Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in assisted reproduction: effect on the immune system.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) in assisted reproduction affects the immune system. DESIGN: A prospective, nonrandomized, case-control study. SETTING: Academic research setting. PATIENT(S): Women with regular menstrual cycles undergoing COH in an assisted reproduction program. INTERVENTION(S): Blood samples were collected in the early and late follicular phase, at the time of ovulation, and in the luteal phase during a natural cycle, and at four times during the next cycle, which included COH and IVF. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Lymphocyte subpopulations and the differential blood count. RESULT(S): In the natural cycles, a significant increase in the total numbers of lymphocytes, B cells, natural killer cells, and CD3+HLADR+ cells was observed in the late follicular phase, whereas the T helper/T suppressor cell ratio declined. In the hyperstimulated cycles, increases were seen in the total numbers of leukocytes and neutrophils on the day of hCG administration; the number of lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils was increased on the day of oocyte retrieval, and the total number of leukocytes and neutrophils increased during the luteal phase. CONCLUSION(S): Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with hMG and simultaneous administration of a GnRH antagonist did not affect the immune system.

[Intervals for increasing the dosage of oxytocin]. / Zur Frage des Steigerungsintervalles der Dosierung von Oxytocin.

We retrospectively analyzed 468 deliveries in 1989, 935 deliveries in 1990, and 1020 deliveries in 1991 from cephalic presentation. Oxytocin was given for reason of not sufficient labor (cervical dilatation < 1 cm/hr) after spontaneous or artificial rupture of membranes. Oxytocin was increased at intervals of 20 minutes (in 1989) or 60 minutes (in 1990 and 1991). The percentage of deliveries augmented with oxytocin, the cesarean section rate in deliveries with or without oxytocin, the maximum oxytocin dose, and the condition of the neonates (arterial cord blood pH value, Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes) were compared. Prolonging the interval of increasing oxytocin did not adversely influence the condition of the neonates and was not associated with a significant change in the cesarean section rate. The average duration of oxytocin administration was prolonged slightly, but the maximum dose and therefore the average total dose administered were decreased.

Biologic and cytogenetic characterization of three human medullary thyroid carcinomas in culture.

Neuroendocrine features and cytogenetic abnormalities of one continuous cell line (MTC-SK) and two long-term cultures (GER, STAH) derived from three sporadic cases of human medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs) were studied. Specific neuroendocrine markers (NSE, chromogranins, calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related peptide) were identified by electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry. In situ hybridochemistry and Northern blot analysis confirmed endocrine activity. Cytogenetic studies of the cell line MTC-SK revealed three consistent marker chromosomes, t(3;10), 11p+, and 22p+. Cells of long-term cultures GER and STAH exhibited a consistent translocation t(2;18), a trisomy 7, and two consistent marker chromosomes der3 and 5p+, respectively. Recently, we have isolated 12 stable clones of this MTC-SK cell line, which showed two different growth patterns. Quantitative measurement of mitotic activity flow cytometry and semiquantitative analysis of AgNOR-, Ki67-, and Cyclin/PCNA-(immuno)reactivity showed different DNA composition and duplication rates, indicating at least two subpopulations. Some of our clones developed a new consistent marker (i.e., an unbalanced translocation between mar11p+ and 1q). However, no correlations between chromosome findings, growth rate, and neuroendocrine markers were observed.