Yasushi Okamura

Immunocytochemistry of human chorionic gonadotropin in human chorionic villi

The immunocytochemical localization of human chorionic gonadotropin was investigated in chorionic villi from the seventh to twelfth week of gestation. By the light microscopic peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique, positive reactions of human chorionic gonadotropin were found exclusively in the syncytiotrophoblast. Immunoelectron microscopy by means of the protein A-gold technique reveals localization of the immunoreactive gold particles in two kinds of membrane-bound granular inclusions in this cell; one type is granules of 200 to 300 nm in diameter with moderate electron density and the other is large electron-dense bodies of 500 to 1000 nm. The former seems to be Golgi-derived secretory granules that play a role in the release of human chorionic gonadotropin from the syncytiotrophoblast. Although the origin of the latter is still uncertain, a certain amount of this hormone might be stored or treated by lysosomal digestion in the large bodies during these stages.

A New Therapeutic Method for Climacteric Disorders

At the present time the administration of an exogeneous estrogen for the treatment of climacteric disorders is generally accepted both in Japan and foreign countries. However, there have been several reports to show that estrogen will promote carcinogenecity. With special attention to this point, the author performed the endocrinological treatment without estrogen for climacteric disorders. The author would like to propose the reactivation method on functionally declining ovary by the approach of induction of ovulation. In this paper the author describes a successful case treated by the new method of hormone therapy.

Psychoneuroendocrine Aspects in Psycho- and Somatic Environmental Factors

The limbic system and the hypothalamus appear to mediate the somatic manifestations of emotion by acting as a bridge between the neocortex, the autonomic nervous system and the endocirne glands. In this manner, emotions may cause a multitude of endocrine and autonomic reactions, such as increased or decreased secretion of hormones, increase in blood pressure, increased smooth muscle activity of the uterus, and other organic or functional changes. The purpose of this presentation was to investigate the psychoneuroendocrine aspects in diseases, namely, endocrine diseases, vegetative disturbance, and childbirth. The therapeutic results of psychotherapy for gynecological disorders were as follows: 1) Ovulation occured in all cases of three anovulatory cycles, and two of these patients became pregnant; 2) Menstruation appeared in 12 of 16 amenorrheas; and 3) It has been possible to achieve a definite improvement of the vegetative syndrome in 45 of 53 vegetative disturbances.