Intrauterine device and maternal copper metabolism during lactation.

The effects of intrauterine device (IUD) on maternal copper (Cu) metabolism during breastfeeding was studied in 95 volunteer mothers who chose to use non-hormonal contraceptive methods. They were divided into two groups that were inserted with the IUD-Cu 380A (n = 33), IUD-Cu 200B (n = 29), and a third group that did not use any IUDs served as control (n = 33). Endometrial biopsies, blood, and milk samples were collected before (at 10 weeks postpartum) and 6 weeks after insertion of device for the determination of metabolites associated with copper metabolism, namely, serum ceruloplasmin, and copper concentrations in breast milk and endometrium. Endometrial copper concentration increased in women using IUDs, but was statistically significant (p = 0.001) only in the IUD-Cu 380A group. The increase in endometrial copper concentration did not affect serum ceruloplasmin or milk copper concentrations.

The effect of immunoglobulins on sperm-migration inhibition in the cervicovaginal secretions of infertile women.

We studied 40 infertile couples in whom cervical hostility was the only known cause of infertility, and 18 fertile women. IgA, IgG and IgM together with alpha-2-macroglobulin and albumin were measured in the cervicovaginal secretions and serum using the Mancini radial diffusion technique. IgA and IgG were present in the cervicovaginal secretions of all the women and the concentrations found did not differ significantly in the two groups. Levels of IgM were significantly higher in the infertile group. The ratio of protein levels in cervicovaginal fluid to serum levels were calculated using the formulae of Donovan et al (1970). Locally-produced IgA, IgG and IgM were found in more of the infertile women and in greater amounts than in the fertile women. Class specific anti-immunoglobulin antibodies conjugated to inert particles were used to selectively remove specific classes of immunoglobulin from the cervicovaginal secretions. Removal of a particular immunoglobulin class or all three resulted in less inhibition than either IgG or IgM. In infertile women with locally produced IgA and IgG, there was greater inhibition of sperm migration than in those women who lacked locally produced immunoglobulins.

Blood group incompatibility and cervical hostility in relation to sterility.

Fifty-two sterile couples, characterized by persistent and unexplained incompatibility between spermatozoa and cervical mucus, without any other evident factor to explain their sterility, were investigated for the possible role of blood group incompatibility as a cause of their sterility. After a study of the distribution of blood groups in sterile and fertile couples, the distribution of blood group substances in pairs of husbands and wives, and the effect of blood group antibodies on sperm migration, it seems highly unlikely that blood group incompatibility contributes significantly to cervical hostility and the resulting sterility.

Sperm immobilizing antibodies in the serum and cervicovaginal secretions of infertile and normal women.

A search was made for sperm immobilizing antibodies in the sera and in the cervicovaginal secretions of 39 women in whom apparent cervical mucus hostility was the only explanation for infertility. Anti-sperm antibodies were found in 25.6 per cent of sera and 20.5 per cent of cervicovaginal secretions. No such antibodies were detected in controls.

PIP: The sera and cervicovaginal secretions of 39 infertile women without abnormality except apparent cervical hostility were evaluated for the presence of sperm immobilizing antibodies. Secretions from women and semen samples from their husbands were collected after 4 days of sexual abstinence. Pooled rabbit serum was the source of complement. Positive sperm immobilization tests were observed in 20.5% of the cervicovaginal secretions of the infertile women. Antisperm antibodies were found in 25.6% of the sera. Controls failed to exhibit sperm antibodies. Conception occurred in 1 patient of 16 with positive reactions. This patient had atopic allergies and was treated with antihistamines. After a 1st conception which ended in abortion a 2nd conception was achieved and carried to term. Enquiry of atopic allergy discovered 28 of 29 patients questioned. Treatment with antihistamines in half these patients resulted in 1 conception. However, a conception occurred in the other group as well. Both women had negative sperm-immobilizing reactions.

Immunoglobulin M in human amniotic fluid and its possible association with neural-tube malformations.

Immunoglobulin M (IgM) was found in the amniotic fluid from two fetuses with neural tube defects but no in that from normal fetuses. The possible associations of IgM with abnormalities of the central nervous system are discussed.