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PubMedDate not supplied

Fertility awareness in the 1990s--the Billings Ovulation Method of natural family planning, its scientific basis, practical application and effectiveness.

Early methods of natural family planning (calendar rhythm, basal body temperature, and symptothermal) are briefly mentioned and dismissed as unsatisfactory for fertility regulation at our present state of knowledge of female reproductive physiology. Cervical mucus patterns, which reflect ovarian hormone levels, are shown to be accurate markers of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman's menstrual cycle. Interpretation of these patterns forms the basis of the Billings Ovulation Method of natural family planning. Extensive laboratory and clinical studies have shown this method to be on a sound scientific footing, that it is applicable to all phases of a woman's reproductive life, and that women readily understand and are able to teach other women the meaning of these patterns as experienced by changing sensations at the vulva and changing characteristics of any visible mucus. The simple rules which have been formulated for postponing and achieving pregnancy are given. Field trials of this non-invasive method for fertility regulation in both developing and developed countries show that the rules are readily understood by participants. In the most recent trials, it has been shown that the method-related pregnancy rate is less than 1 per 100 woman years, which compares more than favorably with other contraceptive techniques.

Australia↗
PubMed1996

A comparison of the ovulation method with the CUE ovulation predictor in determining the fertile period.

The purpose of this study was to compare the CUE Ovulation Predictor with the ovulation method in determining the fertile period. Eleven regularly ovulating women measured their salivary and vaginal electrical resistance (ER) with the CUE, observed their cervical-vaginal mucus, and measured their urine for a luteinizing hormone (LH) surge on a daily basis. Data from 21 menstrual cycles showed no statistical difference (T = 0.33, p = 0.63) between the CUE fertile period, which ranged from 5 to 10 days (mean = 6.7 days, SD = 1.6), and the fertile period of the ovulation method, which ranged from 4 to 9 days (mean = 6.5 days, SD = 2.0). The CUE has potential as an adjunctive device in the learning and use of natural family planning methods.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

The radioimmunological estimation of 13, 14-dihydro-15-ketoprostaglandin E2 in plasma and cervical mucus.

Highly specific antibodies to 13,14-dihydro-15-ketoprostaglandin E2 (PGEM) were raised in rabbits. The animals were immunized with PGEM-bovine serum albumin (BSA)-conjugates. The metabolites were extracted with dichloromethane followed by column chromatography. The final antisera dilution was 1:15000 and the cross-reactivity towards prostaglandin A2, F2 alpha, I2, 13,14-dihydro-15-ketoprostaglandin F2 alpha was less than 0.1%. The limit of detection was 7.8 +/- 4.7 pg/ml plasma at the standard range of 3.9 to 500 pg/ml. The intra- and inter-assay variations were 5 and 12%, respectively. PGEM was measured throughout the menstrual cycle in female volunteers. In normal ovulatory women (n = 6) plasma concentrations of PGEM varied between 0.94 to 2.19 ng/ml. A significant increase of plasma PGEM was detected in the preovulatory phase of the cycle (P less than 0.01) over basal levels. In three of these volunteers cervical mucus was analyzed on PGEM and PGFM concentrations showing a fluctuation from 2 pg to 109 pg for PGEM and 0.05 pg to 2.4 pg for PGFM per ml of cervical mucus. The lowest concentrations have been found at the time of ovulation. The application of the radioimmunological method to the measurement of PGEM in addition to the measurement of prostaglandin E2 may be useful for estimating the turnover rates of this fatty acid.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Measurement of volume changes in mouse spermatozoa using an electronic sizing analyzer and a flow cytometer: validation and application to an infertile mouse model.

