Effects of a synthetic rat adrenomedullin on regional hemodynamics in rats

The effects of rat adrenomedullin, a novel vasorelaxant peptide, on systemic and regional hemodynamics were examined in conscious Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The intravenous infusion of adrenomedullin at rates of 1.67 and 5 micrograms/kg per min decreased the mean arterial pressure in a dose-dependent fashion in both types of rats. Adrenomedullin at a rate of 5 micrograms/kg per min increased the heart rate and cardiac output. As a result, the total peripheral resistance significantly decreased. With regards to the regional hemodynamics, adrenomedullin significantly increased the flow rates in the lungs, heart, spleen, kidneys, adrenal glands and small intestine of SHR. The flow rates in the brain and skin did not change and the flow rates in the skeletal muscle and testis were decreased. These regional hemodynamic changes were also observed in SD rats and there was no qualitative difference in the regional responses to adrenomedullin between SHR and SD rats. Thus, adrenomedullin predominantly increased the flow rates in organs in which adrenomedullin gene was highly expressed. It therefore seems that adrenomedullin may act as a local vasodilatory hormone rather than as a circulatory hormone.

Effects of phorbol ester and staurosporine on the actions of insulin-like growth factor-I on rat ovarian granulosa cells

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is able to stimulate ovarian granulosa cell steroidogenesis induced by gonadotopins. This gonadotropin-induced potentiation of IGF-I action appears to be due, at least in part, to a gonadotropin-induced increase in membrane-bound IGF-I receptor number and/or decrease in extracellular IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs). Protein kinase C (PKC) has recently been reported to inhibit gonadotropin-induced steroidogenesis in rat ovarian granulosa cells. The role of PKC in the effects of IGF-I on gonadotropin action, however, is unknown. In this study, the effects of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, a PKC activator) and staurosporine (ST, a PKC inhibitor) on IGF-I action were studied using immature rat ovarian granulosa cells. Activation of PKC by PMA did not affect steroidogenesis or cAMP secretion in cells treated with or without IGF-I. On the other hand, inhibition of PKC by ST alone (10(-9)-10(-7)m) led to an increase in progesterone production in a dose- and time-dependent manner without affecting cAMP secretion. In the presence, but not absence, of ST, IGF-I was able to stimulate progesterone production in the absence of any gonadotropin. PMA decreased ST-induced steroidogenesis and essentially abolished ST-potentiated IGF-I stimulation of steroidogenesis, suggesting the effects of ST on IGF-I action involved a PKC-dependent mechanism. Unlike gonadotropin, ST did not change IGF-I receptor binding. However, ST significantly decreased a major IGF binding protein (IGFBP, ∼30kDa) which is likely to be IGFBP-5, whereas it increased a minor IGFBP (∼24kDa) which is likely to be IGFBP-4. Both effects of ST were dose- and time-dependent. Furthermore, ST inhibited the expression of mRNA for IGFBP-5 suggesting that ST decreased IGFBP-5 levels by inhibiting its transcription and/or decreasing the stability of its mRNA. Interestingly, ST also decreased mRNA levels of IGFBP-4 despite a significant increase in secreted IGFBP-4 levels. The mechanisms involved are not known. Activation of PKC by PMA had no acute effect on these IGFBPs. The regulation by ST of IGFBPs was not antagonized by PMA, and was not affected by PKC-down regulation. Thus, it is likely that ST induces granulosa cell steroidogenesis, potentiates the IGF-I stimulation of steroidogenesis and regulates IGFBP via both PKC-dependent and -independent pathways.

Polymorphic SINEs in chironomids with DNA derived from the R2 insertion site

A short interspersed repeat (SINE) in the two sibling species Chironomus pallidivittatus and Chironomus tentans is described. It is present at many sites in the genome and is surrounded by 10 to 14 bp target site duplications. It consists of two sequence modules in different numbers and variable order relative to each other and often has large inversions of different sizes at one end. One of the modules contains pol III promoter consensus sequences. This SINE, nevertheless, is likely to have been dependent on an outside promoter for its formation. It is therefore interesting that both modules start with a 22 bp region with striking similarity to the R2 insertion site in the preribosomal gene of insects. We suggest that this type of SINE, termed Cp1, was formed after a series of events among which the first step was the retroposition of a tRNA gene into the R2 site in the preribosomal gene by the R2 coded protein. The final step is likely to have been due to retroposition from this site.

