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Biomedical subjects

R G Farquharson

Publications and source records attributed to R G Farquharson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Human chorionic gonadotropin supplementation in recurring pregnancy loss: a controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of hCG in the management of recurrent early pregnancy loss. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Miscarriage Clinic, Women's Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom. SUBJECTS: Eighty-one women attending the miscarriage clinic with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss were randomized to receive hCG supplementation or placebo in early pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The success rate or live birth rate. RESULTS: In women with regular menstrual cycles it was found that hCG had no beneficial effect, the pregnancy success rate being 86% in both groups. However, women with oligomenorrhea had a pregnancy success rate of 40% in the placebo group but a statistically significant improvement to 86% if hCG was given. CONCLUSIONS: Human chorionic gonadotropin can be recommended for idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss in women with oligomenorrhea.

Abortion, Habitual↗
PubMed1993

Predicting recurring miscarriage: what is important?

OBJECTIVE: To audit the Miscarriage Clinic in Liverpool and to categorize women into those at low and high risk of a subsequent pregnancy loss. METHODS: Over 4 years (1989-1992), 203 consecutive couples attended the Miscarriage Clinic in Liverpool. A data base was designed and a mathematical model formulated that described the data base. RESULTS: A successful pregnancy outcome was most likely in the presence of the following features: menstrual regularity, fewer than four previous miscarriages, maternal age of less than 30 years, absence of antiphospholipid antibodies, and a previous live birth. Oligomenorrhea was a considerably more significant feature than any other in predicting a subsequent miscarriage. These high-risk oligomenorrheic women were found to have low luteal phase estradiol levels, but normal luteal phase progesterone profiles and normal LH profiles throughout the menstrual cycle. CONCLUSIONS: Women suffering from recurring miscarriage can be placed into differing risk categories. Women with a good prognosis require counseling alone. Women at high risk of a subsequent miscarriage had oligomenorrhea and an isolated deficiency of estradiol in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.

Abortion, Habitual↗
PubMed1988

Serum DHAS in the maternal-fetoplacental system during the 28th-40th weeks of pregnancy.

The authors measured the serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS) in the maternal vein (MV), the umbilical vein (UV) and the umbilical artery (UA) during the 28th-36th weeks of pregnancy (n = 74) and in the 40th week (n = 34), to clarify the hormonal changes that occur between the maternal and fetal compartments. The following results were found: (1) The DHAS concentration increased significantly in MV, up to twice the concentration from the 28th-32nd weeks to the 33rd-36th weeks (p less than 0.01). From the 33rd-36th weeks to the 40th week it decreased significantly to one third of this value (p less than 0.01). DHAS levels revealed a decreasing tendency in the UA and UV serum from the 28th-32nd weeks to the 33rd-36th weeks, and there was a tendency to rise from the 33rd-36th weeks to the 40th week. (2) The serum DHAS values were found to be higher than in the MV, the UA-UV difference was not significant; however, the 'UA/UV X 100' value remained higher than 100% during the 28th-40th weeks. (3) The MV DHAS value showed slight correlation with the UV and UA DHAS concentration (r = 0.2951, p less than 0.01, n = 106; r = 0.2930, p less than 0.01, n = 100). There was a close correlation between the UV and UA serum DHAS levels (r = 0.8432, p less than 0.01, n = 98). The authors consider that the adrenal activity increases independently of the maternal adrenal cortex at term.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Unconjugated 17 beta-oestradiol and oestriol in maternal serum and in cord vein and artery blood at term and preterm delivery.

The serum level of unconjugated 17 beta-oestradiol (E2) and oestriol (E3) in the maternal vein (MV), the umbilical vein (UV) and artery (UA) immediately after term (n = 34) and preterm (n = 74) labour was measured to clarify the hormonal changes that occur between the maternal and fetal compartments. The following results were found. (1) The level of E2 and E3 increased equally in the MV, UV and UA serum from the 28th-32nd week to the 33rd-36th week of pregnancy. From the 33rd-36th week to the 40th week there was no change in the MV, but the value of E2 and E3 decreased significantly in the UV and UA serum. (2) The serum level of E2 in the MV was significantly higher than that in the UV and UA during every gestational period. In contrast, the serum concentration of E3 in the MV was significantly lower than that in the UV and UA. (3) The value of 'UA/UV X 100' of E2 and E3 was about 30% during the 28th-40th week. (4) A weak correlation was found between the MV serum level of E2 and E3 and UA serum concentrations. A strong correlation was found between the UV and UA serum levels of E2 and E3. The authors suggest that though there is a close connection between the fetal and the maternal organism, the fetus is still capable of maintaining its hormonal environment independently.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Change of serum HPL level in maternal vein, umbilical cord vein and artery in mature and premature labour.

The authors examined the possible role of HPL in the onset of labour. The HPL level of the maternal vein, the umbilical cord vein and artery was compared in vaginal mature (n = 16) and premature (n = 52) deliveries. The HPL concentration was also examined in mature (n = 18) and premature (n = 18) deliveries performed by caesarean section prior to the onset of labour. The results showed that: the serum HPL level in the maternal vein, the umbilical cord vein and artery was lower during the 33rd-36th and the 40th weeks in cases of vaginal delivery compared to elective caesarean section; The artery/vein ratio decreases during labour (A/V X 100 value), indicating that HPL metabolism in the fetus decreases during regular labour pains; The onset of premature labour and delivery was associated with lower HPL levels compared to normal pregnancy. The authors assume that the lower HPL level found in cases of vaginal delivery may be due to reduced placental perfusion, but they do not exclude the possible association of lower HPL concentrations in cases of premature delivery.

Cesarean Section↗
PubMed1985

Cortisol concentrations in the umbilical artery and vein of breech-presenting infants at term in relation to the method of delivery.

Umbilical cord artery and vein cortisol levels and cord artery pH were measured in 32 breech deliveries. There was no detectable increase in fetal cortisol output in relation to fetal acidosis. It is considered that elevation of fetal cortisol levels is caused by maternal transfer of this hormone transplacentally during stressful delivery rather than by enhanced fetal adrenal activity.

Breech Presentation↗