IL-1beta to groups of approximately 25-30 embryos/drop at 8-10 h after insemination also increased embryo cell number at Day 5 postinsemination by increasing the proportion of embryos that reached the 9- to 16-cell stage. However, IL-1beta had no effect on the proportion of blastocysts when added at Day 5 postinsemination. Thus, IL-1beta probably acts to increase blastocyst numbers by exerting actions on embryo growth before Day 5. In contrast to its effect on embryos, addition of IL-1beta during oocyte maturation did not affect cumulus expansion, cleavage rate of oocytes, or subsequent development to the blastocyst stage. In conclusion, IL-1beta can modulate growth of bovine embryos at early stages of development in a manner dependent upon embryo density.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

A clinical study of competency in child psychiatric inpatients.

A 17-item competency questionnaire, modified for use with children and adolescents (CQ-ChP), was used to evaluate competency to consent to hospitalization and treatment in child psychiatric inpatients. A total of 25 consecutive English-speaking psychiatric child inpatient admissions were studied. Demographic data were statistically analyzed using chi 2, and there were no significant statistical differences between the competent and incompetent groups (using CQ-ChP scores and cut-offs). The various demographic/clinical variables and scores on the questionnaire were also statistically evaluated using chi 2. The only statistical significance was the association between reading level and competency with a value of p < .05. Therefore, by achieving a reading level at the fifth-grade standard, subjects were found to be competent as measured by the CQ-ChP.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Differential responses of bovine oocytes and preimplantation embryos to heat shock.

The authors sought to determine whether developmental differences in the magnitude of embryonic mortality caused by heat stress in vivo are caused by changes in resistance of embryos to elevated temperature. In this regard, responses of oocytes, two-cell embryos, four-to eight-cell embryos, and compacted morulae to heat shock were compared. An additional goal was to define further the role of cumulus cells and glutathione in thermoprotection of oocytes. In experiment 1, heat shock (41 degrees C for 12 hr) decreased the number of embryos developing to the blastocyst stage for two-cell (26% vs. 0%) and four- to eight-cell (25% vs. 10%) embryos but did not affect morulae (37% vs. 42%). In experiment 2, exposure of two-cell embryos to 41 degrees C for 12 hr reduced the number of four- to eight-cell embryos present 24 hr after the end of heat shock (88% vs. 62%). In experiment 3, heat shock reduced the number of two-cell embryos developing to blastocyst (49% vs. 8%) but did not affect subsequent development of oocytes when heat shock occurred during the first 12 hr of maturation (46% vs. 41% development to blastocyst); membrane integrity was not altered. In experiment 4, oocytes were cultured with an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis, DL-buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine (BSO), for 24 hr and exposed to 41 degrees C for the first 12 hr of maturation. Percentages of blastocysts were 35% (39 degrees C), 18% (41 degrees C), 17% (39 degrees C + BSO), and 11% (41 degrees C + BSO). For experiment 5, oocytes were either denuded or left with cumulus intact and were then radiolabeled with [35S]methionine and [35S]cysteine at 39 degrees C or 41 degrees C for 12 hr. Exposure of oocytes to 41 degrees C for 12 hr reduced overall synthesis of 35S-labeled TCA-precipitable intracellular proteins (18,160 vs. 14,594 dpm/oocyte), whereas presence of cumulus increased synthesis (9,509 vs. 23,246). Analysis by two-dimensional SDS PAGE and fluorography revealed that heat shock protein 68 (HSP68) and two other putative heat shock proteins, P71 and P70, were synthesized by all oocytes regardless of treatment. Heat shock did not alter the synthesis of HSP68 or P71 but decreased amounts of newly synthesized P70. Cumulus cells increased synthesis of P71 and P70. Results indicate there is a biphasic change in resistance to elevations in temperature as oocytes mature, become fertilized, and develop. Resistance declines from the oocyte to the two-cell stage and then increases. Evidence suggests a role for cumulus cells in increasing HSP70 molecules and protein synthesis. Data also indicate a role for glutathione in oocyte function.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Ontogeny of temperature-regulated heat shock protein 70 synthesis in preimplantation bovine embryos.

