Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M S Obhrai

Publications and source records attributed to M S Obhrai.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Polycystic ovaries are inherited as an autosomal dominant trait: analysis of 29 polycystic ovary syndrome and 10 control families.

The aim of this study was to obtain evidence for the genetic basis of polycystic ovaries (PCO) and premature male pattern baldness (PMPB) by screening first-degree relatives of women affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Because of the high prevalence of PCO in the general population, we also studied first-degree relatives of ten asymptomatic control volunteers of reproductive age. The probands were recruited prospectively from infertility and endocrine clinics, where they presented with various clinical symptoms of PCOS. Each had PCO, on transvaginal ultrasound scan. The families of 29 probands and 10 volunteers agreed to take part in the study. Clinical, ultrasound, and biochemical parameters were used to define PCO/PCOS. All female relatives had an ovarian ultrasound scan and hormone profile performed. History was used to assign status in postmenopausal women. All male relatives were assessed for early onset (<30 yr old) male pattern baldness, by photographs. All relatives were assigned affected (PCO/PMPB) or nonaffected status, and segregation analysis was performed. Of the relatives of 29 PCOS probands, 15 of 29 mothers (52%), 6 of 28 fathers (21%), 35 of 53 sisters (66%), and 4 of 18 brothers (22%) were assigned affected status. First-degree female relatives of affected individuals had a 61% chance of being affected. Of the first-degree male relatives, 22% were affected. Of a total of 71 siblings of PCOS probands, 39 were affected, giving a segregation ratio of 39/32 (55%), which is consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance for PCO/PMPB. In the control families, 1 of 10 probands (10%), 1 of 10 mothers (10%), no fathers, 2 of 13 sisters (15%), and 1 of 11 brothers (9%) were affected. Of a total of 24 siblings, 3 were affected (13%), giving a segregation ratio (observed/expected) of 3/12, which was significantly different from autosomal dominant inheritance. The inheritance of PCO and PMPB is consistent with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern in PCOS families, perhaps caused by the same gene. There was no such genetic influence in families of women without PCOS. Sisters of PCOS probands with polycystic ovarian morphology were more likely to have menstrual irregularity and had larger ovaries and higher serum androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate levels than sisters without PCO. This suggests a spectrum of clinical phenotype in PCOS families. Men with PMPB had higher serum testosterone than those without. Collectively, these data are consistent with a role for genetic differences in androgen synthesis, metabolism, or action in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Adult↗

Altered composition of high density lipoproteins in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) appear at increased cardiovascular risk due in part to a dyslipidemia characterized by increased plasma triglyceride and reduced high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. This is a detailed exploratory study of HDL composition in 35 obese [body mass index (BMI), > 27] and 22 nonobese subjects with PCOS and in 14 healthy obese and 18 nonobese women. Although we found reduced levels of total and HDL2 cholesterol in obese women with PCOS, HDL composition was modified by depletion of lipid relative to protein, with reduced ratios of HDL total cholesterol and HDL phospholipids to apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) compared to those in obese controls (P = 0.008 and P = 0.012, respectively). This was explained by reduced cholesterol (P = 0.004) and phospholipid (although not significant, P = 0.07) in HDL with no change in the content of apoA-I, its major protein. Obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperandrogenemia are features of PCOS and potentially affect lipid metabolism. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by the reduction in endogenous glucose concentration after exogenous insulin; the insulin, glucose, and fatty acid responses to oral glucose; and the fasting insulin concentration. When age, BMI, free androgen index, insulin sensitivity determined by all methods, and the presence of PCOS were subjected to stepwise multivariate regression analysis, the presence of PCOS was the most consistent predictor of lipid-depleted HDL (HDL total cholesterol/apoA-I and HDL phospholipids/apoA-I). We speculate that altered activity of hepatic lipase or lipid transfer protein could explain this aspect of the dyslipidemia. Obesity has an important influence on the lipid profile. Obese PCOS and control subjects had higher levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, apoB, and fatty acids than their lean counterparts, and BMI proved the best predictor of blood levels on multiple regression analysis. In contrast, lean PCOS patients had normal sensitivity to insulin and lipid profiles similar to those of the lean controls and did not manifest the HDL abnormalities. Although in PCOS, correlations were obtained between the free androgen index and cholesterol, triglyceride, and apoB levels and between the integrated glucose and insulin responses after oral glucose and fasting fatty acid and triglyceride levels, when age and adiposity were included as covariates only fatty acids and the integrated glucose response remained significantly correlated. Among the controls, total, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and apoB were related to aspects of insulin sensitivity independent of age and BMI. Lipid metabolism in PCOS is dependent on several related factors, but subjects with PCOS who are obese show a specific reduction in HDL lipid, suggesting a reduced capacity for cholesterol removal from tissues with diminished antiatherogenic potential. Efforts should be directed toward reducing obesity in PCOS to improve the metabolic disturbance in addition to ameliorating the presenting symptoms.

