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Biomedical subjects

P Pakarinen

Publications and source records attributed to P Pakarinen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Reasons for pregnancy termination: negligence or failure of contraception?

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to analyze the reasons for the failure of contraception and the reasons for not using any contraception among women seeking a legal abortion on social grounds. The women were also asked about their knowledge of contraception methods, including postcoital contraception. METHODS: We interviewed 200 women applying for a legal abortion within the first trimester of pregnancy about contraception, the contraceptive methods used, and the possible reasons for failure of contraception. RESULTS: Of all the women interviewed, 93% claimed to have adequate knowledge of contraception. At the time of conception 11.5% used safe methods (OCs 8%, IUDs 3.5%), 63% used less safe methods, and 26% were without contraception. Only 25% of the pill users had no explanation for the failure. 76.7% of the condom users reported that the condom was broken, had slipped off or its use had been irregular. The concern about side effects was the most common reason for not using safe contraceptives (25%). CONCLUSIONS: The women claimed to have enough information about contraceptives, and postcoital contraception was also familiar, but the knowledge on how to use them in practice was inadequate. Irregular use and breaks in contraception were common. Despite the data based on Pearl indices, pills failed twice as often as IUDs. Counseling about the proper use of contraceptives is important, although the concern about the side effects appeared to be a big, unsolved problem.

Abortion Applicants↗
PubMed1994

Transcriptional and translational regulation of LH, prolactin and their testicular receptors by hCG and bromocriptine treatments in adult and neonatal rats.

Effects of altered gonadotropin and prolactin (PRL) secretion on luteinizing hormone (LH), PRL and their testicular receptors (R) were studied in neonatal and adult rats. Changes in gene expression were monitored by measurements of steady-state mRNA levels. Five-day and 90-day-old male rats received a single s.c. injection of hCG (600 IU/kg), 1 mg/kg bromocriptine (BR) twice daily, or their combination. After 2 or 8 days, the responses of LH, PRL, their testicular R, and testosterone (T) were assessed, including measurements of the appropriate mRNA levels. Vehicle-treated age-matched animals served as controls. hCG suppressed serum LH in 2 days in adult rats from 0.85 +/- 0.16 to 0.04 +/- 0.01 microg/l, and in neonates from 0.59 +/- 0.29 to levels below 0.01 microg/l (p < 0.01 for both). This was accompanied at both ages by a 60% decrease in pituitary content of the LH beta-subunit mRNA (p < 0.01), but a decrease in the alpha-chain (40%, p < 0.05) occurred only in neonates. hCG increased serum PRL in adult rats in 8 days over 2-fold (p < 0.01); this did not occur in neonates. In neonates, BR increased the LH subunit mRNAs 2-fold in 8 days (p < 0.01) without a concomitant effect on serum LH; no BR effects on the LH parameters were seen in adult animals. BR decreased pituitary PRL protein and mRNA levels at both ages (p < 0.01-0.05), but serum PRL decreased only in the adults. The homologous down-regulation of testicular LHR (near 100%) was accompanied in adults by a 30% decrease in LHR mRNA (p < 0.05). Also BR at this age decreased LHR binding (75% in 8 days, p < 0.01), but in this case no change occurred in the cognate mRNA. hCG and BR slightly up-regulated in adults PRLR binding, but only the 2-day effect of BR was accompanied by a 60% increase in PRLR mRNA (p < 0.05). In neonates, both hCG and BR increased testicular LHR and PRLR mRNA levels (p < 0.01-0.05). In adult animals, both hCG and BR suppressed testicular and serum T levels after 8 days (40-70%, p < 0.01-0.05); only BR was inhibitory to T by 8 days in the neonates (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the homologous and heterologous regulatory effects of hCG and BR on LH, PRL and their testicular R levels were only partly explained by changes in steady-state levels of the respective mRNAs. In general, the autoregulatory effects on LHR and PRLR appeared to affect steady-state levels of cognate mRNAs, whereas heteroregulation predominately involved changes at the protein level. The responses of the neonatal pituitary-gonadal axis to hCG and/or BR differed greatly from those observed in the adult, indicating that the mechanisms involved in these regulatory events in adult animals are a result of gradual postnatal development.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Zinc supplementation of infant formula.

