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Biomedical subjects

L M Talbert

Publications and source records attributed to L M Talbert.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Positive correlation between body weight, length of human menopausal gonadotropin stimulation, and oocyte fertilization rate.

One hundred four normally cycling women were treated with fixed low-dose human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) (2 ampules/day) in preparation for oocyte aspiration for in vitro fertilization. The response rate was related to age, weight, and the ratios weight/height2 and weight/height. The required dose of hMG was related to total body weight, but not to age or either of the weight/height ratios. In patients who required fewer than 5 days of hMG (rapid responders), a significantly higher number (P less than 0.02) of oocytes were harvested, compared with slow responders. However, a smaller percentage of the oocytes from rapid responders fertilized (P less than 0.003) and resulted in a reduced rate of embryo transfer. The difference in pregnancy rates was not statistically significant. The results of the study suggest that patients undergoing in vitro fertilization who weigh less than 55 kg may benefit from treatment with a lower dose of hMG to prolong the stimulation cycle.

Adult

Analysis of deoxyribonucleic acid distribution in noncleaving oocytes from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization.

The purpose of this study was to describe the quantity and distribution of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in oocytes that did not fertilize or did fertilize and failed to cleave, from patients who underwent in vitro fertilization. Patients were selected with at least one cleaving egg, so that the sperm population was known to be fertile, and failure of fertilization or cleavage in the remaining oocytes could be attributed to nonspermatozoan factors. The noncleaving oocytes were classified into five categories, the majority of which (71%) lacked a polar body and any morphologically identifiable nucleus or germinal vesicle. Three general defects were found: failure to replicate the DNA properly; failure to package the DNA properly; and failure to organize the nuclear material properly after sperm penetration. It is concluded that either altered stimulation protocols or altered in vitro maturation conditions are needed to increase the average number of normal embryos available for transfer.

Cleavage Stage, Ovum

Peritoneal macrophages modulate human granulosa-luteal cell progesterone production.

Macrophages have been identified in the developing corpus luteum in several species, including man, and also constitute approximately 90% of cells in the peritoneal cavity. We studied the effect of peritoneal macrophages or blood monocytes on progesterone (P) synthesis by human granulosa cells from preovulatory follicles obtained at laparoscopy of 14 women undergoing in vitro fertilization. Pooled granulosa cells from follicles with mature ova were isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque gradient centrifugation. Washed granulosa cells (0.75 X 10(5)/ml) were incubated in Dulbecco's Minimum Essential Medium containing 20% calf serum with varying concentrations of pelvic macrophages (0.8-29 X 10(5)/ml) or fresh and mature blood monocytes (0.25-2.5 X 10(5)/ml). P production was determined by RIA of medium at 24-h intervals for 24-48 h. In situ concentrations of pelvic macrophages from 8 patients with tubal infertility increased cumulative P production to 140 +/- 17.8% (mean +/- SEM) of the control values. A similar increase (182 +/- 62.7%) was found with macrophages from 6 patients with endometriosis or unexplained infertility. Both fresh and mature monocytes stimulated P production to 225% and 261% of control values, respectively. Indomethacin (10(-4) M) or monoclonal antibody to somatomedin-C did not prevent stimulation of P production. These results suggest that peritoneal macrophages may exert luteotropic effects on cumulus cells while the ovulated oocyte resides in the tube, and incoming monocytes may be important in stimulating luteal cells in the developing corpus luteum.

Adult

Relationship of age and pubertal development to ovulation in adolescent girls.

A random sample of adolescent girls, 13 to 16 years of age, were surveyed with multiple serum progesterone determinations. The presence of ovulation was correlated with various indexes of pubertal development, including a pubertal developmental index that was devised using a summation of developmental factors. There was a significant correlation of ovulation with breast development, pubic hair development, and with the developmental index.

Adolescent

Endocrine and immunologic studies in a patient with resistant ovary syndrome.

