Effects of hormone replacement therapy on mesolimbic extracellular dopamine stress: an in vivo microdialysis study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of hormone replacement therapy on dopamine (DA) release in the nucleus accumbens septi (NAS) of rats following footshock stress and to correlate these effects with locomotory behaviour. DESIGN AND METHODS: Thirty-two Long Evans rats were ovariectomized and treated with oestradiol benzoate, progesterone or oil (control group). Rats were stereotaxically implanted with guide cannulae in the NAS and dialysis probes used to sample the extra-cellular fluid (ECF). Following baseline measurements, intermittent footshocks were delivered for 10 minutes, and dialysate DA levels and locomotor activity assessed over 20 minute intervals for 2 hours by high performance liquid chromatography and a photocell activity monitor, respectively. RESULTS: At baseline, hormone replacement significantly decreased DA levels in the NAS. Oestrogen treated rats had the lowest DA release at baseline (p<0.001). Following footshock, all groups exhibited significant increases in DA levels; oestrogen treated rats showed the most significant relative increase, but absolute levels remained lowest. Locomotor activity at baseline was highest in oestrogen treated rats and showed no change after footshock, remaining higher than in other groups. All other groups showed relative increase in activity after footshock (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Oestrogen pre-treatment depresses baseline DA level in the NAS, but enhances relative levels after footshock, while suppressing changes in locomotor activity. There is a general reciprocal relationship between DA levels within ECF and locomotor activity in all groups. This finding may have implications for understanding of the processes regulated by NAS dopamine, e.g. addiction or associative learning.(Au)

Estrus synchronization and artificial insemination of hair sheep ewes in the tropics

Hair sheep ewes (St. Croix White and Barbados Blackbelly) were used to evaluate 3 methods of estrus synchronization for use with transcervical artificial insemination (TAl). To synchronize estrus, ewes (n=18) were treated with PGF2alpha (15 mg, im) 10 d apart, with controlled internal drug release (CIDR) devices containing 300 mg progesterone for 12 d (n=18), or with intravaginal sponges containing 500 mg progesterone for 12 d (n=18). On the day of the second PGF2alpha injection or at CIDR or sponge removal, sterile rams were placed with the ewes. Jugular blood samples were collected from the ewes at 6-h intervals until the time of ovulation, and daily for 16 d after estrus (Day 0). Plasma was harvested and stored at -20 degrees C until LH, and progesterone concentrations were determined by RIA. There was no difference (P>0.10) in time to estrus among the CIDR-, PGF2 alpha- or sponge-treated ewes. All of the ewes in the CIDR group and 94.4 percent of the sponge treated ewes exhibited estrus by 36 h after ram introduction, while only 72.2 percent of PGF2alpha-treated ewes showed signs of estrus by this time (P<0.06). The time from ram introduction to ovulation was not different (P>0.10) among CIDR, PGF2alpha- or sponge-treated ewes. The time to preovulatory LH surge was similar (P>0.10) among treatment groups. Hair sheep ewes (n=23) were synchronized using PGF2alpha and bred by TAI using frozen-thawed semen 48 h after the second injection. The conception rate to TAI was 2/23 (8.7 percent) and produced 3 ram lambs. In a subsequent trial, 17 ewes were synchronized with CIDR devices and bred by TAI using frozen-thawed semen 48 h after CIDR removal, resulting in a conception rate of 52.9 percent (9/17). It is possible to synchronize estrus in hair sheep using either CIDRs, sponges or PGF2alpha. Even though there were no significant differences in the timing of ovulation or the LH surge among the treatment groups, a higher concentration rate was achieved in ewes synchronized with CIDR devices during the second trial. This may reflect an increase in the skill level of the TAI technician.(AU)

Haemothorax and ascites associated with endometriosis

A young patient with pleuroperitoneal endometriosis presented with an haemorrhagic effusion. Two years later, she developed massive ascites with resolved after treatment with oral Danazol and Depo-Provera injections. (AU)

Distance and continuation rates in a family planning clinic: A case study from Jamaica

The care records of all women accepting medroxyprogestrone acetate (Depo Provera) between July 1981 and June 1983 at the Advanced Training in Research and Fertility Management Unit of the University of the West Indies were examined and home addresses mapped. The distance between the homes of acceptors and the Unit were measured and travel-distance bands super-imposed on the distribution map. Continuation rates using life table determination were calculated for clients residing within separate two-mile bands at increasing distances from the Unit. Continuation rates decreased up to eight miles but increased considerably in the peri urban and rural areas beyond eight miles of the Corporate Area. This increase was due the better performance of the large teenage component attracted from distant areas. The decline in continuation rates suggest that the four-mile travel band would be the most effective service area for the Unit (AU)

Defective luteal phase - Measurement and evaluation of the ovarian hormone before and during cyclofenil (bis-p-acetoxyphenyl) cyclo-hexylidenemethane (compound 6066) treatment

Total urinary oestrogens and plasma progesterone were measured in 50 infertile patients with the diagnosis of defective Luteal Phase (D.L.P.). Before treatment with Cyclofenil commenced, these patients showed wide variations in their urinary oestrogen pattern; but the plasma progesterone was uniformly low. The result of treatment achieved was dependent on the dose of Cyclofenil and on the baseline oestrogen configuration of the patient. The author believes that the follicular dysmaturity precedes luteal insufficiency in the majority of cases. Treatment, therefore, should be aimed at correcting the hormonal imbalance both at hypothalamico pituitary axis level and at the ovarian level rather than simple substitution therapy. Cyclofenil possesses both of these qualities. The pregnancy rate was 28 per cent (AU)