Quantitative sonoelastography of the uterine cervix by interposition of a synthetic reference material.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a reference material that allows quantitative elastography of the uterine cervix using the calculation of the approximate tissue stiffness expressed as Young's modulus (N/mm(2) ). Further, to test the elastography equipment on phantoms from a clinical perspective regarding the distance dependence and the influence of a heterogeneous material. DESIGN: Methodological study. SETTING: Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. POPULATION: Six mid- and five full-term pregnant women. METHODS: Reference caps and phantoms with Young's moduli between 0.07 and 0.40 N/mm(2) were made of silicone and oil. By using reference caps, the approximate Young's moduli of the cervixes were calculated from strain ratios obtained by elastography. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Approximate Young's modulus of the cervix. RESULTS: The recordings of the phantoms revealed that the calculation of the approximate Young's moduli became unreliable at distances above 10-15 mm from the transducer. This was further increased for a phantom which included a soft layer imitating the cervical canal. The approximate Young's modulus obtained from the anterior cervical lip was 0.08 N/mm(2) in mid-term and 0.03 N/mm(2) in full-term pregnant women (Wilcoxon rank-sum test, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The reference cap constitutes a promising tool for quantitative elastography of the anterior cervical lip. Figures obtained from the posterior cervical lip are less plausible due to the distance from the transducer and the heterogeneity introduced by the cervical canal. The method has the potential to be used to supplement cervical length assessment when evaluating women at risk of preterm delivery and when planning induction of labor.

Vaginocervical stimulation induces Fos in glutamate neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus: attenuation by estrogen and progesterone.

Vaginocervical stimulation (VCS) induces the immediate-early gene product Fos in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) of female rats. However, this induction is lower in ovariectomized rats that receive estradiol benzoate (EB) and progesterone (P) relative to an oil vehicle. We have observed that a substantial proportion of cells activated in the VMH by VCS stain for glutamate, and infusions of glutamate or its selective receptor agonists to the VMH inhibit both appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviors in females. This raises the possibility that VCS activates an inhibitory glutamate system in the VMH, and that ovarian steroids blunt the activation, although it is not known whether EB or P, alone or in combination, lead to this effect. The present experiment examined the ability of VCS to induce Fos in glutamate neurons in the VMH of ovariectomized rats under 4 hormonal regimens: oil, EB alone, P alone, or EB+P, following 1 or 50 distributed VCSs administered with a lubricated glass rod over the course of 1 h. Treatment with EB or P alone significantly reduced the number of glutamate neurons activated by 1 VCS, with P being more effective than EB. Treatment with EB+P also produced a significant reduction, but not to the extent of EB or P alone. Although EB and P work in synergy to activate sexual behavior in female rats, actions of EB or P alone are sufficient to blunt the ability of VCS to activate glutamate neurons in the VMH. It thus appears that ovarian steroids may "disinhibit" sexual responding, in part, by dampening the ability of VCS to activate glutamate neurons in the VMH. In turn, this may allow females to receive a sufficient number of intromissions for the activation of sexual reward and the facilitation of pregnancy.

Effects of 17beta-estradiol on responses of viscerosomatic convergent thalamic neurons in the ovariectomized female rat.

Ovarian hormones have been shown to exert multiple effects on CNS function and viscerosomatic convergent activity. Ovariectomized (OVX) female rats were used in the present study to examine the long-term effects of proestrus levels of 17beta-estradiol (EB) delivered by a 60-day time-released subcutaneous pellet on the response properties of viscerosomatic convergent thalamic neurons. In addition, avoidance thresholds to mechanical stimulation for one of the convergent somatic territories, the trunk, was assessed using an electro-von Frey anesthesiometer before and at the end of the 6-wk post-OVX/implant period prior to the terminal electrophysiological experiments, which were done under urethane anesthesia. Rats implanted with an EB-containing pellet, relative to placebo controls, demonstrated 1) altered thalamic response frequencies and thresholds for cervix and vaginal but not colon stimulation; 2) some response variations for just the lateral group of thalamic subnuclei; and 3) altered thalamic response frequencies and thresholds for trunk stimulation. Thalamic response thresholds for trunk pressure in EB versus placebo rats were consistent with the avoidance thresholds obtained from the same groups. In addition, EB replacement affected visceral and somatic thresholds in opposite ways (i.e., reproductive-related structures were less sensitive to pressure, whereas somatic regions showed increased sensitivity). These results have obvious reproductive advantages (i.e., decreased reproductive organ sensitivity for copulation and increased trunk sensitivity for lordosis posturing), as well as possible clinical implications in women suffering from chronic pelvic pain syndromes and/or neuropathic pain.

