[Severe virilization in a postmenopausal woman: a case report]. / Ausgeprägte Virilisierung in der Postmenopause -- eine Falldarstellung.

Severe postmenopausal virilization is a rare event in clinical practice. To evaluate ovarian or adrenal hyperandrogenism endocrine tests and imaging are useful diagnostic tools. We report a case of a postmenopausal woman with hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia. A malignant cause for the present disorder could be excluded by imaging. Selective venous sampling was administered with increased testosterone level of the right adrenal vein. Right adrenalectomy and right oophorctomy was recommended.

[Body mass index, protein metabolism profiles and impact on IVF/ICSI procedure and outcome]. / Body Mass Index, Proteinstoffwechselprofile und Ergebnisse bei Patientinnen unter IVF-/ICSI-Behandlung.

OBJECTIVE: Higher risks of infertility have been found in overweight women. The purpose of the present study was to explore whether protein metabolism profiles related to body mass index (BMI) and to find out whether these parameters should affect IVF/ICSI outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 52 patients were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent an ovarian stimulation either with recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (Gonal-F) or human menopausal gonadotropin (Menogon) after pituitary down-regulation with Goserelin (Zoladex) or Triptorelin (Decapeptyl Gyn). Five blood samples were taken: before treatment, at the beginning of ovarian stimulation, on the day of HCG injection for the ovulation induction, on the day of follicle aspiration and 14 days after embryo transfer. The blood samples were analysed with regard to the serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, total bilirubin and urea. According to the BMI values the patients were divided into two groups: BMI < 25 kg/m (2) (GI, n = 28) and BMI > 25 kg/m (2) (GII, n = 24). The results of IVF/ICSI outcome were compared in both groups. RESULTS: In both groups, the serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, total bilirubin and urea decreased during ovarian stimulation. In GII, albumin concentration decreased significantly on the day of follicle aspiration (46.0 +/- 2.3 g/l versus 43.5 +/- 2.5 g/l, p < 0.001) and 14 days after embryo transfer (46.8 +/- 2.5 g/l versus 44.7 +/- 2.3 g/l, p < 0.002), whereas the concentration of total bilirubin was not significantly decreased on the day of HCG injection (0.57 +/- 0.29 mg/dl versus 0.49 +/- 0.26 mg/dl, p = 0.11). Furthermore, pregnancy rate in women with BMI < 25 kg/m (2) was 46.4 % and in women with BMI > 25 kg/m (2) 33.1 % (p = 0.34). CONCLUSIONS: Serum concentrations of albumin and total bilirubin are influenced by BMI. Excess weight defined as BMI > 25 kg/m (2) has a negative impact on IVF outcome leading to decreased chances of pregnancy.

[Perinatal outcome of premature infants weighing less than 1500 g]. / Untersuchungen des perinatalen Zustandes bei frühgeborenen Kindern mit weniger als 1500 g.

BACKGROUND: Prematurity is a main issue in modern obstetrical care. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the perinatal outcome of premature infants weighing less than 1500 g according to the mode of delivery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 122 patients with infants weighing less than 1500 g were enrolled in this retrospective study (26 to 32 weeks of gestation). The perinatal outcomes of 26 infants born by vaginal delivery were compared to 96 infants delivered by caesarean section. RESULTS: The rates of rupture of membranes, preterm labour and intravenous tocolysis were significantly increased in patients after vaginal delivery. Preeclampsia and pathological cardiotocograms were increased in patients after caesarean section. Infants born by vaginal delivery showed a significant increase of peri- and intraventricular haemorrhage grade III, periventricular leukomalacia, C-reactive protein 24 hours postpartum and mortality until the seventh day of life. However, the rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia was significantly increased in infants born by caesarean section (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the mode of delivery affects the perinatal outcome of infants weighing less than 1500 g. Based on the results of the present study, it appears unclear which mode of delivery should be preferred, depending on particular material and fetal factors.

Early postpartum hyponatremia in a patient with transient Sheehan's syndrome.

In modern day health care, Sheehan's syndrome is a rare disorder affecting the postpartum period. We present a case of a 33-year-old woman with atonic hemorrhage developing a transient Sheehan's syndrome associated with hyponatremia six days postpartum. Evaluation of cranial computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary demonstrated normal finding. Immediate replacement therapy using sodium, chloride, hydrocortisone, fludrocortisone and levothyroxine revealed regression of the Sheehan's syndrome to complete recovery. The present report shows that Sheehan's syndrome can be associated with hyponatremia and illustrates the need to include hyponatremia as an initial symptom in the differential diagnosis of Sheehan's syndrome.

[Effects of ovarian stimulation on serum concentrations of lipids and ketone bodies in patients undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment]. / Effekte der ovariellen Stimulation auf die Serumkonzentrationen von Lipiden und Ketonkörper bei Patientinnen unter IVF-/ICSI-Behandlung.

