Follicular viability and morphology of sheep ovaries after exposure to cryoprotectant and cryopreservation with different freezing protocols

OBJECTIVE

To test the toxicity of cryoprotectant in sheep ovarian tissue and to determine optimal conditions for freezing hemiovary cortex.

DESIGN

Small follicles (<60 microm in diameter) were isolated enzymatically for viability testing. Dead and live follicles were identified by using trypan blue staining, and follicle morphology was examined histologically.

SETTING

Centre hospitalo-universitaire de Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France.

ANIMAL(S)

Lambs 5 to 6 months of age.

INTERVENTION(S)

Two-millimeter slices of hemiovarian cortex were prepared for cryoprotectant toxicity tests and freezing procedures.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Follicular mortality and histologic structure.

RESULT(S)

For freezing procedures, the concentration of cryoprotectant was increased to 2 M on the basis of results of cryoprotectant toxicity tests in fresh tissues. Follicular mortality rates were 4.6% with of 2 M dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and 3.8% with 2 M of propylene glycol (PROH). After freezing with semiautomatic seeding, follicular mortality rates were 8.4% (2 M of DMSO) and 12.4% (2 M of PROH). Tissue morphology was well preserved with 1.5 M of DMSO or PROH. With 1.5 M DMSO, results of the slow cooling protocol (2 degrees C/min) without seeding and the standard very slow cooling protocol (0.3 degrees C/min) were similar.

CONCLUSION(S)

Optimal survival of primordial follicles in the sheep was obtained by using a slow cooling protocol with semiautomatic seeding at 2 M of DMSO.

New insights into the postnatal growth of infants born 'idiopathic' small for gestational age

Infants born small for gestational age (SGA) are defined as those with a birth weight and/or birth length below two standard deviations for gestational age. Postnatal catch-up growth is absent in 8-12% of children born SGA and these children achieve adult heights far below their target height. The objectives of our retrospective study were to confirm the prevalence of catch-up growth and to refine the kinetics of the catch-up process. The 'Lyon series' of patients consisted of 179 children with 'idiopathic' SGA, of whom 8% did not achieve catch-up growth (i.e. their height remained below -2 SD throughout the study). The number of days that the mother was hospitalized before delivery was found to be significantly correlated with lack of catch-up growth. Maternal hypertension, term delivery and postnatal parenteral nutrition were also associated with lack of catch-up growth, but the relationship was not significant. In addition, an oscillatory growth velocity pattern was observed in boys and girls born SGA, with alternating periods of growth acceleration and deceleration. This suggests that catch-up growth is regulated in a sophisticated way by the hypothetical 'Somatostat', although further confirmation of this process is needed.

Multiple hormone resistance in short children born with intrauterine growth retardation?

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is encountered in 2.5% (-2 SD) of newborns. Lack of postnatal catch-up growth is found in 8-20%. If GH secretion is increased early postnatally in IUGR, then some persistently short IUGR children may present with GH insufficiency. However, the mechanism of postnatal catch-up growth is heterogenous. The response to GH treatment with regard to plasma IGF-1, GH dose and growth velocity was analyzed in persistently short idiopathic IUGR children and compared to GH-deficient (GHD) and familial short stature (FSS) children of similar age and degree of short stature. IUGR children require both a greater basal and GH-induced plasma IGF-1 in order to achieve a growth velocity of similar magnitude to that of FSS and GHD children. These data suggest a different sensitivity to GH in IUGR compared to FSS or GHD children, sustaining the hypothesis that these idiopathic IUGR children may be partially IGF-1 resistant. The recent report of partial insulin resistance in IUGR subjects raises the possibility of an IGF-1 receptor- or post-receptor-mediated defect.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in small subjects: influence of dual-energy X-ray equipment on assessment of mineralization and body composition in newborn piglets

