Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S C Stone

Publications and source records attributed to S C Stone.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Ovulation induction in women with premature ovarian failure: a prospective, crossover study.

A prospective crossover study comparing ovulation induction techniques in eight women with premature ovarian failure is presented. These patients were treated with FSH rebound techniques using the GnRH-a, LA, alone in one treatment cycle and the same plus menopausal gonadotropins in the other treatment cycle. Two women ovulated in each group. We conclude that ovulation does occur in women with premature ovarian failure, but that luteal P may be inadequately secreted.

Adult↗

Failed oocyte retrieval after lack of human chorionic gonadotropin administration in assisted reproductive technology.

OBJECTIVE: To document the absence of oocytes in follicular aspirates in women who, during controlled ovarian stimulation with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) and menotropins, fail to receive human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of clinical laboratory data. SETTING: Multicentric. PATIENTS: Five women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with GnRH-a and menotropins for programs of assisted reproductive technologies. RESULTS: The documented absence of an hCG injection produced "empty follicles" at transvaginal guided aspiration, despite numerous follicular lavages and aspiration of peritoneal fluid. The lack of oocytes and granulosa-cumulus complex in the follicular fluid was reverted in other cycles in the same patients when hCG was properly administered. CONCLUSIONS: (1) This study emphasizes the importance of proper patients' and nurses' instructions for preparation of hCG injections and proper mixture of vehicle and powder before follicular aspiration. (2) In the absence of cumulus-corona-oocyte complex at aspiration, measure serum beta-hCG to ascertain whether hCG injection was administered or not. (3) Routine preoperative beta-hCG levels may be helpful to avoid unnecessary surgeries.

Adult↗

Radiologic evaluation of incremental intrauterine instillation of contrast material.

In view of the contradictory results of IUI reported in the literature, the present study was undertaken to determine whether the volume of material injected into the uterus can affect the delivery site of the sperm. Ten infertile women scheduled for HSG were submitted to intrauterine injection of different volumes of radiopaque dye (0.2 mL to 1.0 mL) before the procedure to mimic IUI. An x ray taken immediately after injection showed that volumes of > or = 0.4 mL reached the uterus and tubes, whereas the 0.2-mL volume did not reach the tube. These data show that volume injected is an important variable in IUI.

Adult↗

Corticotropin releasing hormone and gonadotropin secretion in physically active males after acute exercise.

Plasma concentrations of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and the serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol were measured in seven physically active males after acute exercise on a treadmill using the Bruce protocol. Measurements were made in the basal pre-exercise state, immediately after exercise, and at 30-min intervals for 3 h after exercise. Serum LH concentrations declined following exercise reaching nadir values between 60 and 180 min after exercise (90 min post exercise in the group). The nadir values in individual volunteers were significantly lower than both the baseline and post-exercise levels. This fall in serum LH concentration appeared to follow a slight but significant elevation of the plasma concentration of CRH which reached peak levels when measured immediately post exercise. Plasma ACTH concentrations paralleled the rise in CRH, but fell to undetectable levels of below 13.8 nmol.l-1 (less than 5 ng.l-1) 60 min after exercise. Plasma cortisol concentrations peaked approximately 30 min after the rise in ACTH, after which they gradually declined to baseline levels. Plasma testosterone concentrations paralleled the concentrations of LH. The data suggest that CRH, on the basis of its previously described gonadotropin-depressant property, may be the hormone involved in the exercise-mediated decline in serum LH. Alternatively, some as yet unidentified factor(s), may be involved in producing the altered concentrations of both LH and CRH.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in assisted reproductive technology: definition of high risk groups.

In a retrospective analysis of 637 cycles of ovarian stimulation and transvaginal follicular aspiration for various assisted reproductive technologies, severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (SOH) occurred in six (0.94%) cycles. The patients at a high risk of developing SOH in cycles of assisted reproduction were those who had excessive serum oestradiol levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration (oestradiol greater than 6000 pg/ml; 38% SOH) and a high number of oocytes obtained (greater than 30 oocytes; 23% SOH). In those patients with both oestradiol greater than 6000 pg/ml on the day of HCG administration and greater than 30 eggs retrieved, the chance of developing SOH was 80%. The higher the serum oestradiol levels and the more eggs retrieved, the higher the pregnancy rates observed. High oestradiol level did not appear to have a detrimental effect on pregnancy rates and outcome. Furthermore, our results are not consistent with suggestions that the addition of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist to ovarian stimulation protocols, follicular aspiration and/or luteal support with progesterone may reduce the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Cell Count↗

Intrauterine inseminations with washed human spermatozoa does not induce formation of antisperm antibodies.