Development of the preimplantation embryo is very susceptible to disruption by heat shock. As embryos proceed through development, they acquire resistance to heat shock, perhaps because they become transcriptionally active and can respond to environmental changes by undergoing transcriptionally-regulated cellular adaptation. Objectives were to determine the ontogeny of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) synthesis in preimplantation bovine embryos and to ascertain whether heat-induced increases in HSP70 in embryos are caused by environmental alterations in gene expression. Exposure of bovine embryos to heat shock induced synthesis of a 68 kDa form of HSP70 called HSP68 as early as the two-cell stage of development. Induction of HSP68 was alpha-amanitin independent at the two-cell stage but was blocked by alpha-amanitin as early as the early four-cell stage. Therefore, heat-induced synthesis of HSP68 is regulated at the level of transcription at a time before the major round of embryonic genome activation is considered to occur. Two other constitutive HSP70 molecules were identified called heat shock cognates (HSC) 71 and 70; both proteins were synthesized during all stages of development from the two-cell to hatched blastocyst stages. However, heat-induced synthesis of HSC71 and HSC70 was not evident until the expanded blastocyst stage. In conclusion, environmental signals can activate gene expression before the major round of embryonic genome activation occurs in bovine embryos. Moreover, differences in thermal sensitivity of early embryos to heat shock is not caused by an inability to synthesize HSP70, suggesting that other mechanisms are involved in developmental acquisition of thermotolerance.

Amanitins↗

PubMed1997

Lack of effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on secretion of interferon-tau, other proteins, and prostaglandin E2 by the bovine and ovine conceptus.

Three experiments tested the effects of recombinant bovine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rbGM-CSF) on the preimplantation bovine and ovine conceptus. There was no effect of rbGM-CSF on the secretion of total radiolabeled protein in conditioned medium, immunoreactive interferon-tau (IFN tau), antiviral activity, or prostaglandin E2 from Day 16-18 bovine conceptuses cultured for 24 hr with, [3H]leucine and +/- 10 ng/ml rbGM-CSF. Similarly, there was no effect of 1 ng/ml rbGM-CSF on the secretion of total radiolabeled protein. IFN tau, or antiviral activity from Day 17 ovine conceptuses. There was also no beneficial effect of 1 or 10 ng/ml rbGM-CSF on the presence of immunoreactive IFN tau in conditioned medium from in vitro-produced bovine blastocysts at Day 7-8 after fertilization. Results indicate that IFN tau secretion from bovine and ovine conceptuses are unresponsive to rbGM-CSF at the concentrations tested.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Human chorionic gonadotrophin-beta gene sequences in women with disorders of HCG production.

Women with recurrent abortion, primary unexplained infertility, and gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) manifest disordered human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) secretion. Mutations in the HCG beta/luteinizing hormone (LH) beta gene complex could cause aberrant HCG production in these disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine whether HCG beta gene deletions occur in women with recurrent abortion or primary unexplained infertility, and whether HCG beta gene duplications are present in women with GTN. DNA was extracted from 10 patients with unexplained recurrent abortion, 10 patients with unexplained primary infertility, 12 patients with GTN, three partners of women with GTN, and 30 controls. Southern blots were constructed and hybridized with DNA probes for HCG beta-5 and the LH beta gene. No gene deletions were identified in patients with recurrent abortion or primary unexplained infertility. Likewise, no gene duplications were identified in women with GTN. A previously described Mbol restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was identified in both patients and controls. A new Pstl RFLP was also characterized, but was present in patients and controls. Deletion/duplication mutations in the HCG beta/LH beta gene complex do not appear to be common causes of aberrant HCG production in humans with these disorders.

Abortion, Habitual↗

PubMed1997

Strain gradients correlate with sites of periosteal bone formation.

We examined the hypothesis that peak magnitude strain gradients are spatially correlated with sites of bone formation. Ten adult male turkeys underwent functional isolation of the right radius and a subsequent 4-week exogenous loading regimen. Full field solutions of the engendered strains were obtained for each animal using animal-specific, orthotropic finite element models. Circumferential, radial, and longitudinal gradients of normal strain were calculated from these solutions. Site-specific bone formation within 24 equal angle pie sectors was determined by automated image analysis of microradiographs taken from the mid-diaphysis of the experimental radii. The loading regimen increased mean cortical area (+/-SE) by 32.3 +/- 10.5% (p = 0.01). Across animals, some periosteal bone formation was observed in every sector. The amount of periosteal new bone area contained within each sector was not uniform. Circumferential strain gradients (r2 = 0.36) were most strongly correlated with the observed periosteal bone formation. SED (a scalar measure of stress/strain magnitude with minimal relation to fluid flow) was poorly correlated with periosteal bone formation (r2 = 0.01). The combination of circumferential, radial, and longitudinal strain gradients accounted for over 60% of the periosteal new bone area (r2 = 0.63). These data indicate that strain gradients, which are readily determined given a knowledge of the bone's strain environment and geometry, may be used to predict specific locations of new bone formation stimulated by mechanical loading.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Removal of the premaxillae and rostral portions of the maxillae of a horse.