Adipose Tissue↗

The second twin.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Cesarean Section↗

Caesarean section for the birth of the second twin.

Twin pregnancies delivered after 28 weeks gestation between 1980 and 1988 were reviewed. Of 510 twin pregnancies, 184 (36%) were delivered by caesarean section. There were 22 (4.3%) combined vaginal/abdominal deliveries which comprised 12% of the 184 twin pregnancies delivered by caesarean section. Persistent transverse lie or a high breech presentation was the commonest indication for caesarean section for the second twin.

Breech Presentation↗

Parvovirus infection in pregnancy.

A case is presented of serologically proved parvovirus infection leading to intrauterine death of the hydropic fetus at 20 weeks' gestation. Although serologic studies of the population indicate that 30-50% of women are susceptible to parvovirus infection, the prevalence of parvovirus infection in pregnancy and the consequences of such an infection are not well understood. A review of reported cases in the world literature indicates a high risk to the fetus once the virus crosses the placenta.

Adult↗

Follicular growth and endocrine profiles in spontaneous and induced conception cycles.

Twenty conception cycles were tracked with ultrasound ovarian scanning from the midfollicular to midluteal phase, and simultaneous hormone profiles were obtained in 18 of the cycles. Twelve cycles were spontaneous and 8 were induced with a variety of regimens. Two of the spontaneous cycles did not have endocrine data, and in one other no follicular growth was observed, despite repeated scanning. The induced cycles did not differ significantly from the spontaneous ones in any respect except the number of follicles and the consequent estradiol (E2) levels. E2 levels per unit total follicular surface area, however, were similar in both groups and remained relatively constant throughout the late follicular phase.

Adult↗

Flow cytometric comparison between swim-up and Percoll gradient techniques for the separation of frozen-thawed human spermatozoa.

Viable human spermatozoa were recovered from cryopreservation by either swim-up or Percoll density gradient techniques and their cell-surface oligosaccharide components were compared to those of fresh sperm. Sperm were labeled with FITC-Con A and analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. By fluorescence microscopy, fresh sperm were uniformly labeled in the neck region alone. Frozen-thawed sperm, obtained by either swim-up or Percoll density gradients, showed two patterns of staining: one sperm population was stained in the neck region only, whilst another showed staining in both the neck and acrosome regions. No difference between sperm recovered by the two techniques was apparent. Flow cytometry profiles of fresh sperm revealed a single peak of fluorescence, whereas cryopreserved sperm gave two peaks of fluorescence. Samples recovered by Percoll density gradient contained significantly more sperm with the same fluorescence pattern as that observed for fresh sperm than did those recovered by swim-up. Cryopreservation alters the cell-surface oligosaccharide components of spermatozoa. Recovery of cryopreserved sperm by Percoll density gradient yields a greater proportion of sperm which resemble fresh sperm than does swim-up.

Cell Separation↗