Continuous low dose progestagen for contraception.
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A monthly injectable microencapsulated contraceptive was developed by the researchers of the School of Pharmacy of Sichuan Medical College, and a comparative clinical study was undertaken by the Sichuan Cooperative Research Group. It has been found that the microencapsulated compound consisting of 15 mg megestrol acetate and 5 mg estradiol valerate is associated with the lowest incidences of menstrual disturbances and other side effects. This is a follow-up report on the 434 women who used this 'optional' dosage of compound by before-and-after comparisons and by comparisons with two other groups of women: 41 women who were given the compound with the same dosage combination but with microencapsular coat dissolved, and 20-30 women who were using a non-steroidal contraceptive method such as IUDs, barrier or rhythm methods. The microencapsulated compound was highly effective in preventing accidental pregnancies. All except two of the 119 women who discontinued the medication experienced normal menstruation within 3 months. The study did not show changes in blood pressure, liver function, glucose tolerance level and plasma concentration of cholesterol in women using the compound. Cervical smears and breast examination also showed no evidence of epithelial abnormality or breast tumors. This new delivery system of microencapsulated injections affects the cervical mucus function, and inhibits ovulation as well as implantation of fertilized ovum.
Salivary lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), peroxidase (Px) and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) activities were scanned in both normally ovulating and anovulating women during entire menstrual cycle. In ovulating women, all the three enzymes exhibited significant increase in the activity on or before the onset of ovulation which was monitored by the shift of the basal body temperature (BBT) as well as the ferning pattern of the cervical mucus. The peak maximum at the midcycle was several times higher than the previous day value in all the six normal women. In anovulatory women, no such remarkable change in the enzyme activities was found throughout the cycle. Salivary LDH and LAP showed peak at the midcycle and at the same time required short time for assay, so the present results are strongly suggestive that the determination of salivary enzyme content may be a convenient method for detecting the day of ovulation.
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The search for a highly selective progestin that exerts a potent and targeted progestational response with minimal or absent androgenic effect has paralleled investigation into the possible impact of these agents on cardiovascular disease in women. Such a progestin, norgestimate (NGM), in a dose of 250 micrograms, has been combined with ethinyl estradiol (EE) 35 micrograms in a new oral contraceptive (OC), Ortho-Cyclen or Cilest. Results of two long-term, multicentric clinical trials demonstrate that this formulation is comparable in efficacy to the norgestrel-containing OC Lo/Ovral. There were no statistically significant differences in pregnancy rate, and both OCs were well-tolerated in a large and diverse study population. In several areas, however, the inherently lower androgenicity of the norgestimate OC produced clinical changes compared with the norgestrel formulation. These changes were primarily evident in the more natural menstrual patterns with the norgestimate OC, its less severe impact on the endometrium, and, most important, its positive impact on lipoprotein metabolism. NGM/EE consistently produced statistically significant increases in high density lipoprotein (HDL) and concomitant improvement in the ratio of low density lipoprotein (LDL) to HDL. By cycle 24, this highly predictive parameter of atherosclerotic risk had decreased 7.7% in the NGM/EE group. Conversely, the norgestrel-containing formulation resulted in statistically significant decreases in HDL and increases in the LDL/HDL ratio; by cycle 24, these patients showed an 18.5% increase in the LDL/HDL ratio. All between regimen comparisons of mean changes in the LDL/HDL ratio were statistically significant, from baseline through cycles 3, 6, 12 and 24.
Assessment of immunological and microbiological efficacy of Chlamydia cervicitis management was made by a complex method with a low intensity laser. The total number of leukocytes, percentage of viable cells and the number of neutrophils were detected in cervical secrets. Functional status of neutrophils was studied by a content of lysosomes on the ground of spontaneous and induced by latex HCT-reducing capacity, phagocytic activity. A system of cytokines was studied by interleukine level (IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, IL-8) and IFN-gamma content in cervical mucus. Positive clinical effect of the local use of the low intensity laser for Chlamydia cervicitis treatment was accompanied by positive changes in immunological indices of cervical secret, normal concentration of cytokines in cervical secret, restoration of the number and functions of neutrophils. Local use of the low intensity laser contributed to decreased number of opportunistic pathogenic microorganisms and their associations, and restored local flora.
