Normal spermatogenesis in mice lacking the testis-specific linker histone H1t

H1 histones bind to linker DNA and nucleosome core particles and facilitate the folding of chromatin into a more compact structure. Mammals contain seven nonallelic subtypes of H1, including testis-specific subtype H1t, which varies considerably in primary sequence from the other H1 subtypes. H1t is found only in pachytene spermatocytes and early, haploid spermatids, constituting as much as 55% of the linker histone associated with chromatin in these cell types. To investigate the role of H1t in spermatogenesis, we disrupted the H1t gene by homologous recombination in mouse embryonic stem cells. Mice homozygous for the mutation and completely lacking H1t protein in their germ cells were fertile and showed no detectable defect in spermatogenesis. Chromatin from H1t-deficient germ cells had a normal ratio of H1 to nucleosomes, indicating that other H1 subtypes are deposited in chromatin in place of H1t and presumably compensate for most or all H1t functions. The results indicate that despite the unique primary structure and regulated synthesis of H1t, it is not essential for proper development of mature, functional sperm.

Extracellular expression, purification, and characterization of a winter flounder antifreeze polypeptide from Escherichia coli

HPLC6 is the major component of liver-type antifreeze polypeptides (AFPs) from the winter flounder, Pleuronectes americanus. To facilitate mutagenesis studies of this protein, a gene encoding the 37-amino acid mature polypeptide was chemically synthesized and cloned into the Tac cassette immediately after the bacterial ompA leader sequence for direct excretion of the AFP into the culture medium. Escherichia coli transformant with the construct placIQpar8AF was cultured in M9 medium. The recombinant AFP (rAFP) was detected by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After IPTG induction, a biologically active rAFP was expressed. The majority of the rAFP was excreted into the culture medium with only trace amounts trapped in the periplasmic space and cytoplasm. After 18 h of induction, the accumulated rAFP in the culture medium amounted to about 16 mg/L. The excreted AFP was purified from the culture medium by a single-step reverse-phase HPLC. Mass spectrometric and amino acid composition analyses confirmed the identity of the purified product. The rAFP, which lacked amidation at the C-terminal, was about 70% active when compared to the amidated wild-type protein, thus confirming the importance of C-terminal cap structure in protein stability and function.

[Establishment of ELISA for measuring phenytoin in serum]

OBJECTIVE

To develop a solid phase, competitive enzyme immunoassay for the measurement of serum phenytoin.

METHODS

The chemical modified phenytoin combined with human serum albumin and then conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to produce the enzyme labeled phenytoin (DPH-HSA-HRP). The anti-phenytoin antibody was prepared in this lab.

RESULTS

The working range and sensitivity of this method were 2.9-30 micrograms/ml and 2.87 micrograms/ml respectively. The intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV) was 3.3%-10.2% (n = 15) and inter-assay CV was 5.1%-13.2%. The recovery of this method was 90%-96%. No significant interference was observed with phenobarbital, primidone, carbamazepine, and valproic acid. The new assay method was compared with HPLC method. A linear regression analysis yielded a slope of 1.03, an intercept 1.38 and a correlation coefficient 0.97.

CONCLUSIONS

This solid phase enzyme immunoassay for serum phenytoin appears to be simple, precise, and accurate. It may be readily adopted in clinical laboratory for therapeutic monitoring of phenytoin level in serum.

[Changes of endometrial macrophages and nature kill cells during luteal phase and early pregnancy]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of endometrial microenvironment on pregnancy.

METHODS

The number of macrophage and nature kill (NK) cells in decidua and endometrium were determined in 19 cases of early pregnancy and 11 non-pregnant women respectively by cytometric analysis.

RESULTS

The percentages of macrophages (leukocyte antigen molecules CD14 positive) and NK cells (CD56 positive) were significantly increased in decidua of first trimester as compared with those in luteal endometrium (P < 0.01). The number of CD(56)(+)CD(16)(-) subset of NK cells increased significantly during early pregnancy. While the number of CD(56)(+)CD(16)(+) subset did not change.

CONCLUSION

The endometrial macrophages and NK cells may be involved in the mechanism of the fetal protective immune reaction during pregnancy.

