Gender differences in spontaneous and MK-801-induced activity after striatal lesions.

At different times post-lesion, the excitotoxically lesioned striatum has been shown to undergo significant neuroanatomical and neurochemical changes, which could be expressed behaviorally. Gender and dose of excitotoxin are other variables that may modify the behavioral effects of the lesion. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of dose, gender, and time post-lesion on spontaneous and drug-induced locomotor behavior after intrastriatal KA lesions. Results showed that dose and time post-lesion had a significant effect on the deficits observed. Hyperactivity induced by the lesion with KA (5 nm) subsided as time post-lesion increased. Both the pattern of spontaneous and MK-801-induced locomotor activity were different for male and female rats. In female animals with KA lesions (5 nm), MK-801 did not stimulate ambulatory activity nor reduce vertical activity. Both female and male rats lesioned with KA (5 nm) showed an exaggerated response to amphetamine, at a time when spontaneous locomotor activity was reduced to control levels. Haloperidol significantly reduced locomotor activity in all groups.

Effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors on ovum transport and oviductal smooth muscle activity in the rat oviduct.

The effect of the inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) on ovum transport and oviductal motility in rats was investigated. Three different NOS inhibitors were injected into the ovarian bursa at oestrus or day 3 of pregnancy. Oviducts and uteri were flushed 24 h later and the presence of ova was recorded. In oestrous and pregnant rats, treatment resulted in accelerated egg transport, as shown by a decrease in the number of ova present in the oviducts. In cyclic rats, intrabursal injection of 1 mg kg-1 of either N-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) or N omega nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) elicited a 30% reduction in the number of ova present in the oviducts, whereas in pregnant animals, the same dose of L-NMMA produced a reduction of 40%. Simultaneous administration of the NO donor spermine NONOate (5 mg kg-1) completely reversed the effect of L-NMMA. Tubal motility was assessed by microsphere displacement analysis within the oviduct. Surrogate ova were transferred to the oviductal lumen at oestrus and 24 h later the effect of intraoviductal injection of 1 microgram L-NMMA or vehicle was assessed. The microspheres in the isthmus showed an oscillating motion, and periods in which movement was not detectable. However, L-NMMA treatment produced a 3.6-fold increase in the maximum instant velocities and a significant reduction in the resting periods of the microspheres compared with the control group (P < 0.001). These results provide evidence that NO inhibition increases tubal motility that results in accelerated ovum transport, and indicate that NO could act as a paracrine signal between different layers of the oviductal wall, providing a role for endogenous NO in regulation of tubal function.

Effect of exogenous phospholipase A2 and triacylglycerol lipase on the synthesis and release of monoenoic and bisenoic prostaglandins from isolated rat uterus.

The possible existence of a selective and independent mechanism subserving the formation of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has been reported in previous studies from our group. In the present experiments we have demonstrated that neutral lipid lipases play an important role yielding dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid for the formation of PGE1. Indeed, exogenous triglyceride lipase added to the incubation bathing solution at a concentration of 150 U/ml increased several fold the production of PGE1 by isolated uterine strips obtained from spayed rats. Nevertheless the presence of the enzyme did not modify significantly the synthesis and release of bisenoic PGs (PGE2 and PGF2 alpha). When triarachidonin was added, as an artificial substrate into the incubating medium in order to detect the presence of endogenous triacylglycerol lipase, we observed a significant increment in the generation of PGE2 (p less than 0.005) and of PGF2 alpha (p less than 0.001) without evident changes in the basal release of PGE1. On the other hand, the addition of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) at 0.2 U/ml, increased significantly the production of PGE2 (p less than 0.001) but failed to alter the concentration of PGE1 in the incubating solution. Surprisingly, PLA2 did not enhance the synthesis of PGF2 alpha in the present experiments, a situation for which we do not have a clear explanation. Exogenous bradykinin (10(-6) M), a well known stimulant of PLA2 activity in several tissues, also increased significantly (p less than 0.001) the production of PGE2 without altering that of PGE1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The involvement of oxytocin in ovulation and in the outputs of cyclo-oxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase products from isolated rat ovaries.

