Monoamine oxidase in rat ovary during the estrous cycle. A histochemical study by a new coupled peroxidatic oxidation method.

A new coupled peroxidatic oxidation method for histochemical detection of monoamine oxidase (MAO) was applied to rat ovary. With this new method, fixed tissues could be used, and two forms of MAO could be identified by use of selective inhibitors. MAO activity was observed in the corpora lutea, interstitial gland cells, and blood vessels. In the corpora lutea, no activity was detected during the first estrous cycle, but strong activity was observed in the next two cycles. MAO in blood vessels showed characteristic changes of activity during the estrous cycle. The results suggest that MAO activity might possibly be involved in ovulation and progesterone metabolism in the ovary. Like other organs, rat ovary was found to contain two types of MAO; type A MAO was predominant in the corpora lutea. On the other hand, only one type of MAO, type B, was found in the blood vessels.

Estrogen induces the release of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in normal cyclic women.

The plasma concentrations of immunoreactive LRH, LH, and FSH were determined by RIA every 6 h until 72 h after iv administration of conjugated estrogens during the midfollicular phase. The percentage change in LH from the preinjection level showed a biphasic pattern after the injection of conjugated estrogens, i.e. significant suppression (-70%) from 6-42 h after the injection, followed by a rebound increase with a peak (+150%) at 56 h. Plasma FSH after the injection also showed a biphasic pattern. The plasma immunoreactive LRH levels were unchanged until 32 h after the injection, but then increased significantly (P less than 0.02) to 160% of the preinjection level at 42 h and then decreased rapidly. These data indicate that 1) estrogen administration results in increases in plasma immunoreactive LRH and LH, and the peak of plasma LRH precedes that of gonadotropin; and 2) the negative feedback effect of estrogen on gonadotropin secretion may not be mediated through LRH.

Fine structure of noradrenaline nerve terminals in the dorsomedial portion of the nucleus tractus solitarii as demonstrated by a modified potassium permanganate method.

Fine structure of the noradrenaline (NA) nerve terminals in the dorsomedial portion of the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) was investigated by glyoxylic acid-potassium permanganate fixation method. The NA nerve terminals in this area contained a large number of small cored vesicles (SCV) (about 400-600 A in diameter) together with a few large cored vesicles (LCV) (about 1000 A in diameter). The most frequent feature of NA nerve terminals observed in this area was axo-dendritic contact. An axo-axonic contact between NA and non-NA terminals was also occasionally identified, while no axo-somatic contact was found in this area as far as examined. At the contact zone between NA terminals and other neuronal elements, the following profiles suggestive of synapse-like contact were identified: 1) somewhat dense material between contact membranes (intersynaptic filaments); 2) a slight accumulation of dense material adjacent to postcontact membranes; 3) disarrangement of contact membranes and enlargement of the space between these membranes; 4) aggregation of SCV and LCV to contact membranes. Finally it should be emphasized that NA nerve terminals often made a neuronal cluster or rosette with other neuronal elements, suggestive of a complicated role of NA on NTS function.

Prostaglandin D2 induces release of luteinizing hormone from the rat pituitary gland without the modulation of hypothalamic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone.

The effect of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) on release of LH and LH releasing hormone (LHRH) was studied in a sequential double-chamber superfusion system using the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) and the pituitary gland from female rats at dioestrus. Infusion of PGD2 (5.7 or 57 mumol/l) caused a significant (P less than 0.05) increase in LH release to values 40-60% above the preinjection values from the pituitary gland superfused either alone or in series with the MBH. No release of LHRH in response to PGD2 was observed from the superfused MBH. These data demonstrate that PGD2 causes LH release from the pituitary gland not by inducing release of hypothalamic LHRH but by a direct action on the gland.

Changes in luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in human placenta throughout pregnancy.

The distribution and content of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) in human placental tissues were detected by enzymatic antibody and immunofluorescence techniques. Anti-LH-RH was taken up strongly by cytotrophoblasts and the villous stroma at 8 weeks of pregnancy; the uptake decreased with the progress of pregnancy. Anti-LH-RH was not taken up at all by syncytiotrophoblasts throughout pregnancy. These findings suggest that LH-RH is synthesized in the cytotrophoblast and villous stroma. The role of placental LH-RH in the synthesis of human chorionic gonadotropin is discussed.

Histochemical studies on human placental and chorionic monoamine oxidase.