The effect of zinc supplementation of infant formula on zinc nutrition and growth of healthy infants was studied longitudinally from birth to age 12 mo. The zinc-supplemented group (n = 16) received the same formula as the unsupplemented group (n = 16) except for the addition of 61 mumol (4 mg) Zn/L as sulfate. After age 2 mo in the breast-fed and unsupplemented groups the mean serum zinc concentration remained stable at approximately 9.9 mumol/L. The zinc supplement increased the mean serum zinc concentration to 13.0 mumol/L by age 6 mo. With increasing intake of solid foods, the concentration fell by age 9 mo to the same concentration as in the other groups. The supplement did not increase the velocity of weight or length growth. In their growth the unsupplemented infants were not inferior to the breast-fed or zinc-supplemented infants.

Female↗
PubMed1994

Pituitary-gonadal interactions in perinatal rats: relationships of plasma luteinizing hormone and testosterone concentrations, and pituitary levels of LH subunit mRNAs.

The functional state of the pituitary-gonadal axis was studied in rats on days 18.5-21.5 of fetal life (f) and on day 4 postpartum by measurements of plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T). LH was measured using an ultrasensitive immunofluorometric assay. In addition, male fetuses were castrated and exposed to the antiandrogen flutamide (FL; 100 mg/kg BW) or the Leydig cell-specific cytotoxic agent ethylene dimethane sulphonate (EDS, 50 mg/kg BW on 2 days) by injections of the drugs to the mothers. Besides LH and T, pituitary levels of LH subunit mRNAs were measured in these animals. The results allowed the following conclusions: (1) the plasma LH levels in both sexes are low (< 0.05 micrograms/l, NIH rLH RP-2) on days f18.5 and f19.5; (2) a 4- to 5-fold increase in plasma LH occurs between days f19.5 and f20.5, and a 3- to 4-fold sex difference appears (females > males); (3) the activation of fetal testicular T production before day f19.5 takes place in the face of very low plasma LH (< 0.02 micrograms/l), suggesting that some factor(s) other than LH may stimulate the testis at this age; (4) the reciprocal changes of plasma LH and T, and the experiments with castration, EDS and FL demonstrate that testicular feedback regulation of LH secretion is functional from day f19.5 onwards; (5) the parallel changes of T in male and female fetal plasma suggest that T in female fetuses comes from male littermates, and (6) the fetal pituitary-testicular axis is less sensitive to hormonal manipulations than that of the postnatal animal, possibly due to interference of maternal and placental hormones with the pituitary-testicular interactions.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Ontogeny of luteinizing hormone receptor gene expression in the rat testis.

The ontogeny of expression of the LH receptor (LHR) gene was studied in rat testis between day 12.5 of fetal life and adulthood. Specific hybridization of testicular mRNA with a LHR cRNA probe encoding the extracellular domain of the receptor was found from day 16.5 of fetal life onward in Northern hybridization. Transcripts of 6.8, 4.2, and 2.7 kilobases were present at all ages, and a 1.8-kilobase species was present mainly in the adult testes. Hybridization was most intensive in day 21.5 fetuses, decreased after birth, and increased again by adulthood. The LHR mRNA was also analyzed by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction technique, with primers multiplying either the full-length LHR mRNA or its extracellular domain. The specificity of the DNA species generated was verified by Southern hybridization using a nested 32P-labeled oligonucleotide. The results indicated that a truncated mRNA form, encoding the extracellular part of LHR, appears 1 day before the full-length LHR mRNA, i.e. on fetal days 14.5 and 15.5, respectively. This is in striking contrast to the rat fetal ovary, in which a difference of more than 10 days is found in the appearance of these two LHR mRNAs (17.5 days of fetal and 7 days of postnatal age, respectively). The appearance of the full-length LHR mRNA coincides in both sexes with the developmental onset of LHR binding observed in earlier studies. In situ hybridization using an antisense cRNA probe demonstrated that the LHR mRNA was confined to Leydig cells at all fetal and postnatal ages studied. In conclusion, there is good correlation in the developing rat testes between the onset of LHR gene expression and LHR binding, as observed in earlier studies. The findings in the fetal testis are at striking variance with those in the ovary, which starts expressing the extracellular domain of the LHR mRNA at roughly the same age as the testis. However, the appearance of full-length LHR mRNA and the functional receptor are delayed until day 7 postpartum.

