Human chorionic gonadotrophin measurements in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle of infertile and fertile women

Serum human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) determinations were performed every other day during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle of 20 women suffering from unexplained infertility and of 20 women assumed to be fertile. HCG was determined by a specific radioimmunoassay which applied an antiserum directed against the HCG-beta subunit. The group of infertile patients demonstrated detectable serum HCG in only three cases. No clinically confirmed pregnancies were achieved in this group. Eighteen of the 20 women presumed to be fertile showed detectable HCG levels. Five of these achieved ongoing pregnancies, while 13 women revealed increased HCG levels without delayed menstrual periods. The first day of detection of HCG during the luteal phase did not differ between the two groups. In the five women with ongoing pregnancies the time of detection of HCG ranged from day 5 until day 12 after ovulation. It is concluded that the high rate of increased HCG values in the fertile group may represent early conceptual loss, but the apparently disorderly HCG results indicate the need for cautious interpretation of HCG determinations during the luteal phase. Furthermore, early conceptual loss forms no major explanation for unexplained infertility.

Time-resolved immunofluorometric assay for the ovarian carcinoma-associated antigenic determinant CA 125 in serum

A time-resolved immunofluorometric assay (IFMA) is described for quantifying the ovarian carcinoma-associated antigenic determinant CA 125 in human serum. Monoclonal antibody to CA 125 is immobilized onto a microtiter well, and the same antibody labeled with a europium chelate is used as a tracer. After the immunoreaction the bound portion of the labeled antibody is quantified by dissociating the Eu3+ in a fluorescence-enhancement solution and measuring its fluorescence with a time-resolved fluorometer. The detection limit of the IFMA is 1.5 arb. units/mL, being about the same as that of a commercially available immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) for CA 125 (1.4 arb. units/mL). The analytical range of the IFMA extends to 2000 arb. units/mL, whereas the range of the IRMA is 500 arb. units/mL. For 29 serum samples from ovarian-cancer patients measured simultaneously in the IFMA and IRMA, orthogonal regression analysis gave the equation CA 125 (IFMA) = 0.9937 CA 125 (IRMA) - 1.211 arb. units/mL (Syx = 6.8681, r = 0.9932). Apparently, the IFMA for CA 125 is a convenient alternative to the IRMA for CA 125 because of short counting times, the use of nonradioactive, stable reagents, and the much-extended measuring range. Additionally, the microtiter format should lend itself to more fully automated procedures in laboratories doing many such analyses.

Time-resolved immunofluorometric assay for the ovarian carcinoma-associated antigenic determinant CA 125 in serum

A time-resolved immunofluorometric assay (IFMA) is described for quantifying the ovarian carcinoma-associated antigenic determinant CA 125 in human serum. Monoclonal antibody to CA 125 is immobilized onto a microtiter well, and the same antibody labeled with a europium chelate is used as a tracer. After the immunoreaction the bound portion of the labeled antibody is quantified by dissociating the Eu3+ in a fluorescence-enhancement solution and measuring its fluorescence with a time-resolved fluorometer. The detection limit of the IFMA is 1.5 arb. units/mL, being about the same as that of a commercially available immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) for CA 125 (1.4 arb. units/mL). The analytical range of the IFMA extends to 2000 arb. units/mL, whereas the range of the IRMA is 500 arb. units/mL. For 29 serum samples from ovarian-cancer patients measured simultaneously in the IFMA and IRMA, orthogonal regression analysis gave the equation CA 125 (IFMA) = 0.9937 CA 125 (IRMA) - 1.211 arb. units/mL (Syx = 6.8681, r = 0.9932). Apparently, the IFMA for CA 125 is a convenient alternative to the IRMA for CA 125 because of short counting times, the use of nonradioactive, stable reagents, and the much-extended measuring range. Additionally, the microtiter format should lend itself to more fully automated procedures in laboratories doing many such analyses.

Nucleotide sequence of the transcriptional repressor gene korB which plays a key role in regulation of the copy number of broad host range plasmid RK2

The product of the korB gene of broad host range plasmid RK2 is one of at least two proteins which repress transcription of the essential replication gene trfA. We report here the nucleotide sequence of korB and the properties of its predicted polypeptide product KorB which has a molecular weight of 39,011 Da. KorB is likely to be a soluble protein with an overall net negative charge. However, consistent with a role in transcriptional regulation, there is a region with extensive homology to the alpha helix-turn-alpha helix motif of many DNA binding proteins. This region shows no significant homology to equivalent regions of the TrfB protein which is the primary transcriptional repressor of RK2 and which binds to an operator whose half sites show considerable homology to the half sites of the korB operator.

Narrow-host-range IncP plasmid pHH502-1 lacks a complete IncP replication system

Plasmid pHH502-1 shows incompatibility only towards members of the IncP group, but has a narrower host range than typical members of that group. In contrast to other IncP plasmids its replication was not affected by a high-copy-number plasmid carrying the replication origin (oriV) of IncP plasmid RK2. Southern blotting of pHH502-1 revealed homology to oriV, consistent with its incompatibility phenotype, but no homology to trfA, the essential replication gene of RK2. Thus it is probable that pHH502-1 does not possess a functional IncP replication system, accounting for its restricted host range. A restriction map of pHH502-1 was constructed and the mercury-resistance determinant was localized to Tn735, which also carries the trimethoprim-resistance determinant and is related to Tn21. The presence of a korB-like function on pHH502-1 was also demonstrated.