Effect of protein kinase C modulation on gonadotrophin-induced granulosa cell steroidogenesis

The effect of protein kinase C (PKC) modulation on gonadotrophin-induced ovarian granulosa cell differentiation was investigated by using an activator of PKC, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and inhibitors of PKC, sphingosine (SPH) and staurosporine (ST). The effects of PMA (at doses which activate PKC (10 ng mL-1), and down-regulate PKC (1000 ng mL-1)), sphingosine (25 microM) and staurosporine (10(-10)-10(-7) M) on gonadotrophin-induced granulosa cell differentiation were studied by the determination of steroidogenesis and cAMP accumulation in immature rat ovarian granulosa cells treated with or without pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (100 mU mL-1). PMA (10 ng mL-1) inhibited gonadotrophin-induced granulosa cell steroidogenesis and cAMP accumulation. PMA (1000 ng mL-1)-induced down-regulation of PKC did not affect gonadotrophin-induced steroidogenesis. The inhibitory effect of PMA (10 ng mL-1) on gonadotrophin-induced granulosa cell steroidogenesis was not present in PKC-down-regulated cells. These data indicate that PKC activation by PMA inhibits gonadotrophin-induced steroidogenesis. SPH also inhibited gonadotrophin-induced steroidogenesis and cAMP accumulation. This effect of SPH was not affected by PMA-induced PKC down-regulation, indicating that this action of SPH does not require PKC or is mediated via a phorbol ester-insensitive PKC isoform. ST induced steroidogenesis in the absence of gonadotrophin, but was not synergistic with gonadotrophin. PMA-induced down-regulation of PKC abolished the effect of ST, suggesting that the action of ST requires PKC. The data suggest that ST and PMA, which antagonize each other in gonadotrophin-induced steroidogenesis, act via a PKC-mediated mechanism whereas the cAMP-associated actions of gonadotrophins and SPH are not dependent on PKC.

Determination of low plasma timolol concentrations following topical application of timolol eye drops in humans by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic assay was developed for determination of timolol in human plasma following administration of two drops of a 5% timolol ophthalmic solution. A 4% butyl alcohol-hexane extract of an alkalized sample of plasma was chromatographed on a reversed-phase column and the components in the column effluent were monitored by coulometric detection. The extraction efficiency of timolol was 69.02 +/- 4.16% (mean +/- S.D.) and its detection limit was 107.2 pg/ml. The effect of mobile phase pH, buffer concentration and the working potential of the detector on column performance and the electrochemical response are described.

Growth stimulation followed by growth inhibition in livers of female rats treated with ethinyl estradiol

Ethinyl estradiol (EE) is a strong promoter of hepatocarcinogenesis in female rats. A common effect shared by many non-genotoxic hepatic promoters is the stimulation of hyperplastic growth. However, studies by others with several hepatic promoters have shown that following an initial, transient increase in liver growth, continued exposure causes an inhibition in basal and/or induced growth. We have shown that EE also causes an initial, transient increase in hepatocyte proliferation (Carcinogenesis, 7, 2007-20014, 1986). The objective of the investigation reported here was to determine whether chronic EE treatment also becomes inhibitory to basal and/or induced liver growth. Female Lewis rats were treated with EE at 2.5 and 5.0 micrograms/rat/day using time-release tablets. Seven days prior to sacrifice, the rats were implanted with osmotic minipumps containing bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to allow the cumulative labeling of replicating hepatocytes. At sacrifice, liver tissue was fixed, sectioned and the percent labeled hepatocyte nuclei determined by immunohistochemistry. The results of these experiments revealed that, as expected, during the first 7 days of treatment, EE increased hepatocyte proliferation. However, after 28 and 42 days of EE treatment, the basal level of liver growth was dramatically inhibited. Thus, hepatocyte nuclear labeling indices, compared to controls, were reduced by 72 and 88% after 28 and 42 days of treatment respectively. An analysis of 125I-labeled EGF binding to isolated liver membranes revealed that EGF receptor levels decreased during the initial period of growth, but had returned to control levels by day 21 when replication had ceased. In another experiment, rats were treated with EE at 5.0 micrograms/rat/day for 21 days; control rats received placebo time-release tablets. At the end of that time, the rats were surgically partially hepatectomized and the level of subsequent regenerative DNA synthesis was determined using [3H]thymidine administered 2 h prior to sacrifice 24, 48, 72 and 96 h later. The results showed that EE caused an inhibition of regenerative growth. While at each time point the level of DNA synthesis in EE-treated rats was not significantly less than in corresponding controls, statistical analysis indicated that overall, EE caused a significant reduction in liver growth. The results of these studies demonstrate that chronic EE treatment leads to the appearance of a mitosuppressed state in the liver which is characterized by reduced cell turnover and decreased growth responsiveness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

