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At least 757 records · Page 42Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Evaluation of immunologic markers in cervicovaginal fluid of HIV-infected and uninfected women: implications for the immunologic response to HIV in the female genital tract.

We analyzed 21 cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) specimens from 19 women participating in the Women's Interagency HIV Study to characterize levels of antibody, cytokine, and complement and to determine associations between these levels and stage of the menstrual cycle, HIV status, and the presence of concurrent genital infection and genital dysplasia. Sixteen samples were collected from HIV-infected women and five from high-risk HIV-seronegative women. CVL fluid was assayed for levels of IgG, secretory IgA (s-IgA), interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-10, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1beta, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), C3, C1q, and C4. Women with HIV were more likely to have cervicovaginal dysplasia (9/16 vs. 0/5; p = 0.027) but were not more likely to have concurrent vaginal infection (10/16 vs. 2/5; p = 0.38). Antibody, cytokine, and complement were detectable in all samples, although not all samples had measurable IL-10, C3, or C4. HIV-infected women demonstrated a trend toward higher levels of IFN-gamma than did uninfected women (p = 0.098); no differences were noted in other parameters. HIV-infected women with vaginal infections had significantly higher CVL levels of IgG (p = 0.023) and IFN-gamma (p = 0.02) than did HIV-infected women without genital infections. HIV-infected women with cervicovaginal dysplasia were found to have higher levels of IL-1beta (p = 0.045) and IFN-gamma (p = 0.039) than those without. Analysis of the HIV-infected cohort by CD4 cell count revealed higher levels of IgG and IFN-gamma in CVL from women with lower CD4 cell counts, although these differences were not statistically significant. Higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines in CVL fluid of women with genital infection or cervicovaginal dysplasia may affect local HIV replication and may influence the risk of acquisition or transmission of HIV for women with these underlying conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Association between genital schistosomiasis and HIV in rural Zimbabwean women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between female genital Schistosoma haematobium infection and HIV. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study with a 1-year follow-up. Gynecological and laboratory investigations were performed for S. haematobium and HIV. Sexually transmitted infections, demographic and urogenital history were analysed as confounders. The participants were 527 sexually active, non-pregnant, non-menopausal women between the ages of 20 and 49 years. The setting was a rural Zimbabwean community where S. haematobium related lesions were found in 46% of the women, HIV in 29% and herpes simplex type- 2 (HSV-2) in 65%. RESULTS: In permanent residents (>3 years residency), HIV was found in 41% (29/70) of women with laboratory proven genital schistosomiasis as opposed to 26% HIV positive (96/375) in the schistosomal ova negative group [odds ratio (OR), 2.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2-3.5; P = 0.008. In multivariate analysis S. haematobium infection of the genital mucosa was significantly associated with HIV seropositivity (adjusted OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.11-7.5; P = 0.030). All seven women who became HIV positive during the study period (seroincidence 3.1%) had signs of S. haematobium at baseline. In accordance with other studies HIV was significantly associated with HSV-2 (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.7-5.3; P < 0.001), syphilis and human papillomavirus. The highest HIV prevalence (45%) was found in the 25-29 years age group. CONCLUSION: Women with genital schistosomiasis had an almost three-fold risk of having HIV in this rural Zimbabwean community. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the association.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2004

Management of genital chlamydial infections at termination of pregnancy services in England and Wales: where are we now?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the range of policies and practices related to the management of genital chlamydial infection employed at termination of pregnancy services in England and Wales. DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study. SETTING: England and Wales. POPULATION: Termination of pregnancy providers. METHODS: Survey questionnaire administered to termination of pregnancy providers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Policies and practices for the management of genital chlamydial infection in women seeking termination of pregnancy with comparison to the national guidelines of the chief medical officer (CMO) and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-eight (48%) practices responded to the survey, with representation across England and Wales. Policies for screening and/or treatment of chlamydial infection existed for 70% of providers. We found three practice patterns for the management of genital chlamydial infection among termination of pregnancy attenders: 70% of providers tested their own attenders prior to termination and treated if necessary; about 25% of providers administered prophylaxis without testing; and a small number of providers (< 5%) neither tested nor treated attenders. CONCLUSION: These patterns may be the result of differences in the CMO and RCOG guidelines. Given the impact of untreated genital chlamydial infection in women attending for termination, consistent recommendations from the CMO and RCOG may encourage uniform practice for the management of chlamydial infection in this vulnerable population.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed2005

Mental health screening in women with genital tract fistulae.

