Induced reproduction of yellow-tailed lambari (Astyanax lacustris) with Ovopel® and buserelin acetate as alternatives to the protocol with carp pituitary extract

The objective of this study was to evaluate reproductive traits in adults of Astyanax lacustris subjected to different spawning inducers. The study involved 240 females (12.54 g ± 2.33 and 7.66 cm ± 0.63 cm) and 240 males (5.83 g ± 0.39 g and 6.14 cm ± 0.64 cm), all at reproductive age. Three different inducers were evaluated: (i) 0.4 pellets of Ovopel®/kg of body weight; (ii) 0.5 ml of buserelin acetate/kg of body weight; and (iii) carp pituitary extract (CPE) (5.5 mg CPE/kg body weight for females and 2.5 mg CPE/kg body weight for males), as well as saline solution (without hormone). The degree-hours for spawning were greater (P<0.05) for the Ovopel® treatment (with 204.93) than in the treatment with CPE (183.2). Ovary weight and gonadosomatic index were higher (P<0.05) in CPE and Ovopel® treatments when compared to buserelin acetate. The number of oocytes per female, absolute and relative fecundity were greater (P<0.05) for Ovopel® and CPE treatments. Fertilization rate was higher (P<0.05) in treatment with buserelin acetate (82.3%) in relation to Ovopel® (72.33%) and CPE (62.40%) treatments, and the highest (P<0.05) hatching rates were achieved with buserelin acetate and Ovopel®. The number of larvae per female body weight was greater (P<0.05) when Ovopel® was used. In conclusion, Ovopel® proves to be a more effective reproductive inducer for induced reproduction of A. lacustris when compared to CPE and buserelin acetate.

Profile of Brazilian climacteric women: results from the Brazilian Menopause Study

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to understand the epidemiological characteristics of Brazilian menopausal women, and their view on menopause hormone therapy (MHT).

METHODS

A national cross-sectional study with 1500 women between 45 and 65 years old was carried out through questionnaires.

RESULTS

The overall median age of participants was 52 [47-56] years, and 55 [52-59] years for the postmenopausal subgroup. Menstrual irregularity started at median age 46 [44-49] years. Median menopause age was 48 [45-51] years with no differences between socioeconomic classes. The prevalence of any climacteric symptoms was 87.9% and hot flashes started at median age 47 [45-50] years. Among women in menopause/menopausal transition, 52.1% received any medical prescription, and MHT was recommended for 22.3%. Among those who started MHT, 45.4% were still using the treatment and the median duration of use was 8 months, but different among socioeconomic classes (24 months for class A against 3 months for class D/E).

CONCLUSIONS

In this first Brazilian national population-based study on menopause and MHT, it was observed that, in spite of being symptomatic when entering menopause around 48 years of age, only a small part of Brazilian women started MHT and the median duration of treatment was less than 1 year, but the duration was higher for higher socioeconomic class.

Solitary dilated duct visualised by mammography: ultrasound and anatomopathological correlation

AIM

To correlate solitary dilated ducts (SDDs) detected by mammography with ultrasound and histopathological findings of intraductal lesions and evaluate the association with invasive or in situ breast carcinoma. The secondary goal was to evaluate the prevalence of SDDs in screening and diagnostic mammography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective study of consecutive screening and diagnostic mammograms from March 2016 to March 2017 at a referral centre for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer was registered at clinicatrials.gov (NCT03161392). SDDs were recorded prospectively on mammography, and regardless of the findings' stability, the participants were recalled for targeted ultrasound to evaluate the intraductal content, which was submitted to histopathological analysis when heterogeneous content or masses were found. SDD stability was evaluated for 2 years. The categorical data are shown as frequency and percentage, and the comparisons were conducted using the chi-squared test.

