Biomedical subjects

Reuvit Halperin

Publications and source records attributed to Reuvit Halperin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Effect of intrauterine injection of casein on fetal survival in rat: a new pharmacological approach for contraception.

BACKGROUND: The incidental finding of casein as a possible new local pharmacological contraceptive prompted us to assess its validity in an experimental rat model. METHODS: The intrauterine injection of 150 microg of bovine alpha-casein dissolved in 150 microL phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was performed on one uterine rat horn on days L(5)-L(7), whereas the contralateral horn was used for injection of 150 microL PBS as a control. Intraperitoneal injection of alpha-casein (5 mg/mL, 2 mL/rat) was performed on day L(5). The rats were killed by cervical dislocation on the day L(14). RESULTS: The effect of an alpha-casein on fetal resorption rate was assessed following the unilateral injection of 150 microL of alpha-casein (1 mg/mL in PBS) and compared with the effect obtained following the contralateral injection of 150 microL PBS. The unilateral injection of alpha-casein on day L(5) caused a significant increase in fetal resorption rate as compared with the contralateral uterine horn injected with PBS (p<.00001). The decrease in alpha-casein concentration from 1 to 0.3 mg/mL caused a reduced, but still significant, effect on fetal resorption rate (p<.0001). The injection on days L(6)-L(7) caused a local effect of resorption near the injection site. There was no effect on fetal resorption rate following the injection of alpha-casein intraperitoneally. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest a new pharmacological approach for contraception, based on local intrauterine effect of alpha-casein in an experimental rat model. The exact mechanism of action related to casein should be further studied.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Adnexal torsion involving hydatids of Morgagni: a rare cause of acute abdominal pain in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: Hydatids of Morgagni are common embryonal remnants of the müllerian duct and among the infrequent causes of adnexal torsion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of adnexal torsion involving hydatids of Morgagni, as well as its possible mechanisms. METHODS: A database search was conducted for cases of adnexal torsion treated in our institution from January 2002 to July 2005. These cases were analyzed, focusing on a subgroup of adolescents with adnexal torsion involving the hydatids of Morgagni. RESULTS: There were 76 patients with adnexal torsion. The rate of hydatid of Morgagni torsion was 26% (4 of 15 cases, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15-0.51) in the adolescent subgroup (10-19 years old), compared with 0% (0 of 61 cases, 95% CI 0-0.048) in the adult subgroup. The difference between the hydatid torsion rates in the two subgroups was statistically significant (P = .01, 95% CI 0.001-0.532). The four patients with hydatid torsion (postmenarchal girls, aged 13-18 years) were managed with laparoscopic adnexal detorsion and cystectomy of the affected hydatid of Morgagni. At surgery, we noted three different mechanisms of hydatid torsion: torsion of the adnexa together with torsion of the hydatid of Morgagni, torsion of the hydatid of Morgagni with intact adnexa (n = 2), and entanglement of the hydatid's pedicle around the distal fallopian tube. The hydatids of Morgagni were observed on the preoperative transabdominal ultrasonogram in only one patient and appeared as a simple cyst. CONCLUSION: Adnexal torsion involving the hydatids of Morgagni appears to be more common in adolescents than previously thought. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Abdominal Pain↗

PubMed2006

Human decidua-associated protein 200 neutralizes the detrimental effect of serum containing antiphospholipid antibodies on fetal survival in the rat.

