Mean Serum Progesterone Research Articles

EFFECTS OF OXYTOCIN AND HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN ON OVULATION IN PATIENTS WITH CLOMIPHENE CITRATE-RESISTANT PCOS

Introduction and Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the causes of infertility due to the lack of chronic ovulation. Meanwhile, administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and possibility oxytocin is a method of trigger of ovulation. The present study aimed to investigate theeffect of oxytocin and HCG on ovulation in patients with clomiphene citrate-resistant PCOS. Materials and Methods: This is a double-blind clinical trial performed on 126 patients with clomiphene citrate-resistant PCOS, in Shahid Akbar-Abadi Hospital in Tehran. Ovulation stimulation was performed with (Letrozol 5mg + 10 units of oxytocin),(5,000 units of HCG +Letrozol 5 mg), and(HCG plus oxytocin+5 mg Letrozol). Then information including personal characteristics, contact number, clinic file number, gravidity, parity, history of abortion and previous illness, history of specific drug use, follicle count, dominant follicle size, ovulation symptoms in ultrasound, serum progesterone in luteal phase, and pregnancy outcome were evaluated and recorded in each of the three groups and the results were compared. Findings: Overall, 20% of patients responded to the treatments without any side effect and became pregnant. There was no significant difference in pregnancy rate of infertile women in different groups. In addition, the dominant follicle size and folliclecount in infertile women were studied, and there was no significant difference between the groups ( p -values 0.8 and 0.59, respectively). Of the 91 non-pregnant patients, ovulation induction occurred in 36 women (39.5%) in the next cycles of whom 8 (22.2%) were in the oxytocin group, 10 (27.8%) in the HCG group, and 18 (50.0%) in the oxytocin plus HCG group. Of these 36 patients, 10 (27.8%) were re-induced for ovulation in subsequent cycles of whom 2 (20.0%) were in the oxytocin group, 5 (50.0%) in the HCG group, and 3 (30.0%) in the oxytocin plus HCG group. There was no significant difference in mean endometrial thickness of infertile women treated in different groups ( p =0.1).Comparison of patients in terms of abortion rate showed that among 24 pregnant women, 21 (87.5%) had no abortion and 3 (12.5%) had. Of the 3 cases of abortion, 1 was in the oxytocin group and 2 werein the HCG group. In addition, comparing patients in terms of multiplepregnancy showed 2 cases of twin pregnancy, of which 1 occurred spontaneously 6 months after treatment in the oxytocin plus HCG group,and the second case was in the oxytocin group. In total, 1 out of 24 pregnancies (4.2%) were twin. Finally, there was no statistically significant difference between the three groups in terms of the mean serum progesterone ( p =0.2). Conclusion: Since there was no difference in the fertility rate in threegroups ((Letrozol 5mg + 10 units of oxytocin), (5,000 units of HCG +Letrozol 5 mg), and (HCG plus oxytocin+5 mg Letrozol) and given the low size of the study population, and considering the cost-effectiveness and the fewerside effects of oxytocin, this method(Use of oxytocin(seems effective for trigger of ovulation in clomiphene citrate-resistant PCOS patients.

Effectiveness of high-dose transvaginal progesterone supplementation for women who are undergoing a frozen-thawed embryo transfer.

PurposeTo evaluate the effectiveness of high‐dose progesterone supplementation for women who are undergoing a frozen‐thawed embryo transfer (FET).MethodsAmong the 2010 FET cycles that were included in the present study, 1188 were 1200 mg/d of vaginal progesterone, while 822 were 900 mg/d. The dose of progesterone that was used was decided by the treatment period and additional progesterone supplementation was used when the serum progesterone levels were <9 ng/mL on luteal day 5.ResultsThe clinical pregnancy rate was higher in the 1200 mg group than in the 900 mg group. The mean serum progesterone level on luteal day 5 in the 1200 mg and 900 mg groups was 12.6 ng/mL and 13.4 ng/mL, respectively. The rate of additional progesterone supplementation was higher in the 1200 mg group. A logistic regression analysis identified a younger age (≤37 years) and the use of 1200 mg progesterone as independent predictive factors for the clinical pregnancy outcome. The analysis of the infant outcomes revealed no significant difference in the distribution of birth ages and weights.ConclusionHigh‐dose transvaginal progesterone of 1200 mg/d as luteal support contributed to good pregnancy outcomes.