There is little information regarding the mental health status of women with genital tract fistulae in developing countries. The aim of this prospective observational study was to screen women at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh (December 2003 to June 2004), and Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, Ethiopia (June to July 2004), with genital tract fistula for mental health dysfunction. Women presenting to the above institutions were screened using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) prior to fistula surgery. As the women were illiterate, the questionnaire was completed with the assistance of a medical officer, nurse or interpreter. The female staff members acted as controls. Sixty-eight women with fistulae and 28 controls completed the GHQ-28. Sixty-six of the 68 women with fistulae screened positive to probable mental health dysfunction compared with 9 of the 28 controls. We conclude that women with genital tract fistula are at high risk of mental health dysfunction. If the high rates of positive screening are confirmed on psychiatric evaluation, then the management of women with genital tract fistulas must include routine psychological/psychiatric assessment and treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

An association between recurrent oro-genital ulceration and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Recurrent oro-genital ulceration is a common condition of unknown aetiology. This paper describes a patient who had severe recurrent oro-genital ulceration which was unresponsive to conventional therapy. The patient was taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) prescribed for osteoarthritis. When she stopped this medication, she had no further genital ulceration and the pattern of her oral ulceration was dramatically improved. There have been no previously reported cases of recurrent oro-genital ulceration associated with NSAIDs.

Diclofenac↗
PubMed2006

Increased IL-18 levels in seminal plasma of infertile men with genital tract infections.

PROBLEM: Interleukin (IL)-18 is a novel cytokine, previously known as interferon (IFN)-gamma inducing factor. We evaluated the levels of IL-18 and IFN-gamma in seminal plasma (SP) of fertile and infertile men. METHOD OF STUDY: Semen samples were obtained by masturbation from 80 men, and were examined for the levels of IL-18 and IFN-gamma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Seven groups were included: (i) fertile men (n = 18), (i) infertile men with genital tract infections (n = 17), (iii) with varicocele (n = 15), (iv) with Klinefelter syndrome (n = 6), (v) with cryptorchidism (n = 7), (vi) with mumps orchitis (n = 7), and (vii) with idiopathic testicular lesions (n = 10). RESULTS: Mean levels of IL-18 were higher in SP from infertile men with genital tract infections compared with SP from other groups except Klinefelter syndrome (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences could be detected for IFN-gamma. A significant positive correlations was found between IL-18 and IFN-gamma in total patient population (P < 0.001). Moreover, a negative correlation was observed between IL-18 and sperm concentrations, and motility (P < 0.01 and < 0.03, respectively). Furthermore, there was a positive and statistically significant association between IL-18 and IFN-gamma levels in SP of infertile men with genital tract infections (P < 0.0001). However, there was no relationship between IL-18 and IFN-gamma, and semen parameters in the same group. CONCLUSION: SP IL-18 levels were increased in men with urogenital infections. Thus, the elevated expression of IL-18 in SP may be used as a diagnostic marker in the male genital tract infections.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Analysis of the humoral immune response to chlamydial genital infection in guinea pigs.

