V. I. Kulakov

Antisperm antibodies and sterility: insoluble problem or perspective trend of research?

Conflicting opinions about the effects of antisperm antibodies on fertilization can be due to inadequacy of experimental approaches in evaluating the antisperm immunity. Detection of antisperm antibodies bound to the surface of live spermatozoa can be associated with aggregation of surface antigen-antibody complexes followed by metabolic activation of spermatozoa and acrosomal reaction, which impair cell resistance. New concept of antisperm immunity and its influence on reproduction can be formulated only after comprehensive studies of the mechanisms of spermatozoon response to binding of antisperm antibodies. Further improvement of quantitative assays of antisperm antibodies and evaluation of their effect on spermatozoon function should be aimed at selection of experimental conditions preventing changes in spermatozoa coated with antisperm antibodies during in vitro manipulations.

Expression of cytokine genes in adhesions on uterine tubes.

We studied expression of genes of interleukins, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, and transforming growth factor-β2 in adhesions on uterine tubes. In tubal adhesions the intensity of production of mRNA for proinflammatory cytokines, antiinflammatory cytokine interleukin-10, and regulator of cell proliferation surpassed that in normal tissues by 2.5-7.4, 2.2, and 50.2 times, respectively. Correlations were found between production of mRNA for tumor necrosis factor-α and transforming growth factor-β2, interleukin-12, and interferon-γ and interleukin-12 and transforming growth factor-β2. Our results suggest that expression of these genes during adhesion formation is regulated by the feedback mechanism.

Autonomic reactions in patients undergoing total oophorectomy and their changes after human fetal tissue transplant

The effect of transplantation of human fetal tissues on the type of autonomic reactions in women of reproductive age after oophorectomy was investigated. The maximal effect of the therapy was observed 1.5–2 months after transplantation, but by the sixth month all parameters returned to baseline. Transplantation of human fetal tissues is contraindicated for patients suffering from essential hypertension.

Detection ofChlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, andUreaplasma urealyticum by polymerase chain reaction in men and women with genital diseases

Polymerase chain reaction was clinically used to diagnose chlamydial and mycoplasma infection in the cervix and male urethra. Examinations of 2260 patients with disorders of reproductive function detectedC. trachomatis, M. hominis, andU. urealyticum in 32.9, 9.7, and 25.7% of cases, respectively. A high incidence of mixed nongonococcal urogenital infections was observed, particularly in women. Seasonal fluctuations were shown in the detection rates of chlamydial and ureaplasmic infections.

CHANGES IN THE HORMONAL PROFILE OF OVARIECTOMIZED WOMEN IN THE COURSE OF FETAL THERAPY

Changes in the hormonal profile after human fetal tissue transplantation are studied in ovariectomized women of reproductive age. Normalization of the hormonal profile is achieved for at least 5–6 months after the first procedure and for at least 9–10 months after repeated inoculation of fetal tissue.

Comparative study of the state of bone tissue during hormone replacement therapy and transplantation of human fetal tissues in oophorectomized women

The state of bone tissue is studied in 95 women with postoophorectomy syndrome. It is shown that fetal tissue therapy delayed the progression of the pathological process in bones and even increased bone density.

A POSSIBILITY OF CORRECTING OOPHORECTOMY SYNDROME BY TRANSPLANTATION OF HUMAN FETAL TISSUES

The expression of the main symptoms of postoophorectomy syndrome is studied. Comparative analysis of various corrective methods shows that transplantation of human fetal tissues may be used as an alternative approach in cases where hormone replacement therapy is not indicated.

EFFECT OF TRANSPLANTATION OF HUMAN FETAL TISSUE ON CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH THE POSTCASTRATION SYNDROME

Electrical activity of the brain was studied in 45 women after total oophorectomy in a state of calm alertness and in functional overload before and after transplantation of human fetal tissues. Pretransplantation studies showed α-rhythm disorganization, α-activity polyrhythmicity, a tendency toward high-frequency rhythms, and a disordered process of internal synchronization. Studies carried out after human fetal tissue transplantation showed adjustment of the cortex-stem relationships, a reduction of the α-rhythm index, and an increased β-activity index. Reactions to light stimuli and the function of the cerebral cortex improved in the majority of patients after transplantation, this being manifested in appropriate reactions to afferent stimulation. However, by the 6th month posttransplantation electrical activity of the brain was virtually the same as pretreatment.

Status of the breasts in patients with the postcastration syndrome treated by transplantation of human fetal tissue

Clinical and x-ray examinations of the breasts were carried out in 45 women with the postcastration syndrome before and after treatment by human fetal tissue transplantation. The results indicate that a drastic drop of the steroid hormones level and increased gonadotropin secretion occurring in patients with the postcastration syndrome lead to the intensification of involution processes no matter what the patients age. Benign hyperplastic changes in the breasts induced by previous neuroendocrine gynecological diseases gradually regress. Breast examinations carried out 6–8 months after transplantation of human fetal tissue showed no deterioration of any kind. Clinical examinations and interviews of patients showed an improved turgor of breast skin, although mammography failed to detect any changes in the volume of the glands.