There is a growing body of literature that describes the use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for bone mineral content (BMC) and fat mass (FM) assessment in neonates, but the reproducibility and accuracy of the method are still controversial. Two different software programs have been developed for use on Hologic densitometers: the Pediatric Whole Body (PWB) and the Infant Whole Body (IWB) programs. They differ in scan time, radiation exposure, and in the algorithm used to assess BMC. We evaluated the reproducibility and accuracy of PWB and IWB in newborn piglets. Reproducibility of body mass (BM), FM, and BMC measurements from PWB and IWB were similar. BM agreed well with scale weight with both software programs; IWB was within +/- 0.5% and PWB was within +/- 0.3% of scale weight. FM was highly correlated with carcass fat (PWB: r = 0.962; IWB: r = 0.980). Errors in the DXA estimation of fat were similar with PWB and IWB. With both software programs, BMC was highly correlated with carcass calcium (PWB: r = 0.925, IWB: r = 0.987), but errors in the DXA estimation of calcium were about twice as high with PWB (+/- 16.9%) than with IWB (+/-9.2%). In four piglets, the addition of a layer of porcine lard was associated with an increase in BMC; this effect was more pronounced with PWB (+ 156%) than with IWB (+ 15%). The IWB software provided BMC measurements that were more precise, accurate, and stable in the presence of added fat than the measurements obtained with PWB, indicating that IWB is superior to PWB for in vivo determination of BMC and body composition.

Restoration of ovarian steroid secretion and histologic assessment after freezing, thawing, and autograft of a hemi-ovary in sheep

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of freezing, thawing, and autograft of a hemi-ovary on steroid secretion, endometrial maturation, and ovarian histology in ewes.

DESIGN

Experimental animal study.

SETTING

Laboratoire de Zootechnie, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire, Marcy l'Etoile, France.

ANIMAL(S)

Six lambs aged 6 months to 1 year old.

INTERVENTION(S)

Hemi-ovaries were prepared and frozen from the right ovary of six lambs and autografted 4 weeks later to the contralateral ovarian hilus. The autografts and the uterus were recovered 1 year later. Blood tests were performed each week to measure P concentration.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Number of primordial follicles; levels of plasma P.

RESULT(S)

Histologic examination of ovarian slices after freezing showed no destruction of primordial, primary, secondary, or cavitary follicles. The frozen ovarian autograft showed good recovery of the macroscopic and microscopic ovarian structure. After autografting, histologic examination revealed primordial to cavitary follicles. Secretion of P started to rise 4 weeks after the autograft. Histologic analysis of the endometrium showed numerous glands, vessels, and mucous secretion.

CONCLUSION(S)

Frozen ovarian autografts achieved P secretion and endometrial maturity.

Transvaginal sonohysterographic evaluation of intrauterine adhesions

PURPOSE

We assessed the role of preoperative sonohysterography in the diagnosis of intrauterine synechiae.

METHODS

Nineteen patients with a suspected diagnosis of intrauterine adhesion underwent hysterosalpingography, transvaginal sonography, and sonohysterography performed in the consultation room. The patients were then treated by hysteroscopy under laparoscopic or ultrasound guidance.

RESULTS

Transvaginal sonography showed an abnormal uterine cavity in only 10 cases. The sensitivities of sonohysterography and hysterosalpingography in the diagnosis of intrauterine adhesions were both 100%. Sonohysterography showed complete correlation with hysterosalpingography.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend routine sonohysterography after transvaginal sonography in cases of suspected intrauterine synechiae.

Freezing, thawing, and autograft of ovarian fragments in sheep: preliminary experiments and histologic assessment

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of freezing and thawing on the histologic changes in ovarian fragments from sheep and to determine the feasibility of ovarian autografts.

DESIGN

Histologic evaluation of follicles that survived after freezing at -196 degrees C for 2 weeks. Histologic evaluation of ovarian fragments 6 months after the autografts.

SETTING

Laboratoire de Zootechnie, Ecole National Véterinaire, Marcy l'Etoile, France.

ANIMAL(S)

Six ewes aged 6 months to 1 year.

INTERVENTION(S)

Cortical fragments were prepared from the right ovary of 6 lambs and were grafted immediately to the contralateral ovarian hilus or were cooled slowly to -196 degrees C in medium containing dimethyl sulfoxide for 2 weeks. The autografts were recovered 6 months later.

RESULT(S)

Histologic examination of ovarian slices after freezing showed no destruction of primordial, primary, secondary, or cavitary follicles. The ovarian autograft showed good recovery of the macroscopic and microscopic ovarian structure. After autografting, histologic examination revealed primordial to cavitary follicles.

CONCLUSION(S)

Freezing of ovarian fragments is possible without damaging the follicles. Ovarian autografts showed good recovery of ovarian structure.