A patient with the resistant ovary syndrome is reported. To evaluate the hypothesis that the hypogonadism might be the result of circulating antibodies to gonadotropin receptors or to an abnormal gonadotropin molecule, a series of clinical and laboratory studies was carried out. Administration of human menopausal gonadotropin had no effect on the serum estradiol level. The patient's serum did not affect follicle-stimulating hormone binding to a membrane preparation of monkey testes, suggesting the absence of antibodies to follicle-stimulating hormone receptors, nor did the patient's serum affect in vitro responsiveness of human granulosa cells to human menopausal gonadotropin. Unresponsiveness to exogenous gonadotropins, combined with anatomically normal follicular apparatus and the absence of serum antibodies to gonadotropin receptors, supports the concept of a gonadotropin receptor or a postreceptor defect.

Adult

A double blind study to evaluate the effect of methyldopa on menopausal vasomotor flushes.

Vasomotor flush (VMF) is the most consistent symptom associated with the menopause. Nonsteroidal agents such as clonidine have been demonstrated to decrease VMF. Anecdotal reports suggested that VMF were reduced in hypertensive women receiving methyldopa, which is also an alpha2-adrenergic agonist. This study describes a double-blind cross-over placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of methyldopa on VMF. Diary reports were made and serum LH and digital skin temperature were measured in 10 menopausal women with 30 or more VMF/week and serum FSH levels of 40 mIU/ml or greater. The frequency of VMF, LH pulse, and temperature elevation during a 5-h observation period and VMF per week based on diary reports were compared for the baseline and fourth week of therapy with methyldopa (250 mg, three times daily) and placebo therapy. The patients reported some amelioration of VMF (P less than or equal to 0.02) during drug therapy. Objectively, only the frequency of LH peaks was decreased with methyldopa therapy (P less than or equal to 0.05). Because of significant side effects and minimal symptomatic improvement, methyldopa is not likely to be an acceptable therapy for VMF.

Adult

Effects of neutralization of luteinizing hormone on corpus luteum function and cyclicity in Macaca fascicularis.

The primate corpus luteum (including the human) is thought to require continuous exposure to LH for normal progesterone production and menstrual cyclicity. Recently, normal luteal function was reported in rhesus monkeys after postovulatory hypophysectomy or treatment with an antagonist to GnRH. We studied the effects of neutralization of LH by specific antiserum in the fascicularis monkey. A potent antiserum to ovine LH, which cross-reacted with monkey pituitary extract, was produced in rabbits; this antiserum was administered daily to cycling monkeys during the midluteal phase. The pretreatment cycle duration was 32.4 +/- 1.7 (+/- SE) days, and luteal length was 16.5 +/- 0.8 days, with a midluteal progestin peak of 15.28 +/- 2.23 ng/ml. LH antiserum treatment resulted in a precipitous fall in serum progestin within 24 h, which remained low for the remainder of the cycle. All treated monkeys had premature menstrual bleeding, with mean cycle length shortened to 22.8 +/- 1.6 days (P less than 0.0005). These results confirm that the continuous presence of LH is essential for maintenance of corpus luteum function in this species of primate.

Animals

Retrograde menstruation in healthy women and in patients with endometriosis.

Blood was found in the peritoneal fluid in 90% of women with patent tubes at laparoscopy during perimenstrual time. If the fallopian tubes were occluded, then only 15% of patients had evidence of blood in the pelvis. Also, 90% of patients with endometriosis and eight of nine women on oral contraceptives had bloody fluid during the menstrual period. The present observations indicate that retrograde menstruation through the fallopian tubes into the peritoneal cavity is a very common physiologic event in all menstruating women with patent tubes.

Ascitic Fluid

Amenorrhea-galactorrhea, hyperprolactinemia, and suprasellar pituitary enlargement as presenting features of primary hypothyroidism.