Analysis of transcription from the trfA promoter of broad host range plasmid RK2 in Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Reverse transcriptase mapping has been used to analyze transcription from the trfA promoter of broad host range plasmid RK2. The results show that trfA operon mRNA has the same 5' end in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida, and Escherichia coli. The strengths of wild-type and mutant trfA promoters, which differ by defined base substitutions, have been compared and the positions of their transcriptional start sites determined. While these base substitutions do not alter the transcriptional start site, they do have marked effects on promoter strength which are broadly similar in each of the host species. A single base pair substitution, which lies in the region corresponding to the E. coli promoter consensus, brings about a large reduction in gene expression while the introduction of a second mutation, at a locus outside this region, has no further effect on promoter strength. The results indicate that these Pseudomonas species possess an RNA polymerase which recognizes the same region of the trfA promoter as that utilized by E. coli RNA polymerase. Within the limits of these observations it is clear that the trfA operon is transcribed from a single promoter which can function efficiently in diverse species, a property which may be important for its broad host range.

Comparison of the organisation of the genomes of phenotypically diverse plasmids of incompatibility group P: members of the IncP beta sub-group are closely related

Comparison of physical maps of the broad host range plasmids R751, R906 and R772, belonging to the IncP beta sub-group of the Escherichia coli incompatibility group P, reveals two large regions of similarity, separated by dissimilar regions which contain the majority of the cleavage sites for restriction endonucleases with hexanucleotide recognition sites. Mapping of the regions of these plasmids which show homology to probes specific for genetically characterised segments of the distantly related IncP alpha plasmid RK2, involved in plasmid maintenance or conjugal transfer, reveals that all four plasmids share a similar genetic organisation. In each case the homologous plasmid backbone is interrupted by heterologous segments both between the essential replication loci oriV and trfA, and between the conjugal transfer regions tra1 and tra2, although in the case of R772 the segment of the backbone carrying the trfA and tra2 regions is inverted relative to that of the other plasmids. However, in the case of pJP4, shown to be a fourth member of the IncP beta sub-group, the backbone is interrupted only by a single large segment adjacent to the trfA region. Mapping of the regions of the four IncP beta plasmids which show homology to Tn501 and nucleotide sequence determination at the ends of the homologous regions reveals that R906, R772 and pJP4 share a common mercury resistance region. This region, which appears to have been inactivated in R772, was probably inserted into a common ancestor of these plasmids by the transposition of an element related to an ancestor of Tn501. R751 shows no trace of the mercury resistance region, but contains a short relict of Tn501, derived from an independent insertion event.

Deletions in the tetracycline resistance determinant reduce the thermosensitivity of a trfA(Ts) derivative of plasmid RP1 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A derivative of the broad-host-range plasmid RP1, pME301, was temperature-sensitive (Ts) at 43 degrees C for maintenance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. mendocina, Klebsiella aerogenes and Escherichia coli. In E. coli, the Ts defect of pME301 could be complemented in trans by the cloned trfA gene, which is known to be essential for RP1 replication in E. coli and P. aeruginosa. Because pME301 expressed a Ts phenotype in P. mendocina and K. aerogenes, we assume that the trfA function is also vital in these organisms. When plasmid-encoded carbenicillin resistance (on transposon Tn801) was selected at non-permissive temperatures in P. aeruginosa strain PAO carrying pME301, we obtained either Tn801 insertions into the chromosome or pME301 derivatives having a deletion (or point mutation) in their tet genes, which determine resistance to tetracycline and are not transposable. From cloning experiments, we infer that the tet gene product(s) destabilize the pME301 replicon in P. aeruginosa at 40-43 degrees C.

Analysis of mutational lesions of acetate metabolism in Neurospora crassa by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance

The adaptation of Neurospora crassa mycelium to growth on acetate as the sole carbon source was examined by using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance. Extracts were examined by nuclear magnetic resonance at various times after transfer of the mycelium from medium containing sucrose to medium containing [2-13C]acetate as the sole carbon source. The label was initially seen to enter the alanine, glutamate, and glutamine pools, and after 6 h 13C-enriched trehalose was evident, indicating that gluconeogenesis was occurring. Analysis of the isotopomer ratios in the alanine and glutamate-glutamine pools indicated that substantial glyoxylate cycle activity became evident between 2 and 4 h after transfer. Immediately after transfer of the mycelium to acetate medium, the alanine pool increased to about four times its previous level, only a small fraction of which was enriched with 13C. The quantity of 13C-enriched alanine remained almost constant between 2 and 7.5 h after the transfer, whereas the overall alanine pool decreased to its original level. The selective catabolism of the unenriched alanine leads us to suggest that the alanine pool is partitioned into two compartments during adaptation. Two acetate-nonutilizing mutants were also studied by this technique. An acu-3 strain, deficient for isocitrate lyase (EC 4.1.3.1) activity, showed metabolic changes consistent with this lesion. An acp strain, previously thought to be deficient in an inducible acetate permease, took up [2-13C]acetate but showed no evidence of glyoxylate cycle activity despite synthesizing the necessary enzymes; the lesion was therefore reinterpreted.