Studies using the guinea pig model of chlamydial genital infection with the Chlamydia psittaci agent of guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis (GPIC) have shown that serum and local antibodies play a role both in the resolution of infection and in protection against reinfection. Thus, this model is suited for further exploration of immune mechanisms and for vaccine studies with chlamydial macromolecules. We have further characterized the model by assessing the antigen-specific antibody response to experimental genital infection by using immunoblotting to assay both genital secretions and serum. The GPIC agent was characterized by analysis of outer membrane proteins, which indicated that the GPIC agent possessed a major outer membrane protein (MOMP), with a molecular mass of 39 kilodaltons (kDa), and a 61-kDa protein, analogous to cysteine-rich 60-kDa proteins or doublets of Chlamydia trachomatis strains. As indicated by immunoblotting, most infected animals produced serum immunoglobulin G antibodies to MOMP, the 61-kDa proteins, an 84-kDa outer membrane protein, and lipopolysaccharide. Such serum antibodies persisted for at least 813 days after primary genital infection. Immunoglobulin A antibodies against the 61-kDa proteins, lipopolysaccharide, and MOMP, but not the 84-kDa protein, were detected in secretions. Animals challenged with GPIC 825 days after primary infection became infected again despite the presence of serum antibodies, but the period of chlamydial shedding was significantly shorter and less intense than in primary infections. Although the specific mechanism is not known, these data suggest that a long-lasting immune effect is capable of altering the course of infection late after primary infection. Correlation of the antigen-specific antibody response and other immune parameters with the duration and degree of protective immunity induced by infection or vaccination may be helpful in further understanding the nature of such protective immunity.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Does inhibition of tumor necrosis factor alpha affect chlamydial genital tract infection in mice and guinea pigs?

The role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in host defense against chlamydial infection remains unclear. In order to further evaluate the relevance of TNF-alpha to host resistance in chlamydial genital tract infection, we examined the effect of local inhibition of the TNF-alpha response in normal C57 mice and in interferon gamma gene-deficient C57 mice infected intravaginally with the mouse pneumonitis agent of Chlamydia trachomatis. Since the guinea pig model of female genital tract infection more closely approximates the human in terms of ascending infection and development of pathology, we also examined the effect of local inhibition of the TNF-alpha response in guinea pigs infected intravaginally with the guinea pig strain of Chlamydia psittaci. We successfully blocked the early TNF-alpha response in the respective animal models. This blockade had no effect on the numbers of organisms isolated from the genital tract during the time of TNF-alpha inhibition in mice or guinea pigs. Analysis of interleukin-1beta, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor in the mouse model revealed that blockade of the TNF-alpha response did not alter the release of these proinflammatory proteins. Yet, in TNF-alpha-depleted mice, increased numbers of neutrophils were detected in the genital tract, and, in TNF-alpha-depleted guinea pigs, increased numbers of neutrophils as well as infiltrating lymphocytes were seen in the endocervix. Blockade of TNF-alpha does not affect the level of infection in mice or guinea pigs, but it may decrease TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis of infiltrating inflammatory cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Early local cytokine profiles in strains of mice with different outcomes from chlamydial genital tract infection.

In this study, we expand on the examination of genetically determined differences in host responses that correlate with clearance of Chlamydia trachomatis from the genital tract. We infected C57BL/6, BALB/c, and C3H/HeN mice with the mouse pneumonitis agent of C. trachomatis (MoPn). C57BL/6 mice had the shortest course of infection (22 days) and the lowest incidence of severe hydrosalpinx. BALB/c mice also had a short course of infection (25 days), but all developed hydrosalpinx. C3H/HeN mice had the longest course of infection (38 days), and all developed severe hydrosalpinx. Determination of local cytokine responses by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of genital tract secretions revealed that the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) were significantly increased in the C57BL/6 and BALB/c strains compared to those in the C3H/HeN strain whereas the level of IL-6 was not different. The level of the neutrophil chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2) was increased during the first week of infection in all three strains but was significantly higher in the BALB/c strain, the strain with the most rapid influx of neutrophils into the genital tract. Prolonged detection of MIP-2 in C3H/HeN mice was associated with a protracted presence of neutrophils in the genital tract. Early increases in the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1beta are associated with earlier eradication of infection in the C57BL/6 and BALB/c strains than in the C3H/HeN strain. Increased levels of MIP-2 and neutrophils in BALB/c and C3H/HeN mice relative to C57BL/6 mice suggest that these responses may contribute to pathology.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Recurrent genital candidosis in women and the effect of intermittent prophylactic treatment.