[In vitro drug susceptibility test of Plasmodium falciparum using a portable thermostat and CO2 gas generator]

We have recently developed a method of in vitro cultivation of P. falciparum using a portable incubator and AnaeroPack.CO2 (Onda et al.), we applied semi-microtechnique drug susceptibility tests to the culture method to evaluate the system using several P. falciparum strains or isolates of different susceptibilities to chloroquine (SGE-1, FCR-3, K-1, Patient 1 and 2). The new method gave comparable results to those shown by the standard test employing a modular incubator chamber with standard gas composition of 5% O2, 5% CO2 and 90% N2. Many useful data on the epidemiology of drug resistant malaria such as the emergence of multi-drug resistant isolates could be collected by applying this new method to the field survey.

Dorsal root reflexes and cutaneous neurogenic inflammation after intradermal injection of capsaicin in rats

The role of dorsal root reflexes (DRRs) in acute cutaneous neurogenic inflammation induced by intradermal injection of capsaicin (CAP) was examined in anesthetized rats. Changes in cutaneous blood flow (flare) on the plantar surface of the foot were measured using a laser Doppler flowmeter, and neurogenic edema was examined by measurements of paw thickness. To implicate DRRs in neurogenic inflammation after CAP injection, the ipsilateral sciatic and femoral nerves were sectioned, dorsal rhizotomies were performed at L(3-)-S(1), and antagonists of GABA or excitatory amino acid receptors were administered intrathecally. Intradermal injection of CAP evoked a flare response that was largest at 15-20 mm from the injection site and that spread >30 mm. Acute transection of the sciatic and femoral nerves or dorsal rhizotomies nearly completely abolished the blood flow changes 15-20 mm from the CAP injection site, although there was only a minimal effect on blood flow near the injection site. These procedures also significantly reduced neurogenic edema. Intrathecal bicuculline, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, (CNQX) or D(-)-2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (AP7), but not phaclofen, also reduced dramatically the increases in blood flow 15-20 mm from the CAP injection site, but had only a minimal effect on blood flow near the injection site. Neurogenic edema was reduced by the same agents that reduced blood flow. Multiunit DRRs recorded from the central stumps of cut dorsal rootlets in the lumbar spinal cord were enhanced after CAP injection. This enhanced DRR activity could be reduced significantly by posttreatment of the spinal cord with bicuculline, CNQX or AP7, but not phaclofen. It is concluded that peripheral cutaneous inflammation induced by intradermal injection of CAP involves central nervous mechanisms. DRRs play a major role in the development of neurogenic cutaneous inflammation, although a direct action of CAP on peripheral nerve terminals or the generation of axon reflexes also may contribute to changes in the skin near the injection site.

[Continuous in vitro culture of Plasmodium falciparum using microaerophilic gas generators and portable incubator]

AnaeroPack Malaria Culture System (SUGIYAMA-GEN Co., Ltd.) using AnaeroPack.plas (5% O2, 5% CO2) and AnaeroPack.CO2 (15% O2, 6% CO2) was evaluated by comparing with the standard laboratory in vitro continuous culture technique. Two culture-adapted strains of Plasmodium falciparum, SGE-1 (chloroquine sensitive strain) and K1 (chloroquine resistant strain), were continuously cultured for 26 days in vitro under the 3 systems. The parasite proliferation curves under the different set systems were paralleled in both strains, which demonstrate that this AnaeroPack Malaria Culture System is useful for the culture-adapted strains of P. falciparum. Although further test using isolates from falciparum malaria patients should be carried out, the AnaeroPack Malaria Culture System seems promising for the culture in the field studies.

Dual-label studies with [125I]-3(R)/[131I]-3(S)-BMIPP show similar metabolism in rat tissues

Biodistribution studies with the radioiodinated 3(R)- and 3(S)-isomers of 15-(p-iodophenyl)-3-methylpentadecanoic acid (BMIPP) in rats have shown that 3(R)-BMIPP has 20%-25% higher heart uptake than 3(S)-BMIPP (15-180 min). In contrast, the 3(S)-isomer has slightly higher liver uptake, and uptake in other tissues examined is similar.