A north-south comparison of blood pressure and factors related to blood pressure in the People's Republic of China: a report from the PRC-USA Collaborative Study of Cardiovascular Epidemiology

OBJECTIVES

To compare blood pressures in northern (Beijing) and southern (Guangzhou) Chinese population samples aged 35-54 years, males and females, urban and rural, and to assess the role of blood pressure-related traits in explaining north-south differences.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 1983-1984 of northern and southern populations employed in industry (urban) or farming (rural).

METHODS

In the north samples were selected from the Capital Iron and Steel Complex (urban) and Shijingshan district (rural); in the south samples from the Guangzhou Shipyard (urban) and Panyu County (rural) were used.

RESULTS

The number of subjects surveyed in north and south were 4706 and 4179, respectively: 1500 and 1052 urban males, and 717 and 914 rural males; and 1300 and 1061 urban females, and 1189 and 1152 rural females, respectively. Average systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures, were consistently higher in the north than in the south. SBP and DBP were significantly and independently related to age, body mass index, heart rate, use of antihypertensive drugs, serum triglycerides level, alcohol use (males only) and inversely to cigarette smoking. Northerners were older, taller, heavier and had higher body mass index and triglycerides level than southerners. With adjustment of SBP and DBP for blood pressure-related traits, north-south blood pressure differences decreased, but remained significant for urban males, rural males and rural females, with sizeable differences for rural samples in particular.

CONCLUSIONS

North-south differences in blood pressure in these samples are accounted for only partly by north-south differences in the cited blood pressure-related traits. The role of other traits requires assessment.

Effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on receptor-operated Ca2+ channels in vascular smooth muscle

The effects of saponins of Panax notoginseng (PNGS) on the alpha-adrenoceptor agonists-induced contractile responses and Ca2+ movement were studied in dog mesenteric artery (MA) and saphenous vein (SV). PNGS reduced the contractions and the 45Ca influx (from 0.36 +/- 0.03 to 0.14 +/- 0.05 mumol.g-1 wet strip) induced by phenylephrine (Phe) without effect on KCl-induced contraction and 45Ca influx which were nearly completely inhibited by nifedipine 0.1 mumol.L-1. PNGS did not change the 45Ca efflux induced by Phe and the Kd value (from 0.76 +/- 0.04 to 0.72 +/- 0.15 nmol.L-1) for [3H]prazosin binding on the microsomal membrane isolated from MA. Our results indicate that PNGS selectively inhibits Ca2+ entry through receptor-operated Ca2+ channel.

Biological activities of two fungistatic antibiotics produced by Bacillus cereus UW85

Cultures and culture filtrates of Bacillus cereus UW85 suppress damping-off of alfalfa caused by Phytophthora medicaginis. We studied the role in disease suppression of two antibiotics from culture filtrates of UW85 that reversibly inhibited growth of P. medicaginis. We purified the two antibiotics by cation-exchange chromatography and high-voltage paper electrophoresis and showed that one of them, designated zwittermicin A, was an aminopolyol of 396 Da that was cationic at pH 7.0; the second, designated antibiotic B, appeared to be an aminoglycoside containing a disaccharide. Both antibiotics prevented disease of alfalfa seedlings caused by P. medicaginis. Purified zwittermicin A reversibly reduced elongation of germ tubes derived from cysts of P. medicaginis, and antibiotic B caused swelling of the germ tubes. Mutants generated with Tn917 or mitomycin C treatment were screened either for antibiotic accumulation in an agar plate diffusion assay or for the ability to suppress damping-off disease of alfalfa. Of 2,682 mutants screened for antibiotic accumulation, 5 mutants were substantially reduced in antibiotic accumulation and disease-suppressive activity. Of the 1,700 mutants screened for disease-suppressive activity, 3 mutants had reduced activity and they accumulated less of both antibiotics than did the parent strain. The amount of antibiotic accumulated by the mutants was significantly correlated with the level of disease suppression. Addition of either zwittermicin A or antibiotic B to alfalfa plants inoculated with a culture of a nonsuppressive mutant resulted in disease suppression. These results demonstrate that B. cereus UW85 produces two fungistatic antibiotics that contribute to suppression of damping-off disease of alfalfa.