RESULTS

A total of 9,035 mammograms were evaluated. SDDs were identified in 130 (1.43%) mammograms and 94 targeted ultrasound were conducted. In 22 cases, histological analysis were performed, and the main findings were fibrocystic changes (n = 14) and papilloma (n = 8). The main clinical and imaging characteristics associated with statistical significance (p < 0.05) were the presence of nipple discharge, intraductal masses, and calcifications on mammography.

CONCLUSION

SDDs visualised using mammography and without other associated findings should be complemented with targeted ultrasound to evaluate the intraductal content that shows benign histopathological results when papilloma is the most relevant finding. No cases of invasive or in situ breast carcinoma were found in this study.

Vaginal Health: Insights, Views & Attitudes survey in Latin America (VIVA-LATAM): focus on Brazil

OBJECTIVE

A previous survey investigated postmenopausal vaginal atrophy in a sample of women across Latin America. To help implement a tailored approach to improve postmenopausal care and outcomes in Brazil, we consider results from the survey for this country.

METHODS

A total of 2509 postmenopausal women resident in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, or Mexico completed an online questionnaire. The Brazilian cohort comprised 504 women.

RESULTS

Over half of the Brazilian cohort (56%) reported experiencing symptoms of vaginal atrophy; most described them as moderate or severe (76%), and almost half (48%) experienced symptoms for at least 1 year. Three-quarters of the Brazilian cohort (75%) were unaware of the chronic nature of the condition. Upon experiencing symptoms of vaginal atrophy, 92% had visited a health-care provider to discuss treatment options. Overall, 56% were aware of some form of local hormone therapy and 40% of those affected by vaginal atrophy had used such treatment.

CONCLUSION

Postmenopausal women in Brazil are likely to benefit from increased awareness of the symptoms of vaginal atrophy. Health-care providers can potentially improve outcomes by helping women to understand the chronic nature of the condition and available treatment options. Women may be open to education pre menopause, before symptoms occur.

Effects of vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease virus on reproductive performance of beef cows

This study compared reproductive performance of cows vaccinated against the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus before timed AI or during early pregnancy (Exp. 1), as well as rectal temperature (RT) and plasma concentrations of the acute-phase protein haptoglobin in cattle vaccinated or not against the FMD virus (Exp. 2). Cattle utilized in Exp. 1 and 2 originated from herds with no historical occurrences of FMD and that received vaccination against the FMD virus biannually. In Exp. 1, 604 lactating, multiparous, nonpregnant Nelore cows were randomly assigned on d -31 of the experiment to receive 1) vaccination against the FMD virus on d ≥ 31 (VACPRE; = 291) and 2) vaccination against FMD virus on d 30 (VACGEST; = 313). From d -11 to 0, all cows were assigned to an estrus synchronization + timed AI (d 0) protocol. Pregnancy status to AI was verified on d 30 and 90 via transrectal ultrasonography. A treatment × day interaction was detected ( < 0.01) for pregnancy rates to AI, which were similar ( = 0.17) between VACPRE and VACGEST on d 30 (61.8% vs. 56.2%, respectively; SEM = 2.8) but greater ( < 0.01) for VACPRE on d 90 (59.4% vs. 46.9%, respectively; SEM = 2.8). Pregnancy loss from d 30 to 90 was greater ( < 0.01) in VACGEST compared with VACPRE (16.5% vs. 3.9%, respectively; SEM = 2.2). In Exp. 2, 40 pregnant Nelore females (20 nulliparous and 20 multiparous cows; BCS = 4.73 ± 0.12) were ranked by parity and assigned to receive (VAC; = 20) or not receive (NOVAC; = 20) vaccination against the FMD virus. Blood samples were collected and RT was recorded before (h 0) and 24, 72, 120, and 168 h after treatment administration. Treatment × day interactions were detected ( < 0.01) for RT and plasma haptoglobin. The RT was greater ( < 0.01) in VAC compared with NOVAC at 24 h after treatment administration and was similar ( ≥ 0.31) between treatments at all other sampling hours. Plasma haptoglobin concentration was similar ( = 0.98) between VAC and NOVAC before treatment administration ( = 0.48) and greater ( < 0.01) in VAC at 24, 72, 120, and 168 h after treatment administration. In summary, vaccinating beef cows against the FMD virus resulted in a 4-fold increase in pregnancy loss when the vaccine was administered 30 d after timed AI compared with 31 d before timed AI. These outcomes can be associated with inflammatory and acute-phase reactions elicited by the FMD vaccine, which are known to impair pregnancy maintenance in cattle.