OBJECTIVE: The ovarian stimulation increase the estradiol concentration in comparison to the one observed in the menstrual cycle. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of ovarian stimulation on serum concentrations of lipids and ketone bodies in patients undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 50 patients were included in this study. All patients underwent an ovarian stimulation either with recombinant follicle stimulating Hormone (Gonal-F, n = 28) or human menopausal gonadotropin (Menogon, n = 22) after pituitary down-regulation with Goserelin or Triptorelin. Five blood samples were taken: before treatment, at the beginning of ovarian stimulation, on the day of HCG injection for the ovulation induction, on the day of follicle aspiration and 14 days after embryo transfer. Afterwards, the samples were analysed with regard to the concentrations of triglyceride, total-cholesterol, HDL-/LDL-cholesterol, acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate and alpha-ketoglutarate. RESULTS: During the ovarian stimulation, total-cholesterol andA'LDL-cholesterol decreased significantly (p(Chol) < or = 0.001; p(LDL) < or = 0.001), whereas the concentration of HDL-cholesterol increased significantly (p(HDL) < or = 0.001). Furthermore, a significant increase of beta-hydroxybutyrate and alpha-ketoglutarate has been detected (p(HBS) = 0.039; p (KG) = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: The observed changes in serum concentrations of lipids and ketone bodies began with the application of gonadotrophins for stimulation and persisted until the end of the treatment. Therefore, the increase of estradiol, stimulated by gonadotrophins, seems to be responsible for the changes in the serum concentrations of lipids and ketone bodies. All women undergoing ovarian stimulation should be monitored for long-term thrombogenic and atherogenic risks.

[Circadian blood pressure rhythm in preeclampsia as a predictor of maternal and obstetrical outcome]. / Zirkadiane Blutdruckrhythmik bei der Präeklampsie: Ein Prädiktor für die maternale und geburtshilfliche Situation?

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-induced multiorganic disease. The incidence is 5 - 7 % in all pregnant women. To assess the value of circadian blood pressure rhythm in preeclamptic women, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring might be useful. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive value of circadian blood pressure rhythm for the maternal and obstetrical outcome in patients with mild preeclampsia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-six patients with mild preeclampsia underwent 24-hour blood pressure monitoring between 29 and 39 weeks gestation. Twenty-eight patients with normal circadian blood pressure rhythm were compared with thirty-eight patients with suspended circadian blood rhythm. RESULTS: There was no difference in age, body mass index, gravidity, parity, miscarriage, or fetal outcome between the two groups. The rate of secondary caesarean section was 39.5 % in the suspended circadian blood pressure group and 21.4 % in the normal circadian blood pressure group, respectively (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with mild preeclampsia, the circadian blood pressure rhythm appears to be unsuitable as a screening test. Further research is required for more etiological and pathophysiological insights into the development of clinically useful tools with predictive value.

HELLP syndrome in the 18th week of gestation in association with elevated angiotensin AT(1)-receptor autoantibodies.

We present a 24-year-old woman with a twin pregnancy who was with a typical HELLP syndrome at the 18th week of pregnancy. One fetus was dead, while the other was severely growth retarded. Our patient had agonistic autoantibodies directed at the angiotensin AT(1)-receptor. Termination of the pregnancy proved necessary. This report is the first to our knowledge associating HELLP syndrome with angiotensin AT(1)-receptor antibodies. Since the antibodies may have a pathogenic significance, their removal could permit the prolongation of pregnancy in preeclamptic and HELLP syndrome patients.

Effect of corticosteroids on HELLP syndrome: a case report.

The HELLP syndrome is associated with a high rate of prematurity, which is the major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Several studies have demonstrated the feasibility of prolongation of pregnancies complicated by HELLP syndrome. Until now the role of an additive pharmacological regimen, and particularly the role of corticosteroids, is still not clear. We report a case of a successful prolongation of a pregnancy complicated by HELLP syndrome and note a direct relationship with application and withdrawal of corticosteroids. A 26-year old primigravida was admitted with HELLP syndrome in the 25th week of gestation. We commenced a therapy with 40 mg methylprednisolone i.v. once daily, with clinical symptoms and biochemical parameters improving within two days. On day 6 we discontinued steroid medication with a consecutive deterioration of all biochemical data and clinical symptoms. Corticosteroids were recommenced and within two hours an improvement of all symptoms and laboratory data was observed. Overall we were able to prolong the pregnancy for 33 days. This case report underlines the beneficial effect of corticosteroids in patients with HELLP syndrome. Thus steroids might be helpful for postponing deliveries in very preterm gestation and for stabilizing the maternal status.

Inhibitory effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on enzyme secretion from isolated rat pancreatic acinar cells.

This study reports a direct effect of TRH on amylase secretion from isolated rat exocrine pancreatic acinar cells. TRH inhibited carbachol (10(-5) M)-stimulated amylase secretion by a maximum of 24% at a concentration of 10(-11) M (p < 0.05), but did not affect basal amylase release in concentrations from 10(-13) M to 10(-8) M. Ceruletide (3 x 10(-10) M)-stimulated amylase secretion was maximally reduced by 23% at a TRH concentration of 10(-10) M (p < 0.05). Direct stimulation of protein kinase C-mediated secretion by the diacylglycerol analogue 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG) was not altered by TRH. The TRH metabolite cyclo (His-Pro) did not influence basal or stimulated pancreatic secretion in vitro. These findings point to a TRH-mediated modulation of exocrine pancreatic secretion at the receptor site.