PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M E Toaff

Publications and source records attributed to M E Toaff.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Selective oocyte degeneration and impaired fertility in rats treated with the aliphatic monoterpene, Citral.

Mature female rats treated with Citral (3-7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal) either topically for 60 or 100 days or by 6 i.p. injections (at 4-5 day day intervals) showed a marked decrease in the number of normal follicles per section, because oocytes tended to degenerate although the follicular cells remained normal. The reproductive performance after Citral treatment was impaired: there was a reduction in implantation number and litter size and an increased post-implantation fetal wastage. None of the young survived after 100 days of topical Citral treatment. It is suggested that Citral directly affects the oocytes.

Acyclic Monoterpenes↗

Role of androgenic hyperactivity in anovulation.

In the course of an investigation of 60 patients with clomiphene-resistant anovulation, 35 cases of androgenic hyperacitvity were detected. Fractionation of urinary 17-ketosteroids (17-KS) by a rapid method of chromatography proved to be both practical and reliable for the detection and classification of androgenic disorders of adrenal, ovarian, or mixed origin. In contrast to the total 17-KS values, the fractionated 17-KS values were elevated in all but one of these cases. Following dexamethasone suppression, individual 17-KS showed significant decreases in both adrenal and mixed adrenal-ovarian cases, in contrast to ovarian cases in which no significant change was detected. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) stimulation combined with dexamethasone suppression did not cause any significant change in individual 17-KS values in the adrenal group, whereas both the mixed adrenal-ovarian and ovarian cases showed significant increases. Of 34 treated patients, 22 conceived, 21 had normal deliveries, and 1 aborted. Twelve became ovulatory. Eleven patients were treated with dexamethasone, nineteen with combined dexamethasone and clomiphene, two with dexamethasone and HCG, and two with HCG only.

17-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗

Induction of labour by pharmacological and physiological doses of intravenous oxytocin.

In addition to membrane rupture, pharmacological doses of oxytocin (2.6 mU/minute rusing stepwise to 422.4 mU/minute) were used in 134 patients and the results compared to those obtained in 144 patients given only physiological doses of oxytocin (2.6 to 13.2 mU/minute). Pharmacological doses of oxytocin gave better results in terms of induction-delivery intervals, incidence of failed inductions and puerperal morbidity. The incidence of hypertonus was similar in both groups and unrelated to oxytocin doses. A uterine activity of 276 Montevideo units, modified to 200 to 220 Montevideo units for grande multiparae, is defined as the goal of oxytocin treatment in induction of labour. A sign of imminent uterine tetany in the intrauterine pressure curve (the 'damping sign') is described.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Effect of diazepam on uterine activity during labor.

The effect of diazepam on uterine activity was assessed in a series of 30 patients in established spontaneous labor. The action of diazepam on the frequency and amplitude of contractions, uterine tone and fetal heart rate was monitored internally. An i.v. dose of 10 mg diazepam significantly decreased uterine activity by its direct effect on contraction frequency. No effect on uterine tone was seen. This effect of diazepam on contraction frequency was additional to its tranquilizing and muscle relaxant action.

Apgar Score↗

Cervical incompetence: diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.

During a seven-year period, 311 women with cervical incompetence were treated by cerclage. Fifty-three of the women were treated twice during the study period, 12, three times, and one, four times, so that a total of 391 pregnancies was studied. There were only 45 emergency procedures. Candidates for elective cerclage were selected on the basis of hysterographic findings and the Hegar test. Cerclage was performed by the simple McDonald procedure, usually during the 11th to 12th week of gestation, after the presence of fetal life had been established by ultrasonic detection of the fetal heartbeats. Apart from antibiotics no medical treatment was given. Hospitalization following cerclage was reduced to less than 24 h. The fetal salvage rate was 89%, with minor differences among four etiologic subgroups. The minimum benefit rate of the operations was 64.6%. The degree of cervical patency, as established by the Hegar test, was found to be of prognostic value in cerclage-treated pregnancies. Ultrasonic detection of fetal heartbeat before cerclage significantly improved fetal salvage by almost complete elimination of early fetal loss. Simplification of the surgical procedure is recommended.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Infertility following wedge resection of the ovaries.