The incisive bones (premaxillae) and rostral portions of the maxillae of a horse were infected with dermatiaceous fungi causing phaeohyphomycosis. The pre-maxillae were exposed by creating and reflecting labial and palatal mucoperiosteal flaps, and obstetrical wire was used to remove the affected bones. Labial and palatal flaps were apposed in 2 layers, using absorbable sutures. The sutured wound healed without complication. The horse was able to prehend hay and long grass without difficulty, and the owner considered the horse's facial appearance to be nearly normal. This technique may be useful for removal of diseased premaxillae of horses that cannot be treated by more conservative means.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Elevated temperature increases heat shock protein 70 synthesis in bovine two-cell embryos and compromises function of maturing oocytes.

Exposure of heifers to heat stress during oocyte maturation leads to embryos with reduced development. The objectives of the present study were threefold: 1) to evaluate effects of heat shock on oocyte function as assessed by cleavage and development, and associated effects on membrane integrity and protein synthesis, 2) to determine whether responses of oocytes to heat shock are modified by the presence of cumulus cells, and 3) to determine whether oocytes and 2-cell embryos are capable of synthesizing heat shock proteins in response to heat shock. Exposure of cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) to 41 degrees C did not alter the number of embryos that cleaved but reduced the number that developed to the blastocyst stage. In contrast, exposure to 42 degrees C reduced both cleavage and development rates. Maturation of COCs for 12 or 24 h at 41 degrees C or 42 degrees C did not affect membrane integrity as determined by fluorescein diacetate/ethidium reduced protein synthesis by oocytes when occurring during the first or last 12 h of maturation. Removal of cumulus cells prior to maturation reduced protein synthesis by oocytes; furthermore, exposure to 42 degrees C caused a greater percentage of reduction in protein synthesis in denuded oocytes than in those with intact cumulus. Analysis of [35S]methionine and [35S]cysteine-labeled proteins by two-dimensional SDS-PAGE and fluorography showed that nonmatured oocytes at 39 degrees C produced heat shock protein 68 (HSP68) and two other putative heat shock proteins of 71 and 70 kDa (P71 and P70, respectively); exposure to 42 degrees C did not increase synthesis of any of these proteins. The same was true for matured oocytes, except that P71 was absent at 39 degrees C and 42 degrees C. Two-cell embryos synthesized P70, P71, and slight amounts of HSP68 at 39 degrees C; HSP68 synthesis was greatly increased at 42 degrees C. Results indicate that oocyte thermolability may be due to alterations in protein synthesis and absence of heat inducibility of heat shock proteins. Further, heat shock of bovine embryos induces alterations in protein synthesis and possibly gene expression as early as the 2-cell stage of development. Results also suggest a possible thermoprotective role for cumulus cells during oocyte maturation.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Depletion of insulin in streptozocin-induced-diabetic pigs alters estradiol, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF binding proteins in cultured ovarian follicles.

The objectives were to investigate whether insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus disrupts production of estradiol and activity of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I system in individual ovarian follicles during the preovulatory period of the estrous cycle. Diabetes mellitus was induced with streptozocin (150 mg/kg) in seven cyclic gilts at 180 +/- 5 days of age. On Day 12 of the estrous cycle, insulin replacement therapy was withdrawn from three gilts and continued in four; four gilts served as normal controls. After ovary removal on Day 18, all follicles > or = 3 mm diameter were dissected free and cultured for 6 h in the presence of 280 ng testosterone for assessment of estradiol and IGF-I production and binding protein activity. Treatments did not affect corpora lutea number (15.4 +/- 0.8) or serum estradiol (5.8 +/- 0.8 pg/ml) on Day 18. There were no differences for any measure of follicular development between normal and insulin-treated diabetic gilts. Untreated diabetic gilts, compared to normal and insulin-treated diabetic gilts, had fewer total visible follicles (22.7 vs. 61.3 and 63.3; SEM = 8; p < 0.01) and reduced follicular diameter (3.4 vs. 4.4 and 4.2 mm; SEM = 0.3; p < 0.0001), respectively. Untreated diabetic gilts had a greater percentage of macroscopically atretic follicles than normal and insulin-treated diabetic gilts (75% vs. 47% and 36%; SEM = 10; p < 0.05). Untreated diabetes mellitus lowered estradiol (p < 0.01); however, effects of treatment on estradiol production were not significant when diameter was part of statistical models. When contents of IGF-I in follicular fluid and conditioned medium were summed after 6 h of culture, untreated diabetic pigs had lower IGF-I at all follicle diameters than pigs in the other treatments (p < 0.05). IGF binding protein (BP) activity was affected by diabetes mellitus, with untreated diabetic pigs having greater IGFBP-1 activity in medium and with both diabetic groups having greater IGFBP-2 activity in follicular fluid (p < 0.05). Activity of IGFBP-1 predominated in conditioned medium, and IGFBP-2 activity predominated in follicular fluid. IGFBP-3 was decreased in follicular fluid of atretic follicles and in medium of atretic follicles in all except the insulin-treated diabetic gilts; in these gilts it was increased in atretic follicles (treatment by atresia interaction; p < 0.05). In conclusion, estradiol was most related to size of the follicle; however, lowering of IGF-I regardless of follicle diameter and alterations in IGFBP activity suggest that diabetes affects IGF-I and its binding proteins differently from estradiol production. These alterations may explain reduced follicular growth and increased follicular atresia in diabetic pigs.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Regulation of heat shock protein 70 synthesis by heat shock in the preimplantation murine embryo.

