PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “OVARY”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

The significance of polycystic-appearing ovaries versus normal-appearing ovaries in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate what hormonal or biochemical parameters are most highly associated with the finding of polycystic-appearing ovaries as compared with normal-appearing ovaries in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Prospective randomized study. SETTING: Academic medical center. PATIENTS: Ten women with PCOS-five with normal-appearing ovaries and five with polycystic-appearing ovaries-were matched for age and body mass index. All had serum T levels between 80 and 150 ng/dL (conversion factor to SI unit, 3.467). INTERVENTION(S): Insulin infusion for the purpose of performing insulin tolerance testing to evaluate insulin resistance or sensitivity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): We measured serum T, DHEAS, androstenedione, sex-hormone binding globulin, 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha-17 beta-androstenediol glucuronide, FSH, LH, insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3. Insulin resistance, measured by insulin tolerance testing, also was done on the same day after the patient had fasted for at least 8 hours. RESULT(S): Serum androgens and binding proteins were not significantly different in both groups. Insulin tolerance testing demonstrated a slower glucose disappearance in the polycystic appearing ovary group (Kitt glucose was 4.58% +/- 1.4%/min in the normal-appearing ovaries group versus 2.07% +/- 1.07%/min in the polycystic-appearing ovaries group). CONCLUSION(S): Women with PCOS and polycystic-appearing ovaries do not demonstrate any definitive serum hormonal differences compared with women with PCOS and normal-appearing ovaries. The presence of polycystic-appearing ovaries correlates significantly with the presence of insulin resistance.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

In vitro maturation and fertilization of oocytes from unstimulated normal ovaries, polycystic ovaries, and women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate differences in immature oocyte maturation, fertilization, and pregnancy rates among women with unstimulated normal ovaries, polycystic ovaries (PCOs), or PCOS. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: University fertility clinic. PATIENT(S): One hundred forty-four women undergoing 180 in vitro oocyte maturation treatment cycles. INTERVENTION(S): Transvaginal immature oocyte recovery from unstimulated ovaries 36 hours after hCG priming. In vitro oocyte maturation and fertilization. Fresh embryo transfer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Immature oocytes collected, metaphase II oocytes, and embryos produced. Implantation and pregnancy rates. RESULT(S): The overall oocyte maturation and fertilization rates attained were 80.3% (1,222 of 1,522) and 76.5% (935 of 1,222), respectively. Significantly fewer immature oocytes were retrieved from normal ovaries (5.1 +/- 3.7) compared with the PCO (10.0 +/- 5.1) or PCOS (11.3 +/- 9.0) groups. Fertilization and cleavage rates were comparable among the three groups. The implantation, pregnancy, and live birth rates per transfer for normal ovaries were 1.5%, 4.0%, and 2.0%, respectively; for PCOs 8.9%, 23.1%, 17.3%, respectively; and for women with PCOS 9.6%, 29.9%, and 14.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION(S): Immature oocytes retrieved from normal ovaries, PCOs, or women with PCOS, when using hCG priming before oocyte retrieval, have a similarly high maturation, fertilization, and cleavage potential. In vitro maturation is a useful treatment option, particularly for women with PCOs.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed2001

The rise of estradiol and inhibin B after acute stimulation with follicle-stimulating hormone predict the follicle cohort size in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, regularly menstruating women with polycystic ovaries, and regularly menstruating women with normal ovaries.