Is expression of rat breast matrix components influenced by estrogen, progestins and tibolone?

AIM

To study the effects of estrogen therapy, alone or combined with progestogens, and of tibolone on the expression of heparanase (HSPE), extracellular matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9), perlecan and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in normal breast tissue.

METHODS

Thirty 250-day-old Wistar rats were castrated and 3 weeks later received one of the following treatments by gavage for 5 weeks: (1) estradiol benzoate; (2) estradiol benzoate + medroxyprogesterone acetate; (3) estradiol benzoate + norethisterone acetate; (4) estradiol benzoate + dydrogesterone; (5) tibolone; (6) placebo. Following treatment, the expressions of mRNA for HSPE, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were analyzed by real-time PCR and the protein expressions of HSPE, MMP-2, MMP-9, perlecan and PCNA were quantified by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant difference among the groups for the expression of HSPE mRNA due to high levels in the tibolone group. The groups differed in terms of PCNA, with lower levels found in the tibolone group followed by the estradiol benzoate + dydrogesterone group. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed for PCNA versus perlecan and MMP-9.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no difference in the effects of combinations of estradiol and different progestogens on extracellular matrix components, and breast cell proliferation was associated with increases in perlecan and MMP-9.

Correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and latitude in Brazilian postmenopausal women: from the Arzoxifene Generations Trial

SUMMARY

We investigated vitamin D status in Brazilian cities located at different latitudes. Insufficiency (<50 nmol/L) was common (17 %), even in those living in a tropical climate. Vitamin D insufficiency increased as a function of latitude. Mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in each site and latitude correlation were very high (r = -0.88; p=0.02). [corrected].

INTRODUCTION

Inadequate vitamin D, determined by low levels of 25(OH)D, has become very common despite the availability of sunlight at some latitudes. National data from a country that spans a wide range of latitudes would help to determine to what extent latitude or other factors are responsible for vitamin D deficiency. We investigated vitamin D status in cities located at different latitudes in Brazil, a large continental country.

METHODS

The source is the Brazilian database from the Generations Trial (1,933 osteopenic or osteoporotic postmenopausal women (60 to 85 years old) with 25(OH)D measurements). 25(OH)D below 25 nmol/L (10 ng/mL) was an exclusion criterion. Baseline values were between fall and winter. The sites included Recife, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Curitiba, and Porto Alegre. Mean and standard deviation of 25(OH)D, age, spine and femoral neck T-score, calcium, creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase were calculated for each city. Pearson correlation was used for 25(OH)D and latitude.

RESULTS

Insufficiency (<50 or <20 ng/mL) was common (329 subjects, 17 %). Vitamin D insufficiency increased as a function of latitude, reaching 24.5 % in the southernmost city, Porto Alegre. The correlation between mean 25(OH)D levels in each site and latitude was very high (r = -0.88, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

There is a high percentage of individuals with vitamin D insufficiency in Brazil, even in cities near the equator, and this percentage progressively increases with more southern latitudes.

Menstrual irregularity: a possible clinical marker of metabolic dysfunction in women with class III obesity

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether menstrual irregularity in morbidly obese women is indicative of metabolic dysfunction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty-seven women with morbid obesity were evaluated. They were divided into two groups: one comprising women without menstrual dysfunctions or hirsutism (Group 1), and another obese women showing menstrual dysfunction with or without hirsutism (Group 2). The following were evaluated: age, colour, childbirth, marital status, profession, socio-economic level, education, age at menarche, body weight, height, body mass index, presence of hirsutism (Ferriman Gallwey Index), abdominal circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, menstrual cycle, blood pressure, presence of acanthosis nigricans, insulin resistance (IR), fasting glycaemia, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides, thyroid-stimulating hormone, free T4, luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, insulin and the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA test).

