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Results for “Cervical Mucus Method”

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PubMed2002

Evaluation of the antisperm antibodies in infertile couples afflicted with a cervical factor.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate methods used for antisperm antibodies detection in infertility. METHODS: The studied cohort comprised 38 infertile couples with a distinct cervical factor. Presence of antisperm antibodies and their levels in circulation were evaluated in sera samples of both partners and also in the cervical mucus and semen with the Latex Agglutination test. Western Blotting was applied as an additional method in antibody detection. We also assessed: the number of sexual partners, potentially allergizing sexual behaviour and other potentially sensitising factors. RESULTS: The positive antisperm antibodies were detected merely twice and only in one case there was evidence of insemination-impeding antisperm humoral response. The Western Blotting method enabled us to obtain a reaction to a range of sperm proteins which reacted with antibodies both in serum and in seminal plasma. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of infertility on immunological grounds on the basis of a single determinant on sperm presents little diagnostic value. In our view, the combination of patient's clinical status with immune-system response to a spectrum of sperm antigens provides means of infertility evaluation. We propose Western Blotting as an useful technique for detection of antisperm antibodies.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Predicting optimal cervical mucus for infertility diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the relationship between cervical mucus evaluations and daily fertility examinations in order to find monitoring techniques that can predict optimal mucus one day before it occurs. METHODS: Twenty-three healthy young female volunteers were followed during one spontaneous cycle with serial measurements of serum estradiol, progesterone, LH and FSH, urinary LH, and transvaginal ultrasound measurements of endometrial thickness and follicles. Data were related to cervical mucus scores. RESULTS: All cycles were ovulatory with optimal mucus, but in 14 optimal mucus was present for only one day. Echographic measurement of the leading follicle (mean diameter > or = 18 mm) could predict the day of optimal mucus in 78% and estradiol (> 700 pmol/l) in 83% of the cases. These two measurements combined predicted optimal mucus in 100% of the investigated women one day in advance. CONCLUSION: Optimal cervical mucus parameters can be predicted one day in advance by serial measurements of serum estradiol and follicular diameters.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Elevated interleukin-8 in cervical mucus as an indicator for treatment to prevent premature birth and preterm, pre-labor rupture of membranes: a prospective study.

PROBLEM: We investigated whether cervical shortening and high interleukin (IL)-8 in cervical mucus were valuable indications for treatment to prevent premature birth and preterm, pre-labor rupture of membranes (pPROM). METHOD OF STUDY: Pregnant women were divided into group A, in which neither cervical IL-8 nor cervical length was measured in the middle trimester; and groups B and C, in which cervical length and cervical IL-8 were measured, and bed rest or cerclage was performed when cervical shortening was detected. In group B, vaginal washing with povidone iodine and insertion of chloramphenicol vaginal tablets were carried out in women with IL-8 elevations. RESULTS: In group B, duration of pregnancy was significantly prolonged compared with group A and C, and occurrence of pPROM was significantly lower. No significant differences were found in those rates between groups A and C. CONCLUSION: Successful treatment for women with IL-8 elevations in cervical mucus decreased rates of premature birth or pPROM.

Cervix Mucus↗
PubMed1983

Evaluation of a rapid method for determination of total urinary estrogens in morning samples from normally menstruating women.

Total urinary estrogens (TUE) in morning urine samples delivered during seven days around midcycle from 14 normally menstruating women were analyzed and the results were compared with those obtained by radioimmunoassay of serum estradiol-17 beta (E2) and LH. The Spinnbarkeit of the cervical mucus was also determined daily and ovulation was confirmed by RIA of serum progesterone. Significant correlations (p less than 0.01) between day of peak levels of serum E2 and the day with the highest TUE value were obtained. Peak values for Spinnbarkeit, estradiol, TUE and LH were on the average obtained on cycle day 13.1 (10-17), 13.3 (10-16), 13.9 (11-18) and 14.1 (11-17), respectively, and the mean cycle length was 27.9 (24-32) days. The difference in mean peak day for estradiol and TUE, estradiol and Spinnbarkeit, estradiol and LH was significant in each comparison (p less than 0.01). Assays of TUE in morning samples as compared to analysis of TUE in 24 h urine portions were compared during 48 h in 10 women. The day with the highest TUE excretion was found to be the same in 7 women irrespective of the type of urinary sample analyzed. Analysis of urinary creatinine did not improve the TUE results. Levels of TUE in normally cycling females (n = 14); in women taking contraceptive steroids (n = 10), in menopausal women (n = 10) and in normal men (n = 10) agreed with those previously reported. It is concluded that the TUE determination by RIA may be helpful as a rapid method for everyday clinical use.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Vaginal cytology studies on the determination of the onset of estrus cycle post partum in sheep].

