PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Bassol

Publications and source records attributed to S Bassol.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Effects of levonorgestrel implant upon TSH and LH levels in male infants during lactation.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study is to evaluate the effects of levonorgestrel transferred through breast milk on thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in full breast-fed infants. METHODS: Forty healthy postpartum women and their male newborns were recruited for the study. Women were randomly allocated to two study groups: Group 1, IUD users and group 2, Norplant users. Blood and milk samples were collected on the day of IUD or Norplant insertion and 3 and 6 months later for TSH and levonorgestrel measurements. RESULTS: The results disclosed a significant decrease in TSH levels, and a negative relationship between LNG levels and TSH concentration in breast feeding infants at 3 months after implant insertion. The lowest TSH levels were observed at 6 months in the women from group 2. CONCLUSIONS: The overall data indicate that the LNG levels transferred to fully breast-fed infants through breast milk from Norplant users significantly modified their TSH levels.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed2000

Mesigyna once-a-month combined injectable contraceptive: experience in Latin America.

A phase III clinical study was carried out among 534 fertile Latin American women to evaluate cycle control, side effects, and contraceptive efficacy of a once-a-month combined injectable, Mesigyna, consisting of 50 mg norethisterone enanthate and 5 mg estradiol valerate. The pregnancy rate at 1 year was 0 per 100 woman-years for a total experience of 4688 woman-months. The overall discontinuation rate at one year was 17.9%. Discontinuation rate for bleeding problems was 5.1%. The Colombian women had a significant increase (p <0.001) in bleeding problems compared to other countries. The discontinuation rate for amenorrhea was 1.1%. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding discontinuation for other medical or non-medical reasons. Mean weight gain after one year of use was 1.02 kg. Mesigyna is an appropiate once-a-month injectable contraceptive for Latin American women since it is highly effective and its perception of normal menstrual bleeding is of importance in the Latin American population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Latin american experience with two low-dose oral contraceptives containing 30 microg ethinylestradiol/75 microg gestodene and 20 microg ethinylestradiol/150 microg desogestrel.

The objective of this study was to compare cycle control, efficacy and tolerance of an oral contraceptive containing 20 microg ethinylestradiol and 150 microg desogestrel with a preparation containing 30 microg ethinylestradiol combined with 75 microg gestodene. This study involved 342 women and 4104 cycles use in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. Contraceptive efficacy was good with both formulations. Two pregnancies occurred in the desogestrel group but were not due to method failure. With respect to cycle control, the incidence of intermenstrual bleeding was higher during the first 3 cycles in the desogestrel group; it was significant (p <0.01) during the first 3 days of the cycle for a normal or heavy bleeding only in the Mexican group. Amenorrhea was not reported for any group, but the incidence of dysmenorrhea was significantly higher (p <0.01) in the Brazilian desogestrel group (13.8%) and was significantly lower (p <0.01) in the Mexican gestodene group (8.5%). Adverse events were similar in all the countries with headache, breast tension, and nausea, the most frequently reported symptoms. The range of mean increase in body weight varied from 0.2 kg in the Argentine group to 2.6 kg in the Chilean group (95% confidence limit, +/- 2.51) in the gestodene group, and 0.2 kg in the Argentine group to 2.5 kg in Brazilian group (95% confidence limit, +/- 2.36) in the desogestrel group. Fifteen women discontinued because of headache, but there were no significant differences between the groups regarding discontinuation for this and other medical or non-medical reasons. Both oral contraceptive preparations are reliable and well tolerated, and both have favorable effects on control cycle.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Acceptability of two spermicides in five countries.

Data from a large, international, multicenter, randomized trial were analyzed to compare the acceptability of two nonoxynol-9 spermicide preparations. Women who wished to use a spermicide for contraception were randomly assigned to use either a foaming tablet (n = 383) or a nonoxynol-9 film (n = 382) for 28 weeks as their only method of contraception. Participants completed questionnaires about acceptability of the assigned product 4 weeks after admission and at discontinuation. Women in both groups had very favorable opinions of the spermicide. The proportion of women who said that they liked their assigned product very much was 50% in the tablet group and 55% in the film group. Significantly more women in the film group rated the spermicide difficult to insert and stated that the product stuck to the finger during insertion. More women in the tablet group said that the product was messy and that, at least once, it did not dissolve. In both groups, liking the product was significantly associated with consistency of use, but not with subsequent pregnancy. Participants' male partners had little influence on participants' opinions about, or use of, the spermicides. Although previous analyses showed that both spermicides are associated with high pregnancy rates, they are both highly acceptable to most women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Effects of oral buserelin on urinary LH secretion in male infants.