A study of clotrimazole for the treatment of recurrent genital candidosis unexpectedly showed that symptoms and infection can be dissociated. The aim of the study was to see if intermittent antifungal treatment would reduce symptoms in women constantly distressed by recurrent genital candidosis. Forty women seriously affected by the condition were initially given oral and local antifungal treatment. When the patients were symptom-free and the vagina was free of yeasts, they were entered into a double-blind clinical trial and were treated prophylactically for four months with either intermittent clotrimazole pessaries and cream or a placebo. The prophylactic treatment kept symptoms below a critical level but did not affect the return of the yeasts to the vagina. This dissociation between symptoms and vaginal yeasts was unexpected. Rectal yeast carriage was unaffected by prophylactic vaginal treatment. Male contacts and patients both showed a high incidence of non-specific genital infection. This association has seldom been reported. A few patients cultured yeasts from their homes but this environment was not considered a major source of reinfection. The vaginal pH did not appear to be altered by the presence of yeasts. The results of the study suggested that symptoms in women with recurrent genital candidosis were not caused by yeasts alone, and possibly the reason for recurrences might lie not in constant reinfection by yeasts, but in failure to recognise and remove a primary underlying factor, perhaps infection with other sexually transmitted agents. The question of a synergistic action between yeasts and other organisms is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The silent suffering women--a population based study on the association between reported symptoms and past and present infections of the lower genital tract.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of lower genital tract symptoms and the association between reported symptoms and past and present signs of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in young women. DESIGN: All women belonging to the 19-, 21-, 23- and 25-year age cohorts and living in the catchment area of the community health centre, were invited by mail to take part in a population-based study. The participants answered a structured questionnaire and a gynaecologic examination was performed. Samples for wet smear, cervical Pap smear, HPV DNA determination and Chlamydia trachomatis culture were taken at the gynaecologic examination. The presence of genital warts was noted. A blood sample was analysed for antibodies against C trachomatis and HSV-2. SETTING: The community health care centre was located in Umeå, a city in Northern Sweden. RESULTS: Of the 886 women who were eligible, 611 (70%) participated in the investigation. One out of four women reported symptoms from the lower genital tract. The most commonly reported symptoms were itching, followed by discharge, and soreness. The most commonly reported STD was C trachomatis (15%). The most prevalent present STD was HPV infection (20%) whereas C trachomatis infection could be isolated from 2.7% of the women. Antibodies against C trachomatis and HSV-2 were present among 22% and 6% of the women, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the women's complaint of vaginal discharge and previous C trachomatis infection, lack of lactobacilli and presence of leucocytosis in wet smear. CONCLUSIONS: We have in a population-based study of young healthy women found that one out of four women had some kind of lower genital tract complaint. Itching was the most commonly reported symptom and was associated with pseudohyphae and acetowhite patches. Reported vaginal discharge and soreness were associated with the history of a past C trachomatis infection and signs of a disturbed vaginal flora.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Is oral contraceptive associated with genital warts?

OBJECTIVE: To measure the association between oral contraceptive use and the prevalence of genital warts in women. METHODS: Cross sectional case control study comparing oral contraceptive use in women with and without genital warts attending a city centre genitourinary medicine clinic controlling for recent sexual activity, the presence of other sexually transmitted infections, socio-economic class and history of pregnancy using a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: After controlling for potential confounding variables women with genital warts were significantly more likely to be current users of the oral contraceptive pill (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.2). CONCLUSION: The study suggests that women taking the oral contraceptive may be at increased risk of presenting with genital warts. Previously published papers provide some support for this hypothesis and potential biological mechanisms are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Risk factors for genital HPV DNA in men resemble those found in women: a study of male attendees at a Danish STD clinic.