RESULTS

Clinical and epidemiological aspects did not present statistical differences. Clinical and laboratory parameters did not show statistically significant alterations; however, HOMA test values for Group 2 were significantly higher than those for Group 1.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of IR in class III obese women can cause menstrual dysfunctions such as amenorrhoea or oligomenorrhoea even in the absence of hyperandrogenism, suggesting that IR plays an important role in the ovarian mechanisms involved in the menstrual cycle control.

Breast arterial calcification is a predictive factor of cardiovascular disease in Brazilian postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and breast arterial calcification (BAC), as well as the prevalence rates of these conditions in Brazilian postmenopausal women.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed in 307 women over 40 years of age who were receiving care at the gynecology clinic of the Center for Women's Integrated Healthcare (CAISM), ABC School of Medicine. All these women had been amenorrheic for at least 12 months and had undergone mammography in the preceding 12 months. Cardiovascular disease and its subtypes were evaluated, as well as its association with BAC. Means and standard deviations, absolute frequencies and percentages were calculated, and univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were performed.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 55.2 +/- 6.8 years; age at menopause was 48.5 +/- 4 years. Time since menopause was 80.2 +/- 75.4 months; 96.1% of the patients were non-smokers and 46.3% were using hormone therapy. Of the patients, 33.6% had systemic arterial hypertension, 4.9% had diabetes mellitus and 5.2% had hypercholesterolemia. The mean body mass index was 27.3 +/- 4.3 kg/m(2). CVD was found in 6.8% and BAC in 8.5% of the women. Significantly more women with BAC had CVD compared to the women who did not have this condition (23.1% vs. 5.3%, p = 0.0006). BAC was associated with an odds ratio of 8.13 (95% confidence interval 2.68-24.64) for predicting CVD.

CONCLUSIONS

In postmenopausal women, breast arterial calcification may represent a higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease.

312 MORPHOLOGICAL AND MORPHOMETRICS CHARACTERISTICS OF NUCLEAR SPERM IN THE EPIDIDYMAL TRANSIT OF BULLS

During the transit through the epididymis, many morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of spermatozoa are modified, as part of the maturation process. Nuclear maturation continues in the epididymis through an increase in formation of protamine disulfide. Thus, penetration through the oocyte membranes could be facilitated for elongated spermatozoa with dramatically condensed chromatin and nuclear integrity. Therefore, size, shape, and nuclear defects could be used to estimate the stage-related nuclear transformations from early spermiogenesis to the end of epididymal transit. Nellore bulls (n = 9), 30-36 months old, with high seminal quality (>80% motile and morphologically normal sperm) were submitted to orchiectomy. Impressions in slides of the caput, corpus, and caudal regions of the epididymis were prepared for evaluation of morphology (Feulgen stain, phase-contrast microscopy at 1000 ×) and morphometry of the nuclear sperm. The slides were captured in a Motic 2300 camera adapted to the microscope and digitally assessed. Nuclear morphology was considered normal (without visible alterations), head defect (variations in shape and form), and nuclear defects (abnormal chromatin condensation and presence of vacuoles). Base, width, length (μm), and area (μm2) were estimated in least 60 sperm nuclei. No difference (P > 0.05) among epididymal regions for normal nuclei (70.3 ± 3.1%), head defects (3.4 ± 0.5%), and nuclear defects (5.3 ± 1.3%) were seen. The base was higher (2.68 ± 0.5 μm, P < 0.01) in the caput than corpus (2.44 ± 0.4 μm) and caudal regions (2.41 ± 0.4μm). Normal nuclei were associated (P < 0.01) with width (r = 0.20), length (r = 0.27), and area (r = 0.44) in the caput and with width (r = 0.21), length (r = 0.40), and area (r = 0.33) in the corpus of epididymis. Epididymal transit affected (P < 0.001) the measures and nuclear status that accounted for regression analysis: normal nucleus (40.254 + 3.027, length; R2 = 0.20), head defects (0.922 + 1.097, width + 0.093 × area; R2 = 0.26), and nuclear defects (6.993-0.496, length + 0.454, base; R2 = 0.23). The results suggest that important variations occur in the nuclear status during the epididymal transit in the bovine spermatozoa. The higher measures in the sperm base of the caput suggest a narrowing probably indicating the continuity of nuclear remodeling from the final steps of spermiogenesis. The area accounts for 20% of the nuclear shape variations along the epididymal segment. These events characterize the adaptation of nuclear membranes and chromatin structure surrounded by epididymal environment and comprise a part of the maturation process. Additionally, morphometric variations are associated with defects in the nuclear structures and can be used to determine the conditions of spermatogenesis and sperm maturation based on the evaluation of ejaculated semen. We thank CNPq/PROPP and Fundect for financial support.