In recent years, several potent gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues have become available for female contraception and one of them (buserelin) has been tested in lactating women. However, the possible effects on infants due to the transference of the analogue through breast milk have not been studied. The present work evaluated the effect of oral buserelin on urinary LH secretion in male infants. A total of 19 healthy full-term boys (aged 2-4 months) were included in the study. Infants received orally a single dose of a GnRH agonist mixed with breast milk. Urine samples were collected prior to, and 4-6 and 24 h after treatment for LH measurement. The results disclosed a significant increase in LH urine level in the sample taken 4-6 h after buserelin administration. Twenty-four hours after GnRH agonist ingestion, the LH level returned to baseline level. The present study demonstrated that GnRH analogue administered orally to infants escapes from gastrointestinal inactivation and induces a significant rise in LH levels 4-6 h after treatment.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1997

A multicenter comparative study on the efficacy, safety, and acceptability of the contraceptive subdermal implants Norplant and Norplant-II.

In order to assess efficacy, safety, and acceptability of the contraceptive subdermal implants Norplant and Norplant-II in Mexican women, a comparative phase III clinical trial was undertaken in eight clinics across the country. The study involved 1052 women who were followed-up trimonthly for three years. Cumulative pregnancy rates were 0.29% and 0.34% for Norplant and Norplant-II implants, respectively. Similar overall cumulative discontinuation rates were observed at three years: 50.38% for Norplant capsules, and 50.44% for Norplant-II rods. The main method-related reason for termination was endometrial bleeding irregularity which led to discontinuation rates of 11.94% and 11.62% for Norplant and Norplant-II contraceptive systems, respectively. In 15,279 woman-months of experience accumulated with Norplant implants and 14,092 with Norplant-II implants, there were few adverse events reported. No difference was found between the two groups in either difficulty for implants placement and removal or women's discomfort, even though the time required for insertion and removal of Norplant capsules was longer than for Norplant-II rods. It is concluded that during the first three years of use, both implants systems are equally effective, safe, and acceptable.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Effects of low steroid doses administered in the mid and late follicular phase on the LH surge, ovarian steroids and follicular maturation in eumenorrheic women.

The effects of four low doses of synthetic steroids, administered orally and starting on day 8 (group I) or on day 10 of the menstrual cycle (group II), upon LH surge, ovarian steroidogenesis, follicular maturation and menstrual cycles were studied in 10 eumenorrheic women. The results revealed that the day before the LH surge, the highest level of estrone-3-glucuronide was observed in both groups. Twenty-four hours after the last dose, the maximum urinary LH levels were recorded in groups I (day 11), and II (day 13). Pregnanediol-3 alpha glucuronide remained low during the study in group I, whereas in group II a gradual rise of this hormone starting on day 13 was registered and the highest level was found at day 21 of the menstrual cycle. Follicular maturation and ovulation were observed only in women from group II. Short and normal length cycles were recorded in groups I and II, respectively. In summary, low doses of exogenous synthetic steroids administered on day 8, but not on day 10 of the cycle, inhibit follicular maturation and ovulation.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Effects of storage and temperature upon soft jelly capsules containing nonoxynol as spermicide.

Recently, adverse effects of long periods of storage and high temperature on physical characteristics of the soft jelly capsule wall were observed. In the present study, the effects of both parameters upon the mean rupture time of the capsule, and the release of the active compound were evaluated in vivo in 40 women. The results disclosed that the storage for long time and the exposure of the capsules to high temperatures, delays significantly the mean rupture time and the release of the active compound. A rapid distribution, adequate storage, as well as a delay of intercourse after vaginal insertion of the device are suggested.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

A comparative study on the return to ovulation following chronic use of once-a-month injectable contraceptives.

A comparative study was undertaken involving 21 Mexican women who discontinued the use of medroxyprogesterone acetate 25 mg plus oestradiol cypionate 5 mg (Cyclofem) and norethisterone enanthate 50 mg plus oestradiol valerate 5 mg (Mesigyna) to assess the time required for the return to menses and ovulation. All subjects were exposed to once-a-month injectable contraceptives for two years and were followed for 120 days after the last injection. The urinary concentration of oestrone glucuronide and pregnanediol glucuronide was determined daily in all subjects beginning one month after the last injection. The results disclosed that ovulatory cycles were documented after 120 days of the last injection in six women of each studied group. Similar endometrial bleeding patterns were observed in both groups, indicating that the two drugs have alike pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Safety and efficacy of a combined oral contraceptive: gestodene 75 micrograms plus ethinyl estradiol 30 micrograms in Mexican women.

