[Premature rupture of membranes at term. Retrospective study of 88 cases]. / La rupture prématurée des membranes à terme. Etude rétrospective de 88 cas.

A retrospective study enabled us to evaluate the "wait-and-see" attitude adopted in our department in case of premature rupture of the membranes at term. The series included 88 patients (9.74%) who delivered spontaneously or after induction. The following maternal parameters were studied:time between rupture and delivery, pyrexia and chorioamnionitis number of vaginal digital examinations, histology and placental bacteriology. Neonatal criteria were based upon an infection assessment. Our results showed that approximately 80% of patients were in labor within 24 hours following rupture. Cesarean section rate remained stable (13%) in comparison with the overall rate for the department. Neonatal infectious morbidity (5.7%) showed no increase. The incidence of chorioamniotitis did not vary (7 cases) but appeared to be related to the number of vaginal examinations before labor. In conclusion, our attitude of temporization did not result in any increase in the number of cesarean sections nor of neonatal infections in comparison with the general population in the department. Prostaglandins might be useful in unfavorable obstetric situations.

[Risk factors in cancer of the endometrium]. / Les facteurs de risque du cancer de l'endomètre.

The authors evaluate the incidence of the main risk factors in endometrial cancer by comparing a continuous series of 101 patients with a matched reference series. Among these factors, obesity and multiparity are significantly more frequent in patients with endometrial cancer. All of these risk factors are related to a hyperestrogen level. Their knowledge may contribute to a policy of prevention of endometrial cancer, but does not permit its screening by limiting to women presenting these risk factors.

Spermatogenesis in several intra- and interspecific hybrids of the lemur (Lemur).

Spermatogenesis of various hybrids of the genus Lemur was studied by testicular biopsy. In hybrids between species whose classification is still much debated, the germinal cells had degenerated after the pachytene stage. This abnormality was variable in intensity depending on the parents mating: L. fulvus (2N = 60) subspecies x L. macaco sometimes resulted in fertile offspring while L. fulvus collaris x L. macaco never did. We believe that the defect in spermatogenesis is mostly caused by differences in meiotic behaviour in the germinal cells. In hybrids between two species for which there is not taxonomic doubt (L. fulvus x L. rubriventer), the gonads were completely devoid of germ cells.