Pharmacokinetics of intravenous luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone administration in men: effects of various dosages

Exogenous luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) was intravenously administered as a single-bolus injection to 26 healthy normal men. LH-RH doses were selected at 1, 2.5, 5, and 20 micrograms for exploration of the optimum LH-RH dose to obtain adequate pituitary stimulation. Blood samples (for LH-RH and LH determinations) were collected at frequent intervals from 10 minutes before to 60 or 90 minutes after injection. LH-RH peak levels varied, in a dose-dependent way, between 119 +/- 16 and 517 +/- 70 ng/l. Peak values were all reached between 1 and 3 minutes after injection, and elimination occurred rapidly, with half-lives between 2.6 +/- 0.4 and 5.2 +/- 1.0 minutes. The area under the curves increased significantly (P less than 0.01) if the doses of LH-RH had been augmented from 1 to 20 micrograms. Maximum LH values were reached more rapidly in the low-dose (1 and 2.5 micrograms) experiments (between 13.5 and 16.3 minutes), with an obvious decline afterwards. The area under the LH curves increased (P less than 0.01) if the doses of LH-RH had been elevated from 1 to 2.5 micrograms, but no further increase of LH release occurred (P greater than or equal to 0.21) if LH-RH doses were further elevated from 2.5 to 20 micrograms. The current study demonstrates that a 2.5-micrograms intravenous LH-RH dose is best suited for an adequate pituitary stimulation in normal men.

The nucleotide sequence and transcription of minicircular mitochondrial DNA's associated with male-fertile and cytoplasmic male-sterile lines of sugarbeet

Male-fertile (MF) and cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) lines of sugarbeet possess characteristic low molecular weight minicircular mitochondrial DNA's, and Southern hybridizations revealed sequence homologies between them. The complete nucleotide sequences of minicircle a present in MF and CMS lines, and minicircle d present in some MF lines have been determined and compared to minicircle c present in all MF lines. Computer analysis revealed sequences common to all three DNA's: these may be essential to their maintenance in sugarbeet mitochondria. Analysis of the extent and arrangement of homologous sequences in minicircle a and minicircle d suggests the latter may have arisen from an intramolecular recombination event in minicircle a. The G+C contents of the minicircles differ and their possible origins are discussed. All three DNA's are transcribed. Minicircle c and minicircle d transcripts are exclusive to MF mitochondria, but are unlikely to encode protein products. Two transcripts of sufficient size and the predicted polarity to encompass a short open reading frame on minicircle a are common to both MF and CMS mitochondria.

Effects of a single injection of a new depot formulation of an LH-releasing hormone agonist on spermatogenesis in adult rats

Adult male Wistar rats were treated with a single injection (500 micrograms s.c.) of a new biodegradable depot formulation of the LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogue [D-Ser(But)6]AzGly10-LH-RH (Zoladex; ICI 118,630) to evaluate its potential for inhibiting spermatogenesis. The drug produced a marked (P less than or equal to 0.05) decrease in serum concentrations of FSH, LH and testosterone with a maximum effect 14 days after treatment. Since striking focal histological changes were seen in the testis after only 1 week, at a time when changes in serum gonadotrophins were minimal, there may be a direct effect of the LHRH analogue on spermatogenesis. Degenerative changes in germ cells as well as Sertoli cells could be observed. Flow-cytometric analysis of testicular cell suspensions showed a significant decline in the absolute numbers of haploid cells (spermatids), tetraploid cells (mainly pachytene spermatocytes) and of the numbers of cells in the S-phase of the cell cycle. This suggests that the drug also inhibits proliferation of spermatogonia and/or primary spermatocytes. Testis weight, serum hormone concentrations, and histological and cytological parameters returned to essentially normal values 52 days after the injection. It is concluded that this new method of administration may have practical and pharmacokinetic advantages for the purpose of reversible inhibition of spermatogenesis.

Evidence for the involvement of the incC locus of broad host range plasmid RK2 in plasmid maintenance

Plasmid pRK2501 is a deletion derivative of broad host range plasmid RK2 and encodes two trfB-regulated operons: the trfA operon which codes for both kilD, which interferes with plasmid maintenance if unregulated, and trfA whose protein product(s) is essential for replication from oriVRK2; and part of the trfB operon, containing both trfB/korA/korD, whose product negatively regulates transcription of both trfA and trfB operons, and incC, the product of which interferes in trans with inheritance of RK2 and certain of its derivatives. Plasmid pRK2501ts3 is a derivative with a point mutation in trfB, rendering plasmid maintenance temperature sensitive. Transcriptional fusions of the trfB operon and the galK gene demonstrate that this mutation derepresses trfB operon transcription at both 30 and 42 degrees C. The trfA operon is also derepressed by this mutation. Since the trfB gene product appears to be defective at both permissive and non-permissive temperatures the temperature sensitivity of pRK2501ts3 must be due to a secondary effect. In fact, it appears to arise from the inhibitory behavior of derepressed incC at the non-permissive temperature since a major class of "revertant" of pRK2501ts3 contains deletions inactivating incC and a reconstruction experiment demonstrates that such a deletion is sufficient for "reversion." Maxicell experiments show that at the non-permissive temperature the trfA operon polypeptide products are produced at much lower levels, an effect partly reversed by a deletion affecting incC. It is proposed that incC normally plays a role in maintenance of IncP plasmids by modulation of trfA operon expression.