The effects on ovulation of a specific anti-oxytocin rabbit serum (anti-OT) (50.0 microliters) given by intrabursal injection into the right ovaries of etherized adult female rats at proestrus, were explored by counting the number of ovulated ova present within the right oviducts. Left ovaries were not treated and served as control ovaries. Control rats were treated with male normal rabbit serum (NRS) (50.0 microliters) given by intrabursal injections into the right ovaries of animals at proestrus. Ovulation was induced by injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). Anti-OT administered into the right ovarian bursae of proestrous rat ovaries evoked a significant 51% inhibition of ovulation in comparison with that observed in control non-injected left ovaries (p less than 0.01). Also, when the ovulation of right ovaries injected with anti-OT was compared with that of left ovaries injected with NRS, the number of ovulated ova in the right side was significantly smaller (30%) than on the contralateral side (p less than 0.02). However, in rats pre-treated with hCG the intrabursal injection of oxytocin (OT) (50.0 mU/ml) into right and left ovaries failed to alter the number of ovulated ova compared with that of rats receiving intrabursal injections of saline. The basal control and the OT-evoked synthesis and release of endogenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and PGF2 alpha were explored in ovaries isolated from prepuberal rats injected with pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG), two days prior to sacrifice. OT augmented the basal release of PGF2 alpha but did not influence that of PGE2. Moreover, the conversion of exogenous 14C-arachidonic acid (14C-AA) into different prostanoids and into 5-HETE, in the presence and in the absence of added OT (50.0 mU/ml), was studied in rat ovaries isolated in proestrus. The challenge with OT augmented the basal synthesis and release of PGF2 alpha and of 5-HETE from 14C-AA, but failed to influence the formation of products generated via the cyclo-oxygenase pathway, namely 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, PGE2 and thromboxane B2 (TXB2). Therefore, the present results suggest that ovarian OT may play a role in the ovulatory process, via generation of PGF2 alpha to enhance contractions of ovarian smooth muscle and of 5-HETE to promote follicular collagenolysis.

Prostaglandin F2 alpha fails to alter the number of beta adrenoceptive specific binding sites in metestrous rat uteri but diminishes noradrenaline tissue uptake.

3H-dihydroalprenolol (DHA) -- receptor binding was studied in membrane preparations from metestrous uterine tissue, both in presence and absence of exogenous prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha at 10(-9) M. In addition, the uptake of 3H-noradrenaline (NA) by uterine segments from estrous and metestrous rats and the influences of PGF2 alpha (10(-9) M), cocaine (10(-5) M) corticosterone (5.10(-5) M), normetanephrine (10(-6) M) or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA: 10(-4) M), were explored. The Scatchard analysis of experimental data with 3H-DHA with or without added PGF2 alpha indicates the existence of a single class of high affinity receptors and no differences were found, in presence of PGF2 alpha, regarding the control dissociation constant or the control maximal sites of specific binding. On the other hand, the uptake of 3H-NA by uterine segments at metestrus was significantly greater than at estrus. In metestrous uteri PGF2 alpha (10(-9) M) reduced significantly NA uptake. ASA enhanced NA uptake by uteri from estrous rats, an influence prevented by PGF2 mu. In uterine segments isolated at estrus, cocaine, corticosterone and normetanephrine failed to alter 3H-NA uptake, whereas in preparations isolated at metestrus, corticosterone and normetanephrine reduced the uptake, but cocaine did not evoke any influence. Results are discussed in terms of previous findings documenting an amplification of the negative inotropic influence of NA mediated by the activation of beta-adrenoceptors, both in estrous or in metestrous preparations incubated with PGF2 alpha. Such previous findings cannot be explained by changes in the number of NA receptors or by a greater affinity of tissue receptors for the agonist, but rather by differences in NA uptake controlling its effective concentration at the biophase, near receptor sites. Interrelationships along sex hormones (estradiol), prostaglandins (PGF2 alpha) and catecholamines (NA) in uteri, are also discussed.

Histamine alters prostaglandin output from diestrous rat uteri. Involvement of H2-receptors and 9-keto-reductase.