State of vaginal cells and arborisation grade of cervical mucus were studied in 364 Merino ewes of meat type from the 7. day ante partum. The Pundel modified Shorr-straining method and the Papanicolaou-straining method were used for differentiation of the cells (casal-, parabasal-, intermediate-and superficialcells). Near the 44., 54. and 70. day post partum a maximum of superficialcells and simultaneously a high grade of cervical mucus arborisation in elongating cyclic intervals can be observed in lactating ewes. In conclusion an early weaning of lambs between the 40. and 50. day post partum is considered to be in aggreement with cyclus.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Sampling of amniotic fluid for L/S ratio determination after rupture of membranes.

After rupture of membranes (RM), amniotic fluid (AF) leaking from the external os can be collected by means of a sterile bladder catheter inserted into the vagina and connected to a plastic bag for determination of the L/S ratio. This study was designed to ascertain whether contamination of AF with cervical or vaginal mucus alters the L/S ratio determined by Gluck's method. 50 gravidas in term or preterm labor had their amniotic sac punctured by a long gauge-20 needle under amnioscopic sight. Two samples of AF were collected from the needle. After RM, a sterile plastic bladder catheter was placed in the vagina and connected to a plastic bag ordinarily used for urine collection. Two additional samples of AF were taken from the plastic bag. All 4 samples were marked with code numbers and submitted for L/S ratio determination. There were no significant differences in the L/S ratio between samples obtained by the two different techniques. It is concluded that sampling of AF by means of a vaginal catheter and a plastic bag does not alter the L/S ratio, and is therefore practicable for assessing fetal lung maturity after RM.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1978

Structural studies on the glycoproteins from bovine cervical mucus.

The depolymerization of bovine cervical glycoprotein resulting from cleavage of disulphide bonds. Pronase digestion and both procedures sequentially was assessed by using gel filtration. Cleavage of disulphide bonds followed by Pronase digestion produced more extensive depolymerization than did either treatment alone, and gel filtration of the products resulted in two major peaks of glycosylated material on Sepharose CL-2B and Sepharose 4B. The glycopolypeptides in both peaks had similar sugar and sulphate compositions, but they migrated to different extents on gel electrophoresis. Electrophoretic studies indicated that both glycopolypeptides were derived from the same glycoprotein molecule and not from a mixture of two similar glycoproteins. Pronase digestion of glycoproteins in which the disulphide bonds had been labelled with iodo-[1-14C]acetamide revealed that most of the cysteine residues were situated in regions susceptible to Pronase. The results show the presence of two types of structural regions in bovine cervical glycoprotein, namely 'naked' peptide or non-glycosylated regions and glycopolypeptide subunit regions in which glycopolypeptides of two different sizes predominate. Comparison of the cervical glycoproteins isolated from mucus secreted during oestrus and pregnancy, by the methods outlined above, did not reveal any structural differences in the glycoproteins to explain the different physical properties of the mucus secreted under these conditions.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1985

Treatment of anaerobic female genital tract infections with metronidazole.

Intravenous metronidazole was given to 12 patients with severe genital tract infections. Nine of them suffered from acute salpingitis or pelvic inflammatory disease and the remaining three from acute endomyometritis following cesarean section. Metronidazole was the only antimicrobial agent given to 4 patients. In the remaining eight, treatment had been started with other drugs such as gentamicin and/or penicillin, and metronidazole was added two to five days later. Blood cultures and cultures taken from the cervical os or pus of abscesses had previously shown either anaerobic or mixed pathogens. All patients recovered well. No severe side effects were observed during metronidazole therapy. To study the pharmacokinetics of metronidazole the drug was administered intravenously or orally. The levels of the drug in the menses and cervical mucus of 25 healthy women were tested using the agar diffusion method. The concentration of the medication in the menses and mucus was found to adequately inhibit in vitro the most commonly anaerobic pathogens found in female genital tract infections.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Development of ultrastructural changes in human cervix mucus during the ovarian cycle. Scanning electron microscope study].

