Inhibiting herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in human epithelial cells by gossypol, a potent spermicidal and contraceptive agent.
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A case-control study was conducted in Utah between 1984 and 1987 to examine risk factors for cervical cancer. Interviews were completed with 266 histologically confirmed carcinoma in situ and invasive squamous cell cervical cancer cases who were categorically matched by age to 408 controls. Among the factors identified as altering risk for cervical cancer, after adjustment for age, education, church attendance, and cigarette smoking, were: having numerous sex partners (odds ratio (OR) = 8.99 for 10 or more partners); the current mate having several sex partners (adjusted OR for 10 or more partners = 8.62); using foam or jelly as a contraceptive method (OR, adjusted for number of sex partners, = 0.44); reported Trichomonas infection (OR, adjusted for number of sex partners, = 2.10); and herpes simplex virus type 2 infection as determined by 2:1 neutralization index values above 100 (OR = 2.70). A protective effect was noted from the use of diaphragms (OR = 0.67) or condoms (OR = 0.53) in women who reported more than one sex partner. These data support the hypothesis that cervical cancer is a sexually transmitted disease.
Immunoglobulins A, G and M and the complement components C3, C4 and CI-INH were quantified in sera from 59 women using an intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUCD). Most of the women were using a Cu IUCD, and the mean duration of use was 7.3 years. No differences in the concentrations were detected compared with control subjects. Our data, however, do not exclude a possible temporary change in the concentrations of immunoglobulins and complement components.
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The Norplant* system is composed of a set of six Silastic* (silicone polydimethysiloxane) capsules measuring 34 mm by 2.4 mm, each containing 36 mg of levonorgestrel and sealed at either end with a medical grade silicone elastomer adhesive. Levonorgestrel is a synthetic progestin, widely used in combination oral contraceptives and in single-agent "mini-pills". In a procedure completed in less than 15 minutes by an experienced physician, the six capsules are surgically implanted subdermally, most commonly on the inside of the left upper arm. The levonorgestrel diffuses through the Silastic material into the blood stream and is carried to the target organs. Ovulation is suppressed in the majority of the cycles during the first years of use, and cervical mucus is thickened, inhibiting sperm penetration. During use, the effective delivery of levonorgestrel is about 30 mcg/day from day 500 to day 2300. Recently, we have seen patients with complications from Norplant, and we describe here a patient who presented with systemic complications resulting from both the endocrinological aspects of Norplant and the immunological aspects of the Silastic implants. To our knowledge this is the first case report in the western medical literature describing systemic immunological complications as a result of a failed Norplant device.
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Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies. This article reviews the newer chemotherapeutic agents and treatment strategies available to the practicing clinician. Also discussed are the benefits and shortfalls of the various options for screening, such as ultrasound and tumor markers, as well as the data supporting oral contraceptives and the controversy surrounding prophylactic oophorectomy.
The adjuvanticity of two gamma inulin/liposomes/Vitamin E combinations was evaluated in the mouse, in contraceptive vaccines with sperm protein extracts or a synthetic HE2 peptide ("Human Epididymis gene product"; residues 15-28) as antigen. The HE2 peptide was not conjugated to a protein carrier, to ensure that the antibodies elicited were specific against the HE2 peptide. The adjuvant combinations were designed to increase adjuvanticity, as their components have complementary mechanisms, and their performance was compared to Freund's adjuvant. Antibody production against native sperm structures was determined in sera by ELISA immunoassay and immunohistology. Toxicity of adjuvants was determined by histopathological study and treated mice were monitored for signs of pain or distress. Our results show that the gamma inulin (1-2 microm particle size)/liposomes/Vitamin E combination, with sperm protein extracts, is better than Freund's adjuvant because it elicits good antibody titres without any toxicity. When the synthetic HE2 peptide is used as antigen, the gamma inulin (1-2 microm particle size)/liposomes/Vitamin E combination is less effective than Freund's adjuvant; nevertheless, the anti-HE2 antibodies elicited are highly specific and recognize native structures in sperm.