Construction of a novel gene bank of Bacillus subtilis using a low copy number vector in Escherichia coli

Low copy number vector plasmid pCT571 was constructed to clone Bacillus subtilis genomic fragments in Escherichia coli. pCT571 confers KmR, TcR and CmR in E. coli and CmR in B. subtilis. It has unique restriction sites within the KmR and TcR markers to allow screening for recombinant plasmids by insertional inactivation of these genes. It contains the pSC101 replicon and replicates normally at six to eight copies per chromosome equivalent in E. coli. It also contains oriVRK2, which when supplied with the product of the trfA gene of RK2 in trans, allows pCT571 to replicate at 35-40 copies per chromosome equivalent. A B. subtilis gene bank was created by cloning partially Sau3A-digested and size-fractionated fragments of B. subtilis chromosomal DNA into the BamHI site of pCT571. DNA from 1097 KmR TcS transformants was extracted and analysed electrophoretically as supercoiled DNA and after digesting with EcoRI or EcoRI and SalI. Approximately 1000 hybrid plasmids were found with reasonably sized B. subtilis fragments. The mean size of the inserts in pCT571 is 8 kb, ranging from 4 to 20 kb in different plasmids. The gene bank covers most of the B. subtilis chromosome, as demonstrated by the results of screening the gene bank for selectable nutritional markers in E. coli and B. subtilis. Hybrid plasmids which complement E. coli mutants for arg, his, lys, met, pdx, pyr and thr markers were identified from the gene bank. In B. subtilis the presence of argC, cysA, dal, hisA, ilvA, leuA, lys, metB, metC, phe, purA, purB, thr and trpC was established by transformation experiments. The effects of copy number on cloning and long-term maintenance in the bacterial strains were also investigated. At high copy number some hybrid plasmids cannot be maintained at all, while others show an increased rate of structural deletions and rearrangements.

The trfB region of broad host range plasmid RK2: the nucleotide sequence reveals incC and key regulatory gene trfB/korA/korD as overlapping genes

We report the nucleotide sequence of the trfB region of broad host range plasmid RK2. This region encodes the following loci: trfB, identical to korA and korD, which encodes a key transcriptional repressor of certain RK2 operons; incC, which appears to be involved in plasmid maintenance, possibley through post-transcriptional regulation of trfA product levels; the start of korB, which encodes a second transcriptional repressor of operons involved in stable inheritance of RK2. These loci are expressed as part of the trfB operon. In combination with deletion analysis, transcriptional and translation fusions and 'maxicell' analysis of polypeptides, the DNA sequence allows a number of conclusions to be drawn. First, the korB ORF start codon overlaps the incC ORF stop codon, suggesting the possibility of translational coupling between these two genes. Second, the trfB ORF lies entirely within the first third of the incC ORF using a different phase. Third, the incC ORF appears to contain a second transcriptional start whose function appears to be coupled to translation of the trfB ORF. Analysis of codon usage in the region of overlap between incC and trfB suggests that the incC gene may have evolved before the trfB gene. Determination of the DNA sequence of a mutant in which the product of trfB is rendered defective for transcriptional repression reveals an amino acid alteration within a region of this polypeptide which exhibits homology to the alpha helix-turn-alpha helix motif characteristic of many DNA binding proteins, and which is probably responsible for recognition of the trfB operator by this protein.

Characterization of lectin-binding lymphocytes in goats with caseous lymphadenitis

Numbers of lymphoid cells bearing markers for peanut agglutinin, wheat germ agglutinin, and anti-immunoglobulin G in healthy goats and in goats with caseous lymphadenitis were determined by use of immunofluorescent techniques. Results indicated that, when compared with healthy goats, diseased goats had normal numbers of anti-immunoglobulin G-positive cells (B cells), had significantly reduced numbers of peanut agglutinin-positive cells (T cells), and had fewer cells with receptor sites for Lens culinaris agglutinin and concanavalin A. Compared with healthy goats, numbers of peanut agglutinin-positive cells in goats with caseous lymphadenitis indicated that the goats may have had a compromised cell-mediated immunity.

