Pseudopregnancy and reproductive cycle synchronisation cannot be induced using conventional methods in the spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus).

The menstruating spiny mouse is the first rodent identified to exhibit natural spontaneous decidualisation, cyclical endometrial shedding and regeneration. While the spiny mouse shares several primate-like characteristics in its reproductive biology, it has not been established whether pseudopregnancy can be induced or if its cycles can be synchronised as in non-human mammals. Here we describe attempts to induce pseudopregnancy and synchronisation of menstrual cycles (i.e. Whitten effect) in spiny mice. Virgin females (n=3-8 per group) underwent one of the following procedures to induce pseudopregnancy: daily vaginal lavage only (control), progesterone injection, mechanical stimulation of the cervix and sterile mating. A separate cohort was also exposed to male-soiled bedding to assess the Whitten effect. Pseudopregnancy was deemed successful if females presented with extended (>12 consecutive days) leukocytic vaginal cytology. No female from any method of induction met this criterion. In addition, the menstrual cycles of a group of six females could not be synchronised, nor immediate ovulation induced via exposure to male-soiled bedding. These responses indicate that the spiny mouse does not behave as a typical rodent. Like higher-order primates, the spiny mouse exhibits a relatively rare reproductive strategy, of failure to show pseudopregnancy or cyclical synchronisation. This is further endorsement of the use of this species as a versatile animal model for translational studies of menstruation and fertility.

[Clinical signs, diagnostic approach and therapy for the so-called ovarian remnant syndrome in the bitch]. / Klinische Symptomatik, diagnostische Vorgehensweise und Therapie beim so genannten Ovarrest-Syndrom der Hündin.

The ovarian remnant syndrome arises as a consequence of incomplete ovariectomy or ovariohysterectomy. Remnant ovarian tissue which has been left mostly unintentionally in the bitch may show endocrine activity a few weeks to several years after surgery, provoking a variety of clinical signs. The majority of affected bitches return to heat, in other cases signs of pseudopregnancy and endometritis may be observed. Occasionally, bitches with unclear clinical signs are presented with the suspicion of an inactive ovarian remnant. The following article intends to place the origin of the ovarian remnant syndrome into a factual context regarding the responsibility of the veterinarian and to demonstrate a reasonable diagnostic procedure according to the respective clinical signs. In this regard, the clinical-gynaecological examination, including vaginal cytology, must receive high priority, with the addition of progesterone analysis in peripheral blood plasma or serum if required. Using these combined diagnostic tools, ovarian remnants in stages of endocrine activity (follicular and luteal phases as well as cystic or tumourous ovarian tissue) can be easily unequivocally diagnosed. The application of a GnRH-stimulation test is only reasonable in bitches in which clinical signs are missing. In this context, the usefulness of semi-quantitative LH-assays is also discussed.

Mouse models of implantation.

The process of implantation, necessary for nearly all viviparous birth, consists of tightly regulated reactions including apposition of the blastocyst, attachment to the uterine epithelium and decidualization of the uterine stroma. In order for implantation to be successful, a reciprocal interaction between an implantation competent blastocyst and receptive uterus must be achieved. A more thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate uterine receptivity and implantation is of clinical relevance to correct implantation failure and improve pregnancy rates. As molecular methodologies have evolved in recent times, the use of in vivo models to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in implantation has increased. The mouse has emerged as a powerful model to investigate implantation owing to the ability to control uterine physiology through exogenous stimuli, and more recently, the ability to manipulate gene expression. This review describes the evolution of the mouse as a model for understanding uterine implantation, including exciting new advances in this field, and describes a novel genetic pathway that can be elucidated from these models.

[Polycystic ovary syndrome of extra-ovarian origin. Review]. / Síndrome de ovarios poliquísticos de origen extraovárico. Revisión.