Seven cases of polycystic ovarian disease were investigated by laparoscopy and endocrinologic tests after failure of ovarian resection to restore fertility. One case of bilateral and two cases of unilateral ovarian atrophy were recorded. In all seven patients the common features were extensive perivarian and peritubal adhesions. Four of the six patients amenable to cure were submitted to reconstructive surgery; three of them conceived and had normal deliveries. The present observations support the plea to relegate the surgical approach to a minor position in patients with Stein-Leventhal syndrome and stress the importance of meticulous surgical technique in the performance of ovarian surgery. Laparoscopic investigation is mandatory in all cases of unsuccessful ovarian resection.

Adult↗

Metabolic aspects of a hypoxia test for placental sufficiency.

A hypoxia test for placental sufficiency was performed on 24 healthy pregnant women nearing term and 23 high-risk pregnant women in advanced stages of gestation. Hypoxia was induced by inhalation of a breathing mixture containing 7% oxygen through a semi-open system which permitted partial rebreathing, thus preventing hypocapnia. The changes in fetal heart rate (FHR) resulting from maternal hypoxia were recorded continuously by external or internal monitoring. The changes observed in FHR were more marked in high-risk cases. Maternal blood gases were tested before and after 10 min of hypoxia in 10 normal and 10 high-risk patients. In no case was maternal acidosis observed. All pregnant patients regarded as high-risk because of hypertensive disorders or chronic renal disease manifested metabolic alkalosis. This finding cannot be explained. It is regarded as being responsible for the more severe FHR changes through a negative Bohr effect, which reduces the dynamic exchange of oxygen in the placenta. Metabolic alkalosis does not appear in high-risk pregnant women exposed to milder hypoxia by breathing 12% oxygen. The changes in FHR observed during severe maternal hypoxia, i.e., 7% oxygen, are probably due more to maternal metabolic alkalosis than to placental insufficiency. Consequently, the "severe hypoxia test" cannot be used as a test for placental insufficiency.

Female↗

Effects of intravenous meperidine and meperidine with promethazine on uterine activity and fetal heart rate during labor.

A prospective study of the effects of the i.v. injection of 75 mg meperidine, alone or combined with 25 mg promethazine, was conducted by continuous and direct monitoring of the fetus and of intrauterine pressure. The study was carried out in 16 primiparas and 24 multiparas in active spontaneous labor with cervical dilatation of 3 to 4 cm. Administration of meperidine and of meperidine with promethazine was associated with an increase in uterine activity of 31 to 45% (Montevideo units), respectively. The most marked effects were on the amplitude of the uterine contractions. There was no significant change in uterine tone. A tetanic response was recorded in two patients who vomited after the administration of meperidine with promethazine and was followed by slowing of the fetal heart rate. In no other cases were there significant changes in fetal heart rate. Except for the latter two patients, no adverse effect of meperidine or of meperidine with promethazine on the fetal heart rate was noted. The condition of the newborns at birth was excellent in all but three cases, in two of which maternal amniotic infection and high fever were present.

Female↗

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia caused by 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency with onset of symptoms after one spontaneous pregnancy.

A case of adrenogenital syndrome due to 11beta-hydroxylase deficiency is described in a mother, 25 years of age, who had experienced a successful pregnancy 5 years previously. At that time no abnormality had been suspected and pregnancy was achieved without therapy. Subsequently the patient was examined because of secondary sterility. The menstrual cycles were anovulatory. Only slight virilization was observed and blood pressure was normal. Diagnosis was based on the observation of highly increased urinary excretion of 17-ketosteroids and 17-ketogenic steroids, with especially high excretion of tetrahydro-11-deoxycortisol. Following suppression with dexamethasone and adequate maintenance treatment, the patient conceived and had an uneventful pregnancy. This is apparently the first report of pregnancy in adrenogenital syndrome due to 11beta-hydroxylase deficiency.

17-Ketosteroids↗