Pig oocytes are surrounded by an acellular translucent envelope-zona pellucida(pZP), which is comprised of three biochemically and immunologically distinct glycoproteins(pZP1, pZP3 alpha and pZP3 beta). Due to the cross-reactivity of anti-pZP3 beta antibodies with human ZP in vitro, pZP3 beta has been considered as potential one of immunogens for developing human contraceptive vaccine. In order to express pZP3 beta directly in E. coli; we amplified the core fragment of pZP3 beta cDNA by PCR that was deleted 5'- and 3'-terminal sequences of coding for signal peptide and transmembrane-like domain. The DNA sequenced EcoRI and SalI restriced core fragment was cloned in a frame downstream of PRPL promoter in the pBV221 vector. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that pZP3 beta protein was expressed especially in E. coli after thermal induction, which the expression band displayed the molecular weight of about 38 kD matching with its deduced molecular weight(36.5 kD). In addition, the specially expressed protein band on SDS-PAGE gel showed specific immunological reaction with anti-pig ZP IgGs of rabbit in Western blot.
Pelvic inflammatory disease is usually caused by Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Chlamydiae and gonococci are primary pathogens of the cervix and often ascend. Resultant damage to the cervix may permit organisms to move upward, but this mechanism of action is not well understood. Puberty and hormones, particularly oral contraceptives, may enhance chlamydial infection, but the mechanisms and likelihood of spread to the upper tract are ill defined. Upper tract infection with C trachomatis involves an acute phase, characterized by an influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and a chronic or persistent phase characterized by the presence of mononuclear cells (delayed hypersensitivity). Gonococci invade nonciliated epithelial cells, but are toxic to ciliated cells, due to elaborated lipooligosaccharides and peptidoglycan. Certain gonococci stimulate chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes whose release of toxic metabolites may damage tissue. The immunologic mechanisms that permit specific host responses to these two organisms are now being elucidated and should receive more attention by researchers.
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To test an immunological hypothesis proposed to explain the pathogenesis of cerebrovascular thrombosis in steroid users, circulating immune complexes were assayed in the sera from 6 control subjects, 14 ever users of oral contraceptive having developed a neurological ischaemic accident, and 7 patients with the same clinical history during use of other sex steroid not containing ethinylestradiol. Beaumont's ammonium sulfate and polyethylene glycol precipitation methods, together with a specific method of isolation of circulating immune complexes using affinity chromatography on Protein A, were used. Radioactivity from labeled ethinylestradiol added to the sera before precipitation was monitored in the precipitates to detect anti-ethinylestradiol antibodies. There were no significant differences for these parameters in the three groups. However, protein content and 3H-EE activity in the precipitates were equally and dramatically reduced after affinity chromatography in the three groups. These latter results do not support the presence of antibodies against ethinylestradiol in steroid users with cerebrovascular thrombosis. Moreover, our data suggest a lack of specificity of Beaumont's method for the isolation of immune complexes containing anti-ethinylestradiol antibodies.
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The most likely cause of a missed menstrual period in a woman of childbearing age is pregnancy, stress, or the effects of the pill. If fear of pregnancy is the basis of the problem, simply reassuring the patient that menstrual extraction is available may bring spontaneous resolution.
Sera (vbs, n = 25) and seminal plasma (vsp, n = 21) from vasectomized men (n = 25) were analyzed for cross-reaction with lithium diiodosalicylate (LIS)-solubilized human sperm extract, protamine, and fertilization antigen (FA-1) with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Among the vbs tested, 44% reacted with human sperm extract, 28% reacted with protamine, and 44% reacted with FA-1 for at least one class of antibodies (IgG, IgA, or IgM). In contrast to the sera, the seminal plasma showed minimal reactions. Neither the vbs nor vsp were found to contain immune complexes, indicating that the antibodies were present in free form. Vasectomized sera that reacted with FA-1 showed a significant (p less than 0.0001) inhibition of human sperm penetration of zona-free hamster ova. The immunoabsorption of FA-1-positive sera with purified FA-1 significantly increased the penetration rates. Affinity-purified human immunoglobulins reactive with FA-1 and not those reactive with protamine reduced sperm penetration rates. Thus, antibodies in vbs reactive with FA-1 are relevant to infertility, causing an inhibition of fertilization. These data will have clinical relevance for diagnosis and treatment of infertility after successful vasovasostomy.
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