Effects of danazol on spermatogenesis in adult rats

Adult male Wistar rats were treated with Danazol (4 mg/day s.c.) for 52 days. The drug produced a marked, rapid drop in serum testosterone concentrations to very low levels and caused a slower decrease in serum FSH, LH and testis weight. Flow cytometric analysis of testicular cell suspensions showed a decline in the absolute numbers of haploid cells (spermatids), tetraploid cells (mainly pachytene spermatocytes) and of cells in the S-phase of the division cycle, suggesting that Danazol inhibited proliferation of spermatogonia and/or primary spermatocytes. Histological counting of the different types of spermatogonia, however, revealed no significant change in their numbers during Danazol treatment. It is concluded that Danazol inhibited spermatogenesis primarily after the preleptotene stage of primary spermatocytes.

The effects of sulindac and indomethacin on the anti-hypertensive and diuretic action of hydrochlorothiazide in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension

In this double-blind two period crossover study, we investigated the effect of indomethacin and sulindac on blood pressure in 25 hypertensive patients being treated with hydrochlorothiazide. The study consisted of seven 4 week periods. In the first and the last period the patients took placebos, in period two, four and six they were treated with hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg once daily alone, and in the third and fifth period hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg once daily was given in combination with either indomethacin 50 mg twice daily or sulindac 200 mg twice daily in double-blind random order. Blood pressure, measured by sphygmomanometer and arteriosonde, and body weight were determined every 2 weeks. Compared with placebo hydrochlorothiazide decreased the mean arterial pressure by 8%. Addition of both indomethacin and sulindac resulted in only slight and generally similar changes of this blood pressure lowering effect. This was found both for the whole group and when both treatment sequence groups were analysed separately. In contrast to sulindac, indomethacin attenuated the hydrochlorothiazide-induced decreases of body weight, plasma potassium and the increase of plasma renin activity. Both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) reduced the 24 h urinary excretion of prostaglandins (PGs), i.e. PGF2 alpha, 6 ketoPGF1 alpha and thromboxane B2 except PGE2. From this study it can be concluded that, in contrast to sulindac, indomethacin attenuated the diuretic action of hydrochlorothiazide, however apparently without consequences for its long-term blood pressure lowering effect. This study does not support the hypothesis that the difference between the two NSAIDs can be explained by different effects on renal PG synthesis.

Analysis of the vegetative replication origin of broad-host-range plasmid RK2 by transposon mutagenesis

A range of Tn1723 transposon mutants of the oriV region of broad-host-range plasmid RK2 have been isolated, and the internal EcoRI fragment of the transposon has been deleted from each to reduce the insertion size from 9.6 kb (Tn1723) to 35 bp (delta Tn1723). Sequencing from the delta Tn1723-derived EcoRI site has allowed the precise mapping of these insertions to various points dispersed through the origin region. Using these mutants we have determined which regions of oriV RK2 are of functional importance to plasmid establishment following transformation of the host species Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, and P. aeruginosa. Insertions into an A/T-rich region, and a region containing five direct repeat sequences prevented successful transformation of each host species tested, but the continuity of sequences adjacent to the five repeats were essential only in E. coli and P. putida. The establishment and maintenance in E. coli of a mini-RK2 replicon was found to be inhibited by transcription from an inducible promoter positioned to read into oriV RK2 against the direction of replication. Assays of transcription emerging from Tn1723 demonstrated significant levels from one end of the transposon only. Four mutants with insertions downstream of oriV RK2 were unable to become established in E. coli, and contained Tn1723 in the orientation which would supply transcription toward the oriV RK2 region. These results demonstrate both that the sequence requirements for oriV RK2 function differ between host bacterial species, and that origin function may be further influenced by the genetic environment in which it lies.

Comparison of the analytical characteristics of ten urinary hCG tests for early pregnancy diagnosis

A comparison of assay design, sensitivity and specificity is given for 10 urinary human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) test kits for early pregnancy diagnosis. One slide test applies a polyclonal anti-hCG serum, while nine, more recently developed, tube and slide tests use one or more monoclonal antibodies toward intact hCG or its free subunits. Colour development for five immunoenzymetric (IEMA) 'sandwich' assays, or (haem/latex) agglutination (HA, LA)-inhibition (HAI, LAI) for the other systems provide assay sensitivities from 1000-50 IU/L within 3-120 min. The 'best' slide-(i.e., LA, LAI), haem-(i.e., HA, HAI) and IEMA-tests detect respectively 500, 75 and 50 IU/L within 2.5, 120 and 3 min. Assay specificities (i.e., as false-positive and false-negative test results) are studied using intact hCG, hLH and their free alpha- and beta-subunits. The presented assays are improved, perform more sensitively at shorter reaction times with increased specificity, and may, therefore, establish pregnancy at an earlier stage with greater reliability.