Two women who presented with amenorrhea-galactorrhea and hyperprolactinemia associated with x-ray evidence of pituitary enlargement and suprasellar extension were found to have primary hypothyroidism. Resolution of the pituitary enlargement and galactorrhea occurred after thyroid hormone replacement. Both women spontaneously ovulated and conceived, and normal pregnancies resulted. Amenorrhea, galactorrhea, and/or pituitary enlargement may be the principal manifestations of primary hypothyroidism. In such patients, it is imperative that primary hypothyroidism be excluded before drug or surgical therapy for presumed prolactinoma is undertaken. When these findings are due to primary hypothyroidism, thyroid hormone replacement alone is adequate therapy.

Adult

Factors affecting the pregnancy rate in clomiphene citrate induction of ovulation.

During the five years ending on December 31, 1981, 159 anovulatory and oligomenorrheic patients were treated with clomiphene citrate for induction of ovulation. Overall, 86% of these patients ovulated, and 49% of the patients who ovulated conceived. Life table analysis was employed to investigate factors contributing to reduced conception rates, including abnormal semen analysis, pelvic or tubal abnormalities, and poor cervical mucus. Elevated serum testosterone levels did not affect conception rates. The most significant factor contributing to reduced overall pregnancy rates was patient discontinuation of therapy. Cumulative pregnancy rates corrected for discontinuation approach 100% after ten cycles of therapy. During this period, the monthly probability of pregnancy (monthly fecundability) remained constant. Optimal pregnancy rates are attained if other infertility factors are corrected and treatment is continued for ten to 12 ovulatory cycles.

Cervix Mucus

Clomiphene citrate therapy of infertile women with low luteal phase progesterone levels.

Sixty-nine infertile women with a midluteal serum progesterone level of 4 to 14 ng/ml were treated with a graduated dosage schedule of clomiphene citrate until the progesterone level on day 21 was greater than 20 ng/ml. Thirty-one pregnancies occurred, 58% during the first adequate treatment cycle and 19% during the second cycle. The abortion rate was 23%. After 6 adequate treatment cycles, laparoscopic evaluation was performed on 28 of 39 patients who did not conceive. Pathology was noted in 57%. Seven of 17 patients with intraperitoneal causes of infertility conceived after alternative therapy. The corrected pregnancy rate was 60%. Results of this study suggest that low luteal phase progesterone levels may compromise fertility and that clomiphene citrate enhances pregnancy rates.

Adult

Normalization of testosterone levels using a low estrogen-containing oral contraceptive in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Oral contraceptives reduce the elevated androgen levels in polycystic ovary disease. However, treatment with oral contraceptives is associated with undesirable side effects because of their high estrogen content. This study was undertaken to examine the effects of low estrogen-containing oral contraceptive (Loestrin:norethindrone acetate 1.5 mg and ethinyl estradiol 30 micrograms) on 25 women with polycystic ovary disease of ovarian origin. Loestrin treatment normalized the elevated luteinizing hormone and total and unbound testosterone levels and increased testosterone binding globulin levels. In a time-course study, unbound testosterone declined within a week of initiating treatment and by 12 to 16 weeks was completely normal. Reduction in hair growth and improvement in complexion were noted by about 12 to 16 weeks. Side effects of treatment were minimal.

Contraceptives, Oral

Genetic screening of donors for artificial insemination.

A routine has been established for genetic screening of donors in an artificial insemination and frozen sperm bank program. This report is a summary and analysis of the information obtained on the first 168 donor applicants and 89 recipients who were genetically screened. The specific forms for screening, family information obtained, characteristics of the donor and recipient groups, and guidelines for acceptance or rejection of donors are discussed. The donor and recipient often failed to perceive that the disorders in the family were genetic. The simple question of whether or not there were genetic or hereditary problems in the family was ineffective, even when the donor or recipient had formal medical training.

Age Factors

Structural and functional regression of polycystic ovaries by danazol.

The effects of danazol on ovarian steroidogenesis and follicular size was studied in androgen-sterilized rats bearing polycystic ovaries. Daily treatment with 4 or 20 mg of the drug caused a reduction in ovarian weight and regression of cystic follicles. Serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and estrogen were significantly decreased. The persistent estrus smears were changed to diestrus, indicating inhibition of estrogenic activity.

Animals