Chemotherapy plus cyclosporine A for the treatment of intraocular retinoblastoma: The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine experience

20005

Background: In the past decade chemotherapy and focal control became the standard of care in retinoblastoma. The ideal chemotherapy regimen has not yet been determined. We analyzed the results of treatment at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine using the regimen carboplatin (20 mg/kg, day 1), vincristine (0.05 mg. /kg, day 1), etoposide (5 mg / kg, days 1 and 2) with or without cyclosporine A (10 mg. /kg over 2 hours followed by 45 mg/kg over 31 hours) every 3–4 weeks. We attempted to maintain peak CSA levels between 2,400 and 6,000 and steady state levels between 2,400 and 4,200 ng/ml. When CSA was given, vincristine was started at 0.0125 mg /kg. The dose was escalated by 25% with each cycle of therapy, as tolerated. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in 41 patients diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma from Dec 1996 to Jan 2006. Only eyes with intraocular disease (76 eyes) were included in this analysis. Before each cycle of chemotherapy ophthalmologic examination under anesthesia was performed and active tumor and seeding were treated with local ablation using laser therapy. Eyes in which enucleation was planned at diagnosis were excluded from this analysis. Results: Most patients received 9 cycles of chemotherapy. Sixty percent (46/76) of the eyes were treated with chemotherapy and CSA. The eye salvage rate for eyes classified by the International Classification of Retinoblastoma (ICRB) as groups A, B, C and D was 100%. The eye salvage rate for the 21 eyes classified as ICRB group E was 29%. No difference in salvage rate was observed in eyes treated with or without CSA. One patient died from disease progression. Only one patient required radiation therapy to both eyes. To date there have been no reports of development of secondary malignancies. Conclusion: The addition of CSA to the treatment of the eyes classified as ICRB groups A, B, C and D made no difference in the eye salvage rate. Also, we were not able to demonstrate any benefit from the addition of CSA in patients with stage E eyes- although our sample size was quite small. Aggressive focal control and chemotherapy beginning at diagnosis may be the reason for the excellent EFS in group A, B, C and D eyes.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Hormone therapy following the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study: perception of gynecologists in Brazil

AIM

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study on gynecologists in Brazil, with particular emphasis on knowledge, interpretation of the study and attitude regarding hormone therapy (HT).

METHODS

A total of 806 gynecologists were evaluated through questionnaires. For the evaluation, questions regarding his/her degree of knowledge and interpretation of the WHI study, number of prescriptions written for HT and opinion regarding the ideal form of HT following the WHI study were analyzed.

RESULTS

Physicians were found to have a good knowledge of the study (97.6%). The most common interpretation of the results of the WHI study referred to the single HT regimen used in the trial in patients with specific characteristics, this being the response of 66.3% of physicians. There was a reduction of 21.7% in the intention to prescribe HT, with 32.5% of gynecologists reporting changing to a different therapeutic regimen. After the WHI study, the gynecologists showed a preference for low doses of estrogens and progestogens.