An established fact in the polycystic ovarian syndrome (POS) is an abnormal ovarian steroidogenesis. Though this suggest an intrinsic ovarian defect, the syndrome could also be influenced by factors outside the ovaries. Although of unknown etiology, the POS is one of the most frequent endocrine disorders in the gynecologic practice. The disorder is characterized by ultrasound findings of enlarged polycystic ovaries, hyperandrogenism, menstrual disorders, obesity and including the appearance of infertility. There are a series of mechanisms involved in the extraovarian androgen increase in patients with POS. Among these mechanisms are implicated those of central and peripheral origin, genetic factors and adrenocortical dysfunction. In the same way, the alterations produced could imply genetic, molecular biological, biochemical, physiological and endocrinological factors. Sometimes all these factors could interact at the same time. The high serum androgen level could stop the pituitary gonadotropin production, either as a direct mechanism or as a result of its peripheral conversion. The increased androgens also explain the manifestations of clinical acne, hirsutism, and the detention in follicular ovarian maturation. All these manifestations are related with the menstrual disorders, anovulation, and infertility that these patients develop. The characteristics of the extraovarian POS include the 17-hydroxyprogesterone elevation in response to the ACTH test and the dexamethasone suppression of adrenal androgens. It is possible to improve the ovarian function in some patients with POS. This could be achieved with clomiphene citrate associated with glucocorticoids to induce ovulation.

Delusional pregnancy in a patient with primary sterility.

The case of a patient suffering from primary sterility who developed a well-systemized delusion of pregnancy is described. The patient did not have a history of psychiatric disorder or organic cerebral pathology. No history of epilepsy was detected in this patient contrary to the reports in the literature, and these facts have pathogenic relevance in delusional pregnancy. The importance of psychological factors in the development of a delusion of pregnancy is discussed.

Pseudocyesis in an adolescent using the long-acting contraceptive Depo-Provera.

PIP: A case report documents a Hispanic adolescent, 17 years of age, with pseudocyesis, who became amenorrheic using Depo-Provera to prevent a second pregnancy. Pseudocyesis includes classic symptoms of pregnancy such as nausea, breast enlargement and pigmentation, abdominal distention, and amenorrhea in nonpregnant women. It demonstrates the to control one's physical aspect at the level of hypothalamus. The involvement that contributed to her pseudocyesis--in this case, of her mother and boyfriend -- was not unusual. The abrupt resolution was brought on by normal menstrual period that began after she voluntarily missed her Depo-Provera injection. However, her ambivalence about a pregnancy became clear after she and her family received counseling. While the agenda had been to help her prevent a pregnancy, hers had not been as clear and uncomplicated. Her subsequent conception was a very positive one for her and her family, which helped to resolve the situation.^ieng

Time-dependent relationship between the estrogen receptors and the matrix metalloproteinases following deciduoma induction in rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate time-related interactions between the estrogen receptors, mediators of steroidal regulation of uterine growth, and an extracellular regulatory enzyme, the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) engaged in connective tissue degradation and remodeling that are fundamental to implantation and placentation. Pseudopregnant rats, in which the decidual response, the basis for decidualization, was surgically induced on day 4 of pseudopregnancy (PG), were sacrificed on PG days 3, 6, 9, and 15 for retrieval of uterine tissues for assays: the radioligand binding assay for the estrogen receptors and substrate zymography for the MMPs. Following increases on PG day 3, there were time-dependent decreases in the cytosolic low and high capacity estrogen receptors during deciduoma development (PG days 6-9) and regression (PG day 15) in both the endometrium and myometrium. Moreover, whereas the low capacity estrogen receptor levels were only slightly decreased (PG days 6-15), the high capacity receptors were reduced on day 6 (P < 0.001) and were completely diminished during PG days 9 and 15. In contrast, the MMPs (92 and 72 kDa) activities were increased from PG days 6-15 (P < 0.05) over the pre-decidual induction values on PG day 3 in both uterine compartments. The results suggest that deciduoma induction can modulate the concentration of cytosolic estrogen receptor subtypes and MMP activities in rats. The inverse time-dependent interrelationship between these cellular and extracellular components during deciduoma development and regression imply that the remodeling role of the MMPs may be enhanced by the reduced cytosolic estrogen receptor/estrogen action.

Transient induction of polycystic ovary-like syndrome in immature hypothyroid rats.