In this study we investigated the possible development of serum antisperm antibodies in women receiving repeated IUI. Patients acted as its own control and were evaluated before and after various (1 to 15) IUI cycles using three different assays for antisperm antibodies. It was found that only 2 out of 41 women developed antisperm antibodies. We concluded that exposure of the upper reproductive tract to washed spermatozoa during repeated IUI with partners' sperm does not significantly stimulate the appearance of serum antisperm antibodies.

Antibodies↗

Gamete intrafallopian transfer: the effect of the number of eggs used and the depth of gamete placement on pregnancy initiation.

The role of the fallopian tube in initiating pregnancy was examined in 246 consecutive gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) cycles. Before actual transfer, the ampulla of each tube was measured to determine the depth at which gametes could be placed. Fifty-seven transfers were made with four oocytes into a single tube; of these, when gametes were deposited deeper than 4 cm, the pregnancy rate was higher than when they were placed at between 3 to 4 cm (69.6% compared with 41.2%). Presumably, a deeper placement is more secure and decreases the likelihood of gamete displacement. The pregnancy rate also rose with the number of oocytes used: from 0% with a single oocyte to 42.9% with four oocytes.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗

Comparison of a single-antigen microimmunofluorescence assay and inclusion fluorescent-antibody assay for detecting chlamydial antibodies and correlation of the results with neutralizing ability.

An inclusion fluorescent-antibody assay (IFA) with McCoy cells infected with Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L2 was compared with a single-antigen (L2) microimmunofluorescence (MIF) assay for the detection of antichalmydial antibodies. A total of 562 serum specimens were tested by both assays, and sera representing a range of titers were tested for their ability to neutralize the infectivity of C. trachomatis. Overall, there was poor correlation between the two assays (r2 = 0.62). With most sera the inclusion IFA was more sensitive. There was better correlation between IFA titer and ability to neutralize the five serovars tested (L2, L3, C, E, and F) than between the MIF assay and neutralization. In summary, the IFA appeared to be more sensitive than the MIF assay for detecting antibodies to C. trachomatis.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

Reproducibility of the indirect immunobead assay for detecting sperm antibodies in serum.

Although an immunobead assay (IBA) for the detection of antisperm antibodies was developed several years ago and has been used for the study of immunologic infertility, no data regarding its variability and reproducibility are yet available. We evaluated the intraassay reproducibility of the indirect IBA by testing aliquots of antisperm-antibody-positive sera from two patients against the same donor sperm sample. The interassay reproducibility was evaluated by testing a positive serum sample first with different sperm samples from the same donor and second with sperm samples from different donors. The results of those experiments showed that the indirect IBA has very low intraassay variation and greater interassay variability.

Female↗

Acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa in zona-free hamster egg penetration test.

The acrosomal status of human sperm during preparation for the process of zona-free hamster egg penetration test (ZFHEPT) was determined. The incidence of acrosome reaction (AR), as assessed by triple-stain technique, was significantly increased after 24 hours of incubation at 4 degrees C in TES-Tris (TEST)-yolk buffer, but the absolute values were relatively low (20% or less). Sperm from fertile donors and infertile patients with normal or abnormal semen analysis displayed similar capacity to undergo the AR in vitro. Although a positive correlation was found between the incidence of AR and the score of ZFHEPT, a remarkable individual variation was noted. The incidence of AR in freely swimming human sperm does not accurately reflect the fertilizing ability of the sperm.

Acrosome↗

Oviductal cilial phagocytosis in patients undergoing tubal reanastomosis.

Chronic salpingitis has been reported in patients undergoing reversal of sterilization. For investigation of a possible microbial etiology for this process and characterization of its ultrastructural features, segments from the midportion of the fallopian tubes of five patients who underwent sterilization reversal were studied by comprehensive tubal cultures, and light and electron microscopy. Three patients undergoing sterilization by partial salpingectomy were studied as controls. Chlamydial IgG and IgM antibody titers were performed on serum samples. No microbiologic or serologic evidence for active infection by known pathogens was found. In three of the study patients mild oviductal mural fibrosis was present. However, in two other study patients chronic salpingitis with phagocytosis of cilia by luminal macrophages was demonstrated. It is suggested that if this active process persists after tubal reanastomosis, it may result in impaired oviductal function.

Adult↗

Comparison of techniques for the selection of bacteria-free sperm preparations.