[Clinical and experimental study on effect of cuichan zhusheng decoction on the structure and tension of pregnant cervix uteri].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Cuichan Zhusheng Decoction (CZD) on cervical maturation factors. METHODS: Ninety women with full-term pregnancy and indication for labor inducing were assigned to three groups equally. The treated group was treated by water decoction of CZD, one dose (300 mL) daily, taken orally in the morning 30 min before breakfast, for successive 3 days, the administration would be discontinued if uterine contraction occurred for over 3 times/hour in the course. The control group was treated with pitocin by adding 1 U into 500 mL 5% glucose for intravenous dripping in 6 h, once every day for 3 successive days. The blank group was treated by placebo of CZD, administrated in same way as that in the treated group. The length and width of cervix and diameter of neck tube in all the women were measured on the very day of medication and 72 h later or parturient time by vaginal B-ultrasonography, and the cervical maturation degree was scored referring to the clinical Bishop scale. In the experimental study, the cervical tension of pregnant rats was measured with an in vitro cervical tension-meter, rats' cervical tissues were taken for pathologic examination to observe its morphological change. RESULTS: The total effective rate for promoting cervical maturation was 96.67% in the treated group and 83.33% in the control group. It was significantly superior in the treated group to that in the control group and the blank group (P<0.05). Moreover, the cervical score in the treated group was higher in comparing with that in the blank group showing statistical significance (P<0.05). Animal experiments displayed that after medication, the cervical tissue of rat loosened with significantly lessened, swollen, convoluted and ruptured collagen fiber, showing sparse disorderly lined-up reticular status. Degradation of collagen fiber, vascular dilatation and congestion with massive amount of inflammatory cells infiltration, increased matrix components, and many leucocyte and fibroblast in the stroma could be seen. CONCLUSION: CZD can change the morphorlogic structure of cervical tissue, decrease cervical tension, so as to promote the cervical maturation and induce labor.

Maduración cervical: aceleración de un proceso natural / Cervical ripening: natural process acceleration

Los cada vez más eficaces métodos de diagnóstico prenatal, el aumento de gestantes mayores de 35 años, el aumento de los procesos de fecundación y el mejor conocimiento de la fisiología fetal hacen que sean cada día más frecuentes los procesos de maduración e inducción del parto. Esta revisión bibliográfica pretende mostrar el amplio espectro de métodos de maduración cervical; además, se hace una pequeña incursión en la fisiología de la maduración cervical para facilitar la comprensión del éxito o fracaso de los diferentes métodos (AU)

The each time more effective methods of prenatal diagnosis, the increase of primigravidas aging more than 35 years, the increase of fertilization processes and the improvement on the knowledge of the fetal physiology, Makes procedures of cervical ripening more frequent. The aim of this bibliographic review is to show the wide spectrum of methods used to reach a cervical ripening, furthermore a description of the physiology of cervical ripening to understand how do they work or don’t sometimes (AU)

Functional MRI of the brain during orgasm in women.