Aging↗
PubMed1992

The murine luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor genes: transcription initiation sites, putative promoter sequences and promoter activity.

The putative promoter regions of the murine follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor genes were isolated and used to map transcription initiation sites for both genes. For the FSH receptor gene, a major transcription initiation site was found 534 nucleotides upstream, and for the LH receptor gene 310 nucleotides upstream of the corresponding translation initiation codons. In addition, several alternative minor transcription initiation sites were observed for both genes. The nucleotide sequences of the promoter regions revealed no canonical promoter elements, such as TATA and CCAAT consensus sites 5' of the main transcriptional start sites. The isolated promoter segments for both receptor genes showed low functional activity as verified in transient expression studies in immature rat granulosa cells using the luciferase coding region as the reporter for promoter activity. Both promoter elements seem to be still under tissue specific control, since neither LH receptor nor FSH receptor promoter activity was detectable in another cell line (CHO) investigated.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Age-related discrepancies between serum and pituitary gonadotrophin, and pituitary gonadotrophin subunit mRNA responses to castration and testosterone replacement in male rats.

The responses of gonadotrophin gene expression, pituitary content and serum levels to castration alone and castration plus testosterone replacement (silicone elastomer implants) were compared in male rats at 10, 30, 60 and 90 days of age. Sham-operated animals served as controls. In addition, 30-day-old castrated rats were treated with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and diethylstilboestrol (DES). When killed 7 days after castration, the increases in serum LH (six- to eightfold; P < 0.01) and FSH (two- to fourfold; P < 0.01) were similar at all ages studied. Likewise, testosterone reversed the effects of castration in a largely similar fashion at all ages. In contrast, great age-related differences were observed in the responses of gonadotrophin subunit mRNAs to the treatments. Castration increased the common alpha subunit mRNA two- to fourfold on days 10 and 30 (P < 0.01), sixfold on day 60 (P < 0.01), but not at all on day 90. Testosterone reversed the increases at all ages, but the levels were below those of controls only at 90 days (P < 0.01). The highest increases (sixfold; P < 0.01) of LH-beta mRNA were seen on days 10 and 60, the others being two- to threefold higher (P < 0.05-0.01). Testosterone reversed this effect at 60 days and suppressed LH-beta mRNA to below the control levels at other ages (P < 0.01). Castration had no effect on FSH-beta subunit mRNA at 30 and 90 days but a four- to fivefold increase was seen on days 10 and 60 (P < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗
PubMed1992

Effect of chronic ethanol diet on expression of gonadotropin genes in the male rat.

The present study elucidates further the defect in the function of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in the male rat after a 6% ethanol diet for 5 weeks. The body, testis, prostate and seminal vesicle weights of the ethanol-treated animals did not differ from those of the pair-fed controls. However, the weights of the ethanol and pair-fed groups were significantly lower than in untreated controls (P less than .001). The pituitary luteinizing hormone beta mRNA level of ethanol-treated rats was significantly higher (P less than .05) but the follicle-stimulating hormone beta mRNA level was lower (P less than .05) than those of the diet control group. Additionally, the follicle-stimulating hormone beta mRNA level of the diet controls was higher than that of the untreated controls (P less than .05). There were no significant differences in the levels of common-alpha subunit or prolactin mRNA between the groups. The serum and testicular testosterone concentrations of the ethanol and diet control groups did not differ, but both were significantly lower than in untreated controls (P less than .01). The serum luteinizing hormone of ethanol rats was significantly higher than that of diet controls (P less than .01), but the pituitary luteinizing hormone, the serum and pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone and the prolactin of ethanol and diet control animals did not differ.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Differential response of luteinizing hormone receptor and steroidogenic enzyme gene expression to human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation in the neonatal and adult rat testis.