Polycystic ovaries contain a larger number of antral follicles than control ovaries. The aim of this study was to test whether the increase in estradiol (E(2)) and inhibin B after stimulation with 300 IU recombinant FSH in the early follicular phase and the ovarian volume can predict the size of the follicle cohort in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients (n = 10), patients with polycystic ovaries detected by ultrasound but with regular menstrual cycles (PCO; n = 10), and regularly menstruating patients with normal ovaries (n = 10). The follicle cohort size was measured as the FSH-sensitive follicles growing during a standardized in vitro fertilization stimulation. Linear regression analysis showed that the slopes of the regression lines of the E(2) increment and the inhibin B increment in relation to the number of follicles were not significantly different among the three groups, meaning that an increased sensitivity for FSH of the granulosa cells of polycystic ovaries was not found. For the total group (n = 30) we calculated that an E(2) increment of 100 pmol/L predicts 5.5 follicles (95% confidence interval, 2.8--8.2; r = 0.617; P < 0.001), and an inhibin B increment of 100 ng/L predicts 6.2 follicles (95% confidence interval, 3.5--9.0; r = 0.665; P < 0.001). The ovarian volume could not be used in a prediction model because the association with the number of follicles was different in the PCO group compared with the PCOS and the control group. Women with PCO and women with PCOS both had a follicle cohort twice as big as the cohort in control women (P < 0.01). The differences in menstrual cycle pattern between the PCO and PCOS groups cannot be explained by differences in cohort size.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) in the ovaries of healthy women and those with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common cause of oligo-ovulation, affecting approximately 4% of women. A primary defect of steroidogenesis resulting in increased ovarian and adrenal androgen production may be responsible for polycystic ovary syndrome, at least in some patients. Because the action of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) initiates the process of steroidogenesis, we proceeded to test the hypothesis that increased production or concentration of StAR may result in the abnormality of steroidogenesis found in polycystic ovary syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: We examined the ovaries from 10 healthy women and 7 women with polycystic ovary syndrome, determining the relative concentration of StAR in total protein extracts by use of Western blotting, and the overall distribution and staining intensity of StAR in prepared tissue sections. RESULTS: Overall the ovaries of healthy women and women with polycystic ovary syndrome demonstrated a similar prevalence and size of follicular cysts, although the ovaries of women with polycystic ovary syndrome had a greater mean number of follicular cysts. In general, the distribution of StAR immunoreactivity within most of the ovarian structures was not different in the ovaries of women with polycystic ovary syndrome compared to those of the healthy ovaries. However, the ovaries from the cases demonstrated a significantly greater number of follicular cysts with staining for StAR immunoreactivity in the thecal cells than did the ovaries from healthy women (100% vs 38%, P <.05). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the exaggeration in androgen biosynthesis in the ovaries of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome may be occurring at its earliest step (ie, that involving StAR), such that an increased amount of cholesterol is made available for androgen biosynthesis in the polycystic ovary.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

17 beta-Oestradiol, androstenedione and inhibin levels in fluid from individual follicles of normal and polycystic ovaries, and in ovaries from androgen treated female to male transsexuals.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to monitor carefully follicular growth arrest in polycystic ovaries by assay of hormones in individual follicles. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Fluid from follicles less than or equal to 10 mm was obtained from ovaries of 16 regularly cycling women between days 1 and 12 of the follicular phase (controls, n = 120 follicles), polycystic ovaries of five women with polycystic ovary syndrome (n = 43), and polycystic ovaries from 14 long-term testosterone treated female to male transsexuals (n = 120). MEASUREMENTS: Fluid was assayed for oestradiol, androstenedione, and immunoactive inhibin. Luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone levels were estimated in serum. RESULTS: Median serum LH was lower in transsexuals than in controls (P less than 0.05), and in polycystic ovary syndrome (P less than 0.01). Median serum testosterone was not significantly different between polycystic ovary syndrome and transsexuals, and was elevated in both groups as compared to controls (P less than 0.01). Oestradiol was present in all follicles obtained from polycystic ovaries of polycystic and transsexual patients, in which no follicle greater than 10 mm could be detected. In the three groups, between-patient differences in mean oestradiol, androstenedione, inhibin, and androstenedione/oestradiol ratio were significantly larger than expected in view of the variation between follicles within individuals. Taking into account this between-patient difference, no significant differences could be established between the three groups for all endocrine parameters. The percentage of presumed healthy follicles (androstenedione/oestradiol ratio less than or equal to 4) was 12% in controls, 17% in polycystics, and 14% in transsexuals, and was not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results may indicate that (1) abnormally high circulating androgen concentrations with or without elevated LH levels disturb the process of selection, and could therefore play a role in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovaries; (2) in polycystic ovaries from polycystic ovary syndrome and transsexual patients, aromatase activity is present in vivo in small antral follicles, and the proportion of presumed healthy follicles is not different from that encountered in normal ovaries; (3) oestradiol levels are not different between non-dominant follicles of normal and polycystic ovaries, suggesting that only enhancement of aromatase activity by FSH may be disrupted in polycystic ovaries, (4) because androstenedione levels are not different comparing follicles of normal and polycystic ovaries, hyperandrogenaemia in the syndrome seems to originate from the abnormally high number of cystic atretic follicles generally observed in polycystic ovaries; (5) marked variation in the endocrine follicular microenvironment within and between-women precludes pooling fluid from several follicles.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Comparison of the response to ovarian stimulation between women with one ovary and those with two ovaries, in a program of ICSI/ET.