PROBLEM: We wanted to examine whether the detrimental effect of serum containing antiphospholipid (APL) antibodies on rat pregnancy outcome can be neutralized by addition of human decidua-associated protein (hDP) 200, a kind of rheumatoid factor, extracted from decidual tissue. METHODS: Fifty microliters of pooled serum, obtained from women having anticardiolipin antibody and lupus anticoagulant and presenting with APL antibody syndrome, added with 100 microL of immunoaffinity purified hDP200 was injected into unilateral uterine horn of each rat on day L5 of rat pregnancy. The contralateral uterine horn was used for injection of 50 microL APL positive serum added with physiologic saline as a control. The rats were killed on day L14, and the uterus of each rat was inspected for the presence of live and resorbed fetuses. RESULTS: The addition of hDP200 to APL positive serum before the intrauterine injection neutralized the detrimental effect of APL serum on fetal resorption rate. Although the neutralizing effect was demonstrated following the addition of hDP200 and immediate intrauterine injection (a decrease in fetal resorption rate, P = 0.004), still the effect was more impressive following the addition of hDP200 and incubation period of 24 hr before the injection, thus causing a significant increase in the number of normal embryos and a significant decrease in fetal resorption rate (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Human decidua-associated protein 200, extracted from human decidual tissue neutralizes the detrimental effect of serum containing APL antibodies in an experimental rat model. Further studies are needed to prove this finding.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Hyperemesis gravidarum and nonspecific abnormal EEG findings: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate central nervous system abnormalities in a group of otherwise healthy pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) during the first trimester. STUDY DESIGN: In a case-control study, 17 pregnant women with HG during the first trimester (study group) were compared with 18 pregnant women without nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP). The latter group included women who were planning first-trimester termination of pregnancy for reasons other than health (control group). All the pregnant women enrolled in the study answered a questionnaire and underwent a physical examination, blood tests, urinalysis, EEG, and visual evoked potential (VEP) and brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) tests. RESULTS: An abnormal EEG was found in 5 of the 17 women in the study group (29.4%), whereas none of the 18 women in the control group had an abnormal EEG (p = 0.013). The VEP and BAER tests were normal among the women in both groups. There were no clinically significant differences between the 2 groups with regard to maternal age, gravidity, parity, weeks of gestational age, blood count, renal function, liver function or electrolytes. Low thyroid stimulating hormone levels were found in 6 of the 17 women in the study group (35.3%) as compared to 1 of the 18 in the control group (5.5%) (p = 0.028). None of the women in either group had hyperthyroidism. HG in previous pregnancies was a significant risk factor for HG in the present pregnancy. CONCLUSION: In pregnant women with HG during the first trimester, the frequency of abnormal EEG findings is significantly higher as compared to that in pregnant women without NVP. However, the mechanism and implications of these findings are yet to be clarified.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Sonographic versus clinical evaluation as predictors of residual trophoblastic tissue.

BACKGROUND: The study aims to compare the diagnostic accuracy of sonographic evaluation versus clinical estimation in women suspected to have retained trophoblastic fragments. METHODS: The study group consisted of 68 consecutive patients admitted to our department due to suspected residual trophoblastic tissue. Each woman underwent ultrasound and physical examination by expert clinicians. The clinicians performing the physical examination were not informed of the sonographic findings, and vice versa. RESULTS: Patients were divided into three subgroups: clinical suspicion only of residual trophoblastic tissue (n = 8), sonographic suspicion only (n = 44) and combined sonographic and clinical suspicion of residual trophoblastic tissue (n = 16). In the latter group, in 14 out of 16 women (87.5%) retained trophoblastic tissue was confirmed by histological examination, a significantly higher rate compared to ultrasonographic (45.5%, P < 0.002) or clinical suspicion only (62.5%, P = 0.07). The specificity and positive predictive value of the clinical examination were significantly higher compared to ultrasonographic evaluation (P < 0.05), while the sensitivity of the ultrasonographic evaluation was higher than the clinical estimation (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the negative predictive value or in diagnostic accuracy between the two methods. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our current experience, it seems that the combination of both clinical and ultrasonographic evaluation is recommended before uterine curettage is performed, thus lowering the rate of unnecessary invasive procedures.

Abdominal Pain↗

PubMed2005

Bilateral pelvic urinomas following ureteral injury from surgery: lymphocele look-alikes on computed tomography.

Postoperative fluid collections are a not-infrequent finding on computed tomography (CT), and their causes are numerous. One of the more rare etiologies is a urinoma resulting from a ureteral injury. Such an injury is one of the most serious complications of abdominal, mainly gynecological, surgery. This complication is often clinically unsuspected, as symptoms are nonspecific and the patient may present weeks and even months after the injury. We present a patient in whom clinically unsuspected bilateral pelvic urinomas were diagnosed on a baseline CT 8 weeks after radical hysterectomy. We want to emphasize the crucial role of CT, especially with delayed scanning, in reaching this diagnosis.

Female↗

PubMed2005

Maximal urethral closure pressure < 20 cm H2O: does it predict intrinsic sphincteric deficiency?

