Wolfe Z. Polishuk

Hyperprolactinemic Male Infertility

Serum prolactin was studied in 25 fertile and 127 infertile men. The latter included 91 oligospermic, 27 azoospermic, and 9 hypogonadotropic hypogonadal men. The mean prolactin level in all three groups of infertile men was significantly above that of the fertile group. There was no correlation among serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, sperm count, and serum prolactin values. Hyperprolactinemia was found in five patients (two oligospermic, one azoospermic, and two hypogonadotropic hypogonadal men). Bromocriptine, 2.5 mg twice daily, suppressed hyperprolactinemia. In one man with hyperprolactinemic oligospermia, treatment with bromocriptine yielded significant improvement in sperm count (to normal values).

Serum copper and zinc levels in patients taking oral contraceptives.

Serum copper and zinc levels of 251 healthy women aged 19-30 years taking various combined and sequential oral contraceptives (OCs) were compared with those of 91 healthy women not taking OCs. Average serum copper level for the OC group was significantly greater than that of controls and serum zinc level was significantly lower than that of controls the respective changes exceeding normal ranges in 21 of the women. Length of OC intake type and composition of OC and day of cycle had no significant effect on copper level but zinc level was lower in those taking sequential compounds. Serum metal levels may eventually play a role in determining patient selection or rejection for OC therapy.

Fetal Movements Recorder, Use and Indications

A new device for recording fetal movements is presented. This device is composed of 2 sensors, incorporating a highly sensitive piezoelectric material. It is sensitive to rapid straining forces such as fetal movements and relatively insensitive to steady, slow movements such as uterine contractions and maternal respiratory movements. In this study of 20 women, the sensors were placed on 2 different zones of the abdomen, usually above the umbilicus. There was a good correlation between fetal movements recorded by the device and those felt by the patients. Seventy percent of all observed fetal movements recorded by the device were registered simultaneously by the women. The device recorded 90.4% and the women recorded 79.7% of all such movements.

Regeneration of Rabbit Endometrium Following Intrauterine Instillation of Chemical Agents

The effect of local application of different cytotoxic agents to the endometrium, the extent of the chemical injury and the ability of the epithelium to regenerate were studied. The following chemical

Fetal and placental pathology in gestational rubella.

During the course of a recent rubella epidemic in Israel, 45 cases of interruption of pregnancy were studied. These included 32 cases with clinical evidence of rubella (14 interrupted during the third month and 15 during the fifth or sixth months) and 13 cases (3 interrupted during the third month and 10 during the fifth to sixth months) in whom close contact with rubella occurred. Seventy other placentas and 32 fetuses of the same age served as controls. Of 14 cases with clinical rubella in which pregnancy was interrupted during the third month (and only the placentas were examined), typical placental damage was found in 8. Of 18 cases of clinical rubella in which pregnancy was interrupted at 5 to 6 months, 9 of the fetuses exhibited various malformations, and 10 placentas were damaged. Of the 13 cases of close contact with rubella, 10 fetuses were examined, and 2 were malformed; all the placentas were studied, and 2 were found to have abnormalities typical of those caused by rubella. A positive correlation between maternal rubella antibody levels and placental and fetal injuries was usually found. The close correlation between fetal anomalies and placental damage is discussed.

Serum copper levels in normal and pathologic pregnancies.

Abstract Serum copper levels were determined by a new method of atomic absorption spectroscopy in normal and pathologic pregnancies. The average serum copper in healthy men was 108 μg per cent compared to 129 μg per cent for normal nonpregnant women. The mean value of copper in umbilical cord blood was 55 μg per cent and amniotic fluid 30 μg per cent. In normal pregnancy, the serum copper shows a progressive increase with the advancement of gestation. A decrease is noticed during labor and throughout the puerperium. Serum copper was elevated in cases of toxemia of pregnancy. There is a correlation between the clinical severity and the serum copper level. Hypocupremia seems to us to be an index of placental insufficiency, since it was found in cases of postmaturity, premature rupture of the membranes, and in cases of spontaneous abortion.

SERUM PROLACTIN AND THE SUPPRESSION OF LACTATION

Baromocriptine (2 bromo‐α‐ergocryptine), stilboestrol, clomiphene citrate, testosterone propionate and a placebo were given to 75 postpartum women for the suppression of puerperal lactation. An additional 15 women who breast‐fed their babies served as a control group. Blood samples were taken for the determination of serum prolactin levels by a specific homologous double antibody radioimmuno‐assay. Concurrently, the clinical effectiveness of the various treatments was assessed. High levels of prolactin were found at the time of delivery. Bromocriptine effectively reduced serum prolactin and prevented lactation; stilboestrol increased serum prolactin and partially suppressed lactation; clomiphene citrate and testosterone propionate both lowered serum prolactin levels and partially suppressed lactation. The placebo showed almost no effect on serum prolactin. It appeared that bromocriptine was the drug of choice in the suppression of puerperal lactation.

Amenorrhea hypomenorrhea and uterine fibrosis.

To evaluate changes in uterine muscle (percent of fibrous tissue) uterine biopsies that showed a clinical picture of amenorrhea or hypomenorrhea were studied in 8 women. All biopsies were taken during laparotomy: 5 for lysis of intrauterine adhesions by hysterotomy 1 for tubal pregnancy and 2 for ovarian cysts. The method of study provided a ratio between the amounts of fibrous tissue and smooth muscle in histologic sections. The results indicate that in cases of recurrent intrauterine adhesions and endometrial fibrosis there is a process in which muscular tissue is replaced by fibrotic tissue within the uterine wall. This suggests that endometrial fibrosis and intrauterine adhesions may be only 1 manifestation of a much wider process.

I. Regeneration of rabbit endometrium following curettage

Abstract In order to establish a basis for the evaluation of the effects of hormonal administration on endometrial regeneration, the rate of the latter was studied in rabbits after curettage. The earliest signs of regeneration were noted 3 hr. after curettage, and by 48 hr. the endometrial surface was completely lined by regenerated endometrial cells. Within 72 hr. regeneration was complete and there were no obvious differences between sections from the curetted and control horns. Mitotic activity was not evident in the early stages of regeneration but was prominent in the surface epithelial cells 48 hr. after the curettage.

Serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in fertile and subfertile men.

High levels of serotonin and 5-HIAA were found in the urine of a group of 102 oligospermic and azoospermic men. These levels were significantly higher than those of normal fertile men.