Biomedical subjects

Jürgen M Weiss

Publications and source records attributed to Jürgen M Weiss.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Distribution of persistent organochlorine contaminants in infertile patients from Tanzania and Germany.

PURPOSE: To test whether environmental pollutants could affect fertility in humans. METHODS: 31 women and 16 men from Tanzania and 21 couples from Germany were included (n = 89). Pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls were measured in serum, follicular fluid or seminal plasma by gaschromatography and related to sperm quality and pregnancy rates. RESULTS: Higher concentrations of DDT+DDE and dieldrin in Tanzania and higher concentrations of PCBs in Germany and in men were detected. All compounds showed higher concentrations in serum and lowest concentrations in seminal plasma. A lower pregnancy rate in German women with high serum concentrations of DDT+DDE was observed. The toxins had no impact on sperm quality. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of toxins between agricultural and industrial countries is different. Seminal plasma seems to be inert against chemicals. In patients with high serum concentrations of DDT and DDE pregnancy rates were impaired.

DDT↗

PubMed2004

Insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

With a prevalence of 5%-10% the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an exceptionally common disorder of premenopausal women. According to prospective studies, women with PCOS present abnormal glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus in 31%-35% and 7.5%-10%, respectively. PCOS patients have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia. The rate of spontaneous abortions as well as the risk to develop gestational or type 2 diabetes is increased in PCOS. Therefore, PCOS is not only a reproductive problem but a complex endocrine disease with important health implications. The role of the glucose metabolism in PCOS, the health consequences and possible interventions are reviewed in this article.

Blood Glucose↗

PubMed2003

Granulomatous mastitis.

INTRODUCTION: Granulomatous mastitis (GM) is a rare disease which predominantly occurs in premenopausal women shortly after their last childbirth. ETIOLOGY: Its etiology is unclear, however, the disease has been shown to be correlated with breast-feeding and the use of oral contraceptives. An autoimmune component has also been discussed. PRESENTATION: It presents with the clinical symptoms of galactorrhea, inflammation, breast mass, tumorous indurations and ulcerations of the skin. In mammography and sonography nodular opacities and hypoechoic nodules are found. Very often clinical and radiological findings mimic breast cancer. HISTOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS: The diagnosis is made by histopathology. Histological features in GM include signs of a chronic granulomatous inflammation with giant cells, leucocytes, epitheloid cells and macrophages as well as abscesses. TREATMENT: Therapy of GM consists of complete surgical excision combined with oral steroid therapy, eventually in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs or colchicine. Use of methotrexate has also been successful. In case of formation of abscesses antibiotic therapy should be applied before steroid therapy. Immune-suppressive therapy should be performed until complete remission as rates of recurrence can be up to 50%.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed2003

[Insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome].

With a prevalence of 5-10% the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder of premenopausal women. According to prospective studies abnormal glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus present in about 10.0% and 35.0% of adult women with PCOS, respectively. PCOS patients have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and dyslipidaemia. The rate of spontaneous abortions as well as the risk of developing gestational diabetes is increased in PCOS. Therefore, PCOS is not only a reproductive problem, but a complex endocrine disease with important health implications. The role of glucose metabolism in PCOS, the health consequences and possible interventions are reviewed in this article.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

GnRH antagonists in the treatment of infertility.

GnRH analogues were introduced into clinical practice more than 20 years ago. The recent development of new GnRH antagonists (GnRHant) has revolutionized the treatment protocols of infertility. Ovarian stimulation has become easier, safer and more convenient for patients. This review presents data on the physiological background of GnRH and its analogues--agonists as well as antagonists--and highlights the different aspects of the clinical use of these substances. Two protocols, the single dose and multiple dose protocol are available and lead to comparable results. Data from prospective, randomized trials as well as meta-analyses suggest, that a more tailored, individualized approach concerning the day of administration of GnRHant may lead to more favorable results with regard to ovarian response, implantation and pregnancy rates. Possible negative effects of GnRHant, mainly based on in vitro models are discussed. The outcome of children born after GnRHant use has shown, that this medication is safe. On the whole, the use of GnRHant is advantageous as compared to the traditional way of ovarian stimulation, i.e., the GnRH agonist long protocol. However, especially the effectiveness of these compounds will have to be clarified in the near future by carefully designed prospective, randomized studies.

Female↗