R. Lambotte

Differential expression of Galectin‐1 and Galectin‐3 during first trimester human embryogenesis

Development of complex organisms requires specific temporospatial differentiation and expression of the correct phenotype through activation of a variety of genes. Galectins are mammalian lectins able to interact with various extracellular matrix glycoconjugates and have been implicated in several biological events including cell attachment, differentiation, apoptosis, embryogenesis, and cancer invasion and metastasis. In this study, we have examined the expression of galectin‐1 and galectin‐3 during human first trimester embryogenesis using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Variable amounts of galectin‐1 and galectin‐3 were detected in all tissue protein extracts. Galectin‐1 expression was demonstrated in the connective tissue and derived tissues such as smooth and striated muscle cells, and in some epithelia, such as in the basal layers of the skin after 14 weeks and in the epithelial cells of the gonads. Galectin‐3 was detected mainly in epithelia, such as the skin, epithelial lining of the digestive and respiratory tract, and urothelium and excretory tubes of the kidney, but also in the myocardial cells, in the peripheral and pre‐ossifying hypertrophic chondrocytes, and in the notochord and in the liver. Our study constitutes the first demonstration of galectin‐1 and galectin‐3 during human embryogenesis. The differential expression of these two lectins suggests that they could participate in the complex processes of tissue differentiation. Dev. Dyn. 209:399–405, 1997.

Anatomical Studies of the Utero-Placental Vascularization in the First Trimester of Pregnancy

The development of the placenta, the growth and organogenesis of the fetoplacental unit have always attracted consisderable interest (Boyd and Hamilton, 1971). The reciprocal, tolerant relationship between mother and offspring has puzzled generations of scientists who have devoted themselves to the comprehension of the physiology of gestation.

Exteroceptive Silent Period of Temporalis Muscle in Menstrual Headaches

The second exteroceptive silent period (ES2) of temporalis muscle was recorded on days 1 and 15 of the menstrual cycle in 17 women, 9 of whom suffered regularly from tension-type headaches during menstruation. Mean duration of temporalis ES2 was significantly shorter on day I of the cycle than on day 15. This difference was due to a marked menstrual reduction of ES2 in the headache subgroup. A positive correlation was found between ES2 durations and oestradiol/progesterone ratios. We hypothesize that the variations of ES2 during the ovarian cycle result from the modulatory effects of oestrogens on descending aminergic pathways that control excitability of inhibitory brainstem interneurons mediating exteroceptive suppression of jaw-closing motoneurons.

Relationship of mastodynia with its endocrine environment and treatment in a double blind trial with lynestrenol.

ZusammenfassungBei 33 Patienten mit Mastodynie und 20 Kontrollpatienten wurden Serumanalysen 7 Tage vor der Menstruation durchgeführt. Die Untersuchung hat ergeben, daß der Progesterongehalt häufig abnimmt; der Prolaktingehalt jedoch ansteigt verglichen mit Kontrollpersonen gleichen Alters.In einem Doppelblindversuch zeigte die Verabfolgung von Lynestrenol (10 mg/Tag; 10.–24. Zyklustag) bei 47 Patienten eine signifikante Verminderung der Mastodynie in 80% der Fälle.Die therapeutischen Versager können durch Abnormalitäten in der Prolaktinsekretion erklärt werden und können möglicherweise auch verursacht werden durch unterschiedliche Ansprechbarkeit.SummarySerum analysis carried out about 7 days before menstruation in 33 patients with mastodynia and 20 controls confirmed that progesterone is frequently decreased and prolactinaemia increased in the patients with mastodynia compared with controls of the same age.In a double blind trial, administration of Lynestrenol to 47 patients with mastodynia (each of whom was given 10 mg per day from the 10th to the 24th day of the cycle) resulted in a significant improvement of this condition in 80% of the treated cases. The therapeutic failures may be explained by anomalies in the secretion of prolactin, and may possibly be linked to individual sensitivity factors.

Cellular Proliferation in Villi of Normal and Pathological Pregnancies

DNA and protein synthesis have been studied in placental villi from normal and pathological cases by in vitro incorporation of tritiated thymidine or tritiated proline and subsequent counting or autoradiography. It appeared that cytotrophoblastic DNA synthesis continued until term and that it was particularly important in preeclampsia cases and in cases of villous immaturity (rhesus sensitization). Protein synthesis was also increased in preeclampsia and seemed to be due to a very active cytotrophoblastic metabolism. The most interesting finding was that in preeclampsia cases, especially when intrauterine growth retardation was superimposed, villous capillary endothelial cell proliferation was as prominent as in cases where villous maturation was not achieved. Such results are highly suggestive of an important compensatory proliferative mechanism in the placentae of preeclamptic women.

Organ Culture of Mammalian Testis

Mouse testes were cultured for 19–20 days at either 31 or 37 °C with a change of medium every 4 days. After treatment with charcoal and dextran T, the recovered testis media were incubated with rat an

Is Ultrasound Monitoring of Follicular Growth Harmless

Monitoring of the growth of ovarian follicles by ultrasound (US) is now frequently utilized in such procedures as hMG stimulation, artificial insemination, and in vitro fertilization. While experimental studies have demonstrated that ultrasound, when used at diagnostic intensities, is not toxic for cells or tissues,1 until now there has been no study concerning the effect of ultrasound waves on preovulatory follicles. Using ultrasound to determine the appropriate time for artificial insemination with donor semen (AID) in 1980, we have compared the pregnancy rates in two populations of AID patients (with US versus without US). The success rate is reduced in the US‐monitored group. Animal experiments confirm these results.

Variations of luteinizing hormone serum concentrations after exogenous human chorionic gonadotropin administration during ovarian hyperstimulation

Changes in luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, and progesterone (P) serum levels before and after preovulatory administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were assayed in 30 patients stimulated with clomiphene citrate (CC) and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) and compared with LH variations in 43 patients submitted to pharmacological hypophysectomy with a gonadotropm-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) and stimulation with hMG. In CC+hMG-treated patients, an endogenous LH surge occurred systematically 4.25±2.75 hours after hCG injection. Multiparametric analysis indicated an inverse correlation between the delay in the initial rise of the LH surge and the increase in P levels during the 6 hours after hCG administration. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist+hMG treatment did not lead to an LH surge after hCG but to a significant fall in LH levels. Thus, exogenous hCG, administered before ovulation, induces an endogenous LH surge if pituitary function is not blocked by a GnRH-a, probably through an increase in P secretion.

Female gonadal dysfunction

Summary Present endocrine investigations include assays of urinary and plasma gonadotrophins, oestrogens, androgens and progesterone in basal and under dynamic conditions. These, in conjunction with gynaecological examination, x-ray investigations, laparoscopy, histological examination and karyotyping lead to the diagnosis and understanding of the pathogenesis of the main types of gonadal dysfunction in women, namely primary and secondary amenorrhoea, endocrine infertility and precocious puberty.

Laminin and type III procollagen peptide in human preovulatory follicular fluid **Supported by grants 3.4515.85 and 1.5067.87F of the Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique in Belgium, and by a grant of the Caisse Generale d’Epargne et de Retraite.

The levels of laminin P1 fragment, a marker of basement membrane, and of the aminoterminal sequence of type III procollagen, a marker of interstitial connective tissue, were measured in human preovulatory follicular fluids. The concentrations of these peptides correlated with progesterone levels but not with those of estradiol or testosterone. Immunocytochemical studies confirmed the remodeling of the perifollicular basement membrane and interstitial matrix during oocyte maturation. The studies suggest that monitoring of the ovarian connective tissue macromolecules could be useful for estimating follicular maturation.