[Gonadotropic function during its use and after its cessation of a triphasic combination of gestodene]. / Etude de la fonction gonadotrope pendant l'utilisation et après l'arrêt d'une association triphasique au gestodène.

The present data show that the contraceptive studied, a triphasic combination pill with gestodene, strongly depresses gonadotropin levels. Seric levels of both FSH and LH are below 1 mIU/ml as early as the third treatment cycle. Recovery of a normal pituitary function occurs rapidly after the administration is discontinued: both basal and stimulated gonadotropin levels are back to normal during the first cycle following a 3 months treatment course. Prolactin secretion remains unaltered both during and after treatment.

Evolution of the elastic fiber network of the human uterine cervix before, during and after pregnancy. A quantitative evaluation by automated image analysis.

To assess the evolution of the elastic fiber network of the human uterine cervix before, during and after pregnancy, biopsy samples were obtained from 49 women. The high affinity of the polyphenolic compound (+)-catechin for elastin was used to stain the elastic fibers selectively, and enabled automated image analysis. In the human uterine cervix, the elastic fiber network is made up of: (1) fibers running parallel to the basement lamina of the epithelium, and (2) thinner, perpendicular fibers. Quantification using automated image analysis shows a decline in the cervical elastin content from a prepregnancy level of 1.33 +/- 0.08 (SEM) to 0.73 +/- 0.09% (Vv) at the end of pregnancy. In parallel with a constant decline, dissociation and disorganization of the fibers become more clearly evident as pregnancy progresses. However, by 5-7 weeks postpartum the elastic fiber network appears almost completely restructured. These changes support a role of elastin in the processes of cervical maturation and reconstruction during pregnancy and after delivery.

Ocular fluorophotometric and angiographic findings in toxemia of pregnancy.

Ocular fluorophotometry was performed in 24 patients with hypertension due to toxemia of pregnancy and in ten normal subjects. Patients showing features of accelerated hypertension in the fundus (eg, hemorrhage, cotton-wool spots, and disc edema) were excluded from the study. Fluorescein concentrations in the aqueous and posterior vitreous increased significantly in toxemic patients compared with those in normal subjects; the blood-aqueous barrier was disrupted earlier than the blood-retinal barrier. Nevertheless, these barriers were only disrupted when the arterial diameter was altered. Ocular fluorometric abnormalities disappeared after delivery in all but two cases.

RU 16117, an orally active estriol-like weak estrogen.

RU 16117, the 11 alpha-methoxy derivative of ethynyl estradiol, is an orally active weak estrogen potentially effective in the treatment of estrogen-deficiency in postmenopausal women (climacteric symptoms and severe osteoporosis). Biochemical studies have shown that RU 16117, like estriol, possesses the properties characteristic of a partial estrogen agonist/antagonist. RU 16117 binds to the cytosol estrogen receptor (ER) to form a complex which dissociates much faster than the estradiol complex. This explains its lower nuclear uptake. Furthermore, the nuclear RU 16117 complex also dissociates faster than the estradiol complex. Consequently, although low doses of RU 16117 can induce the majority of the effects of estradiol (increased polymerase A and B activities, cytosol ER replenishment, progestin receptor induction, increased uterine weight), these effects are long-lived only if the dose is considerably increased or if the compound is administered repeatedly or continuously. Since RU 16117 transiently occupies available estrogen binding sites, it can prevent the full response of estradiol. Thus, under appropriate kinetic conditions, it acts as an estrogen antagonist on the above parameters and also on DMBA-induced mammary tumors in the rat. At a daily dose of 24 micrograms for a period of 4 weeks RU 16117 led to 65% reduction in the number of already-established tumors. RU 16117 inhibits basal gonadotropin secretion and decreases the LH response to LHRH. Injection of 5 micrograms s.c. to the rat in estrus markedly inhibited the spontaneous peaks of LH, FSH and PRL measured on the afternoon of expected proestrus. Low doses which block ovulation by 100% had no detectable effect on vaginal cornification, thus suggesting a greater sensitivity at the hypothalamo-pituitary level.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Autoimmune thrombopenic purpura and pregnancy. Absence of thrombopenia in the newborn infant despite the presence of circulating IgG auto-antibody in the mother]. / Purpura thrombopénique auto-immun et grossesse. Absence de thrombopénie chez le nouveau-né malgré la présence chez la mère d'un auto-anticorps circulant de nature IgG.

Many pregnant women with AITP bear children with transient thrombocytopenia which is a potentially life threatening complication. Previous reports have demonstrated that monitoring of IgG circulating platelet antibodies may help with the management of these women. We report the case of a pregnant woman with AITP whose sera contained an IgG auto antiplatelet demonstrated by the fluorescein labelled antiglobulin techniques. Steroids had a beneficial effect with a return to a normal of the mother's platelet count but with no disappearance of the circulating antibody. Surprisingly the neonatal platelet count was normal and studies in the baby showed that the antibody had not crossed the placenta in detectable amounts. This case demonstrates our current inability to predict fetal thrombocytopenia and plan the mode of delivery.

[Neuroendocrine investigation of the follicular phase: spontaneous and after estrogen stimulation (author's transl)]. / Investigation neuroendocrinienne de la phase folliculaire, au cours de cycles spontanés et après stimulation oestrogénique.

Estrogen stimulation on days 7, 8, 9 of the menstrual cycle induces disturbances of the usual clinical and hormonal patterns. Alpha rythm (8-12 Hz) variation curve, studied by mathematical analysis, is modified, and delayed ovulation happened at its nadir. It is concluded that EEG appears as a tool for clinical neuroendocrine correlations and that this preliminary study may indicate that this estrogen positive feedback is received at the neurovegetative level.