METHODS

To evaluate the possible differences in metabolic fate of the two isomers, a mixture of [125I]-3(R)/[131I]-3(S)-BMIPP was administered to fasted female Fisher rats. Groups of rats (3 per group) were killed 15, 60 and 180 min after administration. Urine and feces were collected from a fourth group (n = 3) over 7 d. Samples of blood, heart, liver, lungs, kidney and urine were Folch extracted. The distributions of 125I and 131I in the organic (lipid), aqueous and pellet samples were determined. The lipid samples as well as the organic fractions from base-hydrolyzed triglyceride (TG) fractions and acid-hydrolyzed urine samples were then analyzed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTS

The relative distributions of 125I and 131I in the lipid, aqueous and pellet samples were similar for both isomers. Distribution of 125I and 131I in the various components of the lipid extracts observed by TLC (hexane:ether:HOAc, 70:30:1) was also similar, with principal incorporation into the free fatty acid (FFA) and TG pools. HPLC analyses (C18) of the FFA fraction showed similar 125I and 131I profiles, corresponding to BMIPP, and the alpha-methyl-C14 (14-(p-iodophenyl)-3-(R,S)-methyltetradecanoic acid) and C12, C10 and C6 carbon chain-length catabolites. By TLC, radioactive components of 125I and 131I in the urine had the same TLC mobility as hippuric acid. HPLC analyses (C18) of acid-hydrolyzed urine gave a single 125I/131I component with the same relative retention time as 2-(p-iodophenyl)acetic acid, which is the final alpha/beta-oxidative BMIPP catabolite. Unexpectedly, HPLC of lipids from base-hydrolyzed TG from the heart tissue showed 125I/131I components with the same retention times as shorter-chain fatty acids, similar to the FFA fraction, with only low levels of activity detected in BMIPP.

CONCLUSION

These results show that 3(R)-BMIPP and 3(S)-BMIPP are metabolized similarly in rat tissues and that higher myocardial extraction observed for 3(R)-BMIPP may reflect differences in the relative membrane transport of the two isomers.

Prevalence of cerebral palsy in China

BACKGROUND

A population-based study on the prevalence of cerebral palsy has not been previously carried out in China. The purpose of the present paper was to determine the overall and birthweight-specific prevalence of cerebral palsy.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of cerebral palsy was carried out among 388192 children aged <7 years in seven cities of Jiangsu province in China from May to July 1997. Information about birthweight was obtained from routine health care records. Doctors from township and city hospitals examined all eligible children and doctors at city level finally diagnosed all cases. All the doctors involved had taken part in a training programme held by Beijing Medical University in April 1997.

RESULTS

The total prevalence of cerebral palsy was 1.6 per 1000 children and the birthweight-adjusted prevalence 2.8 per 1000 children (using Australia's neonatal survivors 1994 as a standard population). The overall neonatal mortality rate was 6.8 per 1000 live births, being highest (581.1 per 1000) in the 1000-1499 g birthweight group. The birthweight-specific cerebral palsy prevalence ranged from 0.8 per 1000 children in children weighing 3750-3999 g to 67.3 in children weighing 1500-1749 g. Children weighing 3500-3999 g at birth were at the lowest risk of cerebral palsy. In a given low birthweight group the prevalence of cerebral palsy in China was higher than that in developed countries even though this study was unable to include those who died at risk of, or with cerebral palsy. However, the prevalence of cerebral palsy at normal birthweight was almost the same as that in developed countries. In all, about 2% of all children were of low birthweight (<2500 g), with those weighing <1500 g accounting for about 0.02%. Children weighing <2500 g at birth contributed 24% of all cerebral palsy cases with 99% in the group 1500-2499 g.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of cerebral palsy for children aged <7 years is 1.6 per 1000 children. It is estimated that there are 310000 children with cerebral palsy in China and as the survival of low birthweight infants improves the prevalence of cerebral palsy will rise. Survival of low birthweight infants is lower in China than in developed countries and our findings suggest the survival quality of these Chinese children needs to be improved and that intrapartum and neonatal antecedents might play an important role in the aetiology of cerebral palsy compared to developed countries.

[The genotype-based haplotype relative risk and transmission disequilibrium test analyses of familial febrile convulsions]

OBJECTIVE

To confirm the linkage of familial febrile convulsions to the short arm of chromosome 6(6p) or the long arm of chromosome 8(8q).

