Sverre Stray-Pedersen

Etiologic factors and subsequent reproductive performance in 195 couples with a prior history of habitual abortion

A diagnostic screening program was applied to 195 couples with a prior history of habitual abortion (i.e., three or more consecutive abortions). Abnormalities were identified in 110 (56%) of the couples. Such identification was significantly more frequent in couples with primary habitual abortion than in couples with secondary habitual abortion (p less than 0.001) and also more frequent in couples with second-trimester abortions than in those with first-trimester abortions (p approximately equal to 0.01). The abnormalities most commonly observed were anomalies of the uterine body (15%), endometrial infections (15%), and cervical incompetence (13%). Hormonal dysfunctions were detected in 5%, and there were chromosomal aberrations in 3% of the couples. The women in the group showing abnormalities were offered surgical or medical treatment, and 80% of those who subsequently conceived carried their pregnancies to term. Among the couples with no abnormal findings, women receiving specific antenatal counseling and psychological support had a pregnancy success rate of 86%, as compared to a success rate of 33% observed in women who were given no specific antenatal care (p less than 0.001).

Formation of prostanoids in human umbilical vessels perfused in vitro.

Four major prostanoids (6-keto-PGF1 alpha, PGE2, PGF2 alpha and TXB2) were measured by specific radioimmunoassays in the outputs from human umbilical vessels perfused in vitro. As evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) only few blood platelets were attached to the vessel wall. After an initial flush with decreasing concentrations of all four prostanoids, a stable stage was reached, lasting for 4-5 hours. During this stage the production could be inhibited by indomethacin and only slightly stimulated with arachidonic acid. The TXA2 synthetase inhibitor UK 38485 depressed the TXB2 production, while only slightly affecting the other three prostanoids at very high concentrations. The arteries produced relatively more 6-keto-PGF1 alpha than did the vein.

In Vitro Perfusion Studies on Human Umbilical Arteries: I. Vasoactive Effects of Serotonin, PGF2α and PGE2

A method was developed for the assessment of in vitro perfusion of the umbilical cord arteries. a perfusion pressure of 60–80 mmHg gave flow rates ranging from 30 to 40 ml/min per artery. Serotonin, PGF2α and PGE2 were added to the perfusate and tested for vasoactivity. All substances induced a dose‐dependent vasoconstriction. Serotonin proved to be the most potent vasoconstrictor. the minimum dose required to induce visible pressure responses was 10−9–10−8M of serotonin and 10−7 M of PGF2α and PGE2. When adding methysergide to the perfusate, the serotonin response was abolished, while the effects of the prostanoids remained unaltered.

Effects of Vasoactive Autacoids on Different Segments of Human Umbilicoplacental Vessels

Effects of serotonin, prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2 alpha, U 46619 (a thromboxane A2 mimetic) and angiotensin I and II on the perfusion pressure were studied on vessel segments from human umbilical arteries, placental arteries and the umbilical vein during in vitro perfusions. All drugs were found to induce vasoconstriction. Serotonin displayed strong vasoconstrictor potencies in all vessel segments, whereas the responsiveness to the other autacoids differed greatly in the various segments. In the umbilical artery prostanoids were most potent in the juxtafetal segment, whereas angiotensin I and II displayed greatest effects in the juxtaplacental segment. The results lend additional support to the concept that angiotensins and prostanoids are of importance in the regulation of fetal extracorporeal blood flow.