Preliminary report of an ultrasonography and colour Doppler uterine score to predict uterine receptivity in an in-vitro fertilization programme

A total of 96 women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment were examined by transvaginal ultrasonography with colour and pulsed Doppler ultrasound on the 22nd day of the menstrual cycle preceding IVF. We assessed endometrial thickness, endometrial morphology, myometrial echogenicity, subendometrial vascularization, the uterine artery pulsatility index, protodiastolic notch and end diastolic blood flow in order to define a uterine score which could be correlated with the pregnancy rate. The overall pregnancy rate was 30.2%, and there was no difference between the pregnant and non-pregnant groups with regard to any of the ultrasonographic and Doppler parameters when examined separately. However, the uterine score was significantly higher in the pregnant group (15.9 +/- 2.81 versus 12.7 +/- 5.3, P = 0.002; t-test). No pregnancy occurred if the score was between 0 and 10. With a score of 11-15 there was a 34.7% chance of pregnancy, and scores >16 had a 42% chance of pregnancy. In conclusion, individual ultrasonographic and Doppler parameters are not of sufficient accuracy to predict uterine receptivity. The uterine score calculated prior to IVF cycles appears to be a useful predictor of implantation.

Another two cases of ovarian tumours in women who had undergone multiple ovulation induction cycles

Many questions have been raised recently about the possible association between ovulation induction and ovarian cancer. In order to contribute to the limited literature on this important issue, two cases of ovarian cancer in women who had multiple ovulation induction are presented here. In the first case the patient had ovarian induction by clomiphene citrate while she already had an ovarian cyst. The cyst enlarged under induction. During laparoscopy, the cyst was removed. Histological examination showed a borderline and invasive sero-papillary cystadenoma. In the second case, the patient underwent ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination. During the first ultrasound in the beginning of the cycle, an ovarian cyst was discovered. Laparoscopy was performed and the cyst removed. Histological examination showed a borderline and invasive mucinous cystadenoma.

Comparative study of three vaginal markers of the premature rupture of membranes. Insulin like growth factor binding protein 1 diamine-oxidase pH

OBJECTIVE

To assess the diagnostic value of three vaginal markers-insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (= IGFBP1), diamine-oxidase (= DAO) and pH-for diagnosis of the premature rupture of membranes.

STUDY

One hundred pregnant women participated in the study. They were divided into three groups: group A (34 cases with intact membranes), group B (35 cases with total rupture of the membranes), group C (31 cases of suspected rupture of the membranes). Each patient underwent three successive tests for each of the three markers. The test order was allocated at random. For pH the reaction is colorimetric, for DAO the reaction is radio-enzymatic and for IGFBP1 the reaction is immuno-chromatographic. All three reactions are qualitative in nature. The parameters studied were conventional statistical parameters (sensitivity = SN, specificity = SP, positive predictive value = PPV and negative predictive value = NPV).

RESULTS

The analysis of the statistics gave the following results in percentages for SN, SP, PPV and NPV respectively; pH: 90.7%, 77.2%, 75%, 91.7%. DAO: 83.7%, 100%, 100%, 89%. IGFBP1: 95.3%, 98.2%, 97.6%, 96.5%.

CONCLUSION

The determination of variations in pH is not satisfactory. IGFBP1 is at least better than DAO with, additionally, advantages of rapidity and simplicity.

Micro-albuminuria analysis and pregnancy. An approach to detect placentary insufficiency?

OBJECTIVE

To assess the value of micro-albuminuria analysis (MA) in predicting clinical complications of placentary insufficiency in women with no known risk factor.

STUDY DESIGN

A blind prospective investigation 20-24 weeks into pregnancy in a nulliparous population with no known risk factor. A reactive strip with a positive threshold value of 10 mg/l is used to detect MA. Judgment criteria concerning the progress of pregnancy are based on blood pressure during the 8th and 9th month of pregnancy and on the 2nd day after delivery, on albuminuria analysis in the 8th and 9th month of pregnancy and by the existence of fetal hypotrophia at birth.

RESULTS

Some 218 patients participated in the investigation. MA was positive in 62 cases (28.4%). Of the 197 births which occurred 54 (27.4%) cases of positive MA, 34 (17.2%) cases presented positive judgment criteria indicating placentary insufficiency. The 21 others pregnancies are in course. MA sensitivity was thus 79.4% and specificity 83.4%. Negative predictive value (NPV) was 95.1% and positive predictive value (PPV) 50%.

CONCLUSION

Our test is a reliable, simple and easily reproducible indicator of micro-albuminuria. In comparison with other tests it gives a good detection rate of a risk group for complication of placentary insufficiency. NPV is excellent, virtually excluding the occurrence of excessive blood pressure or intra-uterine growth retardation. PPV is less good.

