Ronald J. Pion

Inhibition of the Pregnenolone Δ5–3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase-Δ5-4 Isomerase Systems of Human Placenta and Corpus Luteum of Pregnancy

The inhibition of the pregnenolone Δ 5–3Β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-Δ5-4 isomerase systems in microsomes of human placenta or corpus luteum of

Contraceptive use among single college students

Abstract The extent and type of contraceptive use among 446 single college students was investigated. Since few systematic data have been gathered on premarital contraception, relative adequacy of contraceptive use is difficult to assess. However, the results demonstrate that many students in this sample are using inadequate or no contraception. Action by physicians is cited.

Metabolism of progesterone by the term human placenta perfused in-situ

Abstract In situ perfusions using labelled progesterone as substrate were carried out in the human term placenta. Rapid metabolism was demonstrated. The major metabolites isolated in radiochemically pure form were 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one and 6β-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione. Another metabolite was identified tentatively as 5β-pregnane-3,20-dione. No C-18 or C-19 steroids were found. Previous hypotheses have stressed the role of the fetus in the production of certain metabolites identified in umbilical cord blood. It is suggested that placenta I production be considered as well.

Relation of C19 steroid sulfates in cord plasma to maternal urinary estriol

Abstract Estriol precursors were determined in the cord plasma of normal infants and in infants whose mothers had decreased gestational estriol. In affected infants dehydroisoandrosterone sulfate and 16α-hydroxydehydroisoandrosterone sulfate were markedly decreased. The role of fetal C 19 precursors in estriol biogenesis is discussed.

Relationship of C19 steroid excretion in the newborn to maternal urinary estriol

Abstract The excretion of C 19 steroid sulfates was measured in infants whose mothers had decreased urinary estriol. The excretion of dehydroisoandrosterone was not altered, while both 16α-hydroxydehydroisoandrosterone and 16-ketoandrostenediol were markedly reduced. The significance of these findings in relation to maternal urinary estriol excretion is discussed.

Utilization of precursor steroids in placental progesterone synthesis.

A number of radioactive steroid and sterol compounds were infused into the human term placenta in situ in an effort to assess their potential as precursors for progesterone production. Pregnenolone and pregnenolone sulfate were most efficiently converted to progesterone (12.8 and 12.9 per cent of injected radioactive material). 20β-dihydroprogesterone, 20β-dihydropregnenolone, and 20β-dihydropregnenolone-3-sulfate were converted in very low yield (

Sexual behavior of adolescents.

Unwanted pregnancy is a disease with consequences that affect every level of society. Illegitimacy is rising to the point where it is a major social problem. Findings of the National Center for Health Statistics show that in the 1940-1965 period illegitimacy tripled. More than 40% of unwed mothers are teenagers. It is clear that young people who approach doctors for assistance must be treated as individuals who are in a difficult time of life. When a young patient needs contraceptive assistance the doctor should not refuse merely because the patient is young or lacks parental consent. So far there has been no single instance of legal action against a doctor who gave contraceptive assistance where parental consent was lacking.

Sexuality, Contraception and the Mentally Retarded

Sexuality marriage and contraceptive use for the mentally retarded are discussed and a historical perspective of attitudes toward their fertility is presented. Along with current improved understanding of medical and sociopsychiatric characteristics of the mentally retarded must come reevaluation of ideas about sexuality of such persons. Contraception should be considered a feasible method of reproductive control for many retardates with or without supervision and sterilization should be an alternative rather than a mandatory approach. Use of IUDs or an oral or injectable contraceptive is strongly suggested.

The Role of the Pharmacist in Family Planning

The pharmacists potential and present role in family planning was discussed. Personal factors affected the sale and display of contraceptives. Of 1600 questionnaires sent to members of the Washington State Pharmaceutical Association 850 were returned. The vast majority responding were caucasian males 30 to 50 years of age married Protestant born and educated as pharmacists in the state of Washington. 98% of the total and 92% of the Roman Catholic pharmacists sold contraceptives; 78% and 70% respectively displayed them. Among those displaying contraceptives 5% displayed diaphragms and 2% displayed oral contraceptives. Although foams creams jellies and condoms are available without a prescription the former are displayed by 100% of the pharmacists and the latter displayed by 5%. An effective contraindication to the use of condoms especially by young males is their psychological unavailability. Support for sale of contraceptives to unmarried minors was greater in non-Catholics than in Catholics in pharmacists 20-29 than in older pharmacists in pharmacists in cities of population over 100000 than pharmacists in towns under 5000. Male customers infrequently asked pharmacists for contraceptive advice and female customers even less frequently. 87% of the respondents supported some control over contraceptive distribution. Pharmacists can participate in family planning by displaying both contraceptives and information. The elimination of unwanted pregnancies is important to reduce human suffering.