Mert Göl

Nifedipine therapy for preterm labor: Effects on placental, fetal cerebral and atrioventricular Doppler parameters in the first 48 hours

To assess the effect of nifedipine tocolysis on Doppler parameters of the uterine, umbilical and fetal middle cerebral arteries and atrioventricular valves in the first 48 h of therapy.

Different maternal serum hCG levels in pregnant women with female and male fetuses: does fetal hypophyseal - adrenal - gonadal axis play a role?

Abstract Fetal gender has a significant effect on maternal and cord blood hCG levels, particularly during the last trimester of the pregnancy. However, the reason for this difference is obscure. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether term fetal hypophyseal - adrenal - gonadal axis differs between female and male fetuses thereby causing different hCG levels. The study consisted of 60 women with singleton pregnancies in the third trimester. Thirtyone pregnant women were carrying female fetuses, whereas 29 were carrying male. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, dehydro-epiandrosteron-sulfate (DHEAS), prolactin and growth hormone levels were measured in maternal serum and umbilical cord blood. In female bearing pregnancies maternal and cord blood hCG levels were significantly higher than in male bearing pregnancies (P<0.001). Maternal and cord blood estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEAS, prolactin and growth hormone levels were not significantly different in either fetal gender. When all patients were considered as a group there were no correlations between fetal hCG levels and any of the measured hormones. Term fetal DHEAS, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, growth hormone and prolactin levels do not contribute to different hCG levels between female and male fetuses. It is possible that fetal hypophyseal-adrenal - gonadal axis does not play a central role as the cause of different hCG levels.

Influence of high‐dose methotrexate therapy on the primordial follicles of the mouse ovary

Objective:  High‐dose methotrexate (MTX) is one of the most prescribed agents in many malignant diseases affecting girls and young women of reproductive ages. This animal study directly measures the primordial follicle loss following exposure to high‐dose MTX.

Does manual removal of the placenta affect operative blood loss during cesarean section

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether manual removal of the placenta is associated with significantly more blood loss compared to spontaneous separation of the placenta during cesarean section. STUDY DESIGN This was a randomised study of 200 women with normal pregnancies undergoing cesarean section. Patients were randomly assigned to the study group, manual removal (n=100) or the control group, spontaneous separation (n=100). Operative blood loss was measured using a volume and gravimetric method. Patients postoperative complications were recorded and hemoglobin levels measured at 24 and 48 h. RESULTS The amount of blood loss associated with spontaneous and manual removal of the placenta was 626+/-253 ml and 589+/-272 ml, respectively. This difference was not significant. There was a decrease in the postoperative hemoglobin levels in both groups which was not significantly different. The incidence of endometritis, wound infection, and the need for blood transfusion was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION Manual delivery of the placenta is not associated with a significantly greater risk of operative blood loss, decreased postoperative hemoglobin levels or increased incidence of endometritis compared with spontaneous placental separation.

Does tibolone affect serum leptin levels and body weight in postmenopausal women

ObjectivesLeptin has a significant role in body weight regulation and energy balance. We examined the effect of tibolone on the body weight and serum leptin levels in postmenopausal women.Study designTwenty women (aged 43–60 years) participated in this prospective study. All women in this study protocol received 2.5 mg/day of tibolone. Absolute and body mass index (BMI)-corrected serum leptin concentrations and BMI values were measured at baseline, after 3 months, and after 6 months of the tibolone therapy.ResultsTibolone did not affect absolute and BMI-corrected serum leptin levels, and BMI values during the treatment. A significant linear correlation between BMI values and serum leptin levels was observed (p<0.05, r=0.67).ConclusionsTibolone seems not to affect serum leptin levels, body weight and BMI values of postmenopausal women. There is a significant correlation between serum leptin levels and BMI values.

Does fetal gender affect cytotrophoblast cell activity in the human term placenta? Correlation with maternal hCG levels

Background.  Pregnant women with female fetuses have higher maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels than pregnant women with male fetuses. Ki‐67, a cell proliferation and activity marker, is confined mostly in the nuclei of villous cytotrophoblasts of the human placenta. In this study, we examined the effect of fetal gender on the cytotrophoblast cell activity in human term placenta, with special regard to maternal serum and cord blood hCG levels.

Effect of Fetal Sex on Apoptosis-Regulating Proteins in Trophoblasts of Full-Term Human Placenta

Objective: Pregnant women with female fetuses have higher maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels compared to those pregnant women with male fetuses. Apoptosis in the placenta has a role in hCG secretion. In the present study, we examined the effect of fetal gender on apoptosis-regulating proteins in the trophoblast cells of human term placenta. Study Design: 34 uncomplicated, singleton, term pregnancies, 17 had male and 17 had female fetuses, were recruited in the study. Apoptosis-regulating proteins of the trophoblast cells were measured by using immunohistochemistry for Bcl-2 and Bax. Staining index values were compared between the female and male pregnancies. Results: There were no sex differences in Bcl-2 and Bax proteins. There were no correlations between maternal serum and cord blood hCG levels, and staining index values of two proteins in trophoblast cells. Conclusions: The difference in maternal serum and cord blood hCG levels in correlation with fetal sex is not associated with apoptosis-regulating proteins in the trophoblast cells of human term placenta.

Comparison of two different laparoscopic hysterectomies: laparoscopic hysterectomy vs. total laparoscopic hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) and Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH). METHODS Both types of hysterectomy were performed by retroperitoneal uterine artery sealing using LigaSure™ by four-puncture. A total of 45 patients were operated on by LH and 22 by TLH. The mean operation time, amount of intraoperative bleeding, drop in hemoglobin concentration, weight of removed uterus, major and minor per-post operative complications, and rate of conversion to the classical abdominal approach in the two groups were compared. RESULTS The mean operation time in TLH (110 min.) was significantly longer than in LH (65 min.). This was mainly due to the shorter mean operating time in the vaginal part of LH group (13 min.) compared to laparoscopic dissection of uterosacral ligaments and vaginal suturing (42 min.) in the TLH group. Median blood loss was also significantly higher in the TLH group (278 ml.) compared to the LH group (110 ml.). There were no significant differences in the mean drop of hemoglobin concentration, uterine weight, major and minor complications and conversion to laparotomy between the groups. CONCLUSION LH seems to be a faster and more demanding method than TLH. With its shorter operation time and less bleeding, LH may be preferred to TLH.