The use of the Scanning Electron Microscope has made it possible through observation to study the human cervical mucus through the various stages of the ovarian cycle, as well as to describe the significant variations of the meshed woof making up the ultrastructure during the ovarian cycle. While the slackening of the woof and the dimension of the meshes are minimal at both the beginning and end of the cycle, they reach a maximum on forteenth day. In the ovulatory period, lateral expansions from the filaments are numerous. On the other hand, median and terminal thicknesses are almost inexistant during the same period : their frequency decreases during the first part of the cycle, then increases during the luteal phase. During both the preceding and following days of ovulation, one can observe numerous twistings at the level of the filaments which probably express the relaxation and then contraction of the latter. The preparatory technique as well as the method of observation used appear reliable enough to allow a comparison of the cervical mucus ultrastructure in varied physiological, pathological and experimental situations.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Determination of the fertile window: reproductive competence of women--European cycle databases.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present paper is to review the main results of recent European cycle databases on ovulation detection and determination of the fertile window performed by the women themselves. METHODS: The ongoing German Long-term Cycle Database currently comprises 32788 prospectively collected cycle charts of 1551 women, the I European Cycle Database (10 countries) 1328 women/19048 cycles, the II European Cycle Database (six countries) 782 women/6724 cycles, and the World Health Organization Database (one European country) 234 women/2808 cycles. The women record cycle parameters (cervical mucus changes, temperature rise, etc.), family planning intention and sexual behavior. RESULTS: With the symptothermal method of natural family planning it has become possible to determine the fertile window in order to avoid pregnancy with a method effectiveness of 0.3%. According to a small sub-study, the ovulation time observed by the women themselves correlates closely with ovulation detected by ultrasound and measurement of luteinizing hormone (correlation within 1 day in 89% of the 62 cycles). Fertility awareness methods can be integrated into the management of sub-fertility. They seem to shorten the time to pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Self-observation of the fertile window puts women into a position to develop a high level of reproductive competence that could be used much more in different areas than is currently the case.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Actinomyces in the vaginas of women with and without intrauterine contraceptive devices.

Either Actinomyces israeli, A. naeslundii, or Arachnia propionica was found, by immunofluorescence studies, in cervicovaginal mucus from 36% of 50 women. One or more of these organisms were found in a surprising 27% of those with neither intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) nor intravaginal foreign bodies. The only common finding was abundant vaginal mucus, and no clinical features were more serious than vaginal itching, odor, or vague discomfort. Among those women who harbored actinomycetes, the average duration of continuous IUD use was 5.3 years; the comparable figure for those with no infection was 2.1 years.

Actinomyces↗
PubMed1981

Effects of norgestimate in combination with ethinyl estradiol on cervical mucus.

The antifertility effect of norgestimate (Ng) 0.125 mg in combination with ethinyl estradiol (EE) 0.035 mg on cervical mucus of 5 apparently normal and ovulatory volunteer women was studied for 2 cycles: a control cycle followed by a study cycle in which the medication was given. Throughout both cycles, basal body temperature, cervical mucus properties, sperm penetration in cervical mucus and karyopyknotic index of vaginal cells were evaluated. Disappearance of cyclicity of these parameters in the study cycle as well as monophasic basal body temperature were suggestive of inhibition of ovulation caused by the combination pill. Deterioration of cervical mucus properties throughout the study cycle and inhibition of sperm penetration may be a reflection of anovulation. However, a direct antifertility effect of Ng on cervical mucus cannot be excluded.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Antisperm immunity in assisted reproduction.

Antisperm antibodies (ASA) can impair the fertilising capacity of human spermatozoa, acting negatively on sperm motility and cervical mucus penetration, and at the level of in vitro gamete interaction. Several methods attempt to improve the potentially deleterious effects of ASA-mediated infertility: by decreasing ASA production, by removing ASA already bound to sperm, artificial insemination (AIH) and fertilisation (IVF, ICSI). Only ICSI seems able to overcome the problem, with fertilisation and pregnancy rates of ASA-positive patients undergoing this technique in the same range as ASA-negative patients. As immunological infertility is relatively rare, literature in the field is quite scarce and more studies need to be conducted to confirm that embryo quality is not impaired.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1999

Day-specific probabilities of clinical pregnancy based on two studies with imperfect measures of ovulation.

Two studies have related the timing of sexual intercourse (relative to ovulation) to day-specific fecundability. The first was a study of Catholic couples practising natural family planning in London in the 1950s and 1960s and the second was of North Carolina couples attempting to become pregnant in the early 1980s. The former identified ovulation based on the ovulatory shift in the basal body temperature, while the latter used urinary assays of hormones. We use a statistical model to correct for error in identifying ovulation and to re-estimate the length of the fertile window and day-specific fecundabilities. We estimate the same 6-day fertile interval in both studies after controlling for error. After adjusting for error both data sets showed the highest estimate of the probability of pregnancy on the day prior to ovulation and both fell close to zero after ovulation. Given that the fertile interval is before ovulation, methods that anticipate ovulation by several days (such as the assessment of cervical mucus) would be particularly useful for couples who want to time their intercourse either to avoid or facilitate conception.

Adult↗