Effect of chronic aromatase inhibition by delta 1-testolactone on pituitary-gonadal function in oligozoospermic men

Aromatase inhibition by delta 1-testolactone (Teslac, 500 mg twice daily) for 6 months in 9 patients with idiopathic oligozoospermia lowered the levels of serum estradiol (E2) and thereby sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (rS = +0.40, p less than 0.025) to values -35 and -25%, respectively, below the pretreatment values (P less than 0.001 and less than 0.005). The E2 decrease was accompanied by a temporary increase (+50%) in the levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), not of luteinizing hormone (LH), and of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17 alpha-OHP), but less of testosterone (T) (+30%), which led to a transient rise in the 17 alpha-OHP/T ratio. The T/E2 ratio and "free T" index (T/SHBG) almost doubled until the end of the treatment period. During delta 1-testolactone treatment the mean sperm density gradually rose from 8.1 +/- 1.3 (SEM) before to 21.3 +/- 6.7 X 10(6)/ml after 6 months (P less than 0.01), whereas the total sperm count almost threefold increased (P less than 0.05). Sperm concentrations exceeding 20 X 10(6)/ml were achieved in 4 of the 9 patients. Two of these patients' wives became pregnant. Although the data point to a pivotal role of estrogens in the pathogenesis of the spermatogenic lesion in some patients with idiopathic oligozoospermia, the lack of a beneficial effect of estrogen lowering in others points to a multicausal nature of the disease entity.

Use of a modified Escherichia coli trpR gene to obtain tight regulation of high-copy-number expression vectors

It has been found that with high-copy-number vectors utilising the Escherichia coli trp promoter the amount of repressor protein produced from the single chromosomally located trpR gene is inadequate for tight repression to be obtained. An attempt has been made to overcome this problem by inserting the trpR gene in cis into the expression vector. This proved unsuccessful because transcription from the trp promoter of such a plasmid could not be induced with 3,beta-indole acrylic acid, probably because the trpR gene is autogenously regulated. However, it was found that when the natural trpR promoter was replaced with a relatively weak constitutive promoter a useful self-repressible vector could be formed. A modified trpR gene of this type has been used to obtain tightly controlled expression of human interferon-beta (IFN-beta) from a vector having a copy number of 400. Tight regulation is particularly important in this case as IFN-beta is highly toxic to the E. coli cell.

Testicular steroid response to continuous and pulsatile intravenous luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone administration in normal men

In 18 healthy normal men Leydig cell response was examined following intravenous luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) administration under standardized conditions. The same total amount of LH-RH was administered for 3 hours both in a continuous (1 microgram/min; C (1,1)) and in a pulsatile fashion, by giving a 20 micrograms dose at 20 minutes intervals, P (20, 20), and a 60 micrograms dose at 60 minutes intervals, P (60, 60). Following the different modes of LH-RH administration which all caused 3-4 fold elevations of the mean endogenous luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations and 1.7-2 fold elevations of the mean follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) serum levels, an overt increase of the mean testosterone (T) levels was noticed up to 1.5 X the baseline value. No difference was observed in the total amount of T release among the investigated groups. The patterns of the T response, however, clearly differed from one another with a rapid increase, during the C (1, 1) and the P (20, 20) LH-RH administration, and a delayed but persistent T increase in the P (60, 60) experiment. The mean 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) concentrations demonstrated a similar course to T in the P (60,60) experiment, while significant increases of the oestradiol (E 2) levels were never observed in all three experiments. In view of the comparable LH and FSH increments in response to LH-RH administration in either experiment the differences in T responses may be explained by assuming a direct effect of LH-RH on Leydig cell steroidogenesis in the men.

Prostaglandins in urology

This article gives a review of the current place of the different prostaglandins in the urogenital tract and urological pathology. Clinical as well as experimental data are analyzed. The conclusion is that prostaglandins play an important role in the physiology and pathophysiology of each organ of the urogenital tract although no direct clinical applications of prostaglandins or prostaglandin-inhibitors result from our current knowledge and experiences with these substances.

Regulation of the trfA and trfB promoters of broad host range plasmid RK2: identification of sequences essential for regulation by trfB/korA/korD

Using a plasmid containing a transcriptional fusion in which the E.coli galK gene is expressed from the trfB promoter of broad host range plasmid RK2 we show that transcription from the trfB promoter is repressed by the products of both the trfB and korB genes as we have previously predicted from the sequence homology of the trfA and trfB promoters and the fact that the trfA promoter is regulated by trfB and korB. These loci, trfB and korB are normally transcribed from the trfB promoter. Thus the trfB incC korB operon of RK2 is doubly autogeneously regulated. In addition, we describe the isolation and characterization of a mutant trfA promoter which has become insensitive to repression by trfB as a result of a point mutation within the inverted repeat sequence previously predicted to be the trfB protein binding site. These results provide strong evidence for our previously proposed model for control of transcription from the trfA and trfB promoters.

A priority dispatch system for emergency medical services

A decision tree priority dispatch system for emergency medical services (EMS) was developed and implemented in Atlanta and Fulton County, Georgia. The dispatch system shortened the average response time from 14.2 minutes to 10.4 minutes for the 30% of patients deemed most urgent (P less than or equal to .05); resulted in a significant increase in the use of advanced life support units for this group (P less than or equal to .02); decreased the number of calls that required a backup ambulance service; and significantly increased conformity to national EMS response time standards for critically ill and injured patients (P less than or equal to .0009). Due to dispatch error, 0.3% of calls were dispatched as least severe but subsequently were found to be most urgent.