Neuroactive Steroids and Affective Symptoms in Women Across the Weight Spectrum

3α-5α-Tetrahydroprogesterone, a progesterone metabolite also known as allopregnanolone, and 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol, a testosterone metabolite also known as 3α-androstanediol, are neuroactive steroids and positive GABAA receptor allosteric modulators. Both anorexia nervosa (AN) and obesity are complicated by affective comorbidities and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal dysregulation. However, it is not known whether neuroactive steroid levels are abnormal at the extremes of the weight spectrum. We hypothesized that serum allopregnanolone and 3α-androstanediol levels would be decreased in AN compared with healthy controls (HC) and negatively associated with affective symptoms throughout the weight spectrum, independent of body mass index (BMI). Thirty-six women were 1 : 1 age-matched across three groups: AN, HC, and overweight/obese (OW/OB). AN were amenorrheic; HC and OW/OB were studied in the follicular phase. Fasting serum neuroactive steroids were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Mean Hamilton depression and anxiety scores were highest in AN (p<0.0001). Mean serum allopregnanolone was lower in AN and OW/OB than HC (AN 95.3±56.4 vs OW/OB 73.8±31.3 vs HC 199.5±167.8 pg/ml, p=0.01), despite comparable mean serum progesterone. Allopregnanolone levels, but not progesterone levels, were negatively associated with depression and anxiety symptom severity, independent of BMI. Serum 3α-androstanediol levels did not differ among groups and were not associated with depression or anxiety scores, despite a significant negative association between free testosterone levels and both anxiety and depression severity. In conclusion, women at both extremes of the weight spectrum have low mean serum allopregnanolone, which is associated with increased depression and anxiety severity, independent of BMI. Neuroactive steroids such as allopregnanolone may be potential therapeutic targets for depression and anxiety in traditionally treatment-resistant groups, including AN.

Effect of dietary supplementation of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) rich fish oil on reproductive performance of the goat (Capra hircus)

Dietary supplementation of n-3 PUFA decreases the luteolytic PGF2α and improves the pregnancy rate in the dairy cow. However, its effect in the goat is not known. Accordingly, we studied the effect of supplementation of n-3 PUFA rich Fish oil (FO) on different reproductive events in the goat. Cycling goats (n = 30) were divided into two equal groups and fed an isocaloric and isonitrogenous diet supplemented with either FO (TRT; n = 15) or palm oil (PO) (CON; n = 15) @ 0.6 mL/kg body weight for 72 days during the breeding season. Estrus synchronization was done on day 25 and 36 of supplementation using two PG regimen and the goats in estrus were bred. Mean interval from PGF2α administration to the onset of estrus was 12 h longer (P < 0.05) in the TRT group than that of CON. The number of preovulatory follicles (POF) and ovulation rate was significantly higher in FO supplemented goats (P < 0.05) by 39.64 and 41.35%, respectively. Though the corpus luteum diameter was significantly higher (P < 0.05) on day 5, 8 and 11 post-breeding in the TRT group, mean serum progesterone (P4) did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). Mean concentration of serum estradiol (E2) was significantly (P < 0.01) lower in the FO supplemented group during day 0–60 post-breeding which could be due to significantly low serum cholesterol (P < 0.01). Though the serum concentration of PGF2α metabolite (PGFM) and PGE2 metabolite (PGEM) in the pregnant goats was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the TRT group on day 16 and 17 post-breeding, the ratio of PGEM to PGFM remained unaffected suggesting a favourable effect of FO supplementation on the early pregnancy. The number of embryos, twinning rate and kidding rate were high in FO supplemented group though it was non-significant. However, gestation length, birth weight of kids and neonatal behaviour were comparable between the groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of n-3 PUFA rich FO significantly increased the number of POF and ovulation rate with numerical increase in the kidding rate. Further, it decreased the serum E2 and PGFM during the critical window of pregnancy recognition in the doe.

Postpartum endocrine activities, metabolic attributes and milk yