Bioactive and immunoreactive FSH and immunoreactive inhibin concentrations in the ovine fetus

1992 ◽  
Vol 134 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Phillips ◽  
P. R. Smith ◽  
D. A. Heath ◽  
L. A. Condell ◽  
K. P. McNatty

ABSTRACT The bioactive (B) and immunoreactive (I) pituitary contents/concentrations of FSH, together with the plasma concentrations of B-FSH, I-FSH and I-inhibin were determined in ovine fetuses at days 55, 75, 90 and 135 of gestation (day 145 = term). The pituitary contents and concentrations of B-FSH and I-FSH increased in both sexes with gestational age. The female fetuses had significantly (P <0·01) higher pituitary contents/concentrations of B-FSH and I-FSH than the male fetuses at days 75 and 135. The pituitary B/I ratios of FSH were not significantly different with age or sex. The plasma concentrations of B-FSH remained relatively constant from days 75 to 135, with no significant differences between sexes or with age. In contrast, the plasma concentrations of I-FSH reached a peak at day 90 and then declined towards term in both sexes. At all gestational ages except day 55, the female fetuses had significantly (P <0·05) higher plasma concentrations of I-FSH than the males. In both sexes, the plasma B/I ratios of FSH were lowest at day 90 and had increased again by day 135, with the male fetuses having significantly (P <0·05) higher B/I ratios compared with the female group at days 75 and 135 but not at day 90. At all gestational ages, the plasma concentrations of I-inhibin declined throughout gestation in the female fetuses, whereas in the males they reached a nadir at day 75 and then increased towards term. The concentrations of I-inhibin were significantly (P <0·01) higher in the male fetuses compared with the females. Collectively, these data suggest that there are changes in the forms of FSH present in the pituitary gland and plasma throughout gestation in the ovine fetus. Moreover, they infer that the difference between the sexes in FSH synthesis and/or secretion may be attributed in part to the circulating concentrations of inhibin. Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 134, 287–295

2003 ◽  
Vol 88 (9) ◽  
pp. 4324-4327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliet Farquhar ◽  
Mark Heiman ◽  
Alfred C. K. Wong ◽  
Richard Wach ◽  
Philippe Chessex ◽  
...  

Ghrelin has orexigenic effects. It is present in umbilical cord plasma in full-term neonates, raising the prospect that ghrelin plays a role in fetal and neonatal energy balance. We measured ghrelin in small (SGA), appropriate (AGA), and large (LGA) for gestational age neonates and evaluated whether ghrelin levels are modulated by neonatal insulin and glucose concentrations. Plasma concentrations of ghrelin, insulin, and glucose were measured in cord blood sampled at birth in 123 SGA, AGA, and LGA neonates (gestational age, 24–41 wk) born to mothers with and without diabetes. Ghrelin was detected in samples from all infants. Its concentration was 40% higher in SGA neonates (mean ± sd, 2436 ± 657 pg/ml) compared with AGA (1738 ± 380) and LGA (1723 ± 269) neonates. There was a positive correlation between ghrelin and gestational age in AGA/LGA (r = 0.23; P &lt; 0.05) and a negative correlation in SGA (r = −0.67; P &lt; 0.005) neonates. Therefore, the difference in ghrelin between SGA and AGA/LGA neonates decreases with advancing gestational age. Birth weight z-score, maternal hypertension, and glucose concentrations were significant determinants of ghrelin concentrations. In conclusion, SGA neonates present with higher umbilical cord ghrelin plasma concentrations than AGA/LGA neonates. Ghrelin may play a physiological role in fetal adaptation to intrauterine malnutrition.


2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 1070-1072
Author(s):  
Dan Navolan ◽  
Mirela Nicolov ◽  
Simona Vladareanu ◽  
Ioana Ciohat ◽  
Marius Craina ◽  
...  

Screening of fetal aneuploidies in early pregnancy is a well-established method in the materno-fetal medicine. The aim of our study was to analyze if the medians recommended by the manufacturers are adequate to perform an accurate screening or if there is a need for own laboratory medians calculation in second trimester biochemical marker screening.Sera were collected between 14 wp and 22 wp from 3374 singleton pregnancies. We analyzed three second trimester biochemical markers (AFP, hCG and free Estriol) concentration in all pregnant women and in a subgroup of pregnant women in which gestational age was determined based on crown-rump length. Our results showed that for all biochemical markers the difference between the manufacturer and the own calculated median was lower than 10% excepting the hCG value in the group of pregnant women in which the gestational age was determined on basis of crown-rump-length. Our results show it is recommended to replace the values of the median for hCG measurement with the own laboratory calculated medians. This does not seem to be necessary in the case of AFP and free Estriol measurement.


Author(s):  
Tongmei Duan ◽  
Xun Chen ◽  
Jing Wu ◽  
Ronghai Li ◽  
Huijuan Guo ◽  
...  

Objective: Carbohydrate antigen 72-4 (CA72-4) is widely used in the diagnosis and monitoring of many cancers. However, there are few studies on the differences of CA72-4 levels in terms of age and gender. Methods: 10957 healthy subjects were divided into two groups according to gender and three age groups. The serum CA72-4 were detected. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS. Results: The CA72-4 level in female group was significantly higher than that in male group. The level of CA72-4 gradually decreased with age. Compared with the age >60 group, the CA72-4 levels were increased in the age 46-60 group and 16-45 group (P >0.05, respectively). To better observe the age difference, the age 16-45 and 46–60 group were combined into the age 16-60 group. In comparison to the age >60 group, the CA72-4 level of age 16-60 group was significantly increased (P =0.000). In the age >60 group, there was no difference between genders. Nevertheless, the difference between the sexes in the age 16-60 group was significant (P =0.023). Conclusions: The reference interval of CA72-4 for local healthy population was established. CA72-4 levels gradually decreased with the increase of age, and CA72-4 level in females aged 16-60 years (0-18.0 U/mL) was higher than in males (0-14.5 U/mL), however there was no gender difference in the age group above 60 years old (0-14.5 U/mL). Moreover, male CA72-4 was no significant difference among all age groups, while the potential mechanism of female changes with age needed further study.


Hypertension ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 78 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rugina I Neuman ◽  
Willy Visser ◽  
Jan H Danser

Low soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1) has been reported in women with suspected or confirmed preeclampsia (PE) coincidentally using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), suggesting a role for these agents as potential treatment for PE. Here, we examined whether administration of omeprazole to women with PE could acutely reduce their circulating levels of sFlt-1 or enhance their placental growth factor (PlGF) concentrations. We performed a randomized controlled trial in which women (≥ 18 years) with confirmed preeclampsia and a gestational age between 20 +0 and 34 +6 weeks were allocated to receive 40mg omeprazole once daily or no omeprazole. Blood was collected at baseline and days 1,2,4,8 followed by twice-weekly until delivery. Primary outcome was specified as the difference in sFlt-1 or PlGF 4 days after omeprazole initiation compared to the non-omeprazole group. Secondary outcomes were defined as between-group differences in longitudinal course of sFlt-1 and PlGF and pregnancy outcomes. Between Dec 2018 and June 2021, 50 women with PE were randomized, of which 40 women remained pregnant after 4 days. Mean maternal age was 30 years, and median gestational age was 31 weeks. Baseline sFlt-1 levels did not differ between non-omeprazole (n=20) and omeprazole group (n=20) (10743 vs. 7110pg/mL, p=0.11), neither did the levels of PlGF (p=0.14). After 4 days, sFlt-1 levels remained similar in women receiving omeprazole compared to women not receiving omeprazole (8364 vs. 13017pg/mL, p=0.14), and the same was true for PlGF (90 vs. 55pg/mL, p=0.14). Using linear mixed models, no difference in longitudinal course of sFlt-1 or PlGF could be attributed to the treatment group, when adjusted for baseline values and GA at enrollment (p=0.47). Women receiving omeprazole had a similar length of pregnancy compared with those not receiving this drug (median 15 vs. 14 days, p=0.70). Except for a higher neonatal intubation rate in the non-omeprazole group (31% vs 4%, p=0.02) there were no differences in maternal/perinatal complications between the two groups. Our findings suggest that daily administration of 40mg in women with PE do not alter their circulating levels of sFlt-1 and PlGF, arguing against a role for this drug as a potential treatment for this syndrome.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manju Puri ◽  
Minakeshi Rana ◽  
Sharda Patra ◽  
Shubha Sagar Trivedi

Abstract This prospective observational study was carried out to study the fetomaternal outcome in women with preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM) between 24 and 36 weeks of gestation. Materials and methods A total of 150 pregnant women between 24 and 36 weeks gestation with PROM were subjected to detailed history and examination. Each patient was followed till her delivery and fetomaternal outcome was recorded gestation-wise between 24 and 28 weeks (n = 15), 28 and 32 weeks (n = 30), 32 and 34 weeks (n = 90), and 34 and 36 weeks (n = 15). Result The mean latency period from membrane rupture to delivery decreased from 15 days at 24 to 28 weeks, 11 days at 28 to 32 weeks to 4.4 days at 32 to 34 weeks to 2.1 days at 34 to 36 weeks. Majority of women delivered vaginally. The rate of spontaneous labor increased as the gestational age at admission increased, the difference between rate of spontaneous labor of 67% at 28 to 32 weeks and 86% at 34 to 36 weeks was statistically significant (p = 0.001). The indications for induction of labor were intrauterine fetal death, gross oligohydramnios, and clinical chorioamnionitis. The most common complication was clinical chorioamnionitis (6%) and postpartum sepsis (6%). The perinatal outcome was favorable in majority of cases and improved with the increase in gestational age at PROM. The overall perinatal mortality was 9.3%. Conclusion Management of PPROM involves complete evaluation of risks and benefits of conservative management. Wherever possible, the treatment should be directed toward conserving the pregnancy with prophylactic use of antibiotics and steroids thereby reducing fetal-maternal morbidity and mortality. However, termination of pregnancy should be considered at the earliest suspicion of chorioamnionitis. How to cite this article Rana M, patra s, Puri M, Trivedi SS. Fetomaternal Outcome in Preterm Premature Rupture of Membrane. Int J Infertil Fetal Med 2014;5(1):18-21.


2010 ◽  
Vol 138 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 50-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Biljana Pejovic ◽  
Milica Rankovic-Janevski ◽  
Niveska Bozinovic-Prekajski

Introduction. Drug safety depends on trough levels. Objective. Objective of the study was to measure gentamicin and amikacin trough levels in neonates and to identify risk groups by gestational and postnatal age. Methods. Gentamicin and amikacin were applied according to the clinical practice guidelines. Trough levels (mg/l) were deter- mined using fluorescence polarization immunoassay methodology. Target trough levels were <2 mg/l for gentamicin, and <10 mg/l for amikacin. Patients were divided in 3 groups by gestational age: I ?32, II 33-36, and III ?37 gestational weeks and, by postnatal age, in 2 groups: ?7 and >7 days. Results. Out of 163 neonates, 111 were receiving gentamicin and 52 amikacin. Mean amikacin trough level was 7.8?4.8 mg/l and, in group I 10.5?4.9 mg/l, which was above the target range and significantly higher than in group II (LSD, p<0.05). In the amikacin group, 26 patients were 7 and less, and 26 more than 7 days old, without significant differences in trough levels between the groups. In the gentamicin group, 52.3% of neonates had trough values within the target range. Gentamicin trough level in group I was above the trough range, 3.7?1.8, 2.3?1.5 in group II and, 1.8?1.4 mg/l in group III. The difference in trough levels among the groups was highly significant (F=9.015, p<0.001, ?2=17. 576, p<0.001). Further analysis revealed that differences between groups I and II (LSD, p=0.002) and between I and III (LSD, p=0.000) were highly significant. Conclusion. Obtained gentamicin and amikacin trough levels are high. Inverse correlation has been confirmed between trough level and gestational age, with highly significant difference, and the risk group has been identified. There is obviously a need to change the dosing regimen in terms of those with extended intervals, particularly for neonates of the lowest gestational age, along with pharmacokinetic measurements.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 365-375
Author(s):  
M. Goli ◽  
E. Ayen ◽  
S. Hassanzadeh ◽  
M. H. Khadem Anssari

Changes in the distribution of the epithelial and inflammatory cells in the external opening of the uterine cervix in river buffaloes at three different occasions during the gestation period were investigated by light microscopic evaluation of mucus smears prepared by wet swab sampling and Giemsa-stained. Forty five pregnant river buffaloes that were in the first (n=15), second (n=15) and third (n=15) approximately equal parts of their gestation period were sampled twice concurrently by individual wet swabs from the external opening of the uterine cervix. Five smears were prepared from each sample. Immediately after mucus sampling, blood samples were obtained from the jugular vein of each animal, centrifuged immediately and stored at -20 oC to assay the plasma levels of estradiol-17β and progesterone. The results showed that changes in the percentage of the vacuolated and non-vacuolated epithelial cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and basophils were not statistically significant between the groups, which suggests that as the pregnancy progressed, changes in the blood levels of estradiol-17β and progesterone had little or no effect on the distribution of these cells in the region, but changes in the percentage of neutrophils were statistically significant between the groups. It was also found that changes in the percentage of macrophages between the second and third trimesters of the gestation period were not significant, but the difference between the first and the other trimesters was statistically significant. It was concluded that the percentages of neutrophils and macrophages increase significantly as the plasma concentrations of progesterone decrease during the gestation.


2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 278-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
C M Knapp ◽  
C S Constantinescu ◽  
J HY Tan ◽  
R McLean ◽  
G R Cherryman ◽  
...  

Uric acid, an antioxidant, is reduced in multiple sclerosis (MS). Patients with gout have a reduced incidence of MS. O ptic neuritis (O N), often the first manifestation of MS, is not known to be associated with reduced uric acid. Patients with recent onset of O N were investigated to determine whether uric acid levels were reduced at presentatio n. Twenty-o ne patients with O N were included, 17 females and 4 males. The mean (SD) serum uric acid in the O N female group was 184.4 (±55.1) mmol/L (range, 116- 309 mmol/L), whilst in the control group it was 235.2 (±50.2) mmol/L (range, 172- 381 mmol/L). The difference was statistically significant (x2 = 8.93, P = 0.003). In the small male cohort, mean (SD) serum uric acid was 305 (±52.1) mmol/L, whilst in the control group it was 328 (±80.4) mmol/L. These differences were not statistically significant. Reduced antioxidant reserve is possibly an early patho genic mechanism in inflammatory demyelination, and raises the possibility that low uric acid levels could be an indicator of disease activity. Since optic neuropathies of other causes were not investigated, future research needs to determine whether low uric acid represents a unique feature of optic neuritis or is seen in other optic neuropathies.


1983 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 295 ◽  
Author(s):  
NR Adams ◽  
GB Martin

The effects of oestradiol on plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations were examined in 15 ovariectomized control ewes and 15 similar ewes with permanent infertility after prolonged grazing on oestrogenic clover pasture ('clover disease'). Before treatment, the plasma concentrations of LH were similar in the control and affected ewes. After intravenous injection with 40 pg oestradiol-I 7 p during the anoestrous season, the decline in LH concentration was greater in the clover-affected ewes and the subsequent elevation above original baseline levels was smaller. After intramuscular injection with 15 or 30 pg oestradiol benzoate during the normal breeding season, fewer clover-affected ewes showed a surge of LH, and the response was both reduced and retarded. This difference between the two groups has not been observed in studies on intact ewes, and it is suggested that in intact ewes the difference is masked by a greater tonic LH activity in affected ewes. The results of the present study are consistent with the hypothesis that prolonged exposure to oestrogenic pasture has a differentiating, or 'androgenizing' effect on the adult ewe.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Peña Dieste Pérez ◽  
Luis M. Esteban ◽  
Ricardo Savirón-Cornudella ◽  
Faustino R. Pérez-López ◽  
Sergio Castán-Mateo ◽  
...  

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> This study aimed to assess reduced fetal growth between 35 weeks of gestation and birth in non-small for gestational age fetuses associated with adverse perinatal outcomes (APOs). <b><i>Material and Method:</i></b> It is a retrospective cohort study of 9,164 non-small for gestational age fetuses estimated by ultrasound at 35 weeks. The difference between the birth weight percentile and the estimated percentile weight (EPW) at 35 weeks of gestation was calculated, and we studied the relationship of this difference with the appearance of APO. APOs were defined as cesarean or instrumental delivery rates for nonreassuring fetal status, 5-min Apgar score &#x3c;7, arterial cord blood pH &#x3c;7.10, and stillbirth. Fetuses that exhibited a percentile decrease between both moments were classified into 6 categories according to the amount of percentile decrease (0.01–10.0, 10.01–20.0, 20.01–30.0, 30.01–40.0, 40.01–50.0, and &#x3e;50.0 percentiles). It was evaluated whether the appearance of APO was related to the amount of this percentile decrease. Relative risk (RR) was calculated in these subgroups to predict APOs in general and for each APO in particular. Receiver operating characteristic and area under curves (AUC) for the difference in the percentile was calculated, used as a continuous parameter in the entire study population. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The median gestational age at delivery in uncomplicated pregnancies was 40.0 (39.1–40.7) and in pregnancies with APOs 40.3 (49.4–41.0), <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001. The prevalence of APOs was greater in the group of fetuses with a decrease in percentile (7.6%) compared to those with increased percentile (4.8%) (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). The RR was 1.63 (95% CI: 1.365–1.944, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). Although the differences were significant in all decreased percentile groups, RRs were significantly higher when decreased growth values were &#x3e;40 points (RR: 2.036, 95% CI: 1.581–2.623, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). The estimated value of the AUC for percentile decrease was 0.58 (0.56–0.61, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Fetuses with a decrease in the EPW between the ultrasound at 35 weeks of gestation and birth have a higher risk of APOs, being double in fetuses with a decrease of &#x3e;40 percentile points.


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