The authors compared the three most commonly used sperm preparation techniques--swim-up, fall-down, and Percoll gradient--for their ability to recover highly motile sperm and minimize bacterial contamination. Eleven human semen samples collected by masturbation were used and run in parallel with the three methods. A semiquantitative bacterial analysis was performed in all samples and results expressed in colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml). The Percoll gradient technique resulted in an average sperm concentration of 5.81 +/- 4.4 X 10(6) ml, and the average bacterial concentration dropped from 8.66 +/- 12.96 X 10(3) CFU/ml in semen to 0.01 +/- 0.03 X 10(3) CFU/ml. The bacterial count was not significantly different when the raw semen was compared with the swim-up or the fall-down preparations. The authors conclude that the Percoll gradient method yields an adequate sperm concentration, with high motility and improved morphology, while eliminating bacterial contamination.

Bacteria↗

An immunobead assay for antibodies to spermatozoa in serum. Comparison with traditional agglutination and immobilization tests.

Circulating sperm antibodies have been traditionally quantified by measuring sperm agglutination (SAT) and immobilization (SIT) in serum. Recently an indirect immunobead assay (IBA) for detecting these antibodies in serum has been reported. Immunobeads coated with rabbit antibody to one of the three major immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM and IgA) are used. The procedure involves mixing a Hepes washed sample of normal donor sperm with the individual sera followed by centrifugation and incubation with each type of immunobead preparation and observed for evidence of binding. Sera from 40 patients previously tested with SAT and SIT were compared in four groups. There was a good correlation between IgG-IBA and SIT and a poor correlation between IgG-IBA and SAT. The class of immunoglobulin detected most frequently was IgG.

Female↗

Recovery of microorganisms from the pelvic cavity after intracervical or intrauterine artificial insemination.

To assess the risk of introducing microorganisms into the peritoneal cavity during intracervical or intrauterine insemination, we cultured the cervix and semen from 19 couples before insemination and the peritoneal fluid from the female partner after insemination. The peritoneal cultures taken before hydrotubation grew organisms in one of ten intracervical inseminations and five of the nine intrauterine inseminations (P less than 0.05). In four of the five positive peritoneal cultures from the intrauterine group, the organism was also cultured from the semen specimen obtained before insemination and not from the cervical sample. Therefore, intrauterine insemination appears to increase the risk of introducing microorganisms into the upper genital tract and the peritoneal cavity. The clinical significance of this finding remains to be established.

Adult↗

Peritoneal recovery of motile and nonmotile sperm in the presence of endometriosis.

It has been postulated that pelvic endometriosis may cause infertility by interfering with sperm motility and transport and even by increased intraperitoneal phagocytosis. The rate of sperm recovery at the time of laparoscopy performed in the immediate preovulatory period was determined in 29 patients (27.4%) with endometriosis (AFS stage I) and in 77 patients (72.6%) without endometriosis. The number of patients with motile sperm in both groups was similar (difference P greater than 0.30). It is concluded that mild endometriosis does not affect sperm transport and survival and that increased sperm phagocytosis in vivo is unlikely.

Endometriosis↗

Determination of reproductive maturity in the female nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus).

At 3-month intervals from birth to 27 months of age, 3 female armadillos were killed. The number and size of follicles greater than 202 micron were determined, plasma progesterone concentration was measured, and values were correlated with age. Blood samples were taken monthly by femoral vein puncture and plasma was analysed by radioimmunoassay for progesterone concentration. At necropsy, both ovaries were visually inspected for a corpus luteum, weighed and then processed for routine histology. The number of normal, antral follicles greater than 202 micron were counted. These follicles were arbitrarily categorized into 15 different size groups (every 77 micron). Total number of follicles greater than 202 micron varied from 15.5 +/- 1.3 at 15 months of age to 26.3 +/- 1.9 at 21 months. Follicles of a size (greater than 978 micron) most likely to ovulate were present only at greater than or equal to 9 months of age. Progesterone values remained below the adult concentration (5 ng/ml) until 15 months of age. A concentration of progesterone indicative of ovulation (approximately 10 ng/ml) occurred between 17 and 20 months of age. The findings of the present study demonstrate that the female armadillo is reproductively mature after 15 months of age.

Animal Population Groups↗

Ultrasound: a technique useful in determining the side of ovulation.

It is often assumed that ovulation commonly occurs from alternating sides each month, but it is unknown whether it can occur repeatedly from the same side. In an effort to answer this question, we selected 39 women from our infertility clinic who had six consecutive courses of ultrasound (US) to monitor ovulation and in whom the side of ovulation was recorded. Nine patients (23.1%) ovulated from the same side for six consecutive cycles, whereas no patient alternated side of ovulation in the same period of time. Stimulation with clomiphene citrate and/or human menopausal gonadotropin that results in single ovulation did not affect this pattern. The data were analyzed statistically with the use of a Markov Chain Model and the chi-square goodness-of-fit; the occurrence of persistent same-side ovulation was significant to P less than or equal to 0.001.

Adult↗