In the private clinical setting the use of Pergonal or Metrodin is a safe and efficient method of inducing ovulation; however, the known risks of those agents must be kept in mind at all times. By adhering to the guidelines listed here and administering Pergonal and then human chorionic gonadotropin in the prescribed manner, an ovulation rate of greater than 90% should be achieved. A six-month course of therapy with Pergonal should yield a pregnancy rate of 60-70%, provided that the fallopian tubes are normal, the sperm count is adequate and cervical mucus function is intact. Patients who do not become pregnant in six to nine months should be referred to tertiary centers for other procedures, such as in vitro fertilization and/or gamete intrafallopian transfer.
OBJECTIVE: To discuss the role of antisperm antibodies (Ab) in infertility, including proposed mechanisms of antisperm Ab formation, assays for their detection, and treatments for immune-mediated infertility. DESIGN: Major studies in the published literature and data from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology. Reports were reviewed that investigated the development and impact of alloimmunity and autoimmunity to spermatozoa in men and alloimmunity in women and the current methods of treatment for resultant subfertility. RESULTS: The exposure of spermatozoal antigens to the mucosal and systemic immune systems results in development of immunity to a multiplicity of spermatozoal epitopes. The evaluation of studies that examine the role of antisperm Ab in infertility is complicated by the lack of standardization of antisperm Ab assays and the difficulty in identifying those epitopes for antisperm Ab binding that are responsible for subfertility. Sperm-associated antisperm Ab and antisperm Ab in cervical mucus (CM) reduce sperm mobility and may also impair sperm-ovum interaction. The clinical significance of serum antisperm Ab in both men and women, however, is controversial. Current therapy for antisperm Ab associated infertility is empiric and largely unproven. CONCLUSIONS: Antisperm Ab on the sperm surface and in CM are implicated in the pathogenesis of a subset of patients with infertility. Further studies that determine the clinically relevant sites of antisperm Ab interaction will aid in directing the treatment of subfertility mediated by antisperm Ab.
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: High-resolution magnetic resonance (HR-MR) images of human cervical tissue samples were correlated with low magnification histology to investigate the MR presentation of normal and pathologic anatomic structures in cervical tissue samples at 3T. METHODS: Tissue samples were obtained from five large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) cone biopsies and one surgical specimen. HR-MR images (3D-Spin Echo sequence: TR/TE: 1500/60 milliseconds, voxel size of 117 x 208 x 234 microm) and low magnification (5x) histology sections were acquired in the same anatomical planes and correlated. RESULTS: In vitro HR-MR imaging of cervical tissue samples correlated well with low magnification microscopic histology, demonstrating normal anatomy (epithelium and its mucus layer, connective tissue of the stroma, glands, blood vessels). In vitro HR-MR imaging adds information about tumor content and margins. CONCLUSIONS: High resolution MR imaging of cervical tissue samples assists in the identification of both normal structures and pathologic changes.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the minimal requirements for achieving a full-term singleton pregnancy in hMG-treated patients. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-two pregnancy cycles resulting from hMG therapy in infertile patients were retrospectively studied to determine the minimal requirements for the occurrence of a pregnancy in those women. The cycles were divided into five groups: pregnancies ending in miscarriage, ectopic pregnancies, pregnancies ending in preterm delivery, full-term singleton pregnancies, and full-term multiple pregnancies. The number of hMG ampules, the number of preovulatory follicles reaching 18 mm or more in diameter, the cervical mucus score (Insler), the number of living spermatozoa per high-power field (HPF) observed in the cervical mucus on the day of hCG administration, and the midluteal plasma progesterone concentration were determined and correlated with the outcome of the pregnancy in the five groups studied. The minimal requirements for the occurrence of a full-term singleton pregnancy were also determined. RESULTS: In this cohort of 192 women, the mean number of hMG ampules administered was 25.38 (1903.5 IU), the mean number of preovulatory follicles reaching 18 mm was 2.1, the mean cervical mucus score (Insler) was 9.48, and the mean number of motile spermatozoa per HPF in the cervical mucus on the day of hCG administration was 19.3. There were no statistically significant differences between the five groups studied regarding these four variables. The mean midluteal plasma progesterone concentration was 29.07 ng/mL and there was no statistically significant difference in midluteal plasma progesterone concentration between the cycles resulting in full-term deliveries and those ending in miscarriage. However, a statistically significant difference in midluteal plasma progesterone concentration was found between the cycles resulting in full-term singleton pregnancies and those resulting in full-term multiple pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: The minimal requirements for achieving a full-term singleton pregnancy were 9 ampules of hMG (675 IU), one 18-mm follicle, a cervical mucus score (Insler) of 6 on the day of hCG administration, and a midluteal plasma progesterone concentration of 10.83 ng/mL. The presence of motile spermatozoa in the cervical mucus was a reassuring sign in 92.7% of instances but was not an absolute necessity for a successful outcome.