To study further the functional differences of the fetal-neonatal and adult growth phases of Leydig cells, neonatal (5-day-old) and adult (60-day-old) male rats were challenged with a 600 IU/kg injection of human CG (hCG). Certain Leydig cell responses were monitored 1, 2, and 3 days after the hCG injection. The down-regulation of LH receptors and blockage of the 17-hydroxylase/C17-20 lyase step in adult testis, and the absence of these responses in neonatal testis were confirmed. Novel data were obtained on concomitant responses of LH receptor and steroidogenic enzyme messenger RNAs (mRNAs). The LH receptor mRNA was increased 4-5-fold by 2 days after hCG injection in the neonatal testis (P less than 0.05), but in the adult was decreased during all 3 days by 50% (P less than 0.05). The mRNA level of the cytochrome P450 for cholesterol side chain cleavage responded similarly at both ages, with a 180-260% increase during 2 and 3 days (P less than 0.05-0.01). In contrast, the 17-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase cytochrome P450 mRNAs displayed opposite responses, increasing 4.5-fold in 2 days (P less than 0.01) in the neonates, but decreasing by 80% in 1 day in the adults (P less than 0.01). No response of the aromatase cytochrome P450 mRNA to hCG stimulation was found at either age studied. These results demonstrate that the functional differences of the neonatal and adult Leydig cells to high gonadotropic stimulation occur at the level of expression of specific genes, including those of the LH receptor and the 17-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase cytochrome P450. Although aromatization of testicular androgens has been suggested to mediate the blockade of the 17-hydroxylase/C17-20 lyase step in adult testes, altered steady state levels of aromatase mRNA are not involved in this response. LH receptor mRNA decreases in adult rat testis in response to treatment with high levels of hCG. Thus, this phenomenon of down-regulation of membrane receptors includes a decreased LH receptor mRNA as well as cellular internalization of the existing receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

High concentrations of chromium in lung tissue from lung cancer patients.

The pulmonary chromium content was determined by plasma atomic emission spectrometer (DCP-AES) from 53 lung cancer and 43 control patients, and compared with smoking habits, severity of emphysema and occupational history. The chromium content from the lung cancer patients was higher than that from the smoking (P less than 0.025) or nonsmoking control patients (6.4 +/- 4.3, 4.0 +/- 4.0, and 2.2 +/- 0.6 microgram/g dry weight, respectively). A positive correlation between the pulmonary chromium and smoking time (P less than 0.025) and the severity of emphysema (P less than 0.001) was found in the control but not in the cancer patients. The difference in the pulmonary chromium content was greatest between those lung cancer and control patients who were light smokers or had mild emphysema. This group of lung cancer patients included subjects with occupational exposure to chromium. The possibility of occupational cancer should be considered especially with light smokers. The grade of emphysema and metals such as chromium accumulating from tobacco could serve as objective indicators of smoking.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Gonadal and sex steroid feedback regulation of gonadotrophin mRNA levels and secretion in neonatal male and female rats.

