[beta-Endorphins and the male reproductive system]. / beta-Endorfinas y el aparato reproductor masculino.

In the antique Chinese culture, it was already known about opioide for therapeutic usage. On 1975, Hughes et al., identificated two endogen pentapetides with potent opiate activity Leu-enkephalin and Met-enkephalin, ever since beta-Endorphin have been considered involucrated in many biological functions. beta-Endorphin have found in testis, seminal vesicle and prostate in different species. It has been observed a paracrine effect between in Leydig and Sertoli cells and inhibit the basal release of LH in man by inhibiting its pulsatile discharge. In this paper is discussed, in a general way, localization and production sites of beta-Endorphin especially their participation in male reproductive tract-physiology. Finally, it is mentioned the experimental methodology to identify and quantify beta-Endorphin in blood plasma and semen.

Infiltrating ductal / lobular carcinoma: an evaluation of prognostic factors in primary breast cancer.

PIP: During 1986-1987, 192 women aged 26-86 with invasive breast cancer were treated with radiotherapy, hormonotherapy, and chemotherapy and then underwent modified radical mastectomy or wide local excision at Luis Castelazo Ayala Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Mexican Social Security Institute in Mexico City. At diagnosis, metastatic bone surveys and bone scans showed that no one had distant metastasis. The physicians used incisional biopsy to determine the type of breast carcinoma (infiltrating ductal carcinoma [IDC] and infiltrating lobular carcinoma [ILC]). The researchers aimed to identify prognostic factors in primary breast cancer. 156 patients (81.3%) and 36 patients (18.7%) had IDC and ILC, respectively. Among women with IDC, axillary nodes were involved in 23.5% of premenopausal women and in 23% of postmenopausal women. 83.8% of all patients with IDC and 52.3% of IDC patients aged at least 50 had clinical stage III disease. Among women with ILC, axillary nodes were involved in 19.4% of premenopausal women and in 19.4% of postmenopausal women. 70% of all patients with ILC and 84.6% of ILC patients aged at least 50 had clinical stage III disease. All the patients had advanced breast cancer (i.e., clinical stage II and III). Some tumors were only estrogen receptor types, while others were only progesterone receptor types. Some tumors were even both receptor types, while another category had neither steroid hormone receptor. Survival rates for metastatic and non-metastatic breast cancer was greater among postmenopausal women than premenopausal women (32.7% vs. 14.8% and 21.8% vs. 12.8% for ICD and 19.4% vs. 8.4% and 30.5% vs. 13.9% for ILC, respectively). These findings suggest that axillary node status, status of estrogen and progesterone receptors, and menstrual status were important prognostic factors of breast cancer.^ieng

Menstrual blood loss in IUD users: comparative study of eleven different IUDs in Mexican women.

PIP: In developing countries with high levels of malnutrition and iron deficiency, the menstrual blood loss sometimes associated with IUD use can represent a serious maternal health concern. To identify the IUD models associated with the least amount of bleeding, 365 clients of the Mexican Institute of Social Security's Volunteer Family Planning Program participated in a 12-month comparative study of 11 IUDs. Menstrual blood loss was measured before IUD insertion; at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months; and 1, 2, and 3 months after removal. Mean menstrual blood loss at baseline was 43.6 +or- 6.3 ml. The greatest increase in bleeding (above 80 mg) was recorded among acceptors of the Lippes Loop-D and Copper T-380 devices; the Copper T-200 and 220C and Multiload 250 were in an intermediate position (below 80 mg), while the Copper 7 induced little change. In contrast, users of the 5 progestogen-releasing IUDs experienced a decline in menstrual bleeding that was proportional to the amount of steroids released or the progestational potency. This reduction was greatest (96%) for the IUD that released 8 mcg/day of levonorgestrel. However, this category of IUDs is more costly and necessitates earlier removal; in addition, many women discontinue use of hormone-releasing IUDs precisely because of the associated amenorrhea. Recommended, therefore, is promotion of the Copper T-220C, which can remain in place for 10 years. In selected cases, short-term treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents can reduce IUD-associated hypermenorrhea and promote contraception continuation.^ieng

Presence and chemical composition of glycoproteic layer on human spermatozoa.

Studies from electronic microscopy disclosed the presence of an electrodense stranded and branch-like electrodense layer that extends toward extracellular space. Chemical composition of this glycoproteic layer showed that protein and total sugar content is similar (0.98 microgram/microgram protein). As for the total sugar content of this glycoproteic constituent, sialic acid accounts for 40%, hexosamines 27%, and fucose 30%. Electrophoresis characterization of this constituent showed the presence of 6 different motility bands. Risen levels of sialic acid indicate the contribution of sialic residue in the net charge of the sperm membrane, its role during capacitation, and its possible participation in the formation of binding bridges between sperm membrane and ovum.

Occlusion of vas deferens after a single intraluminal injection of carrageenan and other chemical agents in rabbits.

