In vitro determination of the spermicidal activity of plant saponins.

PIP: The plant kingdom might yield an effective antifertility drug. A Mentha arvensis L. (Labiatae) fraction with uterotonic activity was isolated, and was found to be active on the nonpregnant as well as the pregnant rat uterus. According to folklore medicine, the Mexican plant Montanoa tomentosa Cerv. (zoapatle) possesses antifertility activity in women. The effect of various isolated preparations from this plant on early pregnancy were investigated in serveral rodent species including the mouse, rat hamster, and guinea pig. It was concluded that zoapatle plant extracts possess unique antifertility activity. Lin-Hsim and coworkers isolated fractions from Aristolochia molissima Hanceith contrceptive activity in female mice. Saponins of some plants were used in contraceptive formulations either as foaming agents or as spermicidal substances. Elbary and Nour investigated the spermicidal effects of saponins isolated from the following plants: Gypsophila paniculata L., Saponaria officinalis L., Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Griseb., Terminalia horrida Steud., Melilotus sicula Vitm., and Ruscus hypoglossum L. All of the saponins tested possessed spermicidal activity. Jain and coworkers isolated 2 new saponins in Pittosporum nilghrense with spermicidal effects. In this paper we have determined the spermicidal activity of saponins isolated from some Yugoslav plants, which in that aspect have not been investigated. The results are illustrated in the table. They show that all of the saponins tested were spermicidal in dependence on their nature. Saponins of Primula vulgaris Huds. and Cyclamen persicum Mill. immobilized human spermatozoa within a period of 20 s at a dilution 1:1000. Saponin of Gypsophila paniculata L. was spermicidal at dilution 1:20. These findings show that saponins isolated from some Yugoslav plants may be useful spermicides of natural origin.^ieng

[Local morphological and functional changes in patients with obstructed testicular excretory ducts]. / Lokalne morfoloske i funkcionalne promene u pacijenata sa obstrukcijom u ekskretornim putevima testisa.

Following a short introduction to the physiology and function of gonads in men, the authors present their material and exploration methods. the study covered 39 patients with azoospermia of obstructive origin. The obstruction of v. deferens developed in 29 patients after a non-specific inflammatory reaction, in 7 patients after a trauma, in 2 patients after vasectomy, and one patient was a case of congenital anomaly. Concentrations of FSH and ICSH in the plasma of the patients studied did not show any major deviations. Histological analysis showed normal morphological spermatids and primary spermatocytes with degenerative changes in later stages in 29 patients. In the remaining 10 patients, most probably due to the inflammatory reaction and as the result of congenital anomaly, the destruction of the germinal epithelium was evident. Spermagglutinins in the serum of the patients were detected in 56.8%. Such a high percentage of antispermatic agglutinins is meant to be the result of obstruction and the presence of the inflammatory agent.

[A new case of D/D blood]. / Novi primerak -D-/-D-krvi.

A second case of the -D-/-D- blood in this country is described. A woman, belonging to this rare blood group is from the same region, from which is the first our case published 15 years ago.