BACKGROUND: Women with a single ovary form a group of special interest in assisted reproduction. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles between women with one and two ovaries. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles with women with a single ovary. METHODS: Sixty-three intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles in 24 women with a single ovary were compared with 191 intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles in 109 women with both ovaries. All cycles were stimulated with triptorelin-long protocol. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in the following parameters between women with a single ovary and women with two ovaries: total number of administrated gonadotropins (63.22 +/- 45.03 vs. 44.72 +/- 21.92), number of follicles (8.29 +/- 5.02 vs. 14.45 +/- 7.94), estradiol peak levels (1695.05 +/- 1177.34 vs. 2728.51 +/- 1852.67), number of retrieved metaphase II oocytes (6.95 +/- 3.78 vs. 11.72 +/- 6.11) and number of 2 PN oocytes (4.07 +/- 2.85 vs. 6.53 +/- 4.14). There were no differences in duration of stimulation, number of transferred embryos, and cumulative embryo score. In the group of women with a single ovary 14 pregnancies were achieved (22.2%), whereas 33 pregnancies were achieved in the group of women with two ovaries (17.28%). CONCLUSIONS: Women with a single ovary have a decreased response to external ovarian stimulation than women with both ovaries, but they present a higher, although not statistically significant, pregnancy rate.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Ultrasound diagnosis of polycystic ovaries in women who have no symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome is not associated with subfecundity or subfertility.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect on fertility of the appearance of polycystic ovaries in women who have no symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Teaching hospitals in Hull, United Kingdom. PATIENT(S): Women with the appearance of polycystic ovaries on ultrasound and women with normal ovaries. INTERVENTION(S): A questionnaire about previous subfertility, pregnancies, menstrual pattern, features of polycystic ovary syndrome, gynecological history, and individual lifestyle factors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Time to pregnancy (TTP) and relative risk (RR) of subfertility in symptomatic and asymptomatic subgroups of both groups. RESULT(S): Women with PCOs took longer TTP and were significantly less fertile if they were obese (RR = 2.6), had menstrual disturbances (RR = 4.6), hirsutism (RR = 2.5), and/or acne (RR = 2.7). Further reductions in fecundity occurred with an increasing number of symptoms (threefold, sevenfold, and 10-fold longer TTP with two, three, and four symptoms, respectively). The TTP of women with no symptoms was not significantly longer and they were not more likely to be subfertile than women with normal ovaries. These symptoms were not associated with significantly reduced fecundity in women with normal ovaries. CONCLUSION(S): The appearance of polycystic ovaries has been shown to have no significant impact on fertility in women with no symptoms. Appearances alone do not reflect the pathological features of polycystic ovary syndrome, and additional diagnostic criteria should be considered. Obesity, menstrual disturbances, and/or hyperandrogenism are factors associated with subfertility in women with polycystic ovaries.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed2000

Ovary-selective genes I: the generation and characterization of an ovary-selective complementary deoxyribonucleic acid library.

The importance of several ovary-selective/specific genes, i.e. genes preferentially or exclusively expressed in the ovary, has been established. Indeed, null mutant female mice for the c-mos, growth and differentiation factor-9, alpha-inhibin, and zona pellucida-3 genes proved sterile. A loss of function mutation of the human FSH receptor gene established its critical role in ovarian function. These data support the hypothesis that genes expressed selectively or specifically in the ovary are probably essential for the normal functioning of this organ system. We have used the differential screening technique suppression subtractive hybridization to systematically isolate and clone genes that are expressed in an ovary-selective/specific manner. The resultant target complementary DNA (cDNA) library has been exhaustively screened to a point at which additional sequencing was increasingly unlikely (< or = 4%) to yield additional previously unencountered cDNAs. In toto, 844 clones were sequenced and analyzed for homology to known genes using the Basic Local Alignment Tool (BLAST). Of those, 342 were determined to be independent (nonredundant). One hundred and fifty-nine independent clones proved identical to previously characterized genes, whereas an additional 100 independent clones proved significantly homologous (but not identical) to previously characterized genes. Yet 83 other independent clones did not display significant homology to previously characterized genes now listed in the publicly accessible nonredundant databases. As such, these latter genes were deemed novel. Of these 83 novel genes, a total of 36 displayed ovary-specific/selective expression, as determined by probing mouse multitissue Northern blots with 32P-labeled/PCR-amplified cDNA inserts. Under these circumstances, the false positive rate was minimal, as only one novel clone was expressed at a higher level in nonovarian tissues relative to ovary. Of the 36 ovary-specific/ selective novel genes, 22 proved subject to hormonal regulation during a simulated estrous cycle. In this communication we focus on 2 such novel ovary-specific/hormonally-dependent genes, the full-length sequences of which were isolated using rapid amplification of 3'-cDNA ends technology. Taken together, the present study accomplished systematic identification of those genes that are restricted in their expression to the ovary. These ovary-selective genes may have significant implications for the understanding of ovarian function in molecular terms and for the development of innovative strategies for the promotion of fertility or its control.

