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Biomedical subjects

M Elstein

Publications and source records attributed to M Elstein.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

Studies on low-dose oral contraceptives: cervical mucus and plasma hormone changes in relation to circulating D-norgestrel and 17alpha ethynyl-estradiol concentrations.

A study was undertaken to determine the effects of a low-dose oral contraceptive comprising 150 mug of D-norgestrel and 30 mug of 17alpha-ethynyl estradiol (Microgynon) on the plasma levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), 17BETA-ESTRADIOL, AND PROGESTERONE AND ON THE PHYSICAl properties of cervical mucus. Samples of blood and cervical mucus were obtained from three women during a treated cycle and the immediately-following "withdrawal" cycle. Specific radioimmunoassay methods were used to determine LH, FSH, 17beta-estradiol, and progesterone levels in treated and withdrawal cycles, and D-norgestrel and 17alpha-ethynyl estradiol in samples obtained during treated cycles. The concentration of synthetic steroids was also measured in blood samples obtained before and 1 hour after ingestion of the contraceptive to determine the maximal daily variation. The results indicated that the contraceptive action of this combined low-dose oral contraceptive is mediated through suppression of ovulation and by rendering the cervical mucus impenetrable to sperm. Plasma FSH levels appeared to be one of the most sensitive indices of suppression. Determination of D-norgestrel and 17alpha-ethynyl estradiol showed that 3 to 4 days were required to reach maximal plasma levels and that daily fluctuations were considerable. Withdrawal of the pill resulted in an immediate return to ovulatory cycles in all three subjects studied.

Biological Clocks↗
PubMed1976

The scanning electronmicroscopy of human cervical mucus in the non-pregnant and pregnant states.

The ultrastructure of the high viscosity phase of human cervical mucus was studied by scanning electronmicroscopy. In the normal woman, sequential mucus samples taken throughout the menstrual cycle showed a honeycomb-like structure with interconnecting channels separated by thin membraneous walls. The diameter of the channels in the mucus was 2 to 6 mum in the early follicular phase, 30 to 35 mum in the late follicular phase and 4 to 6 mum in the luteal phase. During the first trimester of pregnancy and also at the beginning and end of the menstrual cycle a compact, dense form of mucus structure was observed. In women using either copper-releasing or pharmacologically inert intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs), the basic structure was similar to that seen in normal women. The channel diameters were normal in women using the inert IUCD but the mucus from women using a copper-releasing IUCD showed a slight decrease in the late follicular phase channel diameter which was dependent on the time the device had been in place. Globular appendages to the membraneous walls of the mucus were observed in the presence of a copper-releasing IUCD.

Cervix Mucus↗
PubMed1975

Smooth-muscle antibodies in infertility.

Sera from 77 infertile women and 77 post-partum controls were examined for autoantibodies by indirect immunogluorescence. 27 (35%) of the infertile group had smooth-muscle antibody compared with 2 (3%) controls. Significantly more infertile patients had anti-nuclear factor, and reticulin antibodies were also more commonly found in this group. The differences for organ-specific autoantibodies between the two groups were not significant. There was no correlation between the occurrence of smooth-muscle antibodies and immunofluorescent anti-sperm antibodies. The high frequency of smooth-muscle antibodies in infertile women requires further study to determine whether an underlying viral infection is involved.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1975

Comparison of use of the Dalkon Shield in Dublin and Southampton.

The results of fitting Dalkon Shield I.U.D.s in Southampton and Dublin were compared. At 12 months the continuation rates were 77.4% and 93.4% respectively. There were also differences between the two cities in the major complication rates associated with the use of the device. At 12 months these rates for Southampton and Dublin were: pregnancy 5.6% and 1.4%, expulsion 4.0% and 0.9%, and removal for pain and/or bleeding 12.1% and 3.0%, respectively. Possible reasons for the difference in performance may include the older average age of the users in Dublin, and the greater number and more varied experience of the medical staff responsible for fitting in Southampton. We recommend that population factors be taken into account when comparing data relating to fertility regulation.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Gastro-intestinal absorption and transplacental transfer of amoxycillin during labour and the influence of metoclopramide.

The absorption of amoxycillin from the gastro-intestinal tract, with or without oral metoclopramide, has been evaluated. Levels of amoxycillin in the maternal blood and liquor prior to the induction of labour were of a therapeutic level against many organisms. However, absorption during labour, as reflected by maternal blood levels at delivery and cord blood levels, suggests that amoxycillin is poorly absorbed and may not reach adequate therapeutic levels in the fetus. Oral metoclopramide did not improve the absorption of amoxycillin. Should a parenteral form of amoxycillin become available, a similar study of blood and liquor levels may indicate that, like ampicillin, intramuscular administration is required for adequate therapeutic use at this stage of pregnancy. Until an oral formulation of an appropriate antibiotic is available which gives rapid absorption may and a sustained level of the chemotherapeutic agent in this situation, parenteral administration of an appropriate antibiotic remains mandatory.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1975

The effect of copper on the distribution of elements in human spermatozoa.

Examination of intact individual human spermatozoa by X-ray microanalysis revealed that there was a correlation between particular elements in differnt regions of the cell. There was a constancy in the ratios of sodium to potassium in the head and mid-piece and of calcium to phosphorus in the mid-piece in any one sample, though the ratios varied between samples. This may have reflected the external environment since immersion in culture medium or cervical mucus had little effect on motility, yet markedly altered the sodium: potassium ratio. Incubation with copper wire in semen or cervical mucus significantly reduced the subcellular levels of both sodium and potassium inspermatozoa but did not affect the ratio between these two elements. The metal also displaced zinc from the head region, possible replacing it by copper. This may account for the decreased motility of spermatozoa in contact with copper ions. The observed toxicity of copper for human sperm cells lends support to the theory that part ofthe mode of action of the copper IUD may be due to an alteration in sperm fertilizing potential. Although the level of copper released by IUDs containing 200 mm-2 ofcopper wire exerted a minor toxic effect on spermatozoa, the elemental changes observed here may have great significance in the development of more efficient copper-releasing IUDs or an intracervical device whose action would depend on its spermatotoxiceffect.

Calcium↗
PubMed1975

The value of the basal temperature chart in the management of infertility.

The basal temperature chart (BTC) has been used as a means of screening the ovarian function of infertile patients and for monitoring their response to ovarian stimulation. During three years in a busy infertility clinic, specifically designated for cases of functional infertility, 491 patients were seen and 96 per cent of them kept valid basal temperature charts. The use of the BTC enabled therapy to be instituted early on in the course of investigations in those cases of infertility in which there was an endocrine factor. There were 420 patients in this category; of those who received treatment a high percentage became pregnant in contrast to those who were being observed. It is recommended that the BTC should be used early and more frequently in the management of cases of infertility, since it has been shown to serve as an inexpensive and convenient parameter of ovarian function.

Anovulation↗
PubMed1974

Effects of a low-oestrogen oral contraceptive on urinary excretion of luteinizing hormone and ovarian steroids.

The urinary gonadotrophin and ovarian steroid excretion pattern was studied in five women taking an oral contraceptive formulation consisting of mestranol 50 mug and norethisterone 1 mg. Both the pretreatment and post-treatment cycles were normal. The ovulatory peak of luteinizing hormone (LH) during the treatment cycles was uniformly suppressed, but LH continued to be excreted within the normal range. In one fifth of the treatment cycles there was a pronounced and sustained rise of oestrogen output in the absence of ovulation, and in many of the other treatment cycles oestrogen levels suggested that active ovarian steroidogenesis was taking place.

Adult↗