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the large discrepancy in the literature in the incidence of intrinsic sphincteric deficiency (ISD) is due to different methods by which maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) is measured. STUDY DESIGN: We compared the measurement of MUCP in the supine position with 300 mL saline in the bladder, according to International Continence Society guidelines, to that in the sitting position (full bladder) in 54 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as having stress urinary incontinence. RESULTS: In the supine position the mean MUCP was 38.4 +/- 2.85 cm H2O as compared to 22.80 +/- 3.22 cm H2O in the sitting position (p < 0.0001). The mean difference was 15.65 +/- 2.11 cm H2O. MUCP < or = 20 cm H2O was observed in 14 of 54 (25.9%) patients in the sitting position as compared to 1 of 54 (1.8%) in the supine position. CONCLUSION: When MUCP is measured in the supine position, according to International Continence Society guidelines, the cutoff point for diagnosis of ISD should be 35 rather than 20 cm H2O.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The major histopathologic characteristics in the vulvar vestibulitis syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: In order to better understand the etiology of the vulvar vestibulitis syndrome, we examined the histopathologic parameters in vestibular mucosa, and compared the findings in specimens obtained from women with vulvar vestibulitis with those obtained from the control group. STUDY DESIGN: Specimens of vestibulitis were obtained from 24 patients, undergoing circumferential vestibulectomy under general anesthesia due to the symptoms and signs consistent with vulvar vestibulitis. Control specimens were obtained from 16 women, without symptoms or signs of vulvar vestibulitis, undergoing reconstructive introital surgery due to roomy vagina, rectocele or painful episiotomy. All vestibular tissue specimens were examined for intensity of inflammation, extension of inflammatory cells into the epithelium, vascular proliferation, the presence of mast cells and proliferation of peripheral nerve bundles. RESULTS: No significant difference was found regarding the degree of inflammation, the extension of inflammatory cells into the epithelium, the vascular proliferation and the presence of mast cells while comparing the study and the control groups. The only histopathologic feature, differentiating the patients with vulvar vestibulitis from the control group, was the proliferation of peripheral nerve bundles found in 19 out of 24 (79.1%) specimens expressing vestibulitis and in none of 16 control specimens (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our results, therefore, support the existence of peripheral nerve hyperplasia in vestibular tissue obtained from patients with vulvar vestibulitis, and exclude the role of active inflammation or mast cells as probable etiologies for the vulvar vestibulitis syndrome.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Intravenous leiomyomatosis].

Intravenous leiomyomatosis is a rare tumor described only in women, in which benign smooth muscle cells grow into the pelvic venous channels. The tumor may cause life-threatening symptoms if there is involvement of the inferior vena cava or the right atrium. This is a case study of intravenous leiomyomatosis with left ovarian extension in a 42 years old woman. The patient was admitted for total abdominal hysterectomy due to uterus myomatosus and menorrhagia. During the operation a frozen section was sent for examination revealing intravenous leiomyomatosis. Thereupon, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was also performed. This article reviews the cause, disease, presentation, diagnosis, treatment and recurrence of intravenous leiomyomatosis.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Termination of multiple pregnancy at 18-24 weeks' gestation by Laminaria dilatation and evacuation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcome in women undergoing termination of multiple pregnancy as compared with singleton pregnancy at 18-24 weeks' gestation by Laminaria dilatation and evacuation. STUDY DESIGN: The medical records of 372 consecutive women undergoing does not increase pregnancy termination by Laminaria dilatation and evacuation at 18-24 weeks' gestation between January 1997 and December 2001 were reviewed and divided into a group with multiple pregnancies (38 cases) and a group with singleton pregnancies (334 cases). The 2 groups were then compared for differences in patient characteristics, indications for pregnancy termination and operative outcome. Statistical methods included Student's t and chi2 test. RESULTS: Patients with multiple pregnancies were significantly older (P < .01), and a greater percentage of them were married (P < .001). The percentage of pregnancies following infertility treatment was also significantly higher in the group with multiple pregnancies (P < .0001). Furthermore, significantly more patients with multiple than singleton pregnancy underwent pregnancy termination due to preterm premature rupture of membranes (42.1% vs. 0.3%) (P < .00001), while significantly more singleton pregnancies were terminated due to structural and chromosomal fetal malformations (34.5% vs 10.6%) (P = .03). Operative outcome between the study groups differed mainly regarding blood transfusion; it was significantly greater in the group of patients undergoing multiple, as compared with singleton, termination (7.9% vs. 0.3%) (P < .00001). The group with multiple pregnancy had a longer hospital stay (1.7 +/- 0.9 vs. 1.2 +/- 0.5 days) (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Termination of multiple pregnancies at 18-24 weeks' by dilatation and evacuation appears safe when performed by skilled surgeons. There is an increased need for blood transfusion.