An open prospective clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combined hormonal oral contraceptive (OC) containing 75 micrograms gestodene plus 30 micrograms ethinyl estradiol was undertaken in a Mexican population. Sixty-nine healthy women of reproductive age took part in the study for a total of 627 woman-months of observation. The combination of gestodene and ethinyl estradiol proved its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy during the study. Side-effects were minimal and regular endometrial bleeding patterns were observed during one year of continuous use of this OC preparation. The discontinuation rate for medical reasons was 11.6% at one year. Among a sample of 10 women, the gestodene/ethinyl estradiol combination did not induce significant changes in the serum concentration of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol after 12 months of continuous administration. An increase in serum triglycerides and HDL cholesterol was observed; this effect could be attributed to a lack of androgenic and/or the intrinsic estrogenic behavior of gestodene. It can be concluded that this preparation is highly effective as a combined oral contraceptive; it is well tolerated and might offer some advantages with respect to other oral contraceptive combinations in its short- and medium-term impact on lipid metabolism.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Review of ovulation return upon discontinuation of once-a-month injectable contraceptives.

Once-a-month combined injectable preparations draw their contraceptive efficacy from continuous ovulation suppression. When their use is discontinued, ovulation resumes within a few weeks or a few months, depending on the formulation. After use of the dihydroxyprogesterone acetophenide 150 mg/estradiol enanthate 5 mg combination for one to two years, ovulation returns in most subjects 3-4 months after discontinuation of treatment. Similarly, recent data show that after 2-year use of the depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate 25 mg/estradiol cypionate 5 mg or the norethisterone enanthate 50 mg/estradiol valerate 5 mg combination, approximately 70% women have resumed ovulation by the third month post-treatment. This is shorter than the time for return of ovulation experienced by ex-users of progestogen-only injectable contraceptives.

Contraceptive Agents, Female↗
PubMed1993

Comparative study on the efficacy and acceptability of two contraceptive pills administered by the vaginal route: an international multicenter clinical trial.

The efficacy and acceptability of two widely used oral contraceptive tablets, one containing 250 mg levonorgestrel and 50 micrograms ethinyl estradiol and the other containing 150 micrograms desogestrel and 30 micrograms ethinyl estradiol, administered by the vaginal route were compared in 1055 women studied over 12,630 woman-months of vaginal contraceptive pill use. This multicenter clinical trial was performed in nine countries of the developing world by the "South to South Cooperation in Reproductive Health," an organization founded by scientists from the Third World working in the area of reproductive health, and the study was developed and coordinated by one of these centers. The findings of this study confirm the efficacy of both these tablets when administered by the vaginal route. Involuntary pregnancy rates at 1 year of 2.78 for subjects in the levonorgestrel group and 4.54 for subjects the desogestrel group showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. However, total discontinuation rates of 47.01 for subjects in the levonorgestrel group and 56.33 for subjects in the desogestrel group showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups, and discontinuation rates attributable to prolonged bleeding of 0.6 for subjects in the levonorgestrel group and 3.2 for subjects in the desogestrel group were also significantly higher in the group of subjects using the desogestrel vaginal contraceptive pill. Blood pressure remained at admission values throughout treatment. A statistically significant weight increase from admission values occurred in both groups of subjects.

Administration, Intravaginal↗
PubMed1992

Assessment of a new modified soft jelly capsule containing nonoxynol as spermicide contraceptive.

The mean rupture time, after its vaginal insertion, of a new modified soft jelly capsule containing nonoxynol-9 (DF-486) was investigated in 40 women. The subjects were randomly allocated to 8 study groups. The capsules remained in the vagina from 2-13 minutes. Vaginal infection, vaginal dryness, and multiparity, were recorded. Capsule rupture was not observed at minute 2; 20% of capsules that remained in the vagina 3 minutes suffered rupture, as did 80% of capsules that remained 4, 5 and 7 minutes, and 100% of those remaining 9 minutes or more. The mean rupture time of the studied capsules was 8.2 minutes with 95% confidence limits of 6.2 and 8.8 minutes. At minutes 2-7, vaginal infection, dryness and tone diminution probably accounted for lack of rupture; after minute 7, these factors did not influence capsule rupture.

Administration, Intravaginal↗
PubMed1990

Immature spermatogenic cells and leucocytes in normal and abnormal semen.

The frequency and ranges of the immature germinal cells (IGC) were established in 286 semen analyses from normozoospermic (group I), oligozoospermic (group II), and azoospermic (group III) subjects. The mean total count of IGC was greater between men from group I than between participants from groups II and III. Scd spermatids were the cells most frequently observed and the spermatogonia the most unfrequently seen. Sab and Scd spermatids were the most common cells observed in group I, whereas Scd and primary spermatocytes were the most common in group II, and Scd and secondary spermatocytes were the most common in group III. Correlation was found between sperm concentration and the IGC total count. Significant differences were not found when epithelial cell and leucocyte concentrations were compared between groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Estrogen-progestogen once-a-month injectable contraceptives and serum prolactin.