Hypothyroidism in the human female is often associated with ovarian follicular cysts and hyperandrogenism, two cardinal signs of polycystic ovary syndrome. To explore the intraovarian changes that lead to follicular cyst formation in hypothyroidism, we have created a prepubertal hypothyroid rat model. These hypothyroid rats are hyperandrogenic and develop transient ovarian follicular cysts. Hypothyroidism in newborn rats was induced by providing the lactating dams with 0.04% propylthiouracil (PTU)-containing water. Subsequently, female rats were weaned and kept on PTU-containing water. On Day 25 of age, the rats were primed with 15 international units of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) in 100 microl of phosphate buffered saline. Two days later, to initiate pseudopregnancy, they were injected with five international units of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The animals were sacrificed at appropriate times, and blood and ovaries were collected for analyses. Control experiments were done with euthyroid rats. Two days after PMSG injection, well-developed antral follicles were observed in both the hypothyroid and euthyroid rats. Two days after hCG injection, while the euthyroid rat ovaries, as expected, contained numerous corpora lutea (CL), the hypothyroid rat ovaries still retained antral follicles. Some of these follicles with degenerating oocytes showed signs of luteinization. By 3-4 days post-hCG injection, the hypothyroid rat ovaries developed cystic follicles. By Day 6, however, the hypothyroid rat ovaries were indistinguishable from those of the euthyroid rats. Although serum testosterone concentrations were significantly elevated in the hypothyroid rats on Days 1-3, progesterone concentrations were not significantly different from the euthyroid animals. However, by Days 8-14, the hypothyroid rats had significantly higher serum progesterone concentrations. This model will be useful for investigating the intraovarian biochemical changes that lead to follicular cyst development in response to acute gonadotropin treatment.

Delusional pregnancy with polydipsia: a case report.

We report a case of delusional pregnancy with polydipsia in a female patient with paranoid schizophrenia. The contribution of psychological and physiological factors in the development of the delusion of pregnancy and polydipsia and the possible interactions between the two phenomena are discussed.

Induction of hydrometra in goats by means of active immunization against prostaglandin F2 alpha.

Hydrometra is a pathological condition of the uterus which is characterized by accumulation of aseptic fluid in the presence of a persistent corpus luteum. It forms a major cause of subfertility in goats. Active immunization against prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), the luteolytic hormone in this species, was used to explore the possibility for artificial induction of this pseudopregnant condition. During the breeding season, 11 goats (group I) were immunized with 5 mg PGF2 alpha-ovalbumin conjugate in Freund's complete adjuvant, 4 goats were control-immunized (group CI) and 5 goats remained untreated (group C). Jugular blood samples were taken twice a week (monday and thursday) for measurements of plasma progesterone and binding of 3HPGF2 alpha. In conjunction with blood sampling, transcutaneous ultrasonographic examination of the uterus took place to detect the presence of fluid in the uterus. Before and immediately after immunization, the mean (+/-SD) duration of luteal phases (progesterone concentrations > or = 1 ng ml-1) was 16.7 +/- 1.6 (n = 39), 17.8 +/- 1.3 (n = 23) and 16.9 +/- 1.1 (n = 18) days in animals of group I, CI and C respectively. Ten goats of group I developed an antibody titre. Persistence of luteal function (mean duration +/-SD: 150.3 +/- 23.5 days) occurred in 6 of these animals and in 1 goat of group CI. Accumulation of fluid in the uterus in group I was first observed between day 31 and 38 of the prolonged luteal phase. Discharge of uterine fluid occurred as soon as the plasma progesterone concentration reached a level lower than 0.5 ng ml-1. It is concluded that immunization against PGF2 alpha is an effective method to induce pseudopregnancy in goats, providing a model for studies on luteal maintenance and uterine function in the absence of a conceptus.

Leucocyte binding to the uterine epithelial cell surface during lectin-induced decidualization.

Intra-uterine injection of the lectin Concanavalin A (ConA) on day 5 of pseudopregnancy induced a rapid and persistent infiltration of leucocytes into the rat uterine stroma. Although the infiltration of leucocytes was seen along the entire length of the uterine horn, areas of stromal oedema, indicative of decidualization (as indicated by a positive Pontamine Sky Blue reaction), were only associated with regions in which leucocytes had crossed the uterine epithelium and were present in the uterine lumen. Ultrastructural evaluation of the interaction of the luminal leucocytes with the apical surface of the uterine epithelium appeared strikingly similar to that of the blastocyst and the uterine epithelium during normal implantation. It is proposed that leucocytes, induced by ConA, may initiate a decidual response in a manner analogous to that of the blastocyst through surface epithelial interaction.