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1992

The in vitro perifused rat ovary: II. Role of oxygen tension in the whole and quartered ovary.

In vitro perifusion of whole ovaries raises questions about tissue viability and its effects on the observed ovarian steroid secretion. To assess effects of tissue degeneration, whole and quartered ovaries from pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG-) treated immature rats were perifused for 8 h, employing various levels of pO2. Histological examination of both the whole and quartered ovary showed signs of degeneration in centrally located follicles but not in follicles located near the surface. However, basal and gonadotropin-stimulated (luteinizing hormone plus follicle stimulating hormone) secretion of estradiol, testosterone and progesterone were not significantly different in the whole ovary whether in the presence of high or low pO2 (n = 8; p > 0.05). Similarly, although the quartered ovary secreted greater amounts of steroids than did the whole ovaries (p < 0.05, n = 8), pO2 levels did not affect the steroid output. We conclude that during in vitro perifusion, minimal oxygen supply is sufficient for ovarian steroidogenesis to proceed. In addition, although quartered ovaries displayed some evidence of tissue degeneration, they were more responsive in terms of steroid output per mg ovary than were whole ovaries.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Superovulatory response of one ovary is related to the micro- and macroscopic population of follicles in the contralateral ovary of the Cow.

We hypothesized that the ovulatory response of one ovary to FSH would be related positively to the size of the primordial and growing pools of follicles in the other ovary. Nonlactating cows (n = 26) were unilaterally ovariectomized and 2 days later were superovulated. The superovulatory response was classified as Low (< 5 corpora lutea [CL]), Medium (5-14 CL), or High (> 14 CL). Surface follicles on the ovary removed before superovulation were classified as small (1-3 mm), medium (3-7 mm), or large ( > 7 mm), and the ovary was then fixed and serially sectioned. Follicles </= 1 mm in diameter in 388 +/- 38 fields (2 x 2 mm) per cow were classified as primordial, primary, secondary, or tertiary. By classification, Suboptimal ovaries contained < 100 follicles </= 1 mm and Optimal ovaries contained > 250 follicles </= 1 mm. Number of CL was correlated positively with total number of primordial, tertiary, and medium surface follicles. Number of Empty fields (2 x 2-mm fields containing no follicles) was correlated negatively with superovulatory response and number of primordial follicles. Number of CL was related to number of tertiary follicles in a positive linear manner and the number of medium follicles in a positive quadratic manner (r 2 = 0.66). Numbers of primordial, tertiary, small surface follicles, medium surface follicles, and total surface follicles were lower (p </= 0.06) in the Low superovulatory response group than in the Medium or High group. Suboptimal ovaries had fewer small surface follicles and fewer CL than Optimal ovaries (p < 0.05). We conclude that superovulatory response in cattle is related positively to the pools of primordial and growing follicles in the bovine ovary.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Arginine Decarboxylase and Putrescine Oxidase in Ovaries of Pisum sativum L. (Changes during Ovary Senescence and Early Stages of Fruit Development).

Enzymatic activities involved in putrescine metabolism in ovaries of Pisum sativum L. during ovary senescence and fruit set were investigated. Accumulation of putrescine was observed during incubation of extracts from gibberellic acid-treated unpollinated ovaries (young developing fruits) but not in extracts from untreated ovaries (senescent ovaries). Extracts from pea ovaries showed arginine decarboxylase (ADC) activity, but ornithine decarboxylase and arginase activity were not detected. ADC activity decreased in presenescent ovaries and increased markedly after induction of fruit set with gibberellic acid. Increases in ADC activity were also observed with application of other plant growth substances (benzy-ladenine and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), after pollination, and in the slender (la crys) pea mutant. By contrast, putrescine oxidase activity increased in presenescent ovaries but did not increase during early fruit development. All of these results suggest that ADC and putrescine oxidase are involved in the control of putrescine metabolism. Ovary senescence is characterized by the absence of putrescine biosynthesis enzymes and increased levels of putrescine oxidase and fruit development by an increase in ADC and a constant level of putrescine oxidase.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Comparison of immunocytologic localization of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 in normal and polycystic ovary syndrome human ovaries.