The effects of exogenous histamine (H) on prostaglandin (PG) generation and release in uteri isolated from diestrous rats and the influences of H2-receptors blockers (cimetidine and metiamide) on the output of uterine PGs, were explored. Moreover, the action of H on the uterine 9-keto-reductase, was also studied. Histamine (10(-4) M) failed to alter the basal output of PGE1 but reduced significantly the generation and release of PGE2 and augmented the output of PGF2 alpha. On the other hand, cimetidine (10(-5) M) enhanced the basal release of PGE2 but had no action on the outputs of PGs E1 or F2 alpha. The enhancing effect of H on the production and release of PGF2 alpha was abolished in the presence of cimetidine. Also, the antagonist reversed the influence of H on the output of PGE2. Metiamide, another H2-receptor antagonist, did not alter the basal control generation and release of uterine PGs, but antagonized the augmenting influence of H on PGF2 alpha uterine output, as much as cimetidine did, and prevented the depressive action of H on the release of PGE2 from uteri. Histamine (10(-4) M) significantly stimulated uterine formation of cyclic-adenosine monophosphate, an action which was antagonized by the presence of cimetidine (10(-5) M), a blocker of H2 receptors. Also, histamine (10(-5) M) and dibutyrylcyclic-adenosine monophosphate (DB-cAMP) at 10(-3) M, enhanced significantly the formation 3H-PGF2 alpha from 3H-PGE2. Results presented herein demonstrate that H is able to diminish the generation of PGE2 in uteri from rats at diestrus augmenting the synthesis of PGF2 alpha, apparently via the activation of H2-receptors, enhancing adenylate-cyclase. These effects appear to increase uterine 9-keto-reductase activity which transforms PGE2 into PGF2 alpha. Relationships between the foregoing results and those evoked by estradiol, are also discussed.

Influence of estrogens on in vivo and in vitro rat uterine motility. Relationships with histamine, cimetidine and tissue levels of 3',5' cyclic adenosine monophosphate.

In vivo intrauterine pressure (IUP) and in vitro isometric developed tension (IDT) of rat uterine strips were explored. Moreover, levels of 3',5' cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) were determined. The influence of 17-beta-estradiol (17-beta-E2), histamine and cimetidine on the above mentioned parameters were analyzed. IUP changes determined at proestrus, estrus and diestrus evidenced phasic waves of smaller magnitude at the first mentioned stage of the sex cycle. The injection of 17-beta-E2 (iv. bolus of 1.0 micrograms) in diestrous rats evoked at around 30 min a complete abolition of uterine motility, an action prevented by the previous injection of cimetidine (0.5 mg, iv.). The i.v. injection of histamine (0.25 mg) resulted in a distinct inhibition of IUP, also prevented by administering cimetidine. cAMP concentrations in uterine homogenates from ovariectomized rats were explored at 1 and at 30 min following injection of 17-beta-E2. At the 1 min period, but not at 30 min, cAMP increased significantly and cimetidine (delivered 30 min prior to the estrogen) completely blocked the enhancing effect of 17-beta-E2 on cAMP concentration. The IDT of uterine strips isolated from ovariectomized rats declined spontaneously less than 20% after 40 min of activity in the suspending solution, and 17-beta-E2, but not cimetidine (injected prior to sacrifice) produced an inotropic decrement of around 80% at 40 min. In preparations from animals receiving both cimetidine and 17-beta-E2, the contractile decrement was significantly smaller than with 17-beta-E2 alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Maternal mortality in maternidade do Hospital Geral de Goiania (1975-1983)]. / Mortalidade materna na maternidade do Hospital Geral de Goiania (1975-1983).