Evidence from cauliflower mosaic virus virion DNA for additional discontinuities in the plus strand

Two-dimensional electrophoresis of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) virion DNA and analysis of Southern blots using (+) strand-specific probes to the 5' termini of the beta (5.4 Kb) and alpha (2.6 Kb) strands, revealed the presence of molecules in addition to those predicted from the known structure of CaMV DNA. The presence of 8 Kb molecules of (+) sense after denaturation suggested that a small proportion of circular molecules have only a single discontinuity in the (+) strand. Other molecules, probably 5' coterminal with the beta strand but smaller than 5.4 Kb, indicated that a minority of the circular full length CaMV DNA contain additional gaps in the (+) strand. Consequently, molecules equivalent to the remainder of the beta strand could be identified using a single strand probe for a region towards the 3'-end of the beta strand. Computer analysis of the nucleotide sequence of CaMV DNA in the region of the proposed additional discontinuities revealed regions displaying some homology with the major (+) strand priming sites at the 5' ends of the beta and alpha strands. It is our contention that the additional (+) strand molecules of beta specificity are a consequence of minor (+) strand priming sites.

Cloning and deletion analysis of a genomic segment of Bacillus subtilis coding for the sdhA, B, C (succinate dehydrogenase) and gerE (spore germination) loci

From a Bacillus subtilis gene bank constructed in Escherichia coli and based on a low copy number cloning vector we have isolated a hybrid plasmid, pSH1047, containing an 8.0 kb segment of B. subtilis DNA coding for the sdhA, B and C genes, which code for the component polypeptides of succinate dehydrogenase, and the gerE gene, which may code for or regulate a protease involved in producing spores which germinate normally. We report the restriction map of this segment and the analysis of deletion derivatives which allow us to correlate the physical and genetic maps of these chromosomal segments.

Serum luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) and gonadotropic hormones in men after a bolus dose of LH-RH: comparison of different doses and routes of administration

Serum levels of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), LH, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured for 60 minutes after 5- and 20-micrograms bolus doses of LH-RH given either intravenously or subcutaneously to 20 healthy men, for the study of LH-RH pharmacokinetics and the corresponding pituitary gonadotropin release. Intravenous (5- and 20-micrograms) LH-RH administration revealed much sharper LH-RH pulses, with significantly higher levels between 1 and 5 minutes (P less than 0.001) but lower levels between 30 and 60 minutes (P less than 0.05), compared with the subcutaneous route. No statistically significant differences were observed in the magnitude and time occurrence of maximum LH release or in the area under the LH response curves between intravenous and subcutaneous LH-RH administration, either in the 5-micrograms or in the 20-micrograms group. FSH responses were small and insignificant in all the performed tests. The intravenous route of administration seems preferential in therapeutic regimens that use pulsatile exogenous LH-RH, because the conditions of intermittent pituitary stimulation are more adequately fulfilled and the risk of dose accumulation is reduced. Furthermore, LH-RH doses of 5 micrograms are capable of producing adequate pituitary LH release, whereas increases in the pulse dose up to 20 micrograms seem to have no additional effects.

Effect of lower versus higher doses of tamoxifen on pituitary-gonadal function and sperm indices in oligozoospermic men

Administration of the antiestrogen tamoxifen for one month to 12 patients with idiopathic oligozoospermia significantly increased the mean basal testosterone (T) level and the responses of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to constant luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) infusion but did not significantly influence the mean oestradiol (E2) levels or the E2 over testosterone ratio. Mean sperm concentration and total sperm output increased by about 70% after a mean treatment period of 5.5 +/- 0.4 months. No statistically significant difference was found between the two subgroups of patients treated with either the lower (5 or 10 mg once daily) or higher dose of tamoxifen (10 mg twice daily) with respect to basal or LHRH stimulated gonadotropin and testosterone response or the E2/T ratio and the effect on sperm density and total sperm output. In both subgroups the sperm motility and morphology remained unchanged. In conclusion higher doses of tamoxifen in this study prove not to be superior to lower doses in improving mean sperm density and total sperm output. The relative small percentage of patients achieving normalisation of only these sperm parameters pleads for further search for more effective selection of patients and other more effective treatment modalities in patients with idiopathic oligozoospermia.

Isolation of a fraction from cauliflower mosaic virus-infected protoplasts which is active in the synthesis of (+) and (-) strand viral DNA and reverse transcription of primed RNA templates

Sub-cellular fractions, isolated from cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV)-infected turnip protoplasts, are capable of synthesising CaMV DNA in vitro on an endogenous template and of reverse transcribing oligo dT-primed cowpea mosaic virus RNA. The activity was not detected in mock-inoculated protoplasts. In vitro-labelled DNA hybridized to single-stranded M13 clones complementary to the putative origins of (-) and (+) strand CaMV DNA synthesis and to restriction endonuclease fragments encompassing more than 90% of the CaMV genome. The synthesis of (-) and (+) strand DNA appeared asymmetric. The template(s) for in vitro CaMV DNA synthesis are in a partially nuclease-resistant form. Fractions capable of in vitro CaMV DNA synthesis contained CaMV RNA both heterogeneous and as discrete species; they also contained a range of different sizes of CaMV DNA. Several lines of evidence indicate that this range of in vitro-labelled CaMV DNA, extending from 0.6kb to 8.0kb in length, represents elongating (-) strand DNA. These are discussed in relation to their role as possible replicative intermediates.