Transvaginal ultrasound studies of vascular and morphological changes in uteri exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero

The aim of this prospective study was to establish complementary data of uteri exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero for transvaginal analysis and vascularity changes during the menstrual cycle. A total of 28 women with DES-exposed uteri were compared with 60 non-exposed women. Transvaginal ultrasound and colour Doppler imaging were performed on days 5 and 22 of the menstrual cycle. Uteri were measured on sagittal and transverse scans. Uterine length, width, thickness and uterine cavity length and width were measured. Uterine volume and uterine cavity area were calculated. DES-exposed uterine volume was equal to 31.84 +/- 3.37 cm3. The cavity area of DES-exposed uterus was equal to 35.85 +/- 3.93 cm2. Cervix length of DES-exposed uterus was significantly smaller than that of non-exposed uterus. The uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) of DES-exposed uterus was significantly higher than that of normal uterus. Blood flow remained stable throughout the menstrual cycle. The PI of DES-exposed uterus remained stable during the menstrual cycle, as in non-exposed uterus, and it decreased during the luteal phase. This lack of modification in vascularity of DES-exposed uterus may explain miscarriages and obstetric complications such as intrauterine growth retardation or pre-eclampsia. The data may have implications for the assessment of reproductive status and the design of future studies on disorders of implantation in DES-exposed uterus.

Transvaginal hysterosonographic evaluation of septate uteri: a preliminary report

The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of hysterosonography in septate uterine congenital abnormalities and more particularly in septate uteri. A total of 14 patients with a history of repeated spontaneous abortion or infertility who had previously undergone hysterosalpingography were included in this study. Patients were first examined by standard transvaginal ultrasound. Hysterosonography was then carried out by the intrauterine injection of an isotonic saline solution. The septate uteri were diagnosed by hysterosonography in all 14 patients (100%). Hysterosonography permitted the measurement of the thickness and height of the septum. Hysterosonography and transvaginal ultrasound enabled the correct diagnosis of malformation type in eight cases (57%). The accuracy of hysterosonography in postoperative control was greater than that of hysteroscopy. Transvaginal hysterosonography with saline solution is a low-cost, easy and helpful examination method for septate uteri. We propose that hysterosonography should be performed for the primary investigation of infertility and repeated miscarriages.

[Activation of T-lymphocytes in Crohn disease and in ulcerative hemorrhagic rectocolitis. Therapeutic implications]

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses two forms of intestinal inflammation: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Besides abnormalities of immunoglobulins production and complement activation, T lymphocytes play an important role in pathogeny of these diseases. Although T-cells number is increased in intestinal mucosa of such patients, CD4/CD8 ratio of T lymphocytes subsets is normal in mucosa. Activated T-cells expressing interleukin-2 receptors (CD25) are increased in lamina propria from patients with IBD. Cytokines induce abnormal expression of class II antigens of major histocompatibility complex by epithelial cells which may act as antigen presenting cells to CD4 T-cells. Better understanding of pathogenic mechanisms in IBD might justify new immunosuppressive therapeutics to treat these patients.

Spontaneous and evoked otoacoustic emissions in pre-term and full-term neonates: is there a clinical application?

In neonates and infants, hearing impairment leads to impaired language and cognitive development. For that reason, early detection of this sensory deficit is of outstanding importance, particularly in pre-term neonates, who constitute a high risk population in regard to very early acquired hearing loss. Evoked (EOAE) and spontaneous otoacoustic emission (SOAE) recording in 93 pre-term and full-term neonates revealed that this technique is potentially useful for auditory screening in neonatology units. EOAEs and SOAEs can be recorded successfully from 30 weeks of conceptional age. SOAEs were found to be prevalent in females and presented higher peak numbers in right than in left ears. Furthermore, SOAE incidence in pre-term and full-term neonates was found to be high in EOAE positive ears, associated with strong and robust EOAEs.

Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions in preterm neonates: prevalence and gender effects