The histological types of the cervical carcinoma effect the incidence, prognosis and the treatment methods. One hundred and eighty-seven cases selected randomly among the cervical carcinoma were stained with mucicarmen, alcian blue, PAS, and PAS with diastase to identify the presence of intracellular mucin. One hundred and seventy-two squamous carcinoma were examined and 27.3% (47 cases) of them were shown to contain some degree intracellular mucin (nine cases which were originally diagnosed squamous carcinoma after the application of mucin stains to the tumors, reclassified as adenosquamous carcinoma because of demonstrated widespread intracellular mucus). Of the 14 adenocarcinomas, 13 were mucin positive. Mucin-positive tumors (independent of histological type) had metastasized to the lymph nodes in 23 of 60 cases (38.3%), in contrast to mucin-negative tumors which had metastasized in 24 of 127 cases (18.9%). The application of mucin stains can assist in the classification of poorly differentiated lesions as well as help in the planning of management and in the prognosis.
This review summarizes the clinical studies involving the once-weekly Ortho Evra/Evra contraceptive patch. The patch delivers norelgestromin (NGMN), 150 microg, and ethinyl estradiol (EE), 20 microg, daily to the systemic circulation. The contraceptive patch provided ovulation suppression and cycle control similar to that of oral norgestimate 250 microg/EE 35 microg, significantly decreased mean maximum follicular diameter following a 3-day intentional delayed dosing phase when compared with oral levonorgestrel (LNG) 50/75/125 microg/EE 30/40/30 micorg and oral LNG 100 microg/EE 20 microg, and was as effective as oral LNG 50/75/125 microg/EE 30/40/30 microg and oral desogestrel 150 microg/EE 20 microg in altering cervical mucus composition (i.e., creating a scanty, viscous consistency). The contraceptive patch provided efficacy, cycle control, and safety comparable to that seen with oral LNG 50/75/125 microg/EE 30/40/30 microg, but women were able to correctly follow the weekly dosing regimen significantly more often than the daily oral contraceptive dosing regimen. Less than 2% of patches were replaced because of complete detachment in these trials. The patch was not associated with phototoxicity or photoallergy. The contraceptive patch, the only noninvasive, weekly birth control method that a woman can self-administer, will be a valuable addition to current contraceptive options.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the effects of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) on the fertility, parity and sexual activity as well as investigating the aetiopathology of dyspareunia in female patients. METHODS: Fifty one female patients with primary SS (pSS) and 57 healthy controls were interviewed concerning their past gynaecological, obstetric and sexual history and underwent a complete gynaecological examination. Punch biopsy of the vagina was performed in six patients and one healthy individual. In addition, the vaginal tissue was evaluated following hysterectomy in two patients with pSS. RESULTS: No differences were observed in fertility, parity or reproductive success rate between patients and controls. Atrophy of the external genitalia and production of cervical mucus in both patients and controls correlated with age and menopause, but not with other clinical or serological pSS manifestations. Dyspareunia was observed in 40% of the patients during the premenopause period compared with 3% observed in controls. Half of the patients, however, had an obvious aetiology for dyspareunia (trauma or inflammation) not related to pSS. The histological picture of the patients' vaginal tissue revealed perivascular infiltration. Finally, pSS patients appeared to have a similar intercourse frequency with the controls. However, unlike that observed in controls, the intercourse frequency did not diminish with age nor with the presence of dyspareunia. CONCLUSION: The fertility, parity and sexual activity of pSS patients does not appear to differ from that of the healthy population. Dyspareunia is a frequent symptom in these patients and local perivascular in these patients and local perivascular inflammation may contribute to the expression of this manifestation.
In 25 oligospermic patients who had negative postcoital tests, artificial inseminations were performed with the whole semen and split ejaculates. After 30 minutes, a sample of cervical mucus was obtained and examined microscopically for the presence of motile spermatozoa. There was a significant improvement of 64% using the split ejaculate, as compared with 44% using whole semen. We found a significantly higher sperm count and progressive motility in the split ejaculate (18 patients, 72%).
