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Biomedical subjects

M L Amiel

Publications and source records attributed to M L Amiel.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Evidence of new antigens in the mouse cumulus oophorus during preovulatory cumulus expansion.

The effects of an antiserum (anti-COC) against ovulated mouse cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) on in vitro fertilization of mouse oocytes were studied. Preincubation of ovulated COC with various concentrations of anti-COC led to dose-dependent impairment of fertilization rates as well as to a decrease in the number of spermatozoa attached to the zona pellucida. Anti-COC was used to probe Western blots of cumulus proteins. These cumuli were obtained from 2 experimental groups of mice corresponding to 2 different maturational stages (preovulatory immature COC or preovulatory mature COC). Two antigens (70 and 80 kDa) present in cumulus intercellular matrix from mature COC were only found as traces in matrix from immature COC. In addition, the protein pattern of the cumulus intercellular matrix was different from that of cumulus cells, whatever the COC maturational stage. These results indicate the appearance of new proteins in the cumulus oophorus during preovulatory expansion and are consistent with the contraceptive action of anti-COC.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Platelet-activating factor-acether is a component of human follicular fluid.

OBJECTIVE: Platelet-activating factor-acether (PAF-acether) presence was investigated in 27 human follicular fluids (FFs). DESIGN: Aggregation of washed rabbit platelets was used to measure PAF-acether. Data were compared using Student's t-test. SETTING: Follicular fluids came from the in vitro fertilization program at Antoine Béclère Hospital, and PAF-acether was assayed at Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unités 187 and 200, Clamart, France. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: The study concerned five infertile women 29 to 39 years of age. INTERVENTIONS: Ovaries were stimulated with human menopausal gonadotropin under gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) action. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The height of platelet aggregation was compared between FFs and synthetic PAF-acether. RESULTS: Mean FF concentration of PAF-acether was 1,367 to 3,467 pg/mL among women. Values were higher for patients in a long than in a short GnRH-a protocol (P less than 0.05). However, PAF-acether concentration was not related to fertilization rate. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet-activating factor-acether is possibly involved in oocyte release from the follicle, a process occulted by follicular puncture.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Contribution of preovulatory-phase small follicles to the ovarian response in stimulated cycles.

The usual criteria for ovulation induction in stimulated cycles take into account the number of follicles greater than 14-16 mm in diameter. We have retrospectively investigated how the presence of small (8-12 mm) follicles at the time of the last scan influences the ovarian response for in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The mean number of small follicles was nearly constant (3.8 to 5.9) and did not correlate with the number of large (greater than 12 mm) follicles in various protocols for ovarian stimulation. In patients stimulated under the influence of a gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, the number of small follicles was correlated with the oestradiol (E2) peak level and with the number of recovered oocytes. Our data demonstrate a significant contribution of follicles less than or equal to 12 mm to peripheral E2 levels and oocyte production for IVF.

Cell Count↗
PubMed1989

Platelet aggregating activity in human embryo culture media free of PAF-acether.

A factor activating human platelets and liberated by the embryo was sought in the culture media of human embryos using two bioassays. The first bioassay demonstrated the existence of a thrombocytopaenic factor after the i.p. injection of culture media into splenectomized mice. This factor was found more frequently in media which contained an embryo compared to those which contained a non-fertilized oocyte. PAF-acether (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) was searched for with a specific bioassay, using washed rabbit platelets. This remained negative for all the media studied, including those which had contained an embryo giving rise to a pregnancy. In these experiments it was not possible to relate embryo-derived platelet activating factor (EDPAF) to PAF-acether. Neither were we able to use the detection of EDPAF to test embryonic viability, or attempt to identify those embryos which were susceptible to lead to a pregnancy after intrauterine transfer from among all the embryos transferred.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Comparison of two new tests for rapid diagnosis of respiratory syncytial virus infections by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence techniques.

The sensitivity and the specificity of two new commercial reagent tests, an indirect fluorescent antibody test (FAT) with a mouse monoclonal antibody (MAb) against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) RSV antigen detection kit, were determined by a comparison of results from these tests with those of tissue culture isolation and an indirect FAT with bovine polyclonal antibody (BPA). Of 251 nasal aspirates from infants with suspected RSV infection, positive results were found for 99 (39%) by the FAT-MAb, 93 (37%) by the FAT-BPA, and 87 (35%) by the ELISA; 69 of 240 (29%) were positive by cultures. The FAT-MAb was a more sensitive technique than cultures, with 87% sensitivity for the FAT-MAb and 84% for the ELISA. It was also more sensitive than the FAT-BPA, with 97% sensitivity for the FAT-MAb and 85% for the ELISA. This could be caused only by the distinctive volume of suspended specimens used in these tests. Of 171 negative culture specimens, positive (but not false-positive) results were found for 18% by the FAT-MAb and for 12% by the ELISA. Inversely, 13% of 69 culture positive specimens were FAT-MAb negative and 16% were ELISA negative, emphasizing the importance of tissue cultures for the maximum recovery of RSV, as well as for detection of other respiratory viruses. The FAT-MAb and ELISA were easy to perform and interpret, thus facilitating wider use.

Antigens, Viral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The Theriaque database and information on side effects of drugs].

The new module of Theriaque data base deals with side effects of drugs. It is composed of 3,300 monographs. One or more nature of side effect appears on each monograph, to correspond to a defined entity; organ or apparatus, syndrome or special type of pharmacological effect. Side effects are attached to either a whole pharmacological or chemical class, either one or several drugs. Side effects of drugs are described at usual dose, or/and in case of overdose. Data are collected from specialized books and publications. Some difficulties were encountered with this work, particularly side effects frequency. Side effects module content is validated with experts in pharmacology or clinicians, their opinion being a determining factor in case of any doubt, especially on causality assessment or frequency.

Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions↗