Observations on the fertilization and development of preimplantation bovine embryos in vitro in the presence of Tritrichomonas foetus.

Tritrichomonas foetus, a world-wide distributed parasitic protozoan is a cause of infertility and abortion. There is no documented information on the susceptibility of bovine embryos to the parasite. To determine the effect of T. foetus on fertilization and embryonic development of preimplantation bovine embryos, we added approximately 10(4)/ml or 10(6)/ml T. foetus (Belfast strain) to sperm cells and oocytes prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF) or to presumptive zygotes 24 h post-fertilization. Light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that exposure of oocytes or embryos at any stage of development to T. foetus caused rapid adhesion of the trichomonads to the embryonic intact zona pellucida (ZP) and to trophoblastic cells of hatched blastocysts. Treatment of contaminated embryos with 0.25% trypsin for 3 min did not render them free from T. foetus. Motile parasites were not observed after 18 h incubation in IVF medium, or after 72 h in synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) embryo culture medium. The percentages of cleaved zygotes, blastocysts and hatched embryos resulting from culture of experimental and uninfected control groups of embryos were not different (P > 0.05). Tritrichomonas foetus was not detected in embryonic cells of ZP-intact or hatched embryos when examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In conclusion, T. foetus has no detrimental effect on the fertilization and development of IVF embryos and the potential risk of transmission of trichomonosis is unlikely, due to the limited survival of the parasite in IVF culture conditions.

[Acute psychotic episode in adolescence: predictive elements of mood disorder progression]. / Episode psychotique aigu a l'adolescence: elements prédictifs d'une évolution vers les troubles de l'humeur.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to try to determine predictors of an evolution to mood disorder during a first psychotic episode in adolescence. METHODS: We proceed with a retrospective study concerning 21 patients having developed a first psychotic episode in adolescence, and admitted in our service within the period from 1991 to 1996, with a follow up of 2 to 7 years. 8 of them, were diagnosed bipolar disorder meeting the criteria of the DSM IV, the other were diagnosed schizophrenic disorder the two groups of patients we have compared. (Fisher test) RESULTS: The predictors of mood disorder evolution seems to be: An acute onset, a good quality of social integration before the onset of troubles and a thymic exaltation, logorrhea.

[Analysis of the development of the arch form after treatment using "ARCAD'Image" software]. / Analyse de l'évolution de la forme d'arcade après traitement par le logiciel "ARCAD'Image".

The dental arch post-therapeutic modification plays a significant role in relapse phenomenon. This article describes the design work of the dental arches used as a base for the study of modifications that have arisen during orthodontic treatment then during the retention stage using pre-formed arch wires. ARCAD'Image software tries to design the patients dental arches by submitting a linear regression mathematical design on some characteristic landmarks of a photograph of the buccal impression. The designed dental arch can then be considered as being the closest/nearest to the patients morphology. This model enables the practitioner to bend the arch wire and is used as a base for the study of arch shape modifications. Our study shows that the term "relapse" appears to be used excessively; it would be more matter of evolution due to changes in neuro-muscular balance along with facial aging.

Does ovulation stimulation improve fertility in women with minimal/mild endometriosis after laser laparoscopy?

Cycle fecundity was retrospectively analyzed in a group of infertile women after minimal/mild endometriosis had been treated by carbon dioxide laser laparoscopy. Patients were followed in spontaneous (observation) cycles as well as in treatment cycles using ovulation stimulation. Treatment protocols included clomiphene citrate (CC), sequential CC/human menopausal gonadotropins/human chorionic gonadotropin (CC/hMG/hCG), and hMG/hCG. Some patients who failed to conceive with ovulation stimulation protocols underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF). Eighty-nine patients were followed for a total of 605 cycles, during which 37 pregnancies occurred. Cycle fecundity was 0.028 in observation cycles, and was higher with the use of CC (0.066), and significantly higher (P < .05) with use of CC/hMG/hCG (0.114) and hMG/hCG (0.073). The highest cycle fecundity was attained in IVF cycles (0.222). This retrospective analysis suggests that active ovulation management in patients with minimal/mild endometriosis treated by carbon dioxide laser laparoscopy may significantly increase cycle fecundity.

Normal pregnancy outcome after early maternal exposure to gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist. A case report.

An infertile woman was treated with leuprolide acetate in preparation for in vitro fertilization and was found to be pregnant after exposure to the gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GNRHa) from days 21-38 after her last menstrual period. She delivered a healthy-appearing, male infant at term. We found reports of four other pregnancies with early maternal GNRHa exposure. While no malformations have been reported, patients are advised to use barrier contraception when GNRHa therapy is initiated.

[Ultrasonic prenatal diagnosis of lip and palate cleft. Report of 10 cases]. / Diagnostic échographique anténatal des fentes labiales et labio-palatines. A propos de 10 observations.

Hare-lips and cleft palates are the most frequent manifestations of facial malformations (approximately 1 in 1,000 deliveries). The authors point out their technique for ultrasound assessment of the normal and pathological fetal face in the antenatal period. The antenatal examination gives an excellent diagnostic approach of the site and the nature and the extent of the abnormality. The screening for facial defects can be carried out routinely when studying the morphology in the second trimester of pregnancy or when there are other indications for doing this. Although the malformation is usually an isolated one, the management of these cases really depends mainly on any associated malformations than on the normality of the karyotype.

Adnexal torsion in menotropin-induced pregnancies.

Adnexal torsion of enlarged ovaries during early pregnancy is an infrequent but serious complication of menotropin therapy. Over 4 years, we encountered four cases of adnexal torsion among 648 menotropin-induced pregnancies. Multiple gestation may be a predisposing factor. The history of exogenous gonadotropin use, the acute clinical presentation, and the use of pelvic sonography facilitate the diagnosis. Although adnexectomy is well tolerated and pregnancy outcome is acceptable, future efforts should involve identifying preventive measures and more conservative means of therapy in these women.

Home urinary luteinizing hormone immunoassays: clinical applications.

Home ovulation prediction kits represent a valuable advance in monoclonal antibody technology and offer patients a quick, reliable, and relatively inexpensive means to predict the day of ovulation. These kits are used widely by patients trying to conceive and are commonly recommended by physicians involved in the care of infertile couples. They provide a more accurate and practical means to prospectively predict the time of ovulation than do BBT graphs or cervical mucus exams, and can be used as presumptive evidence of ovulation. Whereas ovulation prediction kits appear to be most useful for couples in timing sexual intercourse, other possible uses exist, including timing of AI, the PCT, and the endometrial biopsy for luteal phase evaluation. Despite multiple potential applications, clinical studies which support the use of urinary LH immunoassays in the evaluation and treatment of the infertile couple are quite limited. More well-designed studies to define the clinical value of ovulation prediction kits need to be undertaken.