CONCLUSIONS

The WHI study had a relevant impact on the attitude of doctors in Brazil.

A prospective open-label study to evaluate the effects of the oral contraceptive Harmonet® (gestodene75/EE20) on body fat

This open-label study evaluated the effects on body fat of the use of a low-dose oral contraceptive (gestodene75/EE20) in a group of 61 women (OC-U group) as compared to a nonuser group (OC-N group) of 51 women who did not receive an oral contraceptive. Weight, body mass index (BMI), waist-over-hip ratio and body composition data, obtained by bioelectrical impedance [percentages of body fat (%FAT), water (%TBW) and lean mass (%FFM)], were assessed before and after six treatment cycles. Baseline OC-U group weight, BMI, %FAT, %TBW and %FFM did not differ from the OC-N group, either at baseline or at the end of the study, and did not significantly change within each group during the study. Also, there was no modification of fat distribution in either group. Among women in the OC-U group, there was a slight increase in total cholesterol levels and a trend towards higher triglycerides levels. No changes were detected in blood pressure. In conclusion, this low-dose oral contraceptive did not affect weight or body composition. Thus, our data suggest that gestodene75/EE20 represents an appropriate OC choice and may enhance compliance of women who mistakenly believe that the use of oral contraceptives always leads to weight gain.

Evaluation of tibolone effect on arterial resistance in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tibolone on peripheral vascular resistance in postmenopausal women, by determination of the pulsatility index (PI) of the common carotid, radial and popliteal arteries using Doppler ultrasonography.

METHODS

Twenty-nine patients were studied in a longitudinal, prospective, before and after study, for 7 months. The patients did not suffer from cardiovascular disease or any other conditions that would interfere with vascular resistance, and had no contraindications for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Tibolone was used in a dose of 2.5 mg, orally, continuously for 6 months. Color duplex Doppler ultrasonography of the right and left common carotid, radial and popliteal arteries was carried out to determine PI, using the average value found in both sides at baseline (before administration of the drug), 3 and 6 months after initiating medication and 1 month after discontinuation of the drug. PI was determined by means of spectral analysis of the best arterial blood flow waveform, and pretreatment values (baseline) were used as control.

RESULTS

In the common carotid artery, no significant differences in PI were observed at 3 and 6 months, in comparison with baseline. A significant decrease in PI was noted in the radial artery at 6 months as compared with baseline (decrease of 51.5%). PI in the popliteal artery also presented a significant decrease at 6 months in relation to baseline (decrease of 28.6%). The results were statistically assessed by ANOVA (analysis of variance).

CONCLUSION

There was no significant variance in PI in the common carotid artery; however, in the radial and popliteal arteries there was significant variance, and their resistance decreased after use of tibolone for 6 months but returned to the pretreatment values 1 month after discontinuation of the drug.

The effect of sperm preparation and co-incubation time on in vitro fertilization of Bos indicus oocytes

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of various methods of sperm selection and various sperm-oocyte co-incubation times on in vitro fertilization (IVF) of zebu (Bos indicus) oocytes. Frozen semen from one ejaculate of a single bull was used for all treatments and replicates. After thawed, sperm was subjected to one of the three treatments: 45 and 90% discontinuous Percoll gradient, swim-up and washing by centrifugation. In all treatments, the spermatozoa were incubated with in vitro matured oocytes for 3, 6, 12 and 18h. After co-incubation oocytes were transferred to the culture medium and culture for 44h, when the cleavage was evaluated. The uncleavaged oocytes were fixed and stained to determine penetration, pronucleus formation and polyspermy. The sperm selection method did not influence (P<0.05) polyspermy, pronucleus formation, penetration and cleavage rates. No interaction between method of selection and sperm-oocyte co-incubation time was observed (P>0.05). However, sperm-oocyte co-incubation time affected fertilization. The lower penetration (26.5%) and cleavage rates (13.1%) were obtained at 3-h period. The penetration and cleavage percentages increased (P<0.05) progressively at 6h (63.3 and 54.4%) and 12h (77.6 and 67.6%). No differences (P>0.05) were observed between 12 and 18h of incubation for penetration and cleavage rates. The incidence of polyspermy and pronucleus formation was similar (P>0.05) for all time points. It is concluded that the methods used in this study for sperm selection do not affect fertilization; therefore, they all can be used for bovine IVF. In addition, regardless the method used better fertilization results were obtained when sperm and oocytes were co-incubated for 12h, and the prolongation of that time for up to 18h had no detrimental effect on fertilization.