A new coupled peroxidation method for detection of monoamine oxidase was applied to human chorionic and placental tissues of various weeks of gestation. With this new method, the precise localization of monoamine oxidase activity could be determined and the two isotypes of the enzyme could be identified using selective inhibitors. Significant monoamine oxidase activity was observed in syncytiotrophoblasts of fine villi and budding villi. Monoamine oxidase activity in chorionic and placental tissues remained similar in intensity and localization throughout pregnancy. Only one type of monoamine oxidase, type A, was found in the placenta. The functional role of monoamine oxidase is discussed.

Possible role of serotonin in the secretory activity of the subcommissural organ of the cat.

The possible role of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) in the secretory activity of the subcommissural organ (SCO) was investigated in the cat by using 5-HT immunohistochemistry and Gomori's secretory staining technique. Administration of para-chlorophenylalanine, a potent inhibitor of 5-HT synthesis, was found to produce a marked decrease in both 5-HT-immunoreactive materials and secretory granules in the SCO. In contrast, administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan, an immediate precursor of 5-HT, to animals pretreated with para-chlorophenylalanine resulted in an increase in the amount of both secretory granules and 5-HT immunoreactivities in this circumventricular organ. These results strongly suggest that the secretory activity of the SCO of cats is regulated by 5-HT.

Specific antibodies to porcine zona pellucida detected by quantitative radioimmunoassay in both fertile and infertile women.

The specific radioimmunoassay system was developed for the titration of the antibodies to porcine zona pellucida (ZP) in human sera by using 125I-labeled purified porcine ZP as antigen, which is known to have cross-reactivity with human ZP. The antibodies in human sera were detected in 3 of 11 (27%) women with unexplained infertility, in 16 of 48 (33%) amenorrheic patients, in 4 of 12 (33%) fertile women, and in 3 of 10 (30%) men. Moreover, antibody titers in infertile women were no higher than those in fertile women and in men. These results seem to suggest that the antibodies in human sera that cross-react with porcine ZP may not be an important factor in causing infertility in women.

Descending projection of the nucleus tegmentalis latero-dorsalis to the spinal cord; studied by the horseradish peroxidase method following 6-hydroxy-DOPA administration.

Descending projection of the nucleus tegmentalis laterodorsalis (TLD) to the spinal cord was investigated using the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) method following the systemic administration of 6-hydroxy-DOPA (6-OH-DOPA). 6-OH-DOPA pretreatment resulted in an intense labeling of the cell group at the laterocaudal portion of TLD after the injection of HRP to the lower segments of the spinal cord. Whereas in untreated rats, cells at the laterocaudal portion of TLD were faintly labeled. Such indirect effect correlated with a reduction in the number of fluorescent catecholamine nerve terminals in the spinal cord after 6-OH-DOPA injection, suggesting that the descending projection from laterocaudal portion of TLD to the spinal cord might be influenced by the catecholamine neurons in the central nervous system.

5-HT immunoreactive hypothalamic neurons in rat and cat after 5-HTP administration.

Using immunohistochemistry for serotonin (5-HT) after administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), we have demonstrated the existence of a particular group of 5-HT accumulating neurons in the posterior hypothalamus of the rat and cat. This cluster of neurons, which we termed "5-HT immunoreactive (IR) posterior hypothalamic magnocellular neurons," was characterized by: (1) diffuse 5-HT-IR staining; (2) rather large-sized cell bodies; (3) a marked activity of monoamine oxydase (MAO); (4) capacity of uptake and decarboxylation of 5-HTP; and (5) the absence of capacity of uptake and hydroxylation of tryptophan. These 5-HT-IR magnocellular neurons extended from the suprachiasmatic nucleus area to the caudal end of the hypothalamus. In the rat, the majority of these neurons was found in the tuberal and caudal magnocellular nuclei, whereas in the cat, it was found more widespread in the ventrolateral part of the posterior hypothalamus including the tuberomamillary nucleus. The characteristics of the 5-HT-IR magnocellular neurons which project directly both to the cerebral cortex and the pontine tegmentum are discussed in comparison with those of "APUD" cell series or "paraneurons," as well as with those of other 5-HT-IR neurons demonstrated in the hypothalamus after administration of 5-HTP or tryptophan.

Arginine vasopressin suppresses oxytocin release from the superfused rat hypothalamo-pituitary complex.