Effects of chronic lesions in mesencephalic raphe nuclei on induction of pseudopregnancy.

The role of mesencephalic raphe nuclei in the induction of pseudopregnancy was investigated in female rats. The dorsal or median raphe nucleus lesions (DRL or MRL, respectively) were made by means of a radiofrequency lesion generator. Two or 3 weeks after the operation, in order to induce pseudopregnancy, the vagina was stimulated electrically on the day of proestrus or 1 mg/kg b.w. reserpine was injected on the day of diestrus I. Traumatization by passing thread to one uterine horn was performed to induce deciduoma 5 days after vaginal stimulation or 3 days after reserpine injection. As the results, decidual response was seen in most control and sham females in both vaginal stimulation and reserpine-treated groups. In contrast, incidences of deciduoma in DRL females with vaginal stimulation or reserpine-injection were significantly lower than those in control and sham groups. In the MRL females with either vaginal stimulation or reserpine-treatment, incidences of deciduoma were comparable to those of the control and sham operated groups. These results suggest that the dorsal raphe nucleus plays an important role in pseudopregnancy-inducing mechanisms in female rats.

Development of hydrometra in a ewe flock after ultrasonography for determination of pregnancy.

Hydrometra was diagnosed in 41 of 1,411 (2.9%) Rambouillet and crossbred Rambouillet-Booroola Merino range ewes that were being examined with ultrasonography for pregnancy. Most diagnoses of hydrometra (40 of 41) were made at a second examination of 581 of the 1,411 ewes 40 days after the first examination (6.9%). Some of the ewes had membranes or small placentomes evident in the uterine fluid, suggesting that there had been embryonic resorption. Of the 15 ewes with hydrometra that were examined ultrasonographically a third time after an additional 42 days, 14 had resolved the condition. The increased prevalence of hydrometra at the second examination suggested that the stress of the first examination may have been a factor. Ovine fetal loss has been documented via ultrasonography, but hydrometra has not been commonly observed. Hydrometra may have developed because of unique circumstances of this flock, or it may be a condition that goes largely undiagnosed because most ewes are not examined for pregnancy twice within a short period.

Pseudocyesis in an adolescent incest survivor.

This case is an example of pseudocyesis in an incest survivor. Symptoms of pregnancy were unconsciously created by the patient to shield her from the memory of her incest and at the same time confront the reality of her abuse. Her symptoms allowed her entrance into the medical system. Once in the system, it was just a matter of time before she was referred for psychological evaluation. The authors recommend that family physicians consider incest when evaluating patients who present with pseudocyesis.

Plasma progesterone concentrations during pregnancy and pseudopregnancy and onset of ovarian activity post partum in indigenous goats in Zimbabwe.

Eight pregnant does were housed individually and fed a hay and concentrate diet throughout pregnancy and lactation. The mean gestation period was 146.7 +/- 3.0 days, with a twinning rate of 75 per cent. Mean body condition scores improved from 2.4 +/- 0.2 to 2.8 +/- 0.2 over the first 80 days of gestation and were maintained at 2.8 until 45 days before kidding. From then until kidding, mean scores fell to 2.2 +/- 0.2. Plasma progesterone concentrations during pregnancy rose significantly from 3.91 +/- 0.51 ng/ml on day 40 to 5.96 +/- 0.51 ng/ml on day 60 (P < 0.05) and remained high until 5 days before kidding. Three pseudopregnant does had similar progesterone profiles to pregnant does over the first 80 days, but the rise around day 35 to 40 was not significant and progesterone concentrations returned gradually to basal levels after day 100. The same 8 does, together with an additional 4 does which had been brought inside 60 to 70 days before kidding, were used to study onset of ovarian activity post partum. The twinning percentage was 83 per cent. Mean body condition score at parturition was 2.2 +/- 0.1. By day 35 post partum, mean condition scores had fallen to 1.9 +/- 0.1, and mean weights from 36.9 +/- 1.9 kg at kidding to 32.1 +/- 2.0 kg. Ovarian cyclicity was resumed just before mean scores and weights started to improve. The mean interval from kidding to onset of oestrous cycles was 97.3 +/- 9.5 days. This coincided with mean time to weaning which was 99.5 +/- 5.5 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)