Oktay Erten

Plasma copper, zinc and magnesium levels in patients with premenstrual tension syndrome

We measured plasma Cu, Zn and Mg levels in 40 women suffering from premenstrual tension syndrome (PMTS) and in 20 control subjects by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Mean plasma Cu. Zn and Mg levels, the Zn/Cu ratio were 80.2±6.00 μg/dl, 112.6 ±8.35 μg/dl, 0.70±0.18mmol/1, and 1.40± 0.10 in the PMTS group; and 77.0±4.50 μg/dl. 117.4 ±9.50 μg/dl. 0.87±0.10 mmol/l, and 1.51 ±0.05 in the control group respectively. The mean Mg level and the Zn/Cu ratio were significantly lower in PMTS patients than in the control group. Plasma Mg and Zn levels were diminished significantly during the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase in PMTS group. Mg deficiency may play a role in the etiology of PMTS.

Reproductive failure and antisperm‐antibody production among prostitutes

Reproductive failure and anti‐sperm antibody (ASA) production among prostitutes were investigated. A questionnaire including the subjects age, years of prostitution, date of most recent birth, number of children and contraceptive method used at the beginning of prostitution were asked of 109 prostitutes, but only 53 agreed to complete the questionnaire. ASA was detected by ELISA in the prostitutes (n=109) and in the control group (n=40) sera. The tests revealed a high ASA rate (43.1%) among the prostitutes. The difference in the incidence of ASA between controls (5%) and the prostitutes (43.1%) was highly significant (p < 0.01). It was found that ASA positivity incidence in 27 prostitutes who had never use any contraception method and who became infertile within 9,3 years (average) was 61.3%. These results may be explained by repeatedly inoculations with multiple sperm antigens and/or microorganisms.

Prolactin and amniotic fluid electrolytes.

Prolactin (PRL) levels and Na+. K+, Cl−. Ca+ concentrations in maternal serum and amniotic fluid from 64 women in normal term pregnancy were measured by immunoenzymetric assay and flame photometry. The mean amniotic fluid PRL concentration was 597.7 (SE 31.5) ng/ml and the mean amniotic fluid Na+, K+, Cl− and Cd++ levels were 125.6 (SE 0.9) mmol/l, 4.5 (SE 0.1) mmol/l, 109.3 (SE 1.3) mmol/l and 2.0 (SE 7.5 E‐02) mmol/l, respectively. There was no correlation between PRL levels in maternal scrum and amniotic fluid. and the electrolyte concentrations in amniotic fluid. A close correlation was found between the concentrations of Na+ and Cl− in maternal serum and amniotic fluid. Thus, even though PRL may participate in the regulation of electrolytes in the amniotic fluid compartments, our findings provide indirect evidence for the existence of other regulatory mechanisms.

Maternal, fetal and amniotic fluid prolactin levels in term and post‐term pregnancies

Prolactin (PRL) levels in maternal serum, amniotic fluid and mixed cord blood from 11 women with post‐term pregnancies and 64 women with normal term pregnancies were measured by immunoenzymetric assay in order to investigate their possible role in the onset of labor. No differences were found between term and post‐term pregnancies, and it is concluded that PRL probably has no function in triggering labor.

DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN GYNAECOLOGY

EDITORIAL COMMENT: We accepted this paper for publication because we thought readers would be interested to know of the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in gynaecology. It should not be overlooked that patients with a palpable mass in the pelvis almost always need a laparotomy once the general condition has been assessed and chest radiography performed to exclude multiple metastases i.e. in most cases investigations do not alter management. This statement applies to ultrasonography, radiography and magnetic resonance imaging. Often it is wise to do a barium enema in a patient with a pelvic mass mainly to establish whether the condition is a general surgical or a gynaecological problem but the fact of the matter is masses do not go away without surgery and deferring of surgery by investigation is not helpful to the patients prognosis.