[Chemical components of Trachelospelmun jasminoides (Lindl.) Lem. var. heterophyllum Tsiang]

Five kind of crystal products were isolated from the methyl alcohol extract of Trachelospelmum jasminoides var. heterophyllum. By using chemical analysis and spectrogrophical identification, four of these five products were proved to be arctigenin-4'-beta-gentiobiosid,tracheloside and two kinds of optical isomer of beta-tracheloside. The last two were found in this genus for the first time.

Involvement of G proteins in the effect of insulin-like growth factor I on gonadotropin-induced rat granulosa cell differentiation

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) promotes gonadotropin-induced granulosa cell differentiation and proliferation. In order to investigate whether guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G proteins) may be linked, directly or indirectly, to some of the actions of IGF, the effects of cholera toxin (CT) and pertussis toxin (PT) on the enhancement by IGF-I of PMSG (pregnant mare serum gonadotropin)-induced rat granulosa cell differentiation have been studied. This was done by the determination of progesterone production, aromatase activity and cAMP accumulation after a 48 h incubation with PMSG, IGF-I and PMSG plus IGF-I in cells treated with either CT or PT. Both CT and PT treatment stimulated PMSG-induced progesterone production in granulosa cells after 48 h of culture with PMSG. CT treatment also stimulated aromatase activity in cells treated with PMSG and increased cAMP secretion under basal conditions (untreated cells) and in PMSG treated cells. Both CT and PT increased the stimulation by IGF-I of PMSG-induced progesterone production after 48 h of culture with PMSG plus IGF-I. Furthermore, CT augmented the enhancement by IGF-I of PMSG-induced aromatase activity and cAMP accumulation. In the absence of PMSG, CT did not increase steroidogenesis either alone or in the presence of IGF-I within the time frame studied even though CT was able to stimulate cAMP accumulation in untreated and IGF-I treated cells. These results suggest that G proteins have a role in the signalling cascade involved in gonadotropin-induced granulosa cell differentiation measured as PMSG-mediated steroidogenesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Nitric oxide may participate in V2 vasopressin-receptor-mediated renal vasodilation

Using pentobarbital-anesthetized euvolemic dogs, we investigated whether vasopressin V2-receptor stimulation induced renal vasodilation and whether nitric oxide (NO) had a role in the process. Intrarenal infusion of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) resulted in renal vasoconstriction with pressor response. After preadministration of a V1-receptor antagonist, however, intrarenal infusion of AVP caused an increase in renal blood flow (RBF) without pressor action, indicating renal vasodilation. This renal vasodilation was not observed when we infused AVP after-simultaneous pretreatment with V1- and V2-receptor antagonists. Even in the absence of the V2-receptor antagonist, this renal vasodilation was attenuated by intrarenal infusion of L-NG-nitroarginine (L-NNA). Concomitant infusion of L-arginine prevented the inhibitory effect of L-NNA on renal vasodilation induced by intrarenal infusion of AVP in the presence of the V1-antagonist. These data indicate that the renal vasodilation caused by intrarenal infusion of AVP in the presence of a V1-antagonist was mediated by V2-receptor stimulation, and the inhibitory effect of L-NNA on V2-receptor-mediated renal vasodilation was attributed to its inhibitory effect on NO synthesis, suggesting that NO may participate in V2-receptor-mediated renal vasodilation.

