Safia R. Munshi

Diurnal variations of serum testosterone levels in the male bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata)

Diurnal variations in serum testosterone levels were studied in six adult maleMacaca radiata. Though the testosterone levels fluctuated considerably during the 24-hr period, a distinctive diurnal pattern characterized by lower concentrations during day hours and higher concentrations during night hours was observed.

Some characteristics of the normal menstrual cycle of the bonnet monkey (M. radiata)

Sixty-two menstrual cycles were observed in five bonnet monkeys over a period of 12 months. The menstrual cycles ranged in length from 22 to 35 days, although cycles of from 26 to 29 days were most frequent. Menstrual flow occurred for two to seven days, the flow lasting for three to four days in the majority (82%) of the cycles. Serum estradiol-17β (E2) and progesterone (P) were measured by radioimmunoassay in two consecutive cycles in each monkey and correlated with changes in the quantity of cervical mucus secretion and spinnbarkeit. The day of the estradiol peak was considered as day 0. The E2 levels began to rise one to three days before the peak, returning to baseline levels within two days and thereafter remained at low levels. The serum P rose 2 days after the E2 peak, and maximum level was attained at 10 to 12 days after the E2 peak. The quantity of cervical mucus increased proportionately with estrogen. However, the quantity remained at maximum levels even after the decline of the serum E2 level. Similar trends were observed with the spinnbarkeit.

Effect of inhibin on ovulation and implantation in mice

Injection of antiserum to ovine FSH on the day of proestrus could inhibit ovulation in the next cycle. Inhibin preparation purified from sheep ovaries failed to affect ovulation in mice. Suppression of FSH by this preparation of inhibin during early pregnancy reversed the mitotic index. Administration of inhibin during the peri-implantation period terminated pregnancy in mice. The inhibin preparation decreases FSH in circulation which in turn may possibly reduce ovarian estrogens, thereby inhibiting pregnancy.

Release of norethisterone from a bioabsorbable implant in female bonnet monkeys ( Macaca radiata )

Bioabsorbable implants prepared by fusion of 85% norethisterone (NET) and 15% cholesterol were inserted subdermally in four cycling bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata). No skin reaction or inflammation was observed at the site of implantation. Plasma concentration of norethisterone (NET) measured by radioimmunoassay were monitored for 14 to 16 months at monthly intervals. In the first month weekly samples were analysed. NET was released into circulation within 24 hours after insertion of the implant. In all the monkeys, except one, a sharp rise in NET (1.9 to 20 ng/ml) occurred immediately after insertion. Levels then remained between 1.7 and 0.6 ng/ml for about 4 months. Thereafter they remained steady up to about 9 months in two monkeys and gradually declined to about 0.4 ng/ml in the remaining two. In all except one, there was a sudden burst of NET release between the 10th and 11th month. The hormone almost cleared out of circulation by the 14th to 16th month. Initial menstrual cycles after pellet insertion were disturbed, leading to spotting and irregular bleeding. Regular cycles appeared from 5 to 8 months after the insertion of the implant. These cycles were ovulatory, as determined by the progesterone levels.

Sterility induced in male rats by injection of chemical agents into the vas deferens.

Sterilität bei männlichen Ratten aufgrund einer lnjektion chemischer Substanzen in den Ductus deferens

Single endometrial aspiration for determination of ovulation

The possibility of utilizing a single endometrial aspiration for the determination of ovulation was explored and compared with endometrial histology, serial vaginal cytology and plasma progesterone. A total of 180 women with normal, regular cycles and no pelvic pathologic conditions were studied. A correlation of 90.5% was observed between aspiration smears and histology. Vaginal cytology and histology agreed in 71.7% of the cases, while plasma progesterone and endometrial histology correlated in 95% of the women. Endometrial aspiration appeared to be an accurate, quick, inexpensive, convenient and a one‐time method, which could be repeated in successive cycles without any patient discomfort.

Effect of RMI 12,936 on early pregnancy in mice

Treatment with RMI 12,936 blocked the mitotic shift from epithelial to stromal cells normally observed in the uterus on Day 4 of pregnancy, and inhibited implantation. While progesterone alone could reverse the change in pattern of cell division in the preparation of the uterus for implantation, both oestradiol and progesterone were necessary to induce implantation and maintain pregnancy. A reduction in the activity of delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the ovaries of RMI 12,936-treated mice suggests that the compound affects luteal synthesis of oestrogen and progesterone in mice.

Selective inhibition of the follicle-stimulating and luteinizing principles in the gonadotropic hormones of different species

Abstract The effect of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and heat treatment has been studied as affecting the biological activity and the immunological specificity of the gonadotropins of three species. The hormones studied were human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG), pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG), follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones (FSH and LH) of human and ovine origin. The results indicated that heating at 100° for 30 min completely destroyed the follicle-stimulating (FS) activity present in HCG, HMG, and human and ovine FSH. The FS principle in PMSG was destroyed at 70° and the LH activity at 100°. Human and ovine LH were not significantly affected by this treatment. The immunological activity of the follicle stimulating principle present in HCG, HMG, and human FSH was completely destroyed on heating the hormones at 100° whereas the luteinizing principle in HCG, human LH, and PMSG was only partially affected. The activities of both ovine FSH and LH remained unaffected. Treatment with 30% hydrogen peroxide for 1 hour at room temperature destroyed completely the biological activity of the luteinizing principle in HCG and HMG, human LH, and ovine FSH. The luteinizing principle in ovine LH was partially destroyed by this treatment, but the follicle-stimulating activity of human FSH, HCG, and HMG remained unaffected. Treatment with 30% hydrogen peroxide failed to destroy the immunological activity of human and ovine FSH and ovine LH, but completely destroyed the LH activity present in HCG, HMG, and human LH. The follicle-stimulating principle in gonadotropins of the human species is inactivated when the hormones are heated at 100° for 30 min whereas the LH principle is destroyed by treatment with 30% hydrogen peroxide. There is, however, a difference in the selective inactivation of the follicle-stimulating and luteinizing principles of gonadotropins of the other species studied in spite of the similarity in their biological actions.