METHODS

The authors finished genotyping of Pst I locus on the coding region of heat shock protein (HSP) 70, 5'untranslated region of HSP70-1, 3' untranslated region of HSP70-2, D8S84 and D8S85. The data were processed by the genotype-based haplotype relative risk(GHRR) and transmission disequilibrium test(TDT) methods in PPAP.

RESULTS

Some signs of association and disequilibrium between D8S85 and FC were shown by GHRR and TDT.

CONCLUSION

A suspect linkage of familial febrile convulsions to the long arm of chromosome 8 has been proposed.

[Study on in vitro cytokines levels induced from peripheral mononuclear cells in patients with endometriosis]

OBJECTIVE

To study the changes and significance of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8(IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in vitro cultured system of peripheral mononuclear cells in patient with endometriosis(Em).

METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 31 cases of endometriosis, classified into mild group (stage I and II, n = 11), and severe group (stage III and IV, n = 20) according to the Revised American Fertility society criteria 1985, and 15 normal controls were separated and induced by lipopolysaccharide and phytohemagglutinin, followed by 48 hour incubation in vitro, then the supernatant were collected. The levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays, the concentrations of NO, expressed by nitrite and nitrate (NO2-/NO3-) content were measured by Griess methods.

RESULTS

The concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha and NO were significantly higher in both mild and severe Em groups than those in controls (P < 0.01). No differences between the mild and severe Em groups was seen. There were strong positive correlation between the levels of IL-6 and IL-8, TNF-alpha and NO in patients with endometriosis (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The immune function of peripheral mononuclear cell in patients with endometriosis was disordered. It may activate peripheral mononuclear cells to produce high levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha and NO, which may take part in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

Immunization via hair follicles by topical application of naked DNA to normal skin

In order to test the immune response generated to small amounts of foreign protein in skin, we applied naked DNA in aqueous solution to untreated normal skin. Topical application of plasmid expression vectors for lacZ and the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) to intact skin induced antigen-specific immune responses that displayed TH2 features. For HBsAg, specific antibody and cellular responses were induced to the same order of magnitude as those produced by intramuscular injection of the commercially available recombinant HBsAg polypeptide vaccine. Finally, topical gene transfer was dependent on the presence of normal hair follicles.

Incorporation of SPECT imaging in a longitudinal cognitive rehabilitation therapy programme

In this clinical study, five consecutive referrals to a cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CRT) programme were followed in a longitudinal protocol involving a resting SPECT and neuropsychological evaluation at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and post non-treatment intervals. All clients had acquired brain injury and initially demonstrated neuropsychological deficits and various degrees of hypoperfusion on SPECT. Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) was used to evaluate change in successive SPECT images. Following CRT, all clients were able to return to productive employment or schooling. Examination of the neuropsychological testing results revealed significant improvement in performance following CRT which were generally maintained during the non-treatment period. SPM analysis of the SPECT data revealed that, in a majority of cases, most of the significant increases in relative cerebral blood flow redistribution were seen during the treatment period, rather than the non-treatment period. The results suggest that, even in individuals who are more than 2 years post-brain damage, relative increases in rCBF can be demonstrated following individualized CRT and that most of these changes can be related to improvements on neuropsychological tests.

Secretory expression and site-directed mutagenesis studies of the winter flounder skin-type antifreeze polypeptides

Winter flounder contains both liver-type, extracellular antifreeze polypeptides (wflAFPs) and less active skin-type, intracellular antifreeze polypeptides (wfsAFPs). The lower activity of wfsAFPs might be due to their lack of complete ice-binding motifs '-K-DT-'. In order to test the functional role of this putative ice-binding motif, mutations were introduced into the N-terminal or C-terminal regions of wfsAFP-2, which lack any presumptive ice-binding motifs. The wild-type and mutant wfsAFP-2 were secreted in Escherichia coli culture media as mature antifreeze proteins and purified to homogeneity. Surprisingly, the antifreeze activity decreased with the introduction of ice-binding motifs. However, there was a corresponding decrease in alpha-helical content as well as thermal stability and this would suggest a compromise in retaining helical structure with the presence of ice-binding motifs. These studies have brought new definitions of the roles of ice-binding motif residues in type I antifreeze proteins.

[A case-control study on cerebral palsy in children]

OBJECTIVE

To identify the risk factors for cerebral palsy (CP) in children.

