Hormonal treatments for induction of ovarian cyclicity in post-partum anoestrous barki ewes

At the beginning of the non-breeding season, 25 Barki ewes in their early postpartum period [21-28 days] were divided into 5 groups [5 ewes per group] and treated as follow: 1- Received no treatment [control], Norgestomet ear implant for 13 days plus 500 i.v. PMSG at the time of implant removal; 2- Progesterone releasing intravaginal sponge for 13 days; 3- Progesterone releasing intravaginal sponge plus 750 i.v. PMSG at sponge withdrawal; 4- 30 mg progesterone followed by ram introduction. Blood samples were collected at the end of treatment, during estrus and 10 days following estrus. Plasma progesterone was determined using RIA. In the 5 groups 0, 80, 0, 100 and 80% of ewes showed symptoms of estrus. The duration from the end of treatment to the onset of estrus was 78 +/- 6, 48 +/- 16.97, 144 +/- 24 hours in groups 2, 4 and 5, respectively. Plasma progesterone for the 5 groups were 0.351 +/- 0.105, 3.429 +/- 0.672, 2.2 +/- 0.72, 0.54 +/- 0.27 and 47.03 +/- 11.826 ng/ml at the end of treatment, 0.296 +/- 0.096, 0.597 +/- 0.096, 2.635 +/- 1.578, 0.097 +/- 0.04 and 0.314 +/- 0.06 ng/ml during estrus or expected day of estrus, 0.287 +/- 0.109, 1.874 +/- 0.283, 0.26 +/- 0.11, 3.68 +/- 0.08 and 2.738 +/- 0.903 ng/ml 10 days following estrus in the 5 groups, respectively. The data indicated that Norgestomet PMSG or progesterone releasing intravaginal sponge PMSG or progesterone priming followed by ram introduction could provide a beneficial method for induction of early ovarian cyclicity in early postpartum Barki ewes during the non-breeding season

Prevalence of infertility factors in Pakistan

The incidence of various infertility factors in 1386 cases of infertility coming from different parts of Pakistan were studied at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi and Women Clinic and Fertility Advisory Centre, Islamabad [WCFAC] from May 1990 to April 1992. The age, type and duration of infertility was noted: 602 couples [43.4%] had full follow up while 422 [30.4%] had incomplete follow up. The various investigations carried out to evaluate infertility factors have been discussed in detail. The results are grouped into three main groups i.e. male factor, ovulation disturbances and sperm-ovum contact hindrance, which includes tubal and pelvic factors besides other causes. It was found that tubal and other pelvic factors are responsible for infertility in 39.5% cases as compared to 15-30% quoted in various studies. Male factor was responsible in 39.39% and ovulation disturbance was seen in 43.15% which correlates well with similar incidence in literature. It is stressed that evaluation of tubal factor should be resented for specialized centres only, otherwise women are likely to become infertile while being investigated by low grade workers due to the element of sepsis causing tubal blockade. Although the treatment of infertility is not so hopeful here because of costs, yet we can at least help such women by preventing introduction of infection during the course of investigations

Factors affecting the pregnancy rate in clomiphene citrate treated infertile women

Eighty five out of 165 [51.5%] infertile women treated with clomiphene citrate did not conceive inspite of adequate proven ovulatoty dosage of drug therapy. An effort was made to investigate factor contributing to reduced conception rates. Cervical factor in 25. 9%, male factor in 20% and hyperprolactenemia in 7% were the additional factors picked up on further detailed work up of the couple. Peritubal adhesions in 30.6% women and other additional findings like endometriosis, fibroid uterus and polycystic ovaries could be elicited on diagnostic laparoscopy. Forty five percent couples had one and 28.2% had additional factors responsible for their persisting infertility. Optimal pregnancy rates can be attained if a detailed infertility work up is done and factors other than anovulation are picked up and treated before the clomiphene citrate therapy is started

Hysterosalpingography in the evaluation of tubal factor

A total of 848 infertile women had an hysterosalpmgogram [HSG] done over a period of 4 years. The HSG finding have been tabulated and correlated with the date of age, duration and type of infertility and according to the past significant medical and surgical history. HSG films were interpreted normal in 41.6 percent cases and abnormal in 58.4 percent cases. 15.3 percent had unilateral tubal blockade and 24.3 percent had bilateral tubal block. Uterine abnormalities were detected in 12.4 percent and pelvic adhesions in 19.1 percent cases. The incidence of tubal factor increases with the age of the patients and duration of infertility. Out of 42 cases who gave past history of tuberculosis, 38 [90.5 percent] had an abnormal HSG and of the 28 cases who had an abdominal or pelvic surgery in the past, 24 [85.7 percent] had abnormal hysterosalpingography findings