Effects of CV-11974 on renal haemodynamics and renal function in dogs

The effects of CV-11974, a nonpeptide angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor antagonist, on renal haemodynamics and function were examined in pentobarbital-anaesthetised dogs to evaluate the physiological role of endogenous Ang II in regulating renal haemodynamics and urine formation. Intrarenal infusion of CV-11974 (1 microgram/kg/min) increased renal blood flow (RBF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urine flow, and urinary electrolyte excretion (Na and K), with no change in mean arterial pressure (MAP). In another group of dogs, intrarenal infusion of CV-11974 (1 microgram/kg/min) increased the fractional excretion of sodium, the fractional proximal excretion of sodium, and the fractional distal excretion of sodium. CV-11974 did not affect the linear relationship between the free water reabsorption rate (TCH2O) and osmolar clearance (Cosm). These results suggest that endogenous Ang II may play an important role in regulating renal haemodynamics and stimulating sodium reabsorption. Our data indicates that endogenous Ang II may stimulate sodium reabsorption at the proximal and the distal portions of the tubule, with the exception of the medullary portion of the ascending limb of Henle.

Clinical evaluation of rapid serodiagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis by ELISA with cord factor (trehalose-6,6'-dimycolate) as antigen purified from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against purified cord factor (trehalose-6,6'-dimycolate) prepared from Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and its diagnostic usefulness was evaluated. Serum specimens from 65 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, 58 patients with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis, 36 patients with diseases other than tuberculosis, and 66 healthy adults were examined. Patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis showed significantly higher titers of IgG antibodies against cord factor than did other groups (p < 0.001). The antibody titer greater than 0.29 in absorption difference (492 to 630 nm) of 160-times diluted serum was set as positive in ELISA. For patients with active and untreated pulmonary tuberculosis, the ELISA had a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 96%. From these results, it was concluded that the detection of IgG antibodies against cord factor is useful for serodiagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis. It was also indicated that the anticord factor antibody titers decline to the normal level as a result of antituberculosis chemotherapy.

Development of a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for benztropine

A benztropine RIA based on polyclonal antisera raised in New Zealand white rabbits has been developed. The drug-protein conjugates employed had a variety of moles of benztropine hemisuccinate coupled per mole of protein (bovine serum albumin or bovine thyroglobulin). Six antisera were developed and the one with the highest titer was further evaluated for its cross reactivity to N-desmethylbenztropine (4%) and the antipsychotic agents fluphenazine, flupenthixol, chlorpromazine, and haloperidol (all < 1%). The selected antiserum demonstrated sufficient sensitivity to measure benztropine from 0.156 to 100 ng/mL plasma in a 200-microL plasma sample, with a mean CV of < 6%. The RIA was applied to the analysis of steady-state plasma samples obtained from patients undergoing treatment with benztropine and plasma samples obtained from human volunteers and dogs orally dosed with the drug. Both the human and dog plasma samples, when analyzed after hydrolysis with beta-glucuronidase/sulfatase, demonstrated increments in benztropine concentrations, suggesting the drug may be undergoing biotransformation to phase II metabolite(s). In addition, when benztropine was selectively extracted from the unhydrolyzed plasma samples, there was a significant decrease in drug level, which further suggested that the antiserum cross reacted with phase II metabolite(s). The shape of the plasma concentration versus time profile obtained from the dog studies suggested that the drug might also undergo enterohepatic recycling.

Beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated release of norepinephrine in the human forearm

Because of difficulties in separating the systemic from local effect, the role of presynaptic beta 2-adrenergic receptors in facilitating the neural release of norepinephrine has not been defined previously in humans in vivo. To determine whether stimulation of presynaptic beta-receptors alters local release of norepinephrine, we examined the effects on norepinephrine kinetics of 60 and 400 ng/min intra-arterial isoproterenol in seven healthy male volunteers. Isoproterenol, 60 ng/min, increased forearm norepinephrine spill-over sixfold from a baseline spillover of 0.45 +/- 0.08 to 2.89 +/- 0.69 ng/min (p < 0.01), whereas 400 ng/min isoproterenol increased forearm norepinephrine spillover to 13.25 +/- 2.49 ng/min (p < 0.005), a 29-fold increase above baseline. Coinfusion of 20 to 40 micrograms/min propranolol with 400 ng/min isoproterenol in four subjects significantly attenuated the isoproterenol-induced increase in local norepinephrine spillover to 2.09 +/- 0.92 ng/min (p < 0.05 versus 400 ng/min isoproterenol). This study shows that presynaptic beta-adrenergic receptors facilitate local release of norepinephrine in vivo in humans.