OBJECTIVES: Genital infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer. The male sexual partner is supposed to be the vector of the infection. However, the knowledge of risk factors for genital HPV DNA in men is limited. The objective of this paper is to study the risk factors for HPV infection in men and to compare them with those found in women, including the study of whether there are different risk profiles for oncogenic and non-oncogenic HPV types. METHODS: From a sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic in Denmark, 216 men were consecutively included. A personal interview was done and material for genital HPV DNA detection was obtained with swabs. HPV DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Odds ratios (OR) for HPV as well as for oncogenic and non-oncogenic types separately were computed with a 95% confidence interval (CI) by means of unconditional multiple logistic regresssion. RESULTS: The most important predictors of any HPV were lifetime number of sex partners (OR = 4.3; 95% CI 1.4 to 13.1 for 25-39 v 1-9 partners), young age, and being uncircumcised. The most important risk factor for oncogenic HPV types was lifetime number of partners, whereas number of partners in the past year and ever having genital warts were risk factors for the non-oncogenic HPV types. Young age predicted risk of both oncogenic and non-oncogenic HPV types. CONCLUSIONS: Most risk factors for HPV DNA detection in men resemble those found in women. As in women, the risk factor profile for the oncogenic HPV types was different from that of the non-oncogenic HPV types.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Coexistence of urethritis with genital ulcer disease in South Africa: influence on provision of syndromic management.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether syndromic management of genital ulcer disease was sound, if based on the premise that men with genital ulcers rarely have a concomitant urethral infection. METHODS: Specimens were taken in 1998 from 186 mine workers in Carletonville, South Africa, who were seen consecutively with genital ulcers. The specimens comprised a swab from the ulcer, a urethral swab for a Gram stained smear, and 10-15 ml of a first catch urine sample. The latter was tested by ligase chain reaction assays for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis specific DNA sequences and by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for Mycoplasma genitalium. Ulcer inducing micro-organisms were detected either by a multiplex PCR assay, or in the case of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) serologically, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was detected by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. RESULTS: Most (54%) of the ulcers were chancroidal, 18% were herpetic (HSV type 2), 6.5% primary syphilitic, and 3.2% due to LGV. More than one micro-organism was detected in 9.1% of the ulcers and less than 10% were undiagnosed. Microscopic examination of the urethral smears showed that 99 (53%) of the men had urethritis, of whom 45 (45%) were infected with N gonorrhoeae. Of the 54 men (55%) who had non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU), 11 (19.6%) harboured C trachomatis or M genitalium. Almost two thirds (64.5%) of the men had HIV infection, but this did not seem to have influenced the aetiology of the ulcers. Nor was a particular ulcer associated with one type of urethritis more than the other. Neither C trachomatis nor M genitalium was associated significantly with non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) in either HIV positive or HIV negative men. CONCLUSION: The combination of antibiotics used for the management of genital ulcer disease in men in this South African mining population needs to be widened to encompass frequently occurring concomitant gonococcal urethritis and NGU infections. This means treatment with long acting penicillin, combined with ciprofloxacin and azithromycin or erythromycin. A similar situation may exist in other geographical locations with a need to provide appropriate antimicrobial combinations depending on the patterns of infection detected.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Botulinum toxin for the treatment of genital pain syndromes.

Our purpose was to test the effect of botulinum toxin injections on hypertonic pelvic floor muscles of patients suffering from genital pain syndromes. We report two cases of women complaining of a genital pain syndrome resistant to pharmacological therapies and rehabilitation exercises associated with a documented involuntary tonic contraction of the levator ani muscle as a defense reaction triggered by vulvar pain. We performed botulinum toxin injections into the levator ani with the intent to relieve pelvic muscular spasms. Within a few days after the injections both the patients reported a complete resolution of the painful symptomatology, lasting for several months. Our experience suggests that botulinum injections are indicated in patients with genital pain syndrome with documented pelvic muscle hyperactivity, whose symptoms arise not only from genital inflammation and lesions, but also, and sometimes chiefly, from levator ani myalgia.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Human papilloma virus type I purified from human genital warts.