Comparison of the analytical characteristics and clinical usefulness in tumour monitoring of fifteen hCG(-beta) immunoassay kits

Fifteen immunoassay kits for serum hCG(-beta) measurements have been compared for their analytical characteristics and clinical usefulness in tumour monitoring. Three out of 13 radioimmunoassays and two sandwich hCG immunoassays represent the 'one-component' techniques for intact hCG detection since they are based on antiserum raised against intact hCG. Within this group, method-comparison slopes ranged between 0 X 149 and 0 X 374. The remaining 10 radioimmunoassays all apply antiserum against hCG-beta and are designated 'two (or more)-component' assays since they detect both intact hCG and the free beta-subunit ('total hCG'). For this reason these assays are of potential value for tumour monitoring. Additional criteria for this are: (1) the expression of assay results in terms of 1st IRP-hCG instead of the unstructured use of the 2nd IS or the 1st IRP-hCG-beta; (2) documentation of cross-reactivities especially for the free beta-subunits of hCG and hLH which are almost completely lacking; (3) establishment of the minimum detectable dose in the presence of normo-to-hypergonadotrophic hLH levels in serum (the 'clinical sensitivity') to allow the follow-up of tumour regression especially in the low-dose region. Method-comparison analysis for these assays revealed regression slopes between 0 X 001 and 0 X 873.

Effect of aromatase inhibition by delta 1-testolactone on basal and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-stimulated pituitary and gonadal hormonal function in oligospermic men

Aromatase inhibition by delta 1-testolactone (TL), 500 mg twice daily for 4 weeks, in nine patients with idiopathic oligospermia lowered circulating estradiol (E2) levels by about 30%, enhanced the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (+ 30%), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) (+ 40%), and testosterone (T) (+ 30%), but did not affect serum luteinizing hormone levels. Despite E2 lowering, there was an accumulation of 17-OHP over T, suggesting 17, 20-lyase inhibition. Unexpectedly, administration of TL almost completely deleted the T response to continuous luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone infusion present before TL therapy, despite similar gonadotropin release. Because the 17-OHP response to the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone infusion was even higher during therapy, the 17,20-lyase lesion seemed aggravated despite substantial reduction of E2 levels. Although the present data suggest that estrogens play a less dominant role in the origin of the late steroidogenetic lesion than previously assumed, the suggestion also arises that TL per se, in addition to its antiestrogenic action, exerts an inhibiting effect on the 17,20-lyase locus, which may obscure the beneficial effect of reducing E2.

Absorption of 17 beta-estradiol in a neovagina constructed from the peritoneum

Estrogen absorption from the neovagina was studied by administering 2.0 mg of micronized 17 beta-estradiol (E2) neovaginally to 6 patients. The neovagina in each patient was constructed by using the peritoneum from the pouch of Douglas. A mean peak of circulating E2 concentrations more than 15-times the basal level was achieved 90 min after the application. Until 12.5 h after the application, the E2 levels were significantly (P less than 10(-6)) elevated. FSH levels were significantly (P = 0.003) changed in comparison to the basal serum concentration. There was no significant (P = 0.08) change in LH levels. The resorption of estradiol from the neovagina is similar to that seen in women with normal vaginas.

Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the vegetative replication origins of broad host range IncP plasmids R751 and RK2 reveals conserved features of probable functional importance

An 864 bp EcoRI fragment carrying oriVR751, the vegetative replication origin of broad host range IncP plasmid R751, was cloned and sequenced. Only the trfA gene of the IncP plasmid RK2 was required in trans for the function of oriVR751. The sequence of oriVR751 showed 65% overall homology to that of oriVRK2 determined previously. Highly conserved regions of probable functional importance were apparent, including two sets of direct repeats postulated to be interaction sites for the trfA protein(s), a putative dnaA protein binding site and a downstream inverted repeat of unknown function.

Regulation of replication and maintenance functions of broad host-range plasmid RK2

Replication of broad host-range plasmid RK2 depends on a cisacting vegatative replication origin oriVRK2 and the polypeptide product(s) of the trans-acting gene trfA as well as on host-specified products. The trfA gene is the second cistron in a polycistronic unit whose first cistron may be kilD, one of 4 known RK2-specified kil loci (kilA, B, C, and D) which are inhibitory for bacterial host or plasmid vector in the absence of kor functions which suppress in trans the effect of their respective kil genes. Transcription of the operon containing trfA is negatively regulated by the products of both the trfB locus (alias korD and korA) and korB. The loci, trfB and korB, are expressed from a single transcriptional unit which we propose to be negatively autoregulated by the products of both loci, although an additional, weaker and unregulated transcript may also express korB. While deletions in the oriVRK2 region have indicated the presence of copy number control elements adjacent to and possibly overlapping with the minimal oriVRK2 segment, the overriding control of copy number seems to reside in the trfB and korB loci which in conjunction appear to reduce expression of the trfA gene to levels limiting for replication. Coregulation of trfA with kil genes may indicate that kil genes play a role in plasmid maintenance other than replication.