The cytologic localization and cellular levels of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4) in follicular and stromal compartments of normal and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) ovaries during follicular growth and regression were investigated by the avidin/biotin immunoperoxidase method with a polyclonal antibody to human IGFBP-4, and a comparative assessment of IGFBP-4 expression in normal and PCOS ovaries was provided. In normal human ovaries, IGFBP-4 was immunolocalized to the oocyte throughout follicular growth, while the surrounding granulosa and theca cells were negligible for IGFBP-4 immunostaining in primordial, preantral and antral follicles. IGFBP-4 immunostaining became apparent, however, in the lutein cells of corpora lutea and the granulosa and theca cells of atretic follicles. In PCOS ovaries, prominent immunostaining for IGFBP-4 was apparent not only in the oocyte, but also in the surrounding granulosa cells in preantral follicles. In antral follicles from PCOS women without hyperinsulinemia, IGFBP-4 immunostaining was more prominent in the granulosa cells than the theca cells, whereas in antral follicles from PCOS women with hyperinsulinemia IGFBP-4 immunostaining was more prominent in the theca cells than the granulosa cells. Furthermore, in atretic follicles within PCOS ovaries IGFBP-4 immunostaining was prominent in the theca cells, regardless of the association of hyperinsulinemia. These results demonstrate for the first time that there is a great difference in cellular expression of IGFBP-4 between normal and PCOS human ovaries. In light of the high affinity of IGFBP-4 for IGF-1, the abundant expression of IGFBP-4 in granulosa and theca cells of preantral and antral follicles of PCOS ovaries may lead to decreases in the bioavailability of IGF-I in those follicles. The decrease in IGF-I-mediated stimulation of gonadotropin actions on granulosa and theca cells in preantral and antral follicles may impair the induction of aromatase activity, causing an androgenic microenvironment which is characteristic of atretic follicles and PCOS follicles.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Differences in the ovulation rate of the right or left ovary in unilaterally ovariectomized rats: effect of ipsi- and contralateral vagus nerves on the remaining ovary.

The possible existence of peripheral asymmetry in the neuroendocrine mechanisms participating in the response of the ovary to gonadotrophins, and the participation of the vagus nerve, was investigated. At oestrus, the ovulation rate (number of ovulating/number of treated rats) of the left ovary in right unilaterally ovariectomized rats was lower than that in the right ovary in left unilaterally ovariectomized rats (42 vs 84%). No differences in the number of ova shed per ovulating animal nor in compensatory ovarian hypertrophy (COH) were observed. Bilateral section of the vagus nerve resulted in reduced COH only in those animals with the left ovary in situ (right unilaterally ovariectomized). Section of the left vagus nerve induced different effects depending upon which ovary was left in situ. When the left ovary was in situ an increase in ovulation rate, COH and number of ova shed was observed; however, when the right ovary was left in place the above three parameters decreased. Section of the right vagus nerve produced a decrease only in COH in both right and left unilaterally ovariectomized animals. It is concluded that in the unilaterally ovariectomized rat the right ovary seems more able to react to compensatory regulatory systems than does the left. The character of the information carried by the left and right vagus nerve is different.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Hepatic lipase in the rat ovary. Ovaries cannot synthesize hepatic lipase but accumulate it from the circulation.

Hepatic lipase is proposed to have a role in steroidogenesis through its involvement in the metabolism of high density lipoproteins. We examined the activity, synthesis, distribution, and uptake of this enzyme and assessed the content of its mRNA in luteinized ovaries. We found that during peak steroidogenesis, ovaries of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin-human chorionic gonadotropin-treated immature rats contained heparin-releasable hepatic lipase-like activity which was neutralized in a dose-dependent manner by purified antibodies to hepatic lipase isolated from post-heparin perfusates of rat livers. Quantitative immunoelectron microscopy revealed that ovarian hepatic lipase occurred along endothelial cells and was 3-fold more abundant in blood vessels of corpora lutea than those of stroma. However, hepatic lipase was not synthesized by the ovary since radiolabeled enzyme was not immunoisolated from the medium of dispersed luteinized granulosa cells incubated with [35S]methionine whereas it was present in the medium of control cells (hepatocytes). Similarly, hepatic lipase mRNA was detectable in liver but not ovaries or kidneys by Northern or slot blot analyses or by the polymerase chain reaction. Finally, 125I-labeled hepatic lipase injected into tail veins was quickly cleared from the systemic circulation, accumulating in liver, ovaries, kidneys, and spleen. Subsequent heparin injection caused rapid reappearance of radioactivity in the bloodstream and a marked decline of radiolabel in liver and ovaries but a modest decrease of that in kidneys and none in spleen. Exogenous 125I-bovine serum albumin also accumulated in all four organs but was not displaced from liver or ovaries by subsequent administration of heparin. Taken together, these data suggest that steroidogenically active ovaries possess but do not synthesize hepatic lipase. Instead, hepatic lipase originating elsewhere, presumably in the liver, is accumulated from the circulation at heparin-sensitive sites in ovarian blood vessels.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Treatment outcome in women with a single ovary versus patients with two ovaries undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF/ET).