PIP: A retrospective study was made of maternal deaths at the General Hospital of Goiania/INAMPS during the years 1974-1983. The objective was to analyse the general and annual incidence of maternal mortality, as well as the incidence by age group, parity, gestational age, type of delivery, etiology, general state of the patient at admission, and avoidability of death (i.e., analysis of responsibility). The study revealed a maternal mortality rate of 31.12 per 100,000 live births. This rate has been decreasing over the years, but in an irregular manner. The rate compares with maternal mortality rates in other developing countries and is much too high. By classifying causes of death as obstetric-related, indirect obstetric-related, and nonobstetric, it was discovered that 76.45% of deaths were from obstetric-related causes. Of these, infection, principally due to illegal abortion, was the primary cause of death in the obstetric clinic, followed by eclampsia and hemorrhage. This fact makes one consider the absence of family planning services in many areas of Brazil, and that nothing is being done to change the situation. More deaths occur in the 1st trimester of pregnancy (26.47%) than at any other period; again, this figure indicates the high number of deaths due to illegal induced abortions. As for age specific mortality, attention is called to the high incidence of mortality among adolescents (17.65%), who are paying too high a price for the lack of sex edcuation, family planning, and psychosocial assistance to adolescents. In relation to mortality by type of procedure the date are: vaginal delivery, 29.41%; cesarean, 26.4%, curettage, 29.41%; and other (hysterectomy and clinical treatment), 14.7%. As to avoidability of death, 61.77% of patients were seriously ill at the time of admission to the hospital. This is largely due to lack of medical care as well as the social, economic, and clutural conditions that impede adequate prenatal care and family planning services. Therefore, considering the state of health of patients on admission, 73.74% of deaths were classified as unavoidable. The authors conclude that the maternal mortality rate will continue to be high until profound changes are made in the provision of health services in Brazil.^ieng

Neoplasia trofoblastica gestacional: I. Imagem ultra-sonografica na neoplasia trofoblastica maligna. / Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm. I.Ultrasonographic image in malignant trophoblastic neoplasm

O exame ultra-sonografico no diagnostico da mola hidatiforme esta bem estabelecido, entretanto, e incipiente o estudo na neoplasia trofoblastica maligna. Dez pacientes foram avaliadas pela ultra-sonografia e encontramos imagem caracteristica que foi correlacionada com a arteriografia, mostrando ser um exame fiel, seguro e facilmente repetido, tanto no diagnostico como na avaliacao da resposta a quimioterapia durante e apos o tratamento

Is there a role for dopamine in the regulation of motility of sow oviducts?

Dose-response curves for norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine (BEC) in the isthmic and ampullary regions isolated from proestrous sow oviducts, were drawn. NE, DA and BEC depressed the contractile activity of ampullary segments in dose-dependent fashion. In the isthmic region, NE induced a dose-related stimulation whereas DA and BEC evoked relaxation. Propranolol (10(-6)M) did not modify significantly the effect of DA on the ampulla, whereas spiperone, chlorpromazine and haloperidol, shifted to the right DA dose-response curves. Haloperidol and spiperone were able to partially antagonize responses to DA of the isthmus. The catecholamine contents of the ampullary (a) and isthmic (i) regions of sow oviducts during proestrus (P), estrus (E) and metestrus (M) proved to be quite different and differently affected by the variations of the sex cycle: NE, DA and epinephrine (EPI) in (i) higher than in (a); NE in (i) and (a) during M higher than during E; NE in (i) lower during E than during P. The probable presence of specific dopamine receptors in sow oviducts as well as their eventual role in modulating tubal motility are discussed in this paper.

Cesariana - incidencia, indicacao e morbi-mortalidade materno-fetal durante 10 anos na Maternidade Nossa Senhora de Lourdes. / Cesarean section - incidence, indication and maternal-fetal morbidity-mortality during 10 years at the Maternity Nossa Senhora de Lourdes

Apos a analise da operacao cesariana na Maternidade Nossa Senhora de Lourdes no periodo de 10 anos (junho de 1970 a dezembro de 1980), concluimos que: houve aumento da taxa de cesarea de 6% em 1971 para 15,9% em 1980; a incidencia de 43,33% de cesarea em primigestas e 22,6% em primiparas; as indicacoes mais frequentes foram: distocia (39,27%), cesarea iterativa (16,98%), sofrimento fetal (14,55%), apresentacao pelvica (9,81%), toxemia (5,7%), descolamento prematuro da placenta(2,74%), placenta previa (2,4%) e gemelidade (1,58%). As principais morbidades maternas foram: anemia, deiscencia de cicatriz, abscesso de parede, endomiometrite, infeccao respiratoria, ileo paralitico, infeccao urinaria e tromboflebite. A morbidade perinatal foi de 38,6% (moniliase oral, pre-termo, depressao respiratoria, pneumonia, piodermite e outras). A morbidade materna esta relacionada com a duracao do trabalho de parto, e a anestesia de conducao foi utilizada em mais de 90% dos casos