METHODS

A population-based 1:2 matched case-control study was conducted during May to June 1997 in southern Jiangsu Province of China.

RESULTS

Risk factors for CP in children could be summarized into four categories, i.e.; (1) fetal growth retardation, preterm delivery and low birth weight; (2) asphyxia at birth, intracranial hemorrhage, ischemic and hypoxic encephalopathy and hyperbilirubinemic encephalopathy; (3) delivery with vaccum suction and traumatic brain injury; and (4) other prenatal factors.

CONCLUSION

The first and second categories of risk factors correlated strongly and reproducibly with CP in children. It is emphasized that antenatal care be enforced to prevent occurrence of risk factors, such as low birth weight, etc., and the newborns with asphyxia be vigorously rescued and put under close supervision. For risk factors in the third category, the key measures should be obstetric practice and health education for the parents. But, little about the knowledge of the risk factors in the fourth category has been understood, which could be associated with those in the first two categories.

Studies of a putative ice-binding motif in winter flounder skin-type anti-freeze polypeptide

Winter flounder contains two distinct anti-freeze protein isoforms, which are the liver-type extracellular anti-freeze proteins and the skin-type intracellular anti-freeze protein. The skin-type anti-freeze proteins exhibit lower anti-freeze activities than the liver-type isoforms and this might be due to their lacking complete ice-binding motifs. One of the skin-type anti-freeze proteins, skin-type anti-freeze protein-3, does contain putative overlapping ice-binding motifs with the sequences '-K-DT-' and '-DT-K-'. Synthetic anti-freezes containing 0-3 repeats of the '-DT-K-' motif were tested for stability and activity. Loss of the single '-DT-K-' of skin-type anti-freeze protein-3 increases the anti-freeze activity and increasing the number of motifs to two or three lowers the activity. The decrease in activity with an increasing frequency of the motif correlates with a decrease in the helical content of these peptides at 0 degrees C.

[Construction of expressing vector for phage display scFv and a mouse unspecified antibody library]

The display of antibody gene library on the surface of E. coli filamentous phage offers a new method of obtaining antibodies against specific antigens. In the paper, it is reported that a phagemid for phage display antibody, named after pFUW80, characterized expressing scFv either secretly or stickily. With a series of designed PCR primers, heavy-chain and light-chain variable region genes of mice antibodies were amplified and a mouse unspecified single-chain antibody library with the size of 1.2 x 10(6) clones was constructed. From this library, phage was selected out against antigen human IgG and detected by ELISA and partial sequence analysis. These primary results established the foundation for future research using this system.

[Molecular characterization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase variants in four ethnic groups in Yunnan province of China]

OBJECTIVE

In order to understand the molecular evolution, race origin and the relationship between the G6PD gene structure and clinical symptoms, the authors identified the molecular characterization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and determined the G6PD gene frequency in four ethnic groups in Yunnan province of China.

METHODS

The point mutations of G6PD were detected by Mismatch-PCR/RE, SSCP,ARMS,DNA sequence and so on. G6PD gene frequency was determined by Hardy-Weinberg Law.

RESULTS

G6PD G1388A, G1376T,A95G mutations were determined in Bai and Dai people for the first time and G1388A also in Harni people by DNA sequence. G6PD C1024T were detected in Dai population by Mismatch-PCR/RE. The gene frequency of G6PD in Bai population in Dali city is 0.0113, and the incidence is 1.19% which are different from those in Dai population.

CONCLUSION

G6PD G1388A,G1376T, A95G and C1024T are the mutations in national minorities as well as in the Han people. The results suggest that different national minorities of China may have the same ancestor. The incidence of G6PD deficiency and the G6PD gene frequency in Bai population are different from those in Dai population. The distribution of G6PD deficiency in Yunnan is associated with the distribution of malaria epidemic in that province.