The importance of sperm volume has recently been highlighted in a knockout mouse model in which infertility was caused by defects in volume reguiation, which led to sperm transport failure in the female tract. Inhibition of volume regulation by human sperm, resulting in failure of penetration of cervical mucus in vitro, has also been reported. The present work aims to establish a sensitive and convenient method for monitoring changes in sperm volume for functional studies. Mature murine sperm obtained from the cauda epididymidis were analyzed by flow cytometry for their forward and side (90 degrees C) scatter of a 488-nm excitation wavelength laser, and the data were compared with volumes measured by electronic sizing using a Coulter counter. Changes in cell volume were induced by releasing or diluting sperm into culture media of various osmolalities (208-520 mmol/kg). Forward scatter signal (FSS) intensity correlated well with volume measurement obtained by a Coulter counter (R =.83; P <.001), confirming that FSS reflects Coulter counter findings as for somatic cells. Sperm swelling was also induced by the presence of quinine, a wide-spectrum channel blocker, in a medium of 330 mmol/kg, which is similar to the osmolality of uterine fluid. The effect of quinine on sperm volume was more obvious when analyzed by flow cytometry than by electronic sizing. This effect was even more marked after dead sperm identified by fluorescent dye were eliminated from analysis using flow cytometry. Swelling was characterized by an increase in forward scatter and side scatter, generating a subpopulation of sperm that correlated well (R =.79; P <.0001) with the population of sperm exhibiting an angulation of the tail, which is a morphological manifestation of swollen murine sperm. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that infertile sperm released from the cauda epididymidis of c-ros knockout mice were significantly larger than those of fertile sperm from heterozygous mice. This finding directly substantiates the suggestion that infertile sperm are defective in their volume regulation. Laser scatter analysis of viable murine sperm by flow cytometry offers a convenient and sensitive method for the study of sperm volume regulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

The postcoital test. A preliminary report.

The aim of the present report is to standardize the postcoital test. A new method of evaluation is suggested by which the number of immotile and motile spermatozoa found in the cervical mucus after coitus is estimated. The estimation is based on the forward progression of the spermatozoa. A postcoital index value is determined from the motility status and number of spermatozoa, and by comparing the postcoital index values of a limited number of patients the authors tried to find an optimum cut-off index value as regards pregnancy.

Cervix Mucus↗
PubMed1995

Antisperm antibodies in infertile women: subclass distribution of immunoglobulin (Ig) A antibodies and removal of IgA sperm-bound antibodies with a specific IgA1 protease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the immunoglobulin (Ig) A subclass distribution of antibodies in the serum and cervical mucus (CM) of infertile women and to evaluate the effect of an IgA1 protease on the removal of sperm-bound antibodies. METHODS: Twenty infertile women with antisperm antibodies in serum (n = 10) or in CM (n = 10) were recruited for this study. Monoclonal antibodies to human IgA1 and IgA2 were conjugated to immunobeads and the IgA subclass distribution of antisperm antibodies was determined for positive serum and CM samples. The effect of an IgA1 protease (isolated from Neisseria meningitidis strain HF13) on sperm-bound antibodies was evaluated by immunobead binding. RESULTS: In serum, IgA1 subclass antisperm antibodies predominated (89%) when compared to IgA2 (11%). In CM IgA1 accounted for 62% and IgA2 accounted for 38% of the total IgA antisperm antibodies. Enzyme treatment was able to reduce dramatically the amount of serum IgA antibodies bound to sperm from 88% to 10%. Similarly, a significant reduction in CM antisperm antibodies was observed after enzymatic treatment with no loss in sperm motility. CONCLUSION: Cervical mucus antisperm antibodies have a higher proportion of IgA2 subclass suggesting a local production of IgA. Specific IgA1 protease treatment is capable of reducing the amount of immunobead-detectable IgA on sperm. Hamster sperm penetration assays are ongoing to determine if this treatment might improve sperm penetration rates with antibody positive sperm.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1983

[Molecular-biological studies of the cervical secretion with one-dimensional electrophoresis].

In the present study the polypeptide composition of cervical mucus was analysed during the human menstrual cycle. Changes in the polypeptide profile as displayed by a very sensitive silverstaining method were consistent with cycle dependent variations in observed rheological properties of the mucus and activities (concentrations) of luteinising hormone (LH) (from comparatively analysed blood). It could be shown that whereas three main polypeptide components of the mucus (50 kd [kilodalton], 14 kd, 12 kd) remained constant the amount and intensity of other polypeptides increased towards midcycle (ovulation) and diminished on the days after ovulation. A 25 kd polypeptide (being a main component on the days before ovulation) disappeared at midcycle (on the day of ovulation). On the same day a new main peptide (8 kd) was observed, which was decreasing (in favour of the 25 kd peptide) on the days after ovulation. It is postulated that the described shift in the polypeptide pattern of the cervical mucus may be a result of the degradation of the light chain of IgG at midcycle.