Women diagnosed with complete spinal cord injury (SCI) at T10 or higher report sensations generated by vaginal-cervical mechanical self-stimulation (CSS). In this paper we review brain responses to sexual arousal and orgasm in such women, and further hypothesize that the afferent pathway for this unexpected perception is provided by the Vagus nerves, which bypass the spinal cord. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we ascertained that the region of the medulla oblongata to which the Vagus nerves project (the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract or NTS) is activated by CSS. We also used an objective measure, CSS-induced analgesia response to experimentally induced finger pain, to ascertain the functionality of this pathway. During CSS, several women experienced orgasms. Brain regions activated during orgasm included the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, amygdala, accumbens-bed nucleus of the stria terminalis-preoptic area, hippocampus, basal ganglia (especially putamen), cerebellum, and anterior cingulate, insular, parietal and frontal cortices, and lower brainstem (central gray, mesencephalic reticular formation, and NTS). We conclude that the Vagus nerves provide a spinal cord-bypass pathway for vaginal-cervical sensibility and that activation of this pathway can produce analgesia and orgasm.

[Effect of extract from shenghua decoction on myoelectric activity of rabbit uterine muscle in the latest period of pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the difference between uterus body and cervix under the intervention of Shenghua decoction, and to observe the rabbit uterine muscle in the latest period of pregnancy for the way of myoelectric activity. METHOD: PowerLab/8s was used to record myoelectric activity of rabbit muscle in uterus body and cervix which was in a general anaesthesia state induced by urethane. RESULT: Myoelectric activities of rabbit uterine smooth muscle in the latest period of pregnancy was enhanced in vivo by being treated with Shenghua decoction 40 mg x kg(-1) (P < 0.01) while cervix myoelectric activities had no significant change (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Myoelectric activities of rabbit uterine muscle in the latest period of pregnancy are enhanced by being treated with Shenghua decoction so its hemostatic effect can be represented via the constriction of uterus body. Shenghua decoction is beneficial for child delivery because cervix myoelectric activities have no significant change under the intervention of Shenghua decoction while the myoelectric activities of uterus body are increased significantly.

Preliminary study on antifertility activity of Calotropis procera roots in female rats.

The effect of ethanolic extract of the roots of Calotropis procera has been studied in albino rats to explore its antifertility and hormonal activities. A strong antiimplantation (inhibition 100%) and uterotropic activity was observed at the dose level of 250 mg/kg (1/4 of LD(50)). No antiestrogenic activity could be detected.

O óleo de milho como substância control no colo uterino de ratase / The corn oil as control substance in the uterus colo of the rats

O óleo de milho é frequentementeempregado como substância controle em estudos esperimentais que investigam outras substâncias oleosas empregadas empiricamente pra fins terapêuticos, como o óleo de copaíba e o óleo de andiroba. O presente trabalho se propõe a realizar estudo morfológico e morfométrico no colo uterino de ratas, após aplicação de óleo de milho, uma vez que há relatos do uso de substâncias oleosas como óleo de copaíba no tratamento de blenorragia e leucorréia, via vaginal, na forma de óvulos. Foram utilizadas 90 ratas, adultas, distribuídas em 3 grupos: grupo óleo de milho (GM), grupo água (GA) e grupo padrão (GP). Todos os animais foram submetidos a ooforectomia bilateral e posteriormente mantidos em gaiolas por um período de 20 dias, antes de iniciar a aplicação das substâncias. Estas foram administradas, via vaginal, na dose de 0,3ml,diariamente, uma vez ao dia, até o dia determinado para eutanásia (7,14,e 21 ), sendo 5 animais por dia de cada grupo. A vagina foi retirada em bloco para, em seguida, serem realizadois estudos morfológico e morfométrico. O óleo de milho utilizado neste modelo experimental não mostrou alterações morfológicas e morfométrica no epitélio e lâmina propria do colo uterino de ratas ooforectomizadas

A preliminary study on the usefulness of huIL-8 in cervical relaxation of the ewe for artificial insemination and for embryo transfer.