A direct single injection of a mixture of sclerosing chemical agents into the lumen of the rabbit vas deferens was effective as early as 4 weeks post treatment in 13 of 16 animals. No effect was observed in carrageenan-treated animals.

Zoapatle. XII. In vitro effect of kaurenoic acid isolated from Montanoa frutescens and two derivatives upon human spermatozoa.

Zoapatle aqueous crude extract (ZACE) from Montanoa tomentosa has been used as an oral contraceptive in traditional Mexican medicine for centuries. Kaurenoic acid, as isolated from Montanoa frutescens, and the methyl esters of 15-hydroxy-dihydro-kaurenoic acid and 15-keto-dihydro-kaurenoic acid were tested in vitro on human sperm motility and viability. The estimated ED50 concentrations immobilization were 374, 126 and 58 micrograms/ml, respectively using 15 X 10(6) sperms/500 microliter. Kaurenoic acid and both of its derivatives displayed only weak to negligible capacity for killing human sperms.

PIP: The effects on human sperm motility and viability of 3 compounds isolated from an aqueous extract of Montanoa frutescens Cerv (Compositae, Heliantheae) were tested. The plant is related to the zoapatle, traditionally used as a contraceptive, and known to have uterotonic and luteolytic activity. Kaurenoic acid, its 15 hydroxy- and its methyl ester were prepared from the polar fraction, and dissolved in 95% ethanol at a concentration of 10 mg/ml. Human sperm, suspended in Bigger's Whitten and Wittingham medium at a final concentration of 15 million sperm per 500 mcl were incubated at 37 degrees C. for 60 seconds. Judging sperm motility under phase contrast microscopy, kaurenoic acid was 0.89 times less effective, and the hydroxy kaurenoic acid 2.6 times more effective than verapamil, while the keto derivative was 5.7 times more potent than verapamil at the same concentration. Sperm viability assessed by vital staining was hampered only about 10% by the keto-kaurenoic acid, 21% by kaurenoic acid, and 33% by hydroxy-kaurenoic acid. Doses required for immobilization of 50% of human sperms ranged from 58 to 374 mcg/ml. This is 225 times lower than that reported for gossypol in vitro, and much lower than the millimolar range needed to inactivate sperm with nonoxynol. Thus these drugs may prompt a search for analogs useful in vaginal contraceptives.

Serum lipid levels before and after vasectomy in men.

The blood lipid profile was determined in sixty-two men, 24 to 62 years old, before and two, six and twelve months after surgical occlusion of the vas deferens. No statistically significant differences were found in mean body weight, blood pressure, serum levels of non-esterified fatty acids, total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol and alpha, beta and prebeta fractions of the lipoproteins, which were measured before and after surgery. When the serum levels of the alpha and beta fractions were considered in the same subject, it was observed that 12 months after vasectomy a similar percentage of cases showed a predominance of either one of them. Hence, no modifications on the lipid profile of these subjects were found that could indicate an increased risk of arteriosclerotic disease.

Perdida sanguinea mestrual en usuarias de dispositivos intrauterinos Cu 7 y TCu 220C. / Menstrual blood loss in women with Cu 7 and TCu 220C intrauterine devices

Se cuantifico la perdida sanguinea menstrual (PSM) en 101 mujeres a las que se les inserto un dispositivo intrauterino en 41 de tipo Cu 7 y en 60 de tipo TCu 220 C.Previa a la insercion se cuantifico la PSM durante uno a dos ciclos. Ninguna de las mujeres del estudio usaba metodos anticonceptivos hormonales durante seis meses previos, ni DIU's durante tres meses previos.Una vez insertados los DIU's el flujo menstrual se midio en los meses 1, 3, 6, 9 y 12 postinsercion y 1, 2, 3, posretiro. La PSM en el control fue similar en ambos grupos 41.2 +/- 5.1 ml y 39.1 +/- 3.9 respectivamente. Durante los meses de uso del DIU, el grupo de mujeres con Cu 7 no presento cambios significativos en su PSM, mientras que el grupo de TCu 220 C presento incrementos en su PSM hasta de un 64.1 por ciento en el sexto mes de uso con un promedio de 64.2 +/- 8.4 ml. Al retirar los DIU's en ambos grupos la PSM volvio a cifras similares a las del control preinsercion. La hemoglobina venosa no sufrio cambios significativos en ninguno de los dos grupos

[Relation of parity and menstrual bleeding]. / Relación de la paridad con el sangrado menstrual.

PIP: The amount of menstrual bleeding was studied in 140 women, ages 10-42, with number of gestations ranging from 0-17, and parity ranging from 0-14. The technique used for menstrual bleeding quantification was Halberg's alkaline hematin. Results indicated that women with a parity of 0 had a bleeding of 54.7 ml; however this group was quite small and is therefore not significant. Women with a parity of 1 had a bleeding of 39.6 ml; para 2, 44.8 ml; para 3, 46.7 ml; para 4, 40.9 ml; and for women with a parity of 5, bleeding was 46.5 ml. When comparing all groups by chi square variance analysis, there were no significant differences. (author's)^ieng