Human wart virus (HPV) was isolated from a pool of genital warts. The electrophoretic mobility of virion proteins was studied by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and showed the same pattern as that obtained with HPV-1. The analysis of DNA after restriction enzyme digestion with the endonucleases Hind III and Hae III, and nucleic acid hybridization did not show any difference with HPV-1. The viral particles were agglutinated by anti-HPV-1 serum, as shown by electron microscopic particle agglutination test. Furthermore, the immunological properties of this virus were investigated with guinea pig antiserum. Serologically, no antigenic cross-reaction between common and genital wart viruses were shown by immunodiffusion and immunofluorescence tests, whereas cross-reactions were detected between plantar and genital wart viruses. These results allow to think that HPV-1 can induce plantar warts as well as genital warts.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cytology of clear cell carcinoma of the female genital tract in fine needle aspirates and ascites.

OBJECTIVE: To define the cytomorphologic features of clear cell carcinoma (CCC) of the female genital tract. STUDY DESIGN: The study consisted of four CCCs of the female genital tract in which clinical and histologic confirmation had been done. Cytologic findings were evaluated with May-Grünwald-Giemsa (MGG) stain of three cases of fine needle aspiration (FNA) material and peritoneal fluid cytology. All the FNA materials were obtained from metastatic supraclavicular lymph nodes. RESULTS: We report here the cytomorphologic features of three FNA biopsies and peritoneal fluid cytology from four patients. Primary tumors from patients with aspiration material from supraclavicular lymph nodes were located in the ovary in two patients and vagina in one. The peritoneal fluid cytology was obtained from a patient with uterine cervical tumor. Cytologic findings were similar in all preparations. The cells had abundant, pale, finely vacuolated cytoplasm with indistinct cytoplasmic membranes. The nuclei were round to oval, with fine chromatin. The characteristic feature of CCC of the genital tract was basement membrane-like substance. This hyaline extracellular material stained pinkish to purple-red in MGG preparations and was frequently observed within the cancer cell clusters. In ascitic fluid, psammoma bodies were also observed. CONCLUSION: The cytomorphologic characteristics of CCC of the genital tract are distinctive, and the entity may easily be diagnosed even at metastatic locations.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗
PubMed1979

Reversal by testosterone of atrophy of accessory genital glands of castrated male sheep. A histologic and morphometric study.

The histologic features of male accessory genital glands of entire sheep (group I), castrated sheep (group II), castrated sheep treated with 40 daily intramuscular injections of 50 milligrams testosterone propionate (group III), and castrated sheep treated with 600 milligrams testosterone propionate 72 hours before death (group IV) were compared. Sheep were castrated at 3 months old and all sheep were killed when 15 months old. Volume fractions of glandular tissue, intralobular fibromuscular tissue and perilobular fibromuscular tissue of the seminal vesicles and Cowper's glands fluctuated significantly (P less than 0.05) during postcastration atrophy and after repeated testosterone treatment. Atrophy in sheep in group II was least in the prostate but greatest in Cowper's glands, seminal vesicles and ampullae of vasa deferentia. Seminal vesicle plexi, whose cytons had a statistically significant (P less than 0.05) degree of shrinkage, also were atrophied. After treatment with testosterone the postcastration atrophy of plexal neurons was almost reversed in sheep in group III. There also was hypertrophy of epithelial cells but the testosterone treatment failed to reduce to normal the fibromuscular volume fraction of the accessory genital glands. Testosterone propionate treatment of sheep in group IV failed to elicit appreciable morphologic changes. These results are compared with our previous findings on the content and uptake of zinc by the accessory genital glands. It is suggested that accumulation of zinc in the accessory genital glands of sheep is not necessarily closely linked to normal histologic appearance.

Animals↗