[Urinary iodine excretion and thyroid function in pregnant women of Bydgoszcz District prior to and after the introduction of iodized salt]. / Wydalanie jodu i czynnosc tarczycy u kobiet w ciazy w regionie Bydgoszczy przed i po wprowadzeniu obligatoryjnej profilaktyki jodowej w Polsce.

INTRODUCTION: Before the introduction of the kitchen iodized salt in 1997 Poland was an area of mild and moderate iodine deficiency. AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the degree of iodine deficiency and thyroid function in pregnant women prior to and after the introduction of iodized salt. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Iodine urinary excretion and serum levels of TSH, fT3 and fT4 were determined in pregnant women divided into the two groups--with and without iodine supplementation. RESULTS: Before the introduction of the kitchen iodized salt iodine urinary excretion in pregnant women was 70.46 +/- 43.99 micrograms/l. The introduction of kitchen iodized salt increased iodine urinary excretion to 92.23 +/- 42.14 micrograms/l (p < 0.01). In pregnant women with iodine supplementation serum levels of TSH and fT3 were reduced. CONCLUSIONS: 1. There was a mild iodine deficiency in pregnant women before the introduction of the kitchen iodized salt programme. 2. The kitchen iodized salt increased iodine urinary excretion rates, 3. Reduced levels of serum TSH and fT3 after the introduction of iodized salt indicate diminished thyroid stimulation in pregnant women with higher iodine intake.

[Effect of homocysteine concentration in follicular fluid on a degree of oocyte maturity]. / Wplyw stezenia homocysteiny w plynie pecherzykowym na stopien dojrzalosci komórki jajowej.

UNLABELLED: Homocysteine (HCY) is an amino acid being a methionin catabolite. The action of HCY is multi-directional and not yet fully known. Follicular fluid also contains homocysteine. Disorders of the composition of follicular fluid as an microenvironment of an oocyte may influence its development. AIM: The aim of our study was to evaluate correlation between follicular fluid homocysteine concentration and degree of maturity of egg cell. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research concerned 40 patients qualified for IVF-ET. Ovulation was stimulated according to the long protocol. 20 of 40 patients underwent folic acid supplementation. Pituitary suppression was performed by administration of the nafarelin. The subsequent follicular development was stimulated by HMG. To all patients 10,000 IU of hCG was administered 34-36 hours before follicle puncture. The oocytes obtained were assessed in respect of a degree of Veeck scale. In all patients, fluid samples were recovered from more than one follicle, centrifugated and frozen before analysis. Both in the follicular fluid and serum, homocysteine concentration was determined with the FPIA method. Concentration of the folic was measured with the MEIA method. RESULTS: These data support that homocysteine concentration in follicular fluid and serum was significantly lower in group with folic supplementation. The purpose of the research was to determine the dependencies between the concentration of HCY in follicular fluid and the quality of oocytes. It has been shown that in a group of women with folic supplementation and lower HCY concentration the percentage of oocytes in first and second degree of maturity was higher. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Supplementation of folic acid diminish a concentration of homocysteine in both--follicular fluid and serum. 2. Oocytes exposed to low homocysteine concentration present better quality and higher degree of maturity. 3. There is a correlation between follicular fluid homocysteine concentration and oocyte maturity.