[The effect of endometrial infection on embryo implantation in the IVF and ET program]. / Vliv infekce endometria na implantaci embrya v programu IVF + ET.

The results of the IVF and ET programme depend on a number of known and hitherto unknown factors. One of them is implantation of the embryo. Only 10-15% of the embryos transferred into the uterus are implanted. The most important factors affecting implantation are quality of the embryo and receptivity of the endometrium. The receptivity of the endometrium depends on hormonal changes, vascularization of the uterus, infectious environment and other factors. Part of them can be influenced to a certain extent. Infection of the endometrium as the cause of unsuccessful implantation could be resolved by therapeutic administration of antibiotics. The objective of the present work was to prove the possible effect of bacterial contamination of the endometrium on results of IVF + ET programmes. During 1996-1997 120 sterile women included in the IVF + ET programme were examined at the First Gynaecological and Obstetric Clinic (transport system-Pronatal, Prague). In all women the author performed during the cycle preceding the stimulated one (the IVF cycle proper) microabrasion of the endometrium by a method which prevents as much as possible contamination of the specimen by the endocervical flora. A smear from the endocervix and vagina was made. The samples were examined for the presence of aerobic and anaerobic flora, Chlamydiae. The endometrium was evaluated also from the histopathological aspect. Results of the examination of the endometrium: 62% of the specimens were positive on cultivation. Most frequently Pseudomonas spec. and Staph. epidermidis were found. Of 34 women who became pregnant 10 had a positive cultivation (29.4%). Of 86 women where pregnancy was not achieved, cultivation was positive in 64 (74.4%). This difference is statistically significant. The same cultivation finding from the endocervix and endometrium was observed only in 21% patients. From the trial where more than twice as many positive cultivations were recorded in non-conceptive cycles as compared with conceptive ones, the following preliminary conclusions can be drawn: 1. Elimination of endometrial infection has its place in the preparation of patients in the IVF + ET programme. 2. It is advisable to treat with antibiotics a positive cultivation of the endometrium or administer antibiotics prophylactically (62% positive) to all patients during a stimulated IVF cycle.

[Detection of cadmium and zinc in the blood and follicular fluid in women in the IVF and ET program]. / Detekce kadmia a zinku v krvi a folikulární tekutine zen zarazených do programu IVF + ET.

Scientific and technical development contributed on the one hand greatly to easier living conditions, on the other hand there is however substantially greater danger threatening not only the life of man but also of nature, of the entire living environment. At present the problem of the possible part played by this phenomenon in reproductive disorders is in the foreground. Via the food chain heavy metals, toxic trace elements and polyhalogenic hydrocarbons penetrate into the organism. They accumulate in the organism and thus also in the reproductive tract and may have an impact on fertility. Some elements with a possible negative impact on reproductive health are in such low concentrations in tissues that only contemporary methods of their detection make it possible to map their presence in the organism. They are called trace elements. Toxic ones comprise cadmium, mercury, lead and arsenic. The mechanism of the negative action of cadmium in the organism is most probably due to its competition with the vitally important trace element--zinc. It was therefore the objective of the present investigation to trace the presence of cadmium and zinc in the organism of 100 sterile women included in an IVF programme: in blood and follicular fluid (i.e. in a medium which surrounds the gamete--the oocyte) and to follow up their concentrations in relation to achievement pregnancy. Cadmium and zinc in blood and follicular fluid were assessed on a mass spectrometer with induction bound plasma as the source of ions (ICP-MS), Varian Co. produced in 1994. The assessed mean levels (microgram/l) of cadmium in blood (2.88 s 2.71) and follicular fluid (1.25 s 0.55) in the group of conception cycles did not differ significantly from mean blood levels (2.82 s 2.22) and follicular levels (1.16 s 0.55) of non-conception cycles. The mean zinc levels in blood and follicular fluid did not differ either in the group of conception and non-conception cycles. Very significant are the differences in the blood and follicular fluid levels, the levels in follicular fluid being significantly lower. We may speak of a protective barrier of the oocyte formed by the follicle (probably the cells of the granulosa) against blood. Thus no relationship was found between the cadmium concentration in blood and follicular fluid of women where pregnancy was achieved and non-pregnant women. The possible cause of fertility disorders in conjunction with toxic elements is probably in damage of the granulosa cells and thus their dysfunction as regards production of steroid hormones with full impact on female fertility (hormone disruptors).

Treatment of extrapyramidal side effects with terguride.

Terguride, a partial dopamine agonist, was administered in a 4-week open clinical trial to 17 schizophrenic patients suffering from extrapyramidal side effects of neuroleptic treatment. The neuroleptic dosage was kept constant. The mean final daily dose of terguride reached 3.4 mg (SD = 2.0). Fourteen patients completed the trial. Total scores on the Rating Scale for Extrapyramidal Side Effects and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale showed a significant improvement of 69% and 40%, respectively. There was also a significant improvement in all BPRS factor scores.