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Screening and the new genetics; a public health perspective on the ethical debate.

Advances in the diagnostic applications of molecular genetics have made possible the identification of recessive carrier states in the population. The debate surrounding screening for cystic fibrosis therefore has a public health significance which transcends that specific disorder. The two most frequently cited objectives of screening for a recessive carrier state are to reduce the prevalence of the disorder and to inform the reproductive choices of individuals and couples at risk. The later aim represents a paradigm shift in the philosophy of screening in that no preventive principle is involved. Instead, information is regarded as worth while in itself, regardless of outcome. The authors argue that the benefits arising from the information generated in the course of genetic carrier screening cannot be presumed merely by asserting a "right to know' ethical imperative, and draw attention to the danger that a combination of technical capability, professional zeal and consumer demand will override currently accepted screening principles. In this event, future efforts to subject screening programmes to rational evaluation could be undermined.

Adult↗

Placental genes and breast cancer: can the offspring's or father's genotypes predict mother's risk?

Half of the placental genes to which a woman is exposed during pregnancy come from her mating partner. Placental hormones, especially human chorionic gonadotropin and human placental lactogen, are considered to mediate the protective effects of full-term pregnancy and lactation on breast cancer risk. In this paper, variants in a woman's placental human chorionic gonadotropin or human placental lactogen genes, which are easily measurable through her offspring's genotypes, are associated with her breast cancer risk. If this hypothesis is true it would indicate that genotype of a woman's mating partner can affect her breast cancer risk and that offspring's genotype may be useful in predicting such risk. Because the placenta produces a wide range of hormones and enzymes (in addition to human chorionic gonadotropin and human placental lactogen), results supporting this hypothesis could open new dimensions to genetic research for diseases beyond breast cancer (including gynecologic tumors and reproductive and pregnancy-related disorders).

Breast Neoplasms↗

Treating hypertension in women of child-bearing age and during pregnancy.

Hypertension is found among 1 to 6% of young women. Treatment aims to decrease cardiovascular risk, the magnitude of which is less dependent on the absolute level of blood pressure (BP) than on associated cardiovascular risk factors, hypertension-related target organ damage and/or concomitant disease. Lifestyle modifications are recommended for all hypertensive individuals. The threshold of BP at which antihypertensive therapy should be initiated is based on absolute cardiovascular risk. Most young women are at low risk and not in need of antihypertensive therapy. All antihypertensive agents appear to be equally efficacious; choice depends on personal preference, social circumstances and an agent's effect on cardiovascular risk factors, target organ damage and/or concomitant disease. Although most agents are appropriate for, and tolerated well by, young women, another consideration remains that of pregnancy, 50% of which are unplanned. A clinician must be aware of a woman's method of contraception and the potential of an antihypertensive agent to cause birth defects following inadvertent exposure in early pregnancy. Conversely, if an oral contraceptive is effective and well tolerated, but the woman's BP becomes mildly elevated, continuing the contraceptive and initiating antihypertensive treatment may not be contraindicated, especially if the ability to plan pregnancy is important (e.g. in type 1 diabetes mellitus). No commonly used antihypertensive is known to be teratogenic, although ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor antagonists should be discontinued, and any antihypertensive drugs should be continued in pregnancy only if anticipated benefits outweigh potential reproductive risk(s). The hypertensive disorders of pregnancy complicate 5 to 10% of pregnancies and are a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Treatment aims to improve pregnancy outcome. There is consensus that severe maternal hypertension (systolic BP > or = 170mm Hg and/or diastolic BP > or = 110mm Hg) should be treated immediately to avoid maternal stroke, death and, possibly, eclampsia. Parenteral hydralazine may be associated with a higher risk of maternal hypotension, and intravenous labetalol with neonatal bradycardia. There is no consensus as to whether mild-to-moderate hypertension in pregnancy should be treated: the risks of transient severe hypertension, antenatal hospitalisation, proteinuria at delivery and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome may be decreased by therapy, but intrauterine fetal growth may also be impaired, particularly by atenolol. Methyldopa and other beta-blockers have been used most extensively. Reporting bias and the uncertainty of outcomes as defined warrant cautious interpretation of these findings and preclude treatment recommendations.

Adult↗

Use of estrogen antagonists and aromatase inhibitors in endometriosis.

