Eric J. Singh

Levels of prostaglandins F2α and E2 in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle

Abstract A comparison between the prostaglandins found in proliferative and secretory endometrium in normal and tumor-bearing tissues is reported. The content of prostaglandins F 2α and E 2 is related to the three phases of the menstrual cycle and correlates with cyclic ovarian hormone variations. The menstrual phase is characterized by a high content of PGF 2α . High prostaglandin levels are found in tissues from patients with pathologic diseases such as adenocarcinoma of the endometrium when compared to normal tissues.

Studies of human amniotic fluid phospholipids in normal, diabetic, and drug-abuse pregnancy

Abstract The lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratios correlate well with gestational age only in normal human pregnancy. The level increases dramatically near term. Good correlation is noted between the higher L/S ratio and respiratory function. There is a higher level of palmitic acid (16:0) in phosphatidyl choline at term than in earlier gestation. The palmitic acid level in phosphatidyl choline is of diagnostic value for the maturity of the fetus in normal human pregnancy. Diabetes mellitus (Classes A, B, and C) and the drug methadone delay maturation of the fetal lung; therefore, the L/S ratios correlate poorly with gestational age as compared with normal pregnancies.

Amniotic fluid lipids in normal human pregnancy

Abstract The content of total lipids of amniotic fluid increases with gestational age and reaches its maximum at term. The lipid contains relatively more phospholipids, free fatty acids, hydrocarbons, and cholesteryl esters, but smaller amounts of triglycerides. This is the well-defined characteristic of the amniotic fluid lipid. The increase in phospholipids at term could be due to a larger contribution from tracheal fluid at that time. The phospholipids, particularly lecithin, apparently act as strong surfactants. Analysis of the phospholipid L / S ratio becomes important to the diagnosis of the status of the fetus (maturity). The role of hydrocarbons and alcohols in amniotic fluid remains to be determined.

Content of amniotic fluid prostaglandins in normal diabetic and drug-abuse human pregnancy.

This study attempts quantification of prostaglandins (PGs) in amniotic fluid antepartum at 24, 26-33, 34-36 weeks of gestation and in labor in 6 normal patients, 6 diabetic patients, 3 patients taking methadone, and 1 patient taking heroin. Results of measurements of PGs showed that in the different weeks of gestation, the contents of PGs were essentially unchanged. PG values increased considerably at the time of labor, with no differences in the content of PGs in labor of normal, diabetic, and drug-abuse patients. The dominant fraction was PGF2alpha either during pregnancy or during labor, and the smallest fraction was PGE2 during gestation and PGE1 during labor. Significant differences of PGF2alpha concentrations were found in the serum of women at various stages of gestation. The high PG content in the amniotic fluid in labor indicates that PGs are needed for initiation of labor, and their origin is probably of fetal and decidual origin.

Chromatographic separation of ovarian dermoid cyst lipids and prostaglandins

The composition of PGs (prostaglandins) and lipids in ovarian dermoid cysts was analyzed using various laboratory techniques. Ovarian dermoid lipids were separated into biologically active and nonbiologically active lipid classes. This was performed mainly by Florisil column chromatography. PGs were determined by thin-layer chromatography paper chromatography enzymatic assay fluorescence aborption spectroscopy and gas chromatography. The laboratory procedures are described in some detail. All analytical results are tabulated. PGF2alpha was found to be predominant among the primary PGs. The development of a new method of anlaysis glass fiber paper chromatography for separation and identification of primary PGs is described. This method was more sensitive than thin-layer chromatography while column chromatography gave poor resolution. A combination of several chromatographic techniques useful in elucidating ovarian dermoid cysts lipid composition might also be applied to analysis of PGs.

Effects of oral contraceptives on phospholipids of human cervical mucus

Abstract Human cervical mucus phospholipids have been fractionated and quantitated in normal patients. Mucus phosphatides, as determined by thin-layer chromatography, include phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidyl inositol, sphingomyelin, lysophosphatidyl choline, cardiolipin, and glycerophosphoryl choline. It is suggested that the phospholipid content and fatty acid compositions are related to the three phases of the menstrual cycle. The oral contraceptives change the amount and fatty acid composition of phospholipid in the cycle. The total fatty acids of phospholipids tend to become more saturated with the contraceptives.

A Method for Determination of Lecithin/Sphingomyelin Ratio in Amniotic Fluid*

A method is described for the evaluation of amniotic fluid lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratios. The acetone precipitation step is eliminated, resulting in higher concentrations of phospholipids. Silica gel-impregnated glass fiber papers are used for rapid chromatography. For spot detection, a bismuth reagent is used which is specific for lecithin and sphingomyelin. The method is simple, inexpensive, rapid and a reliable indicator of the L/S ratio, and useful in laboratories that are not equipped with a densitometer.

Fallopian tube and ovarian hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons of the human ovary and Fallopian tube have been studied by temperature-programmed gas chromatography. The major compounds present are a series of n-alkanes (C16 to C40), with the addition of iso and anteiso hydrocarbons. The human ovary and Fallopian tube hydrocarbons did not show significant changes during the menstrual cycle.

Oral contraceptives and human cervical mucus lipids

Oral contraceptives containing estrogenic and progestational components caused a consistent increase in human cervical mucus lipids during the menstrual cycle. Cyclic variations in cervical mucus lipids occur during the normal cycle. Phospholipids, free cholesterol, and triglycerides in cervical mucus increase with the use or oral contraceptives.

Rapid Phospholipid Test for Fetal Pulmonary Maturity

A simple, sensitive, rapid and inexpensive silica gel-impregnated glass fiber paper chromatographic method has been developed for the estimation of lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio in amniotic fluid