Tissue-specific pattern of variant transcripts of the human gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor gene.

The expression pattern of the GnRH receptor was investigated in a variety of normal and neoplastic human tissues by RT-PCR-Southern blotting. In addition to the full-length cDNA (sb1), we identified two other transcripts: the first (sb2) was characterized by a 128 bp deletion as previously described; the second was an unexpected finding composed of a shorter cDNA (sb3), the sequence of which revealed a 220 bp deletion corresponding in size to exon 2. These three transcripts were found in normal pituitary and pituitary adenomas, and in granulosa tumors, but not in testis, where sb2 was lacking. Only sb1 was expressed in normal, fibrocystic and malignant breast tissue. No transcript with a full-length region was found in endometrium, intestine or lymphocytes. This is the first report that shows that splicing of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor gene is tissue dependent. We also determined the intron-exon nucleotide sequence of the gene and identified an MaeIII polymorphic site in exon 1 created by a silent C453T transition found in 10% of unrelated French whites.

[Retroperitoneal endometriosis infiltrating the utero-sacral ligaments. Technique and results of laparoscopic surgery]. / Endométriose rétropéritonéale infiltrant les ligaments utéro-sacrés. Technique et résultats du traitment coeliochirurgical.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to assess the efficiency of laparoscopic surgical treatment of pain for patients presenting deep endometriosis located on the uterosacral ligaments. STUDY DESIGN: We analysed a continuous series of 36 patients treated by operative laparoscopy between January 1993 and April 1995. In all these cases treatment consisted of resection of all the uterosacral ligament(s) together with exeresis of all other endometriotic lesions. RESULTS: The results were assessed for all the patients with a minimum follow-up of one year. Patients who presented dysmenorrhea (29 cases) improved in 89.7% of cases (26 patients). Out of the 26 patients who presented deep dyspareunia, improvement was evident for 92.3% of cases (24 patients). The chronic pelvic pain suffered (17 cases) improved in 88.2% of cases (15 patients). Patients who benefited from an improvement rated it excellent or satisfactory in 80% of cases. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that provided the surgeon is highly skilled in laparoscopy, operative laparoscopy is efficient for the treatment of patients presenting painful symptoms related to deep endometriotic implants located on the uterosacral ligaments.

Prenatal diagnosis of in utero fetal gastrointestinal bleeding.

A case of prenatal gastrointestinal bleeding is presented. Abnormal echogenic amniotic fluid was detected by routine ultrasound during the third trimester of a normal pregnancy. The diagnosis and postnatal implications of antenatal hemorrhage are discussed, with a review of the literature. To our knowledge, this is the first case to be diagnosed in utero and resulting in preterm delivery.