Progestogen-only contraception acts mainly by blocking cervical mucus and preventing sperm penetration through it does have a variable pattern of contraceptive effects on the endometrium and ovary. In contrast with the complete suppression of ovarian function with combined pill or injectable use, a variable degree of endocrine activity is demonstrated in women choosing a long-acting progestogen-only contraceptive. This degree of suppression of ovarian activity explains the decrease in systemic side-effects, the rapid resumption of ovulation and recovery of fertility following the discontinuation of the method. New delivery systems of progestogens, the vaginal ring and implant, offer better and more consistent contraceptive effects.
The evaluation of testicular function is based primarily on a detailed medical history, a careful physical examination, basal measurements of FSH, LH and testosterone and a routine semen analysis. In a patient with androgen deficiency, the diagnosis can often be made with these basic tests. The clinician will then decide on other investigations to localize the organic lesion and to plan further treatment for the patient. Sperm function tests are often performed in patients presenting with infertility. These newer tests may help to delineate the abnormality of the spermatozoa at each stage during the achievement of fertilizing capacity such as adequate forward motility, penetration of cervical mucus, acrosome reaction, development of hyperactivated motility, binding to the zona pellucida, and fusion with the oocyte. Currently, many of these sperm function tests depend on cumbersome bioassays with many limiting factors contributing to their availability, accuracy and precision. The development of biochemical tests as markers of sperm function may allow more precise definition of sperm functional abnormalities. With the continued improvement of computer-aided sperm analysis, objective motion parameter measurements are possible and morphological assessment are being developed. These newer objective methods of semen analysis have to be shown to be valuable in the clinical assessment of patients with testicular dysfunction.
THE AIM: To study serum antibodies against annexin V and against other phospholipids in women with fertility failure. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Institute of Imunology and Alergology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Charles University and Faculty Hospital, Pilsen, Czech Republic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We investigated sera from a total of 1550 women aged 26-41 years who attended the Division for Infertility and Reproductive imunology, in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Charles University, and Faculty Hospital, Pilsen, Czech Republic. ELISA was used for detection of antibodies against annexin V, phosphatidic (ph)-acid, ph-ethanolamine, D-L glycerol, ph-inositol, L-serine, cardiolipine, beta-glycoprotein, and prothrombine), antibodies against zona pellucida by passive hemmagglutination. Antibodies against annexin V in ovulatory cervical mucus were studied only in 47, and in follicular fluid in 168 women. Eighty-four fertile healthy women were included in the control group. RESULTS: Antibodies against annexin V were found in 13% (in 170 infertile women). Anamnestic data showed two or more unexplained pregnancy losses in 48 (28.2%), 108 (63.5%) patients had two or more unsuccessfull in vitro fertilization, polycystic ovaries (PCO) was diagnosed in 3 (1.7%), and endometriosis in 11 (6.6%) of them. The increased levels of antibodies against ph-inositole (28.8%), and L-serine (19.4%) were detected. 353% of patients had positive levels against zona pellucida. In ovulatory cervical mucus only in six (6/47) antibodies against annexin V were detected, in 5.55% in follicular fluid (6/108). CONCLUSION: Our study also demonstrated serum positivity against annexin V as a significant risk factor mainly in patiens with repeated reproductive failure.
Cylinders of soft polyvinyl soaked in benzalkonium chloride have been used as contraceptive tampons. Benzalkonium chloride is a powerful spermicide which belongs to the cationic or saponium detergents. It does not enter the blood stream. These contraceptive sponges are more efficient and better accepted by patients than spermicides used by themselves. One of the principal advantages of the method is to be able to place the tampon in position hours before sexual intercourse. The authors wanted to test if wearing a tampon for a long time did not have an adverse effect on the cervico-vaginal epithelium. 27 women were seen before and after having worn one of these contraceptive tampons for 24 hours: neither the smears nor colposcopy had changed. 21 vaginal biopsies were taken after the tampon had been removed from the area where it had been lying. Vaginal epithelium tolerates the prolonged presence of the sponge well. The authors carried out bacteriological controls before and immediately after removing the tampon 24 hours later. Commensals were still present. Pathogenic sexually transmitted organisms are moderately sensitive to bactericidal action of benzalkonium chloride except for candida albicans, which is resistant. There was no increase in the number of germs in 69 cases studied. The authors carried out scanning electromicroscopy at different magnifications to see the effect on normal cervical mucus at the time of ovulation when it came into contact with benzalkonium chloride. Ovulatory mucus which had been translucent and fluid became thicker and coagulated and the reticulated web took on the appearance of a bunched up web.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)