The role of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the regulation of oxytocin secretion was studied in a superfusion system of the hypothalamo-pituitary complex from cycling female rats in dioestrus of the oestrous cycle. After perfusion with Medium 199 alone at 37 degrees C for an equilibration period of 2.5 h, perfusion with Medium 199 containing 10 mU/ml AVP for 30 min caused a prompt and significant (P less than 0.05) decrease in the oxytocin level of up to 60% of that before AVP perfusion, whereas Medium 199 containing 0.1 mU/ml AVP had no effect on oxytocin efflux. This finding suggests that AVP may be involved in the regulation of oxytocin release from the hypothalamo-pituitary system.

Dopamine decreases release of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone from superfused rat mediobasal hypothalamus.

The effects of dopamine hydrochloride (DA) on the releases of LHRH and LH were examined in a serial sequential double chamber perifusion system by perifusing the mediobasal hypothalamus including the preoptic area and/or pituitaries excised from diestrus female rats. DA, perifused at a dose of 4.2 X 10(-4) M, significantly (p less than 0.05) lowered LH secretion from the pituitary in series with the hypothalamus 40-80% below the preinfusion level, but it had no effect on LH efflux from the pituitary perifused alone. DA also significantly (p less than 0.05) reduced the LHRH level 20-40% below the initial level. Perifusion with the DA receptor blocker haloperidol at a concentration of 10(-6) M abolished the suppressive effect of DA on LH secretion. These findings indicate that DA suppressed hypothalamic LHRH release, resulting in decrease in LH secretion from the pituitary in diestrus rats.

Treatment of infertility associated with endometriosis by selective tubal catheterization under hysteroscopy and laparoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of treatment for infertility associated with endometriosis by selective tubal catheterization under hysteroscopy and laparoscopy. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty-eight infertile women who underwent selective tubal catheterization with insufflation of oil-soluble radiopaque dye were reviewed. The efficacy of treatment was analyzed with regard to conception rate. RESULTS: The conception rate after selective tubal catheterization was higher in women with endometriosis (60%) than in women without endometriosis (36.5%) (p < 0.05). Most women conceived within the first 4 months after treatment. No statistical difference in conception rate was observed among patients with stage I, II, or III disease. CONCLUSIONS: Selective tubal catheterization with insufflation of oil-soluble radiopaque dye was an effective treatment for infertility associated with endometriosis.

Hysteroscopic assessment of midsecretory-phase endometrium, with special reference to the luteal-phase defect.

To investigate the functional aspects of secretory-phase endometrium, hysteroscopy was performed in 61 patients for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), and 50 women for infertility evaluation. All women had normal ovulatory cycles. The hysteroscopic assessment of secretory-phase endometrium was made by characterizing the glandular openings (GO) and vasculature. The assessments were classified as 'good': characterized by ring-type GO and well-developed vessels; and 'poor': characterized by dot and/or punctate-type GO and fine vasculature. In the 30 patients classified 'good' prior to the IVF cycle, there was a higher pregnancy rate (40%) than in 'poor' ones (13%). Thirty of 50 infertile women were classified 'good', and their average age was lower than that of the remaining 20 in the 'poor' group. Preovulatory estradiol was significantly higher in the 'good' than in the 'poor' group. From an analysis of 20 patients with a 'poor' assessment, it was demonstrated that the maturation of secretory-phase endometrium was affected by a failure of folliculogenesis, progesterone secretion, endometrial growth and menstrual shedding.

Relationship between endometrial histology, morphometry and ultrasound texture in the follicular phase of infertile women with natural menstrual cycles.

The relationship between endometrial histology and ultrasonographic texture in the follicular phase was investigated. The endometrial sonographic texture of 32 infertile women with normal menstrual cycles was classified into three patterns (L, H and I) and histological and morphometrical analyses were performed. Endometrial specimens from pattern L, which showed multi-layered endometrium characterized by three hyperechogenic lines with inner hypo-echogenic regions, had smaller, similar-sized endometrial glands and few stromal cells. Those from pattern H which showed entirely homogeneous hyperechogenic endometrium, had larger, various-sized glands and more stromal cells. Those from pattern I which showed heterogeneous hyperechogenic and partially hypo-echogenic endometrium, had the largest, most variable-sized glands and many stromal cells. The differences in sonographic texture may be related to the histological and morphometrical findings.