[Study of mechanisms and factors related to sexual abuse in female children and adolescents]

OBJECTIVE: To study the frequency of sexual abuse in children and adolescents and its related factors. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 617 cases of sexual abuse, assisted between July 1994 and August 1999 at the Womeńs Health Reference Center, divided into two groups: 71 children (age <10 years), and 546 adolescents (age > or =10 and <20 years). The analyzed variables were: sexual crime; embarrassment; presumption of violence; characteristics and number of abusers; the victimacute;s situation at the moment of the crime; and occurrence of physical traumas. Epi Info 6 software was utilized to gather data, and the results were analyzed by the chi-square test. RESULTS: Significant statistic results were found. 90.8% of the adolescents were victims of rape, and 46.5% of the children suffered sexual assault. The presupposed violence (PV) was more frequent in the group of children (63.4%) and a serious threat in the group of adolescents (63.2%). Innocentia consilli was exclusive PV among 100% of children and 59.5% of adolescents. 84.5% of children were molested by identifiable abusers, most frequently family members. Perpetrators were unknown in 72.3% of the cases of adolescent abuse. 42.3% of sexual abuse of children occurred in their homes, and 28.2% at the abusers. Adolescents were approached during daily activities (34.8%) and on their way to work or school (28.4%). Most patients did not have genital or extragenital trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Children suffered sexual assault, perpetrated by a known abuser through presupposed violence in private places. Adolescents were raped by unknown individuals, under serious threat, in nondomestic places.

Transvaginal ultrasonography assessment of ovarian volumes in postmenopausal women

The authors evaluated ovarian volumes by transvaginal ultrasonography at different periods after menopause. Ninety-eight postmenopausal women with an average age of 51.9 years and a one- to eight-year postmenopausal period were studied. The control group consisted of 40 women during menacme with an average age of 31.8 years, who were also submitted to transvaginal ultrasonography to evaluate ovarian volume. There was no significant difference between right and left ovarian volumes in the study groups. There was a significant decrease in measure and standard deviations of the volumes after the first year of menopause (mean volume--2.2 +/- 0.9 cm3) when compared to the control group (mean volume--6.3 +/- 2.0 cm3), followed by a slow and gradual shrinking after this phase. Decrease in ovarian volume became significant after the fourth postmenopausal year. Transvaginal ultrasonography demonstrated great importance as an investigative method of ovarian diseases in postmenopausal women.

[Approach to urinary tract disorders in postmenopausal women]

Urinary disorders in the postmenopausal women are important due to their high incidence and to the negative influence on the quality of life of these women. The authors make a brief review of the pathophysiology of these disorders, emphasizing the significant effects of an estrogen fall on the urinary tract during this period of life. They present a modern approach to the current diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections, and urethral syndrome. They also point out the importance of systemic and/or local estrogen therapy in these different aspects, observing the benefits and risks involved in these therapeutic procedures. They comment on the treatment with antibiotics, with adrenergic and/or anticholinergic drugs, surgical treatment, and the techniques of vesical reeducation in the case of detrusor instability. They recommend that physicians should inform and offer their patients the resources above which lead to the cure and/or improvement of the urinary symptoms of those women, given them an expectation of a longer and better life.