Placenta previa - um estudo de 43 casos. / Placenta praevia - a study of 43 cases

Discute-se 43 casos de placenta previa, sendo tres casos (6,98%) placenta previa lateral, 13 casos (30,23%) placenta previa marginal, nove casos (20,93%) placenta previa centro-parcial, nove casos (20,93%) placenta previa centro-total internadas no periodo de 1974 a 1981, na Clinica Obstetrica do Hospital Geral do INAMPS-Goiania.Os fatores que predispoem a essa patologia: gestante grande multipara na faixa de 30-39 anos (34,88%). A evolucao clinica e conduta instituida foram a cesarea numa frequencia de 90,69%. As complicacoes advindas da dequitacao foram hemorragia,choque hipovolemico e acretismo placentario (18,60%), as complicacoes do puerperio foram hipotensao, infeccao, cefaleia pos-raque em 18,60%, nao ocorreu nenhum obito materno. Enfatiza-se que tanto o diagnostico precoce da localizacao placentaria como o da idade gestacional sao uteis no sentido de indicar um tratamento ativo, unico meio de diminuir a morbiletalidade materna

Cardiopatia e gravidez - conduta obstetrica. / Cardiopathy and pregnancy: obstetric management

Os autores procederam a um levantamento aos prontuarios de 20.230 internacoes feitas na Clinica Obstetrica do Hospital Geral de Goiania-INAMPS, no periodo de marco de 1974 a fevereiro de 1982, encontrando 27 casos com o diagnostico clinico de cardiopatia. Tecem consideracoes sobre a conduta obstetrica seguida nesses casos

Estudo clinico-anatomopatologico de 260 placentas examinadas pelo servico de anatomia patologica da Maternidade Nossa Senhora de Lourdes no periodo de janeiro/78 a janeiro/79. / Clinical-histopathologic study of 260 placentae examined by the Pathologic Anatomy Service of Maternidade Nossa Senhora de Lourdes from January 1978 to January 1979.

Fez-se um levantamento de 260 placentas examinadas pelo Servico de Anatomia Patologica da Maternidade Nossa Senhora de Lourdes, Goiania, no periodo de janeiro de 1978 a janeiro de 1979. Procurou-se relacionar os achados histopatologicos aos aspectos clinicos e obstetricos das pacientes, bem como com os motivos que levaram o tocologo a solicitar o exame anatomopatologico de placenta. Observou-se que 55,76% das placentas apresentaram alteracoes divididas em oito categorias: infeccoes inespecificas, sofrimento vascular, incompatibilidade sanguinea materno-fetal, placenta imatura, tumores benignos, patologias do cordao umbilical e sofrimento fetal cronico, constatando-se a existencia de relacao entre os varios tipos de alteracoes e os quadros clinico e obstetrico das pacientes, confirmando, uma vez mais, a importancia do exame anatomopatologico de placenta na investigacao e conclusao diagnostica em obstetricia.}

Rotura do utero. Analise de 6 anos (Maternidade do Hospital Geral de Goiania INAMPS). / Rupture of the uterus. Analysis of 6 years.

Os autores fizeram um estudo clinico sobre roturas do utero gravido, observados na Clinica Obstetrica do Hospital Geral de Goiania do INAMPS, durante o periodo de 1974 a 1979, sobre um total de oito casos de roturas. A incidencia de rotura foi de 1:908,1. A idade e a paridade representaram fatores de predisposicao em ordem decrescente, isto e, quanto mais jovem a paciente e menor sua paridade, maior foi o risco de rotura uterina, contrariando a literatura. A cicatriz uterina previa foi um fator etiologico importante. A preferencia do tratamento recaiu sobre a histerorrafia. A repercussao das tecnicas sobre a mortalidade materna foi maior para a histerectomia total. De oito casos de rotura uterina, houve tres obitos maternos e a mortalidade fetal foi de 62,5%.}