[A study on risk factors and control of neonatal tetanus during 1975-1990 in Yichang City]

Retrospective survey on the mortality of 21 cases of neonatal tetanus during 1975-1990 and their case-control study on death risk factors were reported in Yichang City. Surveillance and control of neonatal tetanus were emphasized on suburbs. Serological survey of tetanus antibody in women aged 15 to 40 and mothers and their newborn babies were carried out. The protective rate was 3.75% (GMT = 0.0014 IU/ml). The result showed that tetanus antibody in the women of childbearing age was at the lowest level. There was a significant positive correlation through vertical transmission between mothers and their newborn babies (r = 0.7096, P < 0.0005). And the successful immunization in 65 pairs of children was 100%. It was suggested that we should consolidate EPI and promote maternal and child health plan and a primary-health-care program in Yichang City.

[Mapping of the transforming gene by fluorescence in situ hybridization]

A transforming gene of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma was cloned from Chinese nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE2. This gene was different from a number of known oncogenes as was reported previously. The NPC transforming gene was 16kb in size, and the Alu negative 2.8kb fragment was cloned into pSP70 plasmid. Linearized Tx pSP70 recombinant plasmid was nick translated in the presence of biotin-11-dUTP, incubated with an excess of sonicated human DNA, and used as a probe for fluorescence in situ hybridization. Signals of hybridization were detected by successive treatments with FITC-labeled avidin. 57% of grains were located on chromosome 8; 51.8% of them were mapped to the 8q23-->8q24.1 region of chromosome 8's. The Tx gene, therefore, could be assigned to the band 8q23-->8q24.1.

Effects of EXP3174, a non-peptide angiotensin II receptor antagonist, on renal hemodynamics and renal function in dogs

We examined the effects of intrarenal infusion of EXP3174, a non-peptide angiotensin II receptor antagonist, in order to evaluate the physiological role of endogenous angiotensin II in regulating renal hemodynamics and urine formation and to assess the possibility of a tubular site(s) of action of endogenous angiotensin II in anesthetized dogs. Intrarenal infusion of EXP3174 at 15 micrograms/kg per min caused increases in renal blood flow (RBF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urine, flow and urinary electrolyte excretion. The lower dose of EXP3174 (0.5 micrograms/kg per min) did not change mean arterial pressure, RBF and GFR, but did increase urine flow. The fractional excretion of sodium, the fractional proximal excretion of sodium and the fractional distal excretion of sodium increased with lower doses of EXP3174 infusion. EXP3174 did not affect the linear relationship between the free water reabsorption rate and osmolar clearance. These data suggest that endogenous angiotensin II plays a significant role in regulating renal hemodynamics and urine formation and endogenous angiotensin II stimulates sodium reabsorption in the proximal and the distal portions of the tubules, with the exception of the medullary portion of the ascending limb of Henle.

[A serological survey on antibodies to polio, measles, diphtheria and tetanus in Yichang human population]

A serological survey on antibodies to polio, measles, diphtheria and tetanus in 1444 normal people in Yichang City is reported. The positive rates and geometric mean titres (GMT) of neutralizing antibodies to polio types 1-3 were 95.00%, 93.61%, 94.17% and 103.57, 94.61, 83.80, respectively. Antibody to diphtheria had higher level (GMT = 0.0829 IU/ml). Antibodies to tetanus in child-bearing women had the lowest level (GMT = 0.0014 IU/ml). There was a significant positive correlation between the antibody to measles in mothers and that in their newborn babies (r = 0.7153, P < 0.0005).

[Diagnosis of basal body temperature, serum progesterone and endometrial biopsy for luteal phase defect]

Fourteen infertile women and two women with recurrent abortions were suspected of having luteal phase defect (LPD) by BBT charts. In these patients, the midluteal phase serum progesterone (P) levels were determined together with histological examination by the late luteal endometrial biopsies during the same cycle. The diagnostic criteria for LPD was BBT of luteal phase < or = eleven days, mean P level of 3 blood samples taken on three days during midluteal phase was less than 48 nmol/L (15 ng/ml) and the histological dating of endometrium was two or more days behind. The results showed that histological abnormality and low P level were 6.3% and 31.3%, respectively. When histological abnormality combined with lowered P level at the same cycle, the diagnosis of LPD increased to 87.5%. The author suggests that both midluteal phase P level and late luteal endometrial histological examination should be assessed at the same cycle in the diagnosis of LPD. BBT should also be assessed.