Abortion, Induced↗

PubMed2004

[Early stage fallopian tube carcinoma--diagnosis, staging and treatment].

Fallopian tube carcinoma is one of the rarest malignancies of the female genital tract. It is often diagnosed incidentally at an advanced stage. In recent years, an increase was observed in early stage fallopian tube carcinoma diagnosis. Such early diagnosis challenges the current FIGO staging system, as well as treatment recommendations, due to its limitations in precise discrimination between early stages. This is a case study of a 42 year-old woman, admitted for bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy due to bilateral ovarian cysts. Pathological examination incidentally revealed early staged fallopian tube carcinoma, which had invaded the lamina propria only, with no muscularis penetration. Due to the limited data regarding the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy at this early stage, only CA-125 levels follow-up was recommended.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Conservative management of ectopic pregnancy with fetal cardiac activity by combined local (sonographically guided) and systemic injection of methotrexate.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of conservative management of ectopic pregnancy with fetal cardiac activity by combined local sonographically guided and systemic injection of methotrexate. STUDY DESIGN: The study group included 12 patients with ectopic pregnancy and fetal cardiac activity, treated by combined local and systemic injection of methotrexate in the period from January 1, 2000 to July 1, 2002. The outcome of these patients was compared with the outcome of 53 patients who had ectopic pregnancy without fetal cardiac activity and were being treated only by systemic injection of methotrexate during the same period of time. RESULTS: The success rate was 91.6% (11 out of 12) in the group of patients with ectopic fetal cardiac activity and 90.5% (48 out of 53) in the group of patients with ectopic pregnancy, but without fetal cardiac activity. There was also no significant difference between the two groups comparing the percentage of cases treated by an additional dose of methotrexate (8.3 and 13.2%, respectively), nor comparing the number of days to resolution of beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (BHCG; 40 +/- 2 and 34 +/- 10 days, respectively). Conversely, there was a significant difference in the initial BHCG level comparing the group of patients treated by combined local and systemic injection of methotrexate (12,616 +/- 9,585 mIU/ml) and the group of patients treated by systemic injection of methotrexate (1,499 +/- 2,065 mIU/ml) (p < 0.00001). Seventy-five percent of patients (6 out of 8) diagnosed with ectopic fetal cardiac activity, who desired to become pregnant, succeeded to conceive within 6 months following the combined local and systemic injection of methotrexate. CONCLUSION: The combined local sonographically guided and systemic injection of methotrexate is associated with a successful outcome in asymptomatic patients presenting with ectopic pregnancy and fetal cardiac activity.

Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal↗

PubMed2003

Tubo-ovarian abscess in older women: is the woman's age a risk factor for failed response to conservative treatment?

OBJECTIVE: To assess retrospectively if there is a trend of change in the epidemiology of tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) and to define the epidemiologic, clinical and laboratory risk factors associated with failed response to conservative antibiotic therapy. STUDY DESIGN: The charts of 60 patients, admitted with clinically and sonographically diagnosed TOA between January 1995 and December 2000, were reviewed. On admission, all patients were treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics, and were divided into two groups according to the response to medical treatment. Forty-three patients, responding to antibiotic therapy, constituted group A, whereas 17 patients who did not respond and were further treated by sonographically guided drainage or surgery, were included in group B. The groups were compared with respect to patient characteristics, clinical and sonographic presentation, laboratory findings, duration of hospital stay and recovery rate of different pathogens from the endocervix. RESULTS: The mean age of patients responding to medical therapy (group A) was significantly lower (39.6 +/- 8.3) than the age of patients who did not respond (group B) (45.3 +/- 6.6) (p = 0.02). The gravidity as well as the percentage of menopausal women were significantly increased in group B (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively). There was a significantly lower incidence of previous pelvic surgery and past history of PID in group B versus group A (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively), yet the duration of IUD use was significantly prolonged in group B (p = 0.02). The size of TOA, evaluated clinically and sonographically, was significantly increased in group B compared with group A (p = 0.04 and p = 0.009, respectively). Pelvic peritonitis was observed in 40% of group B patients and in none of group A patients (p = 0.0001). The only laboratory finding differentiating between the two groups was the mean sedimentation rate, being significantly higher in group B than in group A (p = 0.0005). The time interval from admission to afebrile condition as well as the duration of hospitalization were significantly shorter in group A (6.1 +/- 2.3 days) than in group B (10.7 +/- 4.7 days) (p = 0.00003). The incidence of positive culture from the endocervix was significantly higher in group B than in group A (p = 0.007). One hundred percent of patients in group B versus 65.2% of patients in group A were treated with triple agent therapy (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: The results of the current study strengthen our previous assumption that there is probably a new trend in the epidemiology of TOA, occurring in older women, who do not present the traditional risk factors for pelvic inflammatory disease and TOA.