Vascular responses induced by drugs and by vagal stimulation in the swimbladder of the eel, Anguilla vulgaris

Abstract 1. 1. The effect of drugs and of vagal stimulation on the circulation in the swimbladder of the eel, Anguilla vulgaris, has been studied by flow measurements during perfusion of the organ and by direct microscopy. 2. 2. Perfusion with solutions containing adrenaline and noradrenaline gave a reduced flow in the rate mirabile and in the secretory part of the swimbladder. Constriction of arterial vessels in the secretory bladder could also be directly observed during stimulation of the vagus nerve. These responses were abolished by rogitine, indicating the presence of alpha-receptors. 3. 3. Perfusion with solutions containing isoprenaline increased the flow in the secretory bladder, an effect which was inhibited by propranolol. 4. 4. Perfusion with solutions containing acetylcholine lead to a reduced flow in the secretory bladder and the rete in most animals. 5. 5. On the basis of these findings the existence of ‘secretory’ and ‘reabsorbent’ nerves to the swimbladder is briefly discussed.

Altered prostanoid formation in human umbilical vasculature in response to variations in oxygen tension

Prostanoid formation in human umbilical vessels perfused in vitro was assessed at different oxygen tensions. At an atmosphere of 5% oxygen the production rate of prostacyclin (measured as 6-keto-PGF1 alpha) was higher, while those of thromboxane A2 (measured as TXB2), PGE2 and PGF2 alpha were lower than with 20%, 50% and 95% oxygen. The stimulatory effect of angiotensin II on prostanoid production was found to be independent on the prevailing oxygen tension. Vascular formation of prostanoids thus seems to be at least partially affected by the ambient oxygen tension. Though altered oxygen tension does not seem to affect angiotensin induced prostanoid formation, the action of other vasoactive agents influencing vascular formation of prostanoids may respond differently to hypoxia or hyperoxia.

Vasoactive Effects of Intra- and Extravascular Serotonin, PGE2 and PGF2α in Human Umbilical Arteries

The effect of serotonin, PGE2 and PGF2 alpha on the vascular tension in human umbilical arteries has been investigated during in vitro perfusions. All autacoids induced dose-dependent biphasic pressure responses when added to the perfusate. When added to the extraumbilical fluid, serotonin induced monophasic vasoconstrictory responses, whereas PGE2 and PGF2 alpha did not elicit significant changes except for minor pressure oscillations in some experiments. The results obtained suggest a contributory role of the endothelial layer in the action of these autacoids on the smooth muscle tension.

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome with manifestations in the vulva

The blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare vascular disorder, manifesting with hemangiomas which are usually located in the gastrointestinal tract and/or in the skin. These lesions can cause local, sometimes severe bleedings or cosmetic problems. This report describes a young woman with BRBNS manifestations on the buttocks and in the vulva, the latter giving rise to symptoms specific to this location. The blood‐filled blebs were successfully treated by argon laser. As far as we know, manifestations of this disease in the female genital tract have not previously been described.

Amniotic fluid phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylglycerol: I. Normal pregnancies

Abstract. Phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) appear normally in the amniotic fluid during the last weeks of pregnancy. The present study indicated as have previous studies (5, 6, 8, 10) that these phospholipids are linked to the surfactant system in the fetal lung.

Characterization of the vasodilatatory response to serotonin in human umbilical arteries perfused in vitro. The influence of the endothelium

In most preparations of human cord arteries perfused in vitro, infusion of 10(-7) M of serotonin leads to a biphasic pressure response starting with a transient minor vasodilatation followed by a dominant vasoconstriction. In some preparations, however, the vasoconstrictive part of the response with this dose of serotonin is less pronounced or completely absent, whereas the dilatation is stronger and more prominent. The present study deals exclusively with experiments on cord arteries displaying the latter type of serotonin reactivity, and was undertaken in order to characterize the relaxing effect of serotonin, and in particular, the role of the endothelial layer. This was accomplished by studying the response pattern before and after treatment with different drugs or removal of the endothelium. The vasodilatatory action of serotonin was found to be abolished following treatment with methysergide, significantly reduced after denudation (P <0.05), slightly reduced after exposure to methylene blue or N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (non-significantly), but not affected by indomethacin. The results suggest that the relaxing effect is mediated by specific serotonin receptors and that endothelium-derived substances, possibly including nitric oxide, are involved.