OBJECTIVE: To compare ovarian response and pregnancy rate between women with one and two ovaries undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF/ET). STUDY DESIGN: 20 IVF/ET treatment cycles in ten women with a single ovary were compared with 60 IVF/ET cycles in 47 women with two ovaries. Both groups were matched for age and treated for mechanical infertility. In both groups treatment protocol included gonadotropin releasing hormone/human menopausal gonadotropin/human chorionic gonadotropin (GnRH/hMG/hCG). RESULTS: Effective daily dose of gonadotropins (3.7+/-0.7 vs. 3.6+/-1.0), mean 17beta-estradiol levels on day of hCG administration (1136+/-467 vs. 1343+/-776), number of retrieved oocytes (6.4+/-3.7 vs. 8.3+/-4.2) and number of embryos per transfer (3.0+/-0.7 vs 2.9+/-1.2) were not statistically different between the groups. A significantly higher pregnancy rate was observed among women with one ovary (52.9%) as compared with those with two ovaries (20.8%), (P=0.015). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated an odds ratio of 5.73 for patients with a single ovary. CONCLUSION: Treatment outcome in patients with a single ovary undergoing IVF/ET is comparable to those with two ovaries. The unexpected significantly higher pregnancy rate observed among these patients need to be further evaluated.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in the PMSG-primed immature rat ovary and its effect on ovulation in the isolated rat ovary perfused in vitro.

The immature rat ovary contains VIP immunoreactive nerve fibres sparsely distributed around blood vessels, in the interstitial gland and around follicles. The VIP concentration, measured radioimmunologically, decreased significantly after PMSG treatment (10 i.u.), probably due to ovarian enlargement and oedema, while the total VIP content (total of 0.12 pmol in both ovaries) did not change after PMSG priming. The ovulatory effect of VIP was studied using in-vitro perfused ovaries from immature 28-day-old rats primed with 10 i.u. PMSG. In all ovaries perfused, VIP (10(-7) M) induced ovulations with a rate of 2.33 +/- 0.56. The ovulation rate was significantly lower than that of ovaries stimulated by LH (0.1 microgram/ml) (5.20 +/- 0.86 ovulations per ovary). No synergistic effect on the ovulation rate was seen when LH and VIP were administered together (5.20 +/- 0.49 ovulations per ovary). The results suggest that the neuropeptide VIP may represent one of the local factors involved in the ovulation process.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

[Histology and histochemistry of the seal ovaries and the age-related changes in the ovaries of the Greenland seal].

Histological and histochemical methods were used to study the ovaries of Greenland seal (Pagophoca groenlandica) from birth-time up to 30 years of age and mature females of Phoca vitulina and Erignathus barbatus. The ovary of the new-born Greenland seal has fetal medullary substance which is a provisory endocrinous gland producing not only sex hormones but also corticosteron. In other species of seals the intestinal cells of the medullary substance are the equivalent of this gland. Within 3-4 weeks after birth the reduction of the fetal medullary substance is completed, it is substituted by the connective tissue and the ovary acquires its typical structure. The rest of the fetal medullary substance is in the depth of the cortex and near the infundibulum of the ovary as lipofuscincontaining cells. When the maturation period approaches, the process of the follicle atresia regularly changes: the epithelium dies quicker, and the multiplication of intestinal cells increases. The ovaries of seals are rich in interstitial cells. Their amount cyclically changes. The cells producing steroid hormones always well hydrolize AS naphthyl-phosphates, the reaction with glycerophosphate is more variable. The connective tissue is poor in acid mucopolysaccharides, its amorphous substance in the ovary cortex is rich in protein. Senile changes of the ovary are noticed in the seal beginning from 20 years of age.

Age Factors↗