A number of lines of evidence indicate that the human cochlea is fully functional as a mature sound transducer by 6 months of age. However, information about the development of the active cochlear mechanisms and notably the development of outer hair cell (OHC) activity is yet incomplete. Recording and analysis of otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), probably generated by the OHCs of the organ of Corti, have led to a better understanding, in humans, of how sounds are analysed in the cochlea by means of active mechanisms. Evoked OAEs (EOAEs) and spontaneous OAEs (SOAEs), when they can be recorded in full-term and preterm neonates, show different characteristics from those in adults, suggesting that maturation of the peripheral auditory system is incomplete at birth. To learn more about this maturation, using the best-established facts concerning SOAEs in adults, such as their greater prevalence in females and also in right ears, SOAEs were studied in more detail in 81 preterm neonates, from 30 to 40 weeks of conceptional age, all presenting bilateral EOAEs according to objective criteria. The first finding of this study was that SOAEs existed and could be recorded as of 30 weeks of conceptional age in humans. Some SOAE characteristics in preterm neonates, such as prevalence, peak number and acoustic frequencies, showed similarity with full-term neonates. Comparison of other criteria between the two populations, such as greater SOAE prevalence in right ears and higher SOAE peak number in females, suggested that these developmental factors emerge around term in humans. Comparison of SOAE characteristics between male and female preterms suggested that male preterms were less advanced in peripheral auditory development than were female preterms.

[Hospital infection in maternity homes]

The results of the prospective survey of hospital infections in mothers and newborns at the obstetrical clinic of the Edouard Herriot Hospital in Lyon are presented. Surveillance lasting six successive years covered 18,026 deliveries with or without the use of cesarean section. The incidence of hospital infections (not taking into account cases of bacteriuria) was 1.6% in parturient women not subjected to cesarean section and 11.7% in those having had this operation. Urinary tract and parietal infections, endometritis were in leading cases. The average incidence of hospital infection in newborns was 2.68%, the leading clinical manifestations being peripheral staphylococcal lesions in the form of pustules.

Sonohysterography of the uterine cavity: preliminary investigations

OBJECTIVE

To compare sonohysterography (SH), in the exploration of the uterine cavity, with classical transvaginal sonography (TVS), hysterography (HSG), and hysteroscopy.

STUDY DESIGN

104 consecutive patients evaluated for uterine disorders underwent both TVS and SH. SH was obtained by distension of the uterine cavity with the instillation of an isotonic saline solution; 36 patients also underwent HSG; 82 women underwent surgery. Histologic findings were considered as gold standard. The criteria used to compare these methods were sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values (NPV, PPV) for identifying pathology.

RESULTS

3 instillation failures occurred. SH was found to be more effective (sensitivity 94%, specificity 98%) than HSG (sensitivity 67%, specificity 94%). The difference between TVS and SH was less marked, SH showing some superiority (sensitivity 88%, specificity 98%) to TVS (sensitivity 77%, specificity 93%).

CONCLUSION

SH represents an improvement over conventional TVS and is fully capable of replacing HSG for the study of the uterine cavity.

[Hysterosonographic study of the uterine cavity]

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the reliability, safety and performance of hysterosonographic assessment of the uterine cavity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hysterosonography was performed in 220 patients with injection of sterile saline into the uterine with a novel catheter. Among these patients, 132 patients then underwent a hysteroscopy or hysterectomy with a histology examination.

RESULTS

There were 8 failures: 2 synechiae, 3 atresias of the cervix, and massive reflux in 3 cases. No other complication occurring. Hysterosonography appeared to give more information on the uterine cavity than standard vaginal sonography. In cases with metrorrhage before menopause, the diagnosis was correct in 75.4% of the cases. Errors were related to confusion between polyp and hyperplasia. In post-menopausal metrorrhagia, there was 92% agreement between sonography and histological results. Agreement was 86.3% in cases of infertility.

CONCLUSION

Hysterosonography using saline solution injected with a novel catheter can be an excellent means of evaluating the uterine cavity and can completely replace classical hysterography, thus avoiding many exploratory hysterocopies.

Regional chemotherapy (with mitomycin C) and intra-operative hyperthermia for digestive cancers with peritoneal carcinomatosis

Intraperitoneal chemo-hyperthermia with mitomycin C was used to treat 28 patients with far advanced digestive adenocarcinoma and histologically confirmed peritoneal carcinomatosis. Surgical resection of the primary tumor was possible in 17 cases. After closure of the abdominal wall, intraperitoneal chemo-hyperthermia was performed for 90 to 120 minutes under general anesthesia and 32 degrees C hypothermia, through 3 intraperitoneal drains forming a closed circuit, using 10 mg/l of mitomycin C in 6 liters of peritoneal dialysate heated to an inflow temperature of 46-49 degrees C. No mortality occurred, and there were 2 post-operative complications, with transitory biological side effects. In 9 out of 10 patients with preoperative malignant ascites, the ascites cleared after treatment. One-year survival rate was 54.2%. These encouraging preliminary results show that intraperitoneal chemohyperthermia with mitomycin C is a safe and reliable treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis in far advanced digestive cancers.