Biomedical subjects

J Totusek

Publications and source records attributed to J Totusek.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Ascorbic acid and infertility treatment.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the ascorbic acid (AA) in the follicular fluid in women treated by in vitro fertilization and embryonic transfer levels (IVF/ET) and to analyse the influence of vitamin C supplementation on the results of infertility treatment. TYPE OF THE STUDY: Prospective study in women treated by IVF/ET. METHODS: The influence of vitamin C supplementation on the outcome of infertility treatment in the assisted reproduction programme in 76 women (38 of them smokers, 38 non-smokers) was studied. Half the women (19 smokers and 19 non-smokers) were administered vitamin C in daily doses of 500 mg in so-called pellets allowing for gradual release over 8 to 12 hours. The control group consisted of the same number of smokers and non-smokers. In all the women, ascorbic acid levels were determined in two urine samples (prior to supplementation and at follicle retrieval) and in follicular fluid by means of a colorimetric method. Ovarian response to hormonal stimulation with gonadotropins (hMG, FSH) at a dosage of 150-225 IU per day combined with GnRH analogues in the short (buserelin) or long (triptorelin) protocols, and 5,000-10,000 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin was evaluated based on the number of follicles created and number of retrieved oocytes. Fertilisation was assessed, based on the number of successfully fertilised oocytes (fertilisation rate) and based on the number of cultivated embryos. The success of the infertility treatment was evaluated based on the number of pregnancies. RESULTS: Ascorbic acid levels in follicles were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in women with vitamin C supplementation than in the control group (8.98 +/- 5.09 vs. 5.04 +/- 2.85 mg/l). The administration of vitamin C during the period of hormonal stimulation showed a statistically insignificant impact in terms of the higher number of pregnancies (34.2% vs. 23.7%). Vitamin supplementation had a greater impact on the number of pregnancies in the non-smokers' group (57.9% vs. 31.6%). The pregnancy rate was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in non-smoking women than in smokers--44.7% vs. 13.2%, which appears to be a reason for asking women to cease smoking prior to infertility treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Is environmental cadmium a serious hazard to Czech population?

The main objective of the study was to asses whether the environmental cadmium exposure in the Czech Republic is high enough to be able to affect significantly the human reproduction. Cadmium levels were measured in the blood and follicular fluid of 220 women in in vitro fertilization (IVF) therapy, using atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean value of cadmium in venous blood was 0.85 ng x ml(-1) with significantly higher values among smokers (1.18 ng x ml(-1), SD = 1.6, 95%CI: 0.6-1.1) as compared to non-smokers (0.46 ng x ml(-1), SD = 0.4, 95%CI: 0.4-0.6) (p < 0.0001). In all, 1518 blood-free follicles were assessed to determine cadmium residues in follicular fluid. The mean cadmium value was 0.34 ng x ml(-1) (SD = 0.45, 95%CI: 0.28-0.41). No association was found between the cadmium levels in blood and follicular fluid, and similar cadmium levels were observed in the follicular fluid of women with different smoking habits. The calculated dietary cadmium intake was similar in all our patients and had no relation to either blood or follicular cadmium levels. The follicular cadmium levels were approximately 20 times lower as compared to those found in the group of Canadian women. Our study confirmed the previous findings on the low exposure of the Czech population to environmental cadmium.

Cadmium↗

PubMed1994

Lead in bone from south Moravian autopsies.

In bone samples of 181 humans decreased at the age of 0-99 years from Brno and surroundings, lead content was determined by the method of atomic absorption spectrometry. The geometrical mean of the lead content of the whole set is 2.29 micrograms.g-1 of dry tissue (min 0.26 max. 29.28 micrograms.g-1). With the age the lead content in bone gradually increases from the value of the geometric mean of 1.35 micrograms.g-1 in the first year of life to almost a double in the age decade of 21-30 years. Up to 80 years it roughly remains on a constant level, after the age of 80 it rises again up to the mean value of 4.26 micrograms.g-1. Differences between the sexes in the whole set as well as in the individual age groups are very small and non significant. Statistically significant differences in Pb content in bone were found in the relation to the size of the place of residence (P < 0.05); however, no association was proved with the character of place of residence, occupation, smoking habits or type of the underlying cause of death.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Residues of polychlorinated biphenyls in breast milk of women non-occupationally exposed to PCBs.

Samples of breast milk were collected from 27 women and examined for residues of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) using gas-liquid chromatography. A questionnaire was used to obtain information on environmental factors relevant to the women's exposure to PCBs. The levels of breast milk PCB residues were considered in relation to the women's medical history before and during pregnancy and to the health status of the infants. Despite the fact that the production and use of PCBs were banned in Czechoslovakia in 1982, all breast milk samples tested had detectable levels of PCBs, with the average value of 2,411 ng.g-1 milk fat (i.e., 22.8 ng.g-1 whole milk). In 25% of the women the PCB levels were higher than 2,500 ng.g-1 milk fat, which is considered a limit concentration for PCB in breast milk.

Adolescent↗