Shanta S. Rao

Effect of steroidal contraceptives on antibody formation in the human female

Abstract The antibody response to tetanus toxoid was studied in female subjects receiving various forms of steroidal contraceptives as compared with that in control subjects using conventional contraceptives and an IUCD. It was observed that the immune response in groups using steroidal contraceptives was considerably lower than that of the control.

Effect of vasectomy on the prostatic function as indicated by seminal maltase activity

The effect of vasectomy on prostatic function has been investigated. Maltase activity and the fructose content were determined in the seminal plasma of individuals vasectomized one to two years before the study commenced. The results of this study revealed that the maltase activity in the semen of vasectomized individuals (11.7 ± 2.0) was significantly lower when compared to the levels observed in the non-vasectomized men (28.7 ± 2.9). The fructose content, however, remained unchanged after the operation. The clinical significance of this observation has been discussed.

Diminution in humoral antibodies to tetanus toxoid after Ovulen therapy in mice.

Abstract Mice treated with Ovulen showed diminished immunological response to tetanus toxoid. The decrease in humoral antibody-titre increased with increasing doses of Ovulen.

Effect of Spermine on Carbohydrate Metabolism in Human Semen

Der Einfluß von Spermin auf den Kohlenhydratstoffwechsel im menschlichen Sperma

Raising of antisera to protein hormones without using Freund's adjuvant

A new method has been developed to produce antiserum to protein hormones without the use of Freunds complete adjuvant. Antiserum to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was elicited by injecting rabbits with 6 subcutaneous injections of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) coated with hCG. The antiserum produced was observed to be both serologically and biologically active. A small quantity of the hormone (15--20 IU/injection) sufficed to produce hyperimmune sera. This could ensure an overall economy if large amounts of the antisera are required for clinical and diagnostic purposes.

Influence of oral contraceptives on circulating immune response II. Effect of progestogenic and estrogenic components

Female mice were treated with chlormadinone acetate (.25 mcg or 6.25 mcg), megestraol acetate (.25 mcg or 6.25 mcg), ethynodiol diacetate (.5 mcg or 12.5 mcg), norgestrel (.25 mcg or 6.25 mcg) or norethynodrel (2.5 mcg or 62.5 mcg) and studied to determine what effect these progestagens had on circulating tetanus antibody titers. None of the progesterones affected the immune response to tetanus toxoid. Mice given ethinyl estradiol or mestranol had enhanced circulating antibody titers. It is conlcuded that combination oral contraceptives act to diminish antibody response as a result of the combined potency of the estrogen and progesterone components.

Influence of oral contraceptives on circulating immune response I. Effect of combination type contraceptives

Female mice were given either Ovral or Enovid orally and studied to determine what effect the combination oral contraceptive agents (OCAs) had on circulating levels of tetanus antitoxin. Ovral produced significantly lower titers of circulating tetanus antitorin (p.005); the titers decreased with increasing doses of Ovral. Enovid produced borderline significant lowering (.1p.05). Clearance of tetanus antitoxin in mice given Ovulen or Ovral was not greater than in control mice, and treatment with Ovulen or Ovral did not change tetanus antitoxin titers in actively immunized mice. It is concluded that combination OCAs may interfere with antibody synthesis.

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.