Comparative study of lung functions in women working in different fibre industries.

A cross sectional work has been done on Bangladeshi females, working in different fibre industries, to study the effect of exposure to fibre dust on pulmonary functions. The ventilatory capacities were measured by VMI ventilometer in 653 apparently healthy women (160, 162 and 167 were jute, textile and garment industry workers, respectively). For the controls 164 females were recruited who never worked in any fibre industry. The observed FVC, FEV1 and PEFR were lower in all groups of fibre industry workers than those of the control. Among the industry workers, the jute mill workers had the lowest ventilatory capacities and garment industry workers had the highest values. The jute and textile mill workers had also significantly lower FEV1 and PEFR than those of garment industry workers. The FEV1 and PEFR were significantly lower in jute mill workers than those of textile ill workers. The low ventilatory capacities were almost proportionate with the length of service of the workers. Thus, the present study indicates that the fibre dust, on regular exposure for longer duration, may limit the lung functions.

Plasma LH and FSH levels in azoospermia and in normal male and female human subjects.

Immunoassay of human plasma LH and FSH level was carried out in the Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Bangladesh. Apparently normal male and female volunteers and subjects having primary sterility were studied. Plasma LH and FSH levels of normal males ranged from 1.9 to 20.48 (mean 7.3) and 1.17 to 6.75 (mean 3.30) m IU/ml respectively. Corresponding values for females were 0.99 to 38.92 (mean 17.94). Level of LH and FSH in azoospermic males were found higher than normal ones with the mean value of 17.0 and 5.67 m IU/ml respectively. The study gives an impression about the plasma LH and FSH levels in azoospermia and normal population in Bangladesh.

Effects of prostaglandin F2 alpha and its synthesis inhibitor indomethacin on corporaluteal functions in pseudopregnant rats.

The effects of PGF2 alpha and its synthesis inhibitor indomethacin on corporaluteal (CL) functions were studied in adult pseudopregnant rats. The CL functions were assessed by studying the duration of pseudopregnancy and histological changes in the ovary. Administration of PGF2 alpha (4 mg/kg BW) significantly (P less than 0.001) shortened the duration of pseudopregnancy. Histological examination of ovaries revealed regressed CL. Administration of indomethacin, on the other hand, significantly (P less than 0.001) prolonged the duration of pseudopregnancy. Histological examination of ovaries revealed large and well formed CL, the diameters of which were significantly (P less than 0.05) increased. Administration of indomethacin and PGF2 alpha simultaneously, however, keeps the duration of pseudopregnancy within normal limit. Further, the shortening in the duration of pseudopregnancy by PGF2 alpha alone was completely reversed by exogenous administration of progesterone. Since PGF2 alpha shortens and indomethacin (an inhibitor of PGF2 alpha synthesis) prolongs the duration of pseudopregnancy, it is concluded that PGF2 alpha acts as a luteolytic agent in rats. The mechanism of luteolysis is most likely to be due to decrease plasma progesterone level. An estimation of blood progesterone level after administration of PGF2 alpha to pseudopregnant rats is therefore, suggested.