Serum and pituitary LH and FSH, and their pituitary mRNA levels, were measured in neonatal male and female rats after gonadectomy and after gonadectomy with sex steroid replacement. The animals were gonadectomized on day 3 of life, and those given sex steroid replacement were implanted with silicone elastomer capsules containing testosterone for males and diethylstilboestrol for females. Sham-operated rats served as controls. The animals were killed 4 or 8 days latter and the sera and pituitaries collected. Pituitary contents of mRNAs for the alpha subunit, FSH-beta and LH-beta were determined by blot hybridization using corresponding cDNAs. Distinct sex differences were found in the mRNA responses to gonadectomy and steroid replacement. In the males, gonadectomy increased all mRNA levels at 7 days of age. In the females, a rise on day 7 was detected only for FSH-beta; the other mRNAs were increased on day 11 of age. The steroid replacements reversed all the post-gonadectomy increases of mRNAs in both sexes. Moreover, the common alpha and LH-beta mRNAs of the male animals were consistently suppressed below control levels. The serum concentrations of gonadotrophins increased after gonadectomy on day 7 in the males but only on day 11 in the females. The steroid replacements also suppressed the post-gonadectomy increases in serum gonadotrophins, but only the serum concentration of FSH in the females was reduced below controls. Pituitary gonadotrophin concentrations were not affected by gonadectomy, but the steroids suppressed LH in the males and FSH in the females.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Trace elements during 2 years' oral contraception with low-estrogen preparations.

In 17 healthy women, taking either a combination of 0.030 mg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.150 mg of levonorgestrel (n = 9) or a combination of 0.030 mg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.150 mg of desogestrel (n = 8) for oral contraception, the profiles of iron, calcium, copper, and zinc levels were investigated. The blood samplings were performed prior to oral contraception and after 3, 12, and 24 months' contraception, as well as within 2 months after discontinuation of the pill. No changes occurred in iron, calcium, and zinc levels. On the other hand, the copper level was significantly increased during oral contraception, yet returned to the initial level after discontinuation of contraception. No differences occurred between the two preparations for oral contraception.

Calcium↗
PubMed1986

Cu nutrition in infants during prolonged exclusive breast-feeding: low intake but rising serum concentrations of Cu and ceruloplasmin.

We studied Cu intake and nutrition in exclusively breast-fed infants by determining Cu and ceruloplasmin concentrations in maternal and infant sera, as well as milk intakes and concentrations. The infants numbered 200 at birth, 116 at age 6 mo, 36 at 9 mo, and 7 at 12 mo. Postpartum the mean maternal serum concentrations of Cu and ceruloplasmin were high, but decreased in 4 mo to the level of nonpregnant women, and remained thereafter stable. The median milk Cu concentration decreased throughout lactation. In contrast, the mean infant serum concentrations of Cu and ceruloplasmin increased with age reaching adult levels by age 6 mo. The infant serum concentrations were independent of the milk concentrations which in turn were independent of the maternal serum concentrations and the degree of maternal supplementation (none, 2, or 4 mg Cu++ with Fe++ and Zn++). Neither maternal nor infant serum concentrations reflected intake of Cu. The daily Cu intake varied up to 10-fold between infants. No signs of Cu deficiency were detected during exclusive breast-feeding.

Aging↗
PubMed1985

Copper and zinc metabolism in aspartylglycosaminuria and Salla disease.

Changes in the metabolism of copper and zinc are described in aspartylglycosaminuria (AGU) patients. AGU patients had significantly reduced serum zinc concentrations. However, hair zinc levels were normal, and hyperzincuria could not be demonstrated. The copper content in the hair of AGU patients was highly elevated. Serum copper and ceruloplasmin concentrations were within normal range. In AGU, small-molecular-weight glycoasparagine storage products accumulate in tissues and are excreted in urine in large amounts. They may interfere with the transport mechanisms of trace elements, and thus alter their distribution and availability for tissues. The changes in copper and zinc levels may contribute to the pathogenesis of some of the clinical signs of AGU and Salla disease.

Amidohydrolases↗
PubMed1984

Trace metals in postdate pregnancy.

Maternal and cord serum calcium, copper, iron and zinc concentrations were analyzed in 20 women with a postdate pregnancy. The control group consisted of 20 parturients with delivery at term and their newborns. Serum free estriol (E3) was also determined. Maternal serum copper, zinc and E3 were statistically significantly lower, while cord serum copper and fetomaternal ratio of zinc were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group. Further, a positive correlation between E3 and maternal serum copper level (r = 0.63) was found.

Adult↗