Molecular evolution of type 1 serine/threonine protein phosphatases

Type 1 serine/threonine protein phosphatases (PP1s) play key roles in many cellular processes. To understand the evolutionary relationships among PP1s from various kingdoms and to provide a valid basis to evaluate the structure-function relationships of these phosphatases, 44 PP1 sequences were aligned, revealing a high sequence similarity among PP1 homologs. About one-third of the total amino acids are conserved in all the sequences studied. Most of these conserved amino acids are located within a 270-amino-acid core region. They include most sites critical to the activity and regulation of PP1s based on three-dimensional structural studies of mammalian PP1s. Positional variation analysis using a sliding window approach revealed two variable blocks in the 270-amino-acid core region. The major variable block corresponds to a subdomain composed of three alpha-helices (alphaG, alphaH, and alphaI) and three beta-sheets (beta7, beta8, and beta9). Phylogenetic analyses suggested that plant and animal PP1s form distinct monophyletic groups. The plant PP1 family contains several subgroups that may be older than the monocot-dicot divergence. In the animal PP1 family, different vertebrate isoforms appear to form distinct subgroups. Relative substitution rate studies indicated that plant PP1s are more diverse than animal PP1s, with an average substitution rate 1.5 times as large as that of animal PP1s. The possible involvement of PP1s in the establishment of multicellularity is discussed.

Pollution monitoring of three rivers passing through Fuzhou City, People's Republic of China

The Tradescantia-micronucleus (Trad-MCN) bioassay was used to determine the pollution levels of three rivers passing through Fuzhou city. Results indicate that all three rivers are polluted but at different levels. They are ranked as follows: Antai River > Baima River > Jinan River. Positive results were obtained when full strengths of the water samples were used to treat the plant cuttings when compared with the negative control (tap water) group. Negative responses were obtained when the Baima and Jinan river water was diluted to 50% but not for the sample from the Antai river. Micronuclei frequencies of the Antai river group were higher than the positive control using the Ping-Yang antibiotic drug (Huapei Drug Manufacturer) at 0.2 microg/ml concentration.

[Studies on a G6PD polymorphic site, cDNA C1311T]

OBJECTIVE

To use amplification refractory mutation system(ARMS) method to detect the G6PD cDNA C1311T mutation, estimate its frequency in a normal south Chinese population, and investigate whether IVS-11 C93T mutation is the cause of certain G6PD deficient cases.

METHODS

DNA sequencing was used to confirm the C1311T and the IVS-11 C93T mutations. ARMS was set up to detect the C1311T and to estimate its frequency.

RESULTS

Three cases of C1311T mutation were found in 40 G6PD deficient samples. The optimal condition for ARMS was established. Using this method, 19 cases of C1311T were detected in 103 normal men, and the frequency of this polymorphic mutation was estimated to be 18.4% in southern Chinese population. Four cases with G6PD deficiency were demonstrated to be C at the IVS-11 93 position. At the same time, a case of IVS-11 93 C-->T was found in a normal man.

CONCLUSIONS

ARMS is a simple, time-saving, and reliable method for detecting known G6PD gene point mutation. The frequency of C1311T in a normal south Chinese population is 18.4%. IVS-11 C93T might be another polymorphic site of the G6PD gene, and it is not the cause of enzyme deficiency in certain G6PD deficient cases.

[Investigation of erythrocyte immune function of patients with endometriosis]

OBJECTIVE

To study erythrocyte immune function of patients with endometriosis and explore the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

METHODS

38 patients with endometriosis diagnosed by laparoscopy or laparotomy and 21 normal women as the control were studied. The patients were divided into three groups by revised American Fertility Society (RAFS) classification: group one (stage I, II; n = 13), group two(stage III, n = 15), and group three(stage IV, n = 10). Using rosette formation test and polyethyleneglycol sedimentation methods, the erythrocyte immune function including C3b receptor rosette rate (C3bRR), immune complex rosette rate(ICR), erythrocyte rosette forming enhancing rate (RFER) and inhibitory rate (RFIR), and circulatory immune complex (CIC) was determined.

RESULTS

The C3bRR, ICR, and RFER of group one, two, and three were decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and RFIR and CIC of group one, two, and three were increased (P < 0.05) when compared with those of the control. All parameters had no significant difference among group one, two and three. In addition, these parameters had no significant difference in infertile groups of endometriosis as compared with those of fertile group.

CONCLUSION

The erythrocyte immune function of patients with endometriosis is depressed, resulting from decreased erythrocyte immune adherence enhancer and increased inhibitor. These changes of erythrocyte immune function may be related to the pathogenesis of endometriosis.