The efficacy of using human interleukin 8 (huIL-8) as an agent for inducing cervical relaxation in estrous and diestrous sheep was assessed in a small pilot study. Multiparous, estrus-synchronized ewes were treated for either 2 or 5 consecutive days with vaginal suppositories with or without 5 micrograms cytokine. Cervical penetration with an insemination instrument was then assessed in vivo. After euthanasia, physical, histological and enzymological properties of the cervix were examined. Treatment of diestrous sheep with huIL-8 did not result in recruitment of neutrophils into the cervix. Treatment of estrous sheep with huIL-8 usually led to neutrophil recruitment to the cervix and to either full or partial penetration of the cervix. However, some animals receiving placebo treatment had neutrophil infiltration of both the vagina and cervix and, in one of these, partial penetration of the cervix was also achieved. Thus, treatment with IL-8 as the sole agent in the vaginal suppository was not sufficient to relax the cervix of the nonpregnant ewe in this study.

Protein degradability and calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids in the diets of lactating dairy cows: reproductive responses.

Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 45) were assigned at calving to one of four diets arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial design. The two main factors were dietary concentration (dry matter basis) of 1) degradable intake protein (11.1 or 15.7%) and 2) supplemental fat (Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids; 0 or 2.2%). Soybean meal and urea were replaced with less degradable protein meals (corn gluten meal, meat and bone meal, fish meal, and blood meal). During the first 9 wk postpartum, cows fed diets containing the greater concentration of highly degradable protein demonstrated less follicular development on their ovaries, were delayed in their first luteal activity postpartum (25.2 vs. 38.6 d), accumulated less luteal tissue (< 15 vs. > 70 mm), and had lower plasma progesterone accumulated over time. The supplementation of Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids to the 15.7% degradable protein diet doubled the number of corpora lutea, reduced time to first rise in progesterone by 6 d, doubled the number of normal luteal phases, and restored the pattern of accumulated plasma progesterone concentrations to a pattern that was similar to that induced by other diets. Cows were synchronized to estrus and inseminated at approximately 65 d postpartum. Pregnancy rate was increased from 52.3 to 86.4% when fat was supplemented. Cows fed fat tended to have more corpora lutea and a larger corpus luteum and accumulated more plasma progesterone than did cows not fed fat. Diets containing excess degradable protein or Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids influenced ovarian structures and reproductive performance.

Restricting maternal space during parturition in the pig. Effects on oxytocin, vasopressin and cortisol secretion following vagino-cervical stimulation and administration of naloxone.

This experiment studied the effects on endocrine and birth parameters of parturient pigs produced by restricting maternal freedom of movement without otherwise altering environment. Six primiparous pigs (gilts) were each given a jugular catheter under anaesthesia 7 days before parturition and commenced birth in a strawed pen, 2.0 m x 1.5 m in size. Continuous automated blood sampling (3 ml min-1) from unrestrained gilts began following the birth of the first piglet (stage 1) and continued for 2 h. After at least 30 min of blood collection, maternal space was reduced to 2.0 m x 0.55 m by placing rails across the pen (stage 2). The scope for movement in stage 2 was similar to that offered by a farrowing crate. After at least 25 min each gilt was given the opioid antagonist naloxone (1 mg kg-1 i.v.: stage 3). At each stage, vagino-cervical stimulation (VCS) was applied to mimic foetal ejection. Non-cervically stimulated oxytocin (OT) secretion between stages 1 and 2 was unchanged (P > 0.05) but increased significantly relative to both stages 1 and 2 following naloxone treatment for 15-20 min (P < 0.05, paired t-tests on log10 data). Following VCS in all stages plasma OT rose (P < 0.05) for 1-2 min in a similar way to that seen previously following foetal ejection, the increases being proportionally similar irrespective of stage or baseline secretion. Cortisol secretion did not increase as a consequence of space restriction (mean +/- SEM concentrations were 28.6 +/- 8.51 pmol l-1 and 32.3 +/- 11.8 pmol l-1 in stages 1 and 2, respectively). In addition, VCS did not significantly affect cortisol output. Lysine vasopressin concentrations were not affected as a consequence of either stage or VCS. Parturition was not interrupted following space restriction of gilts. These data suggest that reducing maternal space allowance during parturition is not stressful when the process does not involve the movement of animals to novel surroundings.