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Biomedical subjects

G Potashnik

Publications and source records attributed to G Potashnik.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Hormonal and clinical responses in amenorrhetic patients treated with gonadotropins and a nasal form of synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

Synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the form of nasal drops was self-administered by five amenorrheic patients in an attempt to assess its therapeutic value in anovulatory infertility. After follicular maturation had been induced with human menopausal gonadotropins (HMG), a total daily dose of 7.5 mg of GnRH in the form of nasal drops was self-administered at 2-hour intervals for 6 hours on 3 consecutive days. In four patients, plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were significantly elevated over a period of at least 8 hours. In three of these patients, in addition, there was a definite upward shift in the basal body temperature (BBT) curve, and uterine bleeding occurred 6 to 9 days after the first dose of GnRH. In the fourth patient, ovulation was induced as indicated by a biphasic BBT curve, a plasma progesterone level of 13 ng/ml, and a luteal phase of 15 days. In the remaining patient, there was a borderline LH response and no clinical response. It is concluded that GnRH, in the form of nasal drops, is effective in eliciting and maintaining elevated plasma LH levels in patients in whom follicular maturation has been induced with HMG. By obtaining ovulatory LH levels, such a regimen can lead to ovulation. In addition, intranasal self-administration of GnRH is convenient and may provide an alternative route of administration for long-term therapy with this hormone.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1978

Suppressive effect of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane on human spermatogenesis.

Azoospermia was diagnosed in six factory workers who had been chronically exposed to 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane. Infertility was the presenting symptom in two patients and a decrease in libido or impotence characterized the others. Hormone studies revealed elevated plasma follicle-stimulating hormone levels and normal plasma luteinizing hormone and testosterone concentrations. Testicular biopsy showed selective atrophy of the germinal epithelium, intact Sertoli cells, and a normal appearance of a relatively increased number of Leydig cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Significance of hyperprolactinemia in 70 women with amenorrhea.

The clinical, radiological and hormonal findings in 70 amenorrheic patients are described. Hyperprolactinemia was found in 18 patients (25.7%) who were divided into three groups: nine patients with functional secondary amenorrhea, six patients with radiological evidence of pituitary tumor, and three patients with primary amenorrhea. One of the latter group had primary hypothyroidism. Plasma gonadotropin concentrations were normal or low in most patients, with the exception of five women with ovarian failure in whom the levels were significantly raised. Galactorrhea was diagnosed in 23 patients (32.8%), and in 16 of them plasma prolactin levels were elevated. Recent experience has shown that reduction of prolactin levels to normal by removal of prolactin-secreting tumors or by treatment with bromocriptine results in the restoration of normal menstrual cycles and fertility. The hormonal and radiological identification and characterization of hyperprolactinemic amenorrhea are therefore of prime importance.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Assessment of pituitary response to nasal application of synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone in men.

An attempt has been made to assess the pituitary response to the nasal application of synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in three oligospermic and two azoospermic men. Intranasal administration of 3 mg of GnRH in aqueous or natural plant gum solution produced a pituitary response pattern similar to that produced by the intramuscular injection of 100 microng, with respect to plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). No technical difficulties or side effects were observed. GnRH in a nasal drop preparation seems to be effective in releasing LH and FSH in men. These findings may have a practical application in those cases where long-term therapy with the hormone is indicated.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1976

Hydramnion and fetal renal anomalies.

Four instances of hydramnion associated with renal anomalies are reported: two patients had obstructive uropathies and two had a neoplastic type of renal dysplasia. In two infants water concentration tests revealed a defect in water-concentrating ability. It is postulated that the observed hydramnion resulted from fetal polyuria. In patients with unexplained hydramnion a search for renal anomalies is indicated.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1976

Retrograde ejaculation: pathophysiologic aspects and report of two successfully treated cases.

The ejaculatory process consists of two stages. During the first stage the semen is pumped into the posterior urethra and during the second stage the semen is propelled via the urethra through the external meatus. A pathologic second stage may lead to retrograde ejaculation of the semen into the urinary bladder. Attempts to achieve fertility in such patients can be made in two ways; namely through procedures to restore antegrade ejaculation (mainly using alpha-sympathomimetic agents) and procedures to regain viable and fertile sperm from the urinary bladder after sexual intercourse, with subsequent artificial insemination. The latter way of treatment was used in two patients who were referred for infertility and in whom retrograde ejaculation had been diagnosed. Postcoital urinary specimens were obtained by micturition and centrifuged. In one patient the sediment was washed with a nutrient solution; the other patient received alkalizing agents prior to intercourse in order to neutralize the urinary pH. The wives were inseminated on appropriate days and conceived. Both delivered healthy babies after uneventful pregnancies.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

The hypothalamus as a regulator of reproductive function.

