A. Farooq

Immunosuppression by human seminal plasma

Immunosuppressive property of normal human seminal plasma has been demonstrated on various in vitro immune parameters such as, blast transformation of lymphocytes with Phytohemagglutinin (P), Concanavalin A and Lipopolysaccharide, E & EAC rosette formation and mixed lymphocyte culture. The immunosuppression appears to be a T-cell mediated phenomenon. Analysis of semen samples obtained from 86 donors, comprising azoospermic, oligospermic, normospermic and polyspermic individuals, suggests that immunosuppression of the seminal plasma has no correlation with either the sperm density or the protein content of seminal plasma. The possible implication of the immunosuppressive activity in the development of acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome is also discussed.

Purification and characterisation of an immunosuppressive factor from normal human seminal plasma

We have previously described the presence of a human seminal plasma component which may prevent the immunologic sensitization of females against sperm and seminal plasma antigens. Purification of the immunosuppressive factor (ISF) by saturated ammonium sulphate precipitation, followed by Sepharose 4-B column chromatography and Con-A Sepharose 4-B affinity chromatography is described here. An apparently single-band protein on SDS gel electrophoresis, having a molecular weight of 35,000, has been isolated. Amino acid analysis of this glycoprotein shows that it is rich in isoleucine, glycine, glutamine and proline, while methionine, tyrosine and asparagine are present in traces.

Studies on the immunosuppressive role of steroid hormones during pregnancy

It has been recognised that steroids can exert a profound influence over immunological reactivity. The present study analyzes the role of steroid hormones--estrogen, progesterone and cortisol--and their involvement in immunoregulation during pregnancy. As is known, the endogenous levels of all the three hormones increase during pregnancy. When the steroid levels in pregnancy serum were correlated with the lymphocyte response to mitogen, no correlation was observed. The suppressive effect of pregnancy serum was found to have no correlation with its steroid content. In general, steroids did not seem to affect the maternal immune system as evidenced by the present study.

Progestin and antiprogestin interactions with progesterone receptors in human myomas

Progesterone receptors (PRs) in human fibromyomata (myomas) and normal myometrium were characterized by gel filtration, sucrose gradient sedimentation analysis, isoelectrofocusing and ligand specificity. The PR population in myoma tissues, 1242 ± 505 fmol/mg protein, was 3‐fold higher than normal myometrial tissues under similar hormonal milieu. The increased PR concentration in myomas appears to be of potential importance in physiopathology of fibromyoma.

Effect of oxytocin on the concentration of fructose in the accessory glands of mouse

Studies available in the literature indicate that oxytocin could alter the circulating levels of testosterone and glucose, the prime determinants of fructose synthesis in the male accessory glands. This study was planned to find out if oxytocin could affect the concentration of fructose in the seminal vesicles (SV) and coagulating glands (CG) of mouse. The results show that oxytocin reduces fructose concentration in the SV and CG (SVCG) without altering circulating levels of either glucose or testosterone in the mouse.

Localization of source of immunosuppressive factor in the human male reproductive tract

The source of the immunosuppressive factor (ISF) in the human male reproductive tract which suppresses various in vitro immune responses has been identified. We describe here the prostatic localization of this factor, based on investigating the fractions of split ejaculates, ejaculates of individuals with blocked epididymis and the secretions of the prostate obtained by prostatic massage.

Priming effect of norethynodrel on the uptake of [6,7-3H]-estradiol in the mouse uterus

Abstract The priming effect of 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 5.0, 10 and 50 μg of norethynodrel for different intervals of time on the uptake of [6,7-3H]-estradiol by the mouse uterus has been studied and compared with the priming effect of 0.01 μg estradiol on this uptake. Norethynodrel in doses up to 5.0 μg produced stimulation of [3H]-estradiol uptake while pre-treatment with 50.0 μg norethynodrel caused an inhibition in the uptake of [3H]-estradiol. Maximal stimulation of the [3H]-estradiol uptake was observed after 4 h of the priming dose of 1.0 μg of norethynodrel which is comparable to the priming effect of 0.01 μg estradiol. The dose-dependent stimulatory and inhibitory effects of norethynodrel on [3H]-estradiol uptake by the uterus may have important implications in the mode of action of this oral progestin.

Use of serum prolactin for monitoring the therapeutic response in ovarian malignancy

Serum prolactin level was estimated in 20 women with ovarian malignancy. High prolactin level was observed in 13 out of 20 women. However, no correlation was seen between prolactin level and the stage of the disease. Serial measurement of prolactin showed a correlation of prolactin level with tumor mass in three patients in which serial tumor mass volume mesurements were available. A rise in serum prolactin level was observed in women who had recurrence of the disease. Although the current study is based on a relatively small number of patients, it may be concluded that serum prolactin level might be used as a tumor marker to monitor the therapeutic response in cases of ovarian malignancy.

Effect of antiprogestin RU 486 on the proliferation and metabolic activity of stromal cells separated from human endometrium

The effects of RU 486 on the proliferation and metabolic activity of human endometrial stromal cells in culture were studied. RU 486 at 10(-7) M/well significantly stimulated (P < 0.001) the growth as well as metabolic activity in the culture system. Interestingly, RU 486 at 10(-6) M/well did not stimulate metabolic activity in the culture. Progesterone, in combination with RU 486 at 10(-7) M/well, caused a significant increase in proliferation (assessed by thymidine incorporation) (P < 0.001) over control and P4 alone, but not significantly different from RU 486 at 10(-7) M/well alone. The same pattern was observed for metabolic functions (assessed by uridine incorporation) when RU 486 at 10(-7) M/well, along with P4, was added to the culture. Interestingly, RU 486 at 10(-6) M/well with P4 had no effect on RNA synthesis in the culture. The relevance of these findings is discussed.

Particle size and release of norethindrone acetate through silastic tubing: an in vitro and in vivo study

Abstract The diffusion of size graded crystalline norethindrone acetate (NETA) from a carefully prepared silastic tubing was studied in vitro in physiological saline solution and in vivo as a subdermal steroid releasing implant device in the mouse. Four types of implants of varying particle size (a) micronised