Induced thermotolerance in murine embryos occurs at the 8-cell stage when embryos are maintained in vitro but not until the blastocyst stage if development proceeds in vivo. Present results indicate that ability of embryos to undergo induced thermotolerance is not limited by heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) synthesis. Exposure of 8-cell embryos to 40 degrees C enhanced synthesis of 2 constitutive HSP70 proteins (HSC70 and HSC72) and induced another protein, HSP68; exposure of 43 degrees C was required to induce similar responses in expanded blastocysts. Unlike induced thermotolerance, increased synthesis of HSP70 molecules did not depend on whether embryos were cultured or developed in vivo. Thus, other biochemical mechanisms in addition to HSP70 confer thermotolerance in the preimplantation-stage murine embryo. The observation that the temperature threshold for induction of HSP70 synthesis increased from the 8-cell to the blastocyst stage is indicative of these other biochemical processes.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1995

Effect of heat shock on function of frozen/thawed bull spermatozoa.

Deposition of spermatozoa in the reproductive tract of hyperthermic cows could conceivably result in sperm damage. Accordingly, a series of experiments tested the effects of heat shock on functional characteristics and free radical production of bull spermatozoa. Viability was reduced slightly by short-term (1 to 3 h) culture at 42 and 43 degrees C as compared with culture at 39 degrees C. There was no effect of culture at 42 degrees C on the ability of spermatozoa to undergo swim-up or of 42 degrees C on the percentage of motile spermatozoa. However, exposure to 41 degrees C for 3 h reduced percentage of motile sperm, 41 and 42 degrees C reduced sperm velocity and 43 degrees C decreased the proportion of spermatozoa undergoing swim-up. In other experiments, there was no effect of heat shock (41 or 42 degrees C for 1 to 3 h) on DNA integrity, presence of intact acrosomes, or fertilizing ability of the spermatozoa. Superoxide production by spermatozoa was higher at 42 degrees C than at 39 or 41 degrees C, but there was no detectable hydrogen peroxide production at any temperature. The antioxidant, glutathione, tended to improve the ability of spermatozoa to undergo swim-up at 39 degrees C but not at 43 degrees C. Taken together, these results suggest that heat shock of a magnitude similar to that seen in vivo (41 to 42 degrees C) has little effect on sperm functions that affect fertilizing capability.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1994

An experimental model for intraamniotic infection and preterm labor in rhesus monkeys.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to describe the temporal and quantitative relationship between intraamniotic infection and preterm labor in a nonhuman primate model. STUDY DESIGN: On day 130 of gestation (term 167 days) four chronically instrumented rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were infected with an intraamniotic inoculation of 10(6) colony-forming units of group B streptococci. Four additional noninfected monkeys were followed up to spontaneous parturition as controls. Amniotic fluid was serially sampled in all monkeys both before and after inoculation for bacterial growth, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, prostaglandin E2, and prostaglandin F2 alpha, and uterine activity was continuously recorded. RESULTS: Increases in uterine contractility occurred 28 hours (range 14 to 40 hours) after inoculation and were preceded by increases in amniotic fluid cytokines and prostaglandins. Intraamniotic concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1 beta all rose dramatically 9, 15, and 18 hours after infection and 10 to 20 hours before increases in uterine contractility. In spontaneous parturition only interleukin-6 concentrations rose moderately (from 0.1 to 1.2 ng/ml). Increases in prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2 alpha paralleled those of the cytokines. Peak prostaglandin concentrations in intraamniotic infection exceeded by severalfold concentrations seen in spontaneous parturition (16,046 pg/ml vs 2765 pg/ml for prostaglandin E2, p < 0.05; and 5547 pg/ml vs 708 pg/ml for prostaglandin F2 alpha, p < 0.05). In spite of intraamniotic none of the monkeys were febrile or had peripheral leukocytosis at the onset of labor. CONCLUSION: In the rhesus monkey, after intraamniotic infection, there is a predictable and sequential increase in amniotic fluid tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6, followed by increases in prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2 alpha. These increases all occur before an increase in uterine contractility and before clinical signs of infection. Our data provide evidence for a cause-and-effect relationship between intraamniotic infection and preterm labor and support the utility of measuring interleukin-6 or other cytokines in the diagnosis of intraamniotic infection.

Amnion↗