To assess the effect of hormonal monthly injectable contraceptives upon the serum values of immunoreactive prolactin (Prl), three groups of women of reproductive age exposed to different estrogen-progestogen injectable formulation for a minimum of one year were studied. The first group (n = 10) received dihydroxyprogesterone acetophenide 150 mg and estradiol enanthate 10 mg (DHPA/E2-EN), Group 2 (n = 21) received medroxyprogesterone acetate 25 mg and estradiol cypionate 5 mg (MPA/E2-C) and Group 3 (n = 19) was exposed to norethisterone enanthate 50 mg and estradiol valerate 5 mg (NET-EN/E2-V). A group of IUD users (n = 16) served as the control group. Serum Prl and 17 beta-estradiol (E2) concentration were determined in blood samples (0 and 15 min.) on days 0 (day of last injection), 10, 20 and 30 after last contraceptive injection. The results demonstrated a slight though not significant increase (p greater than 0.05) in serum Prl in the three experimental groups as compared with the IUD control group. This increase in Prl levels observed on day 10 post-last injection never exceeded the upper limits of the normal range (20 ng/ml). Overall, the data demonstrated that the chronic administration of these estrogen/progestogen once-a-month injectable contraceptives does not affect the Prl baseline secretion in women.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Comparative trial between two soft jelly capsules containing nonoxynol as spermicidal contraceptives.

The rupture time of two types of soft jelly capsules (treated and non-treated) containing Nonoxynol-9 after its vaginal insertion was investigated in 96 women. Subjects were allocated in four study groups: Group I (n = 24), women with clinical vaginal infection; Group II (n = 24), subjects without vaginal infection; Group III (n = 24), patients with vaginal infection; and Group IV (n = 24), women without vaginal infection. Groups I and II received the treated capsules, and Groups III and IV the non-treated capsules. The capsules remained in the vagina for 2.5 to 5 minutes. The weight of the capsules was measured before insertion and after their extraction. Additionally, vaginal pH and distribution of the compound were assessed. The results disclosed that in Groups I, III and IV, the capsules ruptured within 2.5 minutes, whereas in Group II the rupture did not occur until 3 minutes. The largest number of non-ruptured capsules was observed in Group II. The major capsule weight loss occurred at minute 5 in most of the groups. The conditions currently observed in cases of non-ruptured capsules were: alkaline pH, multiparity and vaginal dryness. The vaginal distribution of the compound was observed at its upper portion. In women with vaginal infections, there were more cases of rupture and a significant weight loss between the treated capsules than the non-treated capsules. Further postcoital tests are required to assess its effectiveness.

Administration, Intravaginal↗
PubMed1985

Endocrine and biochemical studies in a 46,XY phenotypically male infant with 17-ketosteroid reductase deficiency.

A 46,XY phenotypically male patient with 17-ketosteroid reductase deficiency is described. The patient was a 6-month-old infant who presented with micropenis and bilateral cryptorchidism. Baseline plasma levels of testosterone (T), delta 4-androstenedione (delta 4A), and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha-DHT) were within the normal range [patient: 0.17 (T), 0.12 (delta 4A), and 0.032 (5 alpha-DHT) ng/ml; normal infants: 0.03-0.55 (T), 0.14-0.45 (delta 4A), and 0.01-0.23 (5 alpha-DHT) ng/ml]. hCG administration induced a significant rise in plasma delta 4A levels (up to 8.39 ng/ml) and a slight increase in T and 5 alpha-DHT levels. The delta 4A/T ratios before and during the hCG challenge were 0.86 and 55.61, respectively (controls: 0.83 and 0.13). Incubation of genital skin-derived fibroblasts from the patient with either [3H]T or [3H] delta 4A revealed normal formation of delta 4A from T and diminished conversion of delta 4A to T. The development of a male phenotype despite both a testicular and peripheral 17-ketosteroid reductase deficiency is difficult to explain. It is possible that the fetal testes were the source of sufficient amounts of T during the early periods of embryonic life, and that late onset of the enzyme deficiency prevented the development of completely normal male genitalia. The in vitro finding of normal T to delta 4A conversion by the mutant fibroblasts suggests that in this particular tissue 17 beta-reduction and dehydrogenation of androgens are mediated by two isoenzymes with distinct substrate and/or cofactor specificities.

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