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disorder mostly occurring in reproductive-age women. Various therapies have been used in an attempt to treat endometriosis, including ovarian suppression therapy, surgical treatment or a combination of these strategies. However, in general, substantial surgery remains the primary treatment option for endometriosis at all stages. Recently, aromatase inhibitors and anti-estrogens have been proposed as novel potential candidates. The rationale for the use of aromatase inhibitors is mostly related to the high aromatase expression in endometriotic cysts and extra-ovarian endometriotic implants. Among anti-estrogens, raloxifene has been investigated in animal models with good results, but in premenopausal women, the compound does not seem to suppress estrogen production.

Aromatase Inhibitors↗

[The relationship between feeding and fertility in dairy cattle].

The possible relationship between nutrition and fertility in dairy cows are reviewed. Study of the literature shows that opinions on the effect of the various nutrients differ markedly. The conclusion which can be made is that in countries where standards of dairy farming are high, nutrition only plays a minor role in the problem of herd subfertility. In the course of time deficiencies in a large number of minerals, trace elements and vitamins have been stressed as a cause of inadequate fertility. However cows are at present generally fed with a lot of well balanced concentrates and therefore deficiencies are very unlikely to occur. During early lactation every high producing dairy cow has a negative energy balance. In a number of cows this results in anoestrus and in a long interval from parturition to first insemination. Overfeeding during late lactation and the dry period does not adversely affect subsequent reproduction but may cause puerperal disorders. The relation between protein nutrition and fertility is complex. Protein effects on fertility are minor. Problems can arise if there is a combination of a high percentage of crude protein (greater than 18%), a high rumen degradability of the protein and a low energy content of the diet. The value of metabolic profile tests is minimal because they do not differentiate between normal herds and herds with fertility problems.

Animal Feed↗

Reproductive disturbances in type 1 diabetic women.

Among young type 1 diabetic women disturbances of reproductive system and other related disorders are often present. The present paper, which reviews the literature of the part several years aims to present some of those disorders. Special attention is focused on menstrual irregularities, fertility and sexual problems. Type 1 diabetic women usually have a delayed menarche and an early onset of menopause than nondiabetic women. They are also at higher risk of having menstrual disturbances, such as amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea. It has been suggested that the GnRH pulse-generator in the hypothalamus is responsible for diabetic menstrual dysfunction. The risk of sexual and gestational problems is higher in type 1 diabetes than in the general population, but fertility in diabetic women seems to be similar to nondiabetics.

Adult↗

Nitrous oxide and occupational exposure: it's time to stop laughing.

Although nitrous oxide (N(2)O) has been widely used since 1844, in recent years it has been implicated in a number of serious health hazards such as reproductive, nerve, liver, and kidney disorders. The National Institute of Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends a limit of 25 ppm for chronic exposure to N(2)O in the dental office. Our study monitored ambient N(2)O levels in the dental office. N(2)O levels were compared for procedures performed in open clinics and private operatories as well as with and without a gas-scavenging system. Measurements were taken in the Dental Breathing Zone (DBZ) and Dental Chair Foot (DCF) at regular intervals. A four- to eightfold increase in average N(2)O levels was noted in the DBZ for unscavenged versus scavenged procedures. A three- to fourfold increase for unscavenged versus scavenged procedures was similarly noted in the DCF. N(2)O were significantly higher in private operatories than in open clinics, due to limited room volumes and in the DBZ over the DCF, due to mask leakage and increased oral exhalation. Scavenged N(2)O levels for both operatory types did not meet NIOSH guidelines. In contrast to previous studies using any form of gas removal, our study shows a significant decrease in N(2)O level achieved with an adequate scavenger system. With only four states regulating the use of N(2)O, and with concern over its deleterious effects growing, additional states and the federal government are expected to enact legislation regulating the use of N(2)O in the near future.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

Polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome comprises a group of chronic, progressive diseases of the female reproductive system. Clinical characteristics include disorders of ovulation and menstruation, hirsutism, infertility and obesity. Recommended treatment of the unacceptable manifestations includes the use of oral contraceptives or progestins. Fertility can often be achieved with clomiphene citrate and/or other agents. Rarely is surgical therapy indicated.

Androgens↗

Toxicology and health impact of environmental exposure to boron. A review.

The presence of high concentrations of boron in community water supplies has been reported as a localized problem in certain areas of United States, USSR and Italy. In this paper, current information on sources, occurrence, pollution potential and toxicity of environmental boron is reviewed. In animals, chronic low-level boron exposure has been shown to cause reduced growth, cutaneous disorders and suppression of male reproductive system function. The mechanisms underlying these effects and available data on dose-response relationships are discussed in connection with human health hazards possibly associated with continuous low-level absorption of boron compounds.

