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Biomedical subjects

R F Harrison

Publications and source records attributed to R F Harrison.

172 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of bovine cervical mucus penetration as a test of human spermatozoal function for an in vitro fertilization programme.

Thirty-two couples participating in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) programme were evaluated as regards the prognostic value on fertilization of spermatozoal performance through flat capillary tubes filled with standardized midcycle bovine cervical mucus (Penetrak, Serono Diagnostics, Surrey, UK). A statistically significant correlation (P < 0.033) was observed between the distance travelled by the neat spermatozoa in the mucus and the % penetration of oocytes at IVF. There were also significant correlations between motility and progression (P < 0.004) and a borderline correlation between progression and the Penetrak results (P < 0.098). There was no significant difference between the Penetrak distances travelled between the 9 who conceived (33.4 mm) and the 23 who did not (29.9 mm). While the test does add to the knowledge of fertilization potential, the results extrapolated to a larger series would give false positive rates of 25% and false negative rates of 11%. The absence of a clear end point renders the Penetrak mucus penetration test insufficiently accurate to be used as a main measure of the male factor when advising for or against IVF therapy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Preparation of antibody free spermatozoa by in vitro immunodepletion using immunobeads.

In the present study ejaculates from six infertile men with antisperm antibodies were processed on a six step discontinuous percoll gradient. This treatment yielded a sperm fraction with a different percentage of sperm with antisperm antibodies. The resultant sperm preparation was incubated with immunobeads. Sperm were recovered following incubation by swim-up. Sperm recovered at the end of processing showed reduced populations of antisperm antibodies. Even though sufficient numbers of sperm were obtained to consider assisted reproduction, reduced motility was recorded in four of the ejaculates when compared with routine processing. Following trial preparations of semen samples this technique may play a role in sperm selection for assisted conception.

Antibodies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Peritoneal leakage of gastric contents, a rare complication of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

BACKGROUND: A 94-year-old man underwent a routine percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy but 7 days later developed abdominal pain and died of a previously unreported late complication. METHODS: A case report of the main clinical and pathological findings and a brief discussion of the significance of the case. RESULTS: Postmortem examination revealed a chemical peritonitis due to leakage of 2.8 L of formula into the peritoneal cavity through an enlarged gastrostomy hole around a correctly positioned tube. CONCLUSION: This is a previously unreported complication that occurred because of repeated pulling on the tube by a confused patient, causing a loss of the usual apposition of the gastric and the anterior abdominal walls. The importance of the case is to emphasize that late, even fatal, complications can occur until a permanent fibrous tract has been formed between the skin and the gastric wall.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Early pregnancy loss: how do men feel?

One in five pregnancies (20%) end in miscarriage. A specialized early pregnancy loss clinic to provide dedicated medical advice and support was established at the Rotunda Hospital in July 2002. A qualitative pilot study was conducted in July 2002 to assess the emotional response of male partners and also to establish if sufficient support services are provided for them. Ten consecutive couples attending the clinic 6-8 weeks following early pregnancy loss were included in the study. The partners were asked to complete a questionnaire with open and closed questions and return in the envelope provided. Nine questionnaires were returned. The average age of men attended was 28.6 years (range 20-39). The feelings described by men were typical of the grief and bereavement process. All wanted more time for discussion with doctors. They felt marginalized and although they felt support services for their partner were adequate, they felt that more support services for male partners should be provided. Based on these research findings, the specialized early pregnancy loss clinic is being developed to partner's needs and expectations. The appointment letter sent to the women now specifically states that the partner is welcome to attend. Partners are now included in the consultation.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Aims and objectives in the infertility clinic: the practical issues.

Aims and objectives of infertility clinic staff and their patients may not coincide. Pregnancy may not always be desired or desirable. Investigations and treatment may enhance the problem rather than alleviate it and cause considerable stress. Coping mechanisms in clients and staff may need specific reinforcement in success and in failure.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Stress and fertility: some modalities of investigation and treatment in couples with unexplained infertility in Dublin.

The role of stress in infertility, and its treatment, is reviewed in various groups of couples labeled "unexplained infertile." A simplified profile of stress markers based upon basal prolactin estimations and psychological measurements found infertile couples more stressed than fertile controls and revealed a sub-group of women characterized as having significantly high psychological stress scores and intermittent elevations of prolactin (spikers). This group was effectively treated with a combination of clomiphene citrate and bromocriptine. However, attention to the failures as well as the successes suggests optimum benefit to the patients might involve not only provision of a good clinic ambiance and pharmacological preparations, but also relaxation therapies such as Autogenic Training, which significantly lowered psychological and biochemical stress marker scores.

Bromocriptine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Observations on the motility, ultrastructure and elemental composition of human permatozoa incubated with caffeine. II. A time sequence study.

The effect of incubation with caffeine to a final concentration of 6 mM at seven time intervals from 0 to 120 minutes was examined in spermatozoa from two normal fertile semen samples and two infertile asthenozoospermic men. Light microscopic estimation of motility, scanning electron microscopic examination of the surface morphology and scanning transmission determination of subcellular elemental composition was carried out at each stage in comparison with placebo controls (modified Ringer solution). An interaction with incubation appeared necessary for caffeine to energise spermatozoa. This stimulatory effect on motility was more marked in the abnormal subjects although in all four individual response was variable. Surface morphological damage was noted in all experiments but was more pronounced the longer spermatozoa spent incubated with caffeine. Disruption of the sperm head and swelling of the mid-piece were the most characteristic features. Subcellular elemental composition of all six elements was greater in the fertile than in the infertile samples and caffeine exceeded placebo in four of the six, with a significant difference in sulphur levels. Sodium, sulphur and magnesium showed similar patterns of sub-group measurements at each of the seven time points suggesting perhaps a similar time influence mechanism operating for these three elements. The study shows the detrimental effect of incubation with caffeine to be marked and time linked, the shorter the time of incubation exposure with the drug the better. Therefore not only does the damage created make the incubation with caffeine of any semen sample unwise but the time strictures, especially in the asthenozoospermic, show it also to be an impractical method of increasing pregnancy potential in such subjects.

Caffeine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A comparative study of human chorionic gonadotropin, placebo, and bed rest for women with early threatened abortion.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of hCG therapy with placebo or bed rest in women with threatened abortion. DESIGN: Random assignment, double-blind. SETTING: Community hospitals. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Sixty-one women with viable pregnancies under 8 weeks' gestation on admission to hospital were randomly allocated to receive injections of hCG or placebo, or were advised to rest in bed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Abortion vs. continuation of pregnancy at 16 weeks' gestation. RESULTS: Thirty-one aborted: 6/20 on hCG, 10/21 on placebo, 15/20 on bed rest. hCG vs. bed rest, P < .01; placebo vs. bed rest, hCG vs. placebo--not significant. Plasma progesterone: continuing pregnancy > abortion, P < .01; continued with hCG vs. aborted on placebo, P < .001; continued with hCG vs. aborted with bed rest, P < .001. No significant differences in pregnancy/birth complications or infants' birth weight. Female/male ratio was 2:1. CONCLUSIONS: hCG is significantly better than bed rest.

Abortion, Threatened↗