Abdominal Abscess↗

PubMed2003

Long-term follow-up (5-20 years) after uterine ventrosuspension for chronic pelvic pain and deep dyspareunia.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the long-term outcome of patients undergoing uterine ventrosuspension for chronic pelvic pain and deep dyspareunia. METHODS: Eighty-two patients, presenting with retroverted uterus, pelvic pain and deep dyspareunia, underwent uterine ventrosuspension by laparotomy or laparoscopy during the period from 1981 to 1996. Only patients (56) with no pelvic pathologic condition, as identified intraoperatively, participated in the study. At the beginning of the year 2002, 41 out of 56 patients (73.2%) were attained by telephonic questionnaire, and they were asked to refer to the uterine ventrosuspension procedure. RESULTS: Patients' average age was 32.3 years, and the mean duration of preoperative symptoms was 3 years. The mean follow-up period was 12 (range 5-20) years. The initial improvement in preoperative symptoms was observed in 70.7% of patients, whereas the final improvement was observed in 46.3% of patients, with no significant difference comparing the approach of laparotomy versus laparoscopy. Hysterectomy after uterine suspension was performed in 12.1% of patients (4.3% after laparotomy and 22.2% after laparoscopy). Twenty-three patients (56.1%) would recommend this operative procedure to others. CONCLUSION: The long-term outcome of patients undergoing uterine ventrosuspesnion approximates to 50% success rate, with no significant difference comparing the approach of laparotomy versus laparoscopy.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Late midtrimester pregnancy termination in the presence of placenta previa.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the operative outcome in women undergoing late midtrimester pregnancy termination by dilatation and evacuation in the presence of complete placenta previa. STUDY DESIGN: The records of 306 consecutive women undergoing pregnancy termination at 19-24 weeks' gestation from January 1997 to December 2000 were reviewed and divided into those with and without complete placenta previa based on an ultrasound examination before the procedure. These two groups were then compared for differences in patient characteristics, previous gynecologic history and operative outcome, reflected by operative time, need for blood transfusion, discharge time, postoperative bleeding and postoperative fever. RESULTS: Complete placenta previa occurred in 2.6% of patients (8 of 306). Significantly more women with placenta previa were married (P = .04). There was also a significant difference between the two groups considering the indication for pregnancy termination, as all patients with placenta previa underwent late midtrimester termination due to structural and chromosomal fetal malformations, whereas 33.8% of patients without placenta previa demonstrated fetal malformations (P = .005). Furthermore, significantly more women with placenta previa had had previous pelvic surgery (P = .01). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to age, percentage of smokers, number of previous abortions, parity or number of previous cesarean sections. There was no significant difference in the number of inserted Laminaria, operative time, need for blood transfusion, postoperative morbidity and duration of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Late midtrimester pregnancy termination by dilatation and evacuation in the presence of placenta previa appears to be safe and apparently does not increase maternal morbidity as compared with the outcome in patients without placenta previa undergoing the same procedure.

Abortion, Induced↗

PubMed2003

[Fetal abnormalities leading to termination of pregnancy: the experience at the Assaf Harofeh Medical Center between the years 1999-2000].