Adult↗

Nutrition of dairy cows in late pregnancy during the housing period and its relationship to health and milk yields.

The relationship between the plane of nutrition in dry cows and heifers during late pregnancy on the one hand and health and milk production on the other is discussed. It is concluded from findings reported in the literature as well as from personal observations that when the animals are in normal condition, a plane of nutrition in excess of that required for maintenance plus from 5 to 10 kg. of milk will not enhance the milk yield but will increase the risk of milk fever, acetonaemia, digestive disorders, laminitis, udder problems and reproductive failure. Finally, suggestions are made regarding the plane of nutrition (concentrates) during late pregnancy and early lactation.

Acetone↗

EMFs: cutting through the controversy.

SOME SCIENTISTS ALLEGE that exposure to electric and magnetic fields generated by electric power delivery systems is responsible for certain cancers (particularly among children), reproductive dysfunction, birth defects, neurological disorders, and Alzheimer's disease. Some activist groups believe the hazard to be so great that they are calling for closure of schools and other public facilities near power lines and restructuring of the entire electric power delivery system. Some utilities, with equally strong beliefs, claim that there is no proof of risk. They argue that the science is sufficient to confirm the alleged associations and that no action is warranted. This article provides a broad overview of the current scientific data on the association between magnetic fields and disease, providing summary risk estimates and highlighting the uncertainties in the data. Building on this information, three complementary policy perspectives are presented. From a fiscally conservative perspective, the cost of mitigation already instituted far exceeds the health protection offered and mitigation of other environmental risks is more important. From a cost-benefit view, only limited, low-cost mitigation should be considered. These measures, however, would substantially reduce many exposures. From an aggressive exposure reduction perspective, much can be done to reduce exposure by personal and societal actions. If the suggested association is validated, substantially reducing magnetic field exposure could lower health risks.

Animals↗

Techniques of sperm selection and in vitro fertilization results.

This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of four techniques for sperm selection in vitro fertilization (IVF) programme. Swim Up, Percoll, Sedimentation and Mini-Percoll were evaluated in 440 IVF cycles. The various methods were performed according to the motility and the number of spermatozoa, and the degree of cellularity of the sample; Swim Up and Percoll were used when sperm count was superior 20 million/ml, Sedimentation and Mini-Percoll when the sperm count was less than 20 million/ml. There was no difference in fertilization rate and in the number of replaced embryos per transfer with Swim Up compared to Percoll procedure; the Sedimentation technique improved fertilization (p < 0.05) and embryos rate (p < 0.001) compared to Mini-Percoll sperm preparation. There was no difference in pregnancy rate with Swim Up compared to Percoll and Sedimentation compared to Mini-Percoll procedure. We conclude that with advanced reproductive procedures where serious sperm disorders exist, the choose of the tecnique of sperm selection, most appropriate, according with the motility and the number of spermatozoa, the debrits and nonspermatic cells of the semen, might produce a suspension of spermatozoa with high fertilization potential.

Cell Separation↗

[Evaluation of the reproductive endocrine system in a population of hemodialyzed adult males].

There is a high incidence of sexual disorders of multifactorial origin in hemodialysed patients. The endocrine reproduction system was evaluated in 19 male adult hemodialysed patients. Slightly enhanced levels of prolactin and gonadotropins were found together with normal levels of total and free testosterone. Androgen biosynthesis intermediates were substantially normal. Hypophyseal stimulation tests using TRH and GnRH revealed a prolactin and gonadotropins response which was reduced, slow and protracted compared to normal. Hypophyseal stimulation did not cause any variation in testosterone levels. Prolactin and gonadotropins were not pulsatile. Data obtained appear to indicate that the hormonal component in sexual disorders in uremic patients is related to dynamic alterations of the system rather than basic hormonal changes.

Adult↗

Re F. (in utero), 4 February 1988.

The local authority applied to make the unborn child of a mentally disturbed woman prone to drug abuse a ward of the court. The Court of Appeal of the UK rejected the application, ruling that it had no jurisdiction to make an unborn child the ward of the court. It based its judgment on the principle that a fetus has no status as a legal person or rights under the law until it is born and separate from its mother.

Behavior↗