Estrogen effects on plasma volume, arterial blood pressure, interstitial space, plasma proteins, and blood viscosity in sheep

In adult castrated ewes the infusion of 17 beta-estradiol for 3 weeks was associated with a 12% increase in body weight, a 20% increase in whole blood volume (mainly due to a 27% increase of plasma volume), a 13% decrease in mean arterial blood pressure, and a 40% increase in heart rate. The change in plasma volume correlated with the change in estradiol concentration (r = 0.72). Most of the fluid was retained in the interstitial space, as represented by a 6 kg weight gain, 10% of which was in the intravascular compartment. Whole blood and plasma viscosity increased 16% and 21%, respectively, thus reversing some of the blood volume effects toward a hyperdynamic cardiovascular state. We conclude that many of the cardiovascular and hematologic changes with estrogen administration are similar to the changes observed during pregnancy, with the proposed requirement of decrease in mean arterial blood pressure as a condition for blood volume expansion.

Is there a need for digital examination in patients with spontaneous rupture of the membranes?

A prospective comparison between digital and visual speculum examination was made in 133 pregnant patients. The coefficient correlation between the two examinations of effacement and dilation of the cervix was 0.74. The present results suggest that cervical evaluation by means of speculum examination in the assessment of pregnant patients with spontaneous rupture of membranes are adequate.

The relation of maternal blood volume to plasma renin activity in the pregnant rabbit

Blood volume, estradiol 17 beta and estrone concentrations, and plasma renin activity were determined weekly in 26 chronically catheterized nonanesthetized rabbits during pregnancy and after delivery. We determined blood volume by 99technetium, and plasma volume by the microhaematocrit method. The values for whole blood volume were 52.7 (+/- 2.3) and 63 (+/- 2.2) ml X kg-1 for nonpregnant and pregnant animals, respectively. During the course of gestation plasma renin activity increased about 300%, but estradiol 17 beta and estrone concentrations did not change significantly. The increase in whole blood and plasma volumes during pregnancy correlated highly with the increase in plasma renin activity, r = 0.53 and 0.59, respectively.

Values clarification as a technique for family planning education

A Spanish language family planning education program utilizing the dynamics of values clarification has been designed and implemented in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. The design of the program features three basic personality identification activities to help individuals identify other dimensions of adult life expression than child rearing. In addition, a series of simple and precise scenarios specifically related to family planning are presented. Each scenario is accompanied by a set of valuing questions that direct the learner to respond to the scenario. The activity booklet is entitled, "Clarification De Valores En La Planificacion Familar." The booklet requires the learner to make responses to the learning materials. Responses are then used as a basis for inferring that people are comprehending and above all personalizing knowledge about themselves and their culture and family planning. The program is cross cultural and can be used in Spanish speaking communities in the U.S. Its English language form can be used with English speaking target populations. Statistical analysis of seven critical categories of the program indicated that the shifts in attitudes from pre-to post-values, whether positive or negative (desirable or undesirable), were not significant at the .05 level of confidence. It should, however, be noted that small shifts in the rate of natural increase, or rate of natural decrease for population growth can have a dramatic effect on population growth when multiplied by time.