In this review of the role of the hypothalamus as a regulator of reproductive function we have presented a short history of the important anatomical and physiological findings, the structure and properties of gonadotrophin releasing hormone and its function and mode of action in the reproductive process. The latest clinical studies have been presented and we have discussed the therapeutic and diagnostic applications of GnRH. Although the progress in the last few years has been relatively enormous, research on the physiological and clinical implications of these discoveries has probably only now reached its peak and it was thus felt that the time was ripe to write this summary.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reproductive outcomes in families of DBCP-exposed men.

The families of 30 workers employed in a plant which, until 1977, had produced 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), have been monitored for 5 yr. Thirteen men who were azoospermic in 1977 had more than 100 hr of estimated exposure in production; of these, 4 have recovered spermatogenesis and 2 have fathered 4 female children. Eight men who were oligospermic in 1977 had been exposed for 34-95 hr; of 8 children subsequently born to their wives, 6 were female. Five men with exposure times estimated to be between 10 and 60 hr were normospermic in 1977, and of 5 children subsequently born to them, 4 were male and 1 was female. The outcome of the pregnancies among families of 4 non-exposed men and of exposed men prior to exposure resulted in 27 male and 24 female children. No increase in spontaneous abortion occurred in pregnancies fathered by exposed men. Four infant deaths and 5 congenital anomalies occurred among the babies born of unexposed pregnancies. No infant or fetal deaths and no congenital abnormalities occurred among children born to wives of men after the men were exposed. The birth of at least 10 females of 12 babies born to wives of exposed men with evidence of testicular toxicity would be expected according to binomial probabilities with a P = .015. The children born to families of exposed workers are in good health. A possible explanation for the observed female sex predominance might be Y chromosome non-disjunction, which was reported to be more frequent in sperm of DBCP workers by Kapp et al.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Suppression and recovery of spermatogenesis in dibromochloropropane treated rats.

Fertile male rats were injected subcutaneously with DBCP dissolved in DMSO at a dose of 20 mg DBCP/kg BW once a week for three consecutive weeks. One testis was removed 3-7 weeks after the last injection. Following standard histological procedure the percentage of damaged seminiferous tubules was determined. Damage to various degrees was noted in 70% of the injected animals. No damage was evident in the control animals injected with the solvent alone. The second testis was removed about 27 weeks later. In about 70% of the animals showing damage in the first testis recovery was evident with presence of active spermatogenesis as revealed in histological sections. There was some loss of body weight during the DBCP injection period compared with controls. However, with time these differences disappeared. At sacrifice, testis, liver and kidneys weights were reduced in the DBCP treated animals as compared with the controls. Testicular weight was negatively correlated with the degree of observed testicular damage but not correlated with the degree of testicular recovery.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A four-year reassessment of workers with dibromochloropropane-induced testicular dysfunction.

The present study summarizes a four-year follow-up of 20 production workers with D.B.C.P.-induced testicular dysfunction. In 4 of the 13 initially azoospermic men, sperm density increased to 1.5 to 48.0 millions/ml. Five of the seven initially oligozoospermic workers showed a marked increase in sperm count. In all the men with improved spermatogenesis, plasma levels of FSH, LH and testosterone were within the normal range when first evaluated. Nine spontaneous pregnancies occurred in the spouses of seven of the recovered workers. All the pregnancies went to term and culminated in the spontaneous of normal healthy infants. There was not improvement in the sperm counts of all azoospermic and oligozoospermic men with prolonged exposure to the chemical. It is suggested that the gonadotoxic effect of D.B.C.P. in human males is reversible, this reversibility being inversely related to previous exposure time and being most likely to occur in the presence of normal FSH values. The further increase in plasma FSH and LH and the moderate decrease in the mean testosterone level in the non-recovered workers is of prime importance. It may suggest a delayed toxic effect of D.B.C.P. on Sertoli and Leydig cell function during the four-year follow-up period, explaining lack of spermatogenic recovery over a prolonged period of time.

Adult↗