Cervix Mucus↗
PubMed2005

Nitric oxide increases endocervical secretion at the ovulatory phase in the female.

BACKGROUND: Uterine cervical mucus is crucial for reproduction, facilitating sperm transport and survival in certain mammals. Cholinergic autonomic nervous secretory innervation has been established, and modulation of secretion by prostaglandins and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has been postulated. It has been suggested that glandular nitric oxide (NO) production is a prerequisite for the autonomic cholinergic nervous modulation of cervical, endometrial, and the seminal vesicle secretion in the guinea pig. Most secretory genital tract cells, female as well as male, seem to display NO synthase activity. METHODS: Cervical secretion at ovulation time was studied in 10 women with regular menstruation. In an in vivo model with repeated collection of mucus samples during four 60-min periods, the amount of mucus was estimated in a control experimental series and in an experimental series following sublingual administration of the NO donor nitroglycerin. RESULTS: This nitroglycerin administration markedly increased cervical secretion, while no changes in cervical secretion were seen in the control experimental series. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that glandular NO production increases cervical secretion. Thus, cervical secretion may, apart from hormonal regulation, be influenced by the autonomic nervous system, and in addition, NO may be a prerequisite for this influence. This in turn may have implications on fertilization and fertility regulation.

Administration, Sublingual↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Local hydrocortisone treatment of sperm-agglutinating antibodies in infertile women.

Local sperm-agglutinating antibodies (LSAA) in the cervical ovulatory mucus may be a cause of primary infertility. A group of 17 infertile women with LSAA treated without effect with artificial insemination and then condom therapy were studied. After hydrocortisone application to the ectocervix for up to four cycles, LSAA disappeared totally in 13 patients; six of them have given birth to babies. No side effects of treatment were observed. Hydrocortisone for local immunosuppression may become a new method of therapy in cervical immunological infertility.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1984

Antigenicity of sperm cells after freezing and thawing.

Freezing and thawing is thought to result in removal of spermatozoal membrane antigens. We investigated the presence of sperm antigens before and after freezing and thawing by means of the immunoperoxidase assay (IPAMA), sperm immobilization test (SIT), and separation of proteins by gel electrophoresis. The results of the IPAMA and SIT assays showed no difference in the membrane antigens before and after freezing and thawing. Analysis of surface proteins by gel electrophoresis demonstrated that freezing and thawing did not remove any particular group of proteins from the surface membrane of spermatozoa. According to the evidence of the three tests performed, there is no meaningful removal of antigens from the sperm cell surface membrane by the process of freezing, preservation, and thawing when carried out by the specific methods used. This work does not support the suggestion that in cases of immunologic incompatibility between spermatozoa and cervical mucus it would be possible to overcome the couple's infertility by employing the process of freezing, preservation, and thawing.

Antigens, Surface↗
PubMed1987

A simplified method for freezing and storage of human semen.

The use of 10-cm-long plastic tuberculin syringes for freezing and storage of human semen is introduced. This new method reduces the number of prefreezing and postthawing manipulations to a minimum. Postthawing motility, penetration of spermatozoa into cervical mucus, and results of the hamster ovum test were similar for spermatozoa stored-frozen in tuberculin syringes and for spermatozoa stored-frozen in french straws. The results of the postinsemination test performed in six women were slightly better with fresh semen than with semen stored-frozen in tuberculin syringes. Donor insemination with fresh semen resulted in eight pregnancies per 24 insemination cycles; with semen stored-frozen in tuberculin syringes five pregnancies were achieved in 22 insemination cycles.

Female↗
PubMed1988

[Sperm function tests].

Basing on the newer literature a survey is given concerning several methods of functional characterization of the spermatozoa. The evaluation of sperm movement characteristics, the examination of sperm-cervical mucus interaction in vitro, the zona-free hamster egg penetration test and the measurement of adenosine triphosphate levels may provide clinically valuable information. The combination of information from the conventional semen analysis with these tests of sperm function was accurate in predicting the in vivo fertilizing ability of an ejaculate. The tests are more technique consuming and expensive, therefore they are not widely available in the andrological practice.

Female↗