OBJECTIVES: To assess the distribution of fetal indications leading to termination of pregnancy. DESIGN: A retrospective study. METHODS: The study included all parturient women with singleton pregnancy, who underwent termination of pregnancy due to fetal abnormalities (structural, chromosomal/genetic, infections). The women were subdivided into two groups according to their gestational age, i.e. early termination (gestational period < 23 weeks) and late termination (gestational period > 23 weeks). RESULTS: A total of 137 terminations of pregnancies were performed, including 102 early terminations and the rest--late terminations. The mean maternal age was 31 +/- 5 years. The termination procedures were performed at a mean gestational age of 20 +/- 5 weeks. The main indications in the early-termination subgroup were structural and chromosomal/genetic (n = 45, 44% for each subgroup). Multiple abnormalities were more common in the early-termination group (18% versus 7%). In the late-termination subgroup the leading indications were structural anomalies (n = 29, 83%) that were subdivided into neurological defects (31%) followed by skeletal deformities (23%). In addition, in the late-termination subgroup there were more cardiac and urinary tract defects (17% versus 11% and 14% versus 9%, respectively). Among the chromosomal aneuploidies, trisomy 21 was diagnosed in 24 cases (53%). Fetal infections were diagnosed in 13 pregnancies (9%), with only one of these detected in advanced gestation. The leading infectious agent was cytomegalovirus. CONCLUSIONS: In the early-termination subgroup the main indications were equally divided between structural and chromosomal/genetic defects while in the late-termination subgroup the leading cause was structural defects.

Abortion, Induced↗

PubMed2003

Secretory immune system in human intrauterine development: immunopathomorphological analysis of the role of secretory component (pIgR/SC) in immunoglobulin transport (review).

Several proteins, such as polymeric immunoglobulin (Ig) receptor/secretory component (pIgR/SC), immunoglobulins (Igs) and joining (J) chain, and cellular components of the secretory immune system (SIS) of the human embryo and fetus were analyzed and compared with reviewed information concerning SIS organization and function. All organs and structures, including extracorporeal ones, of 18 embryos (4-8 weeks of development) and 45 fetuses (9-38 weeks) were studied using methods of pathomorphology, immunohistochemistry and morphometry. This approach enabled us to analyze the problem in the whole organism during its entire development. SC, Igs and J chain were already widely distributed in 4-week-old embryos and were later seen in the mucosa and glands of the digestive, respiratory and urogenital tracts, ovaries, testis, endocrine glands, extracorporeal tissues, blood-brain and other blood-organ barrier structures, as well as in serous membranes. The presence of protein transport and later of cellular components suggests an active role for SIS not only in mucous membranes, but also in blood-tissue barriers. Loss of morphological contact between epithelial structures and mucous membranes during organogenesis of some endocrine organs (hypophysis, pancreatic islets, etc.) is followed by the disappearance of SC as a result of cessation of Ig exocytosis. Secretion of Igs increased in the epithelium and glands of the digestive and respiratory tracts following massive antigenic attack in cases of acute chorioamnionitis. All of this demonstrates that SIS is a widely branching immune system which appears and acts early in the human embryo, before the lymphoid system is formed, using IgG and IgA of maternal origin. IgA and IgM-synthesized lymphocytes appear in 9-week-old fetuses.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Cyclic changes of plasma spermine concentrations in women.

Based on previous studies which suggest that blood polyamines fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, the present study was set to determine whether plasma concentrations of the polyamine spermine show menstrual cycle-associated changes and if so, how these changes relate to phasic variations in other female hormones. Blood samples were collected from a group of 9 healthy women of various ages at 5 defined periods during their menstrual cycle including 1 woman on oral contraceptives. Spermine concentrations were determined in plasma acid extracts by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography method. Plasma estradiol, LH and FSH were measured by microparticle enzyme immunoassay using an automatic analyzer. Spermine concentrations, 104.4 +/- 12.2 nmol/ml at 1-3 day of the cycle, were increased transiently with a peak (263.8 +/- 22.1 nmol/ml) at 8-10 day and declined to 85.4 +/- 29.8 nmol/ml by 21-23 day of the cycle. The peak spermine concentrations coincided with the first increase in plasma estrogen levels. The individual variations in the temporal profile of spermine concentrations were of similar magnitude as individual differences in other female hormones. We conclude that: a) Plasma spermine concentrations undergo distinct cyclic alterations during the menstrual cycle with peak concentrations coinciding with the first estradiol increase, and b) Peak plasma spermine concentrations occur during the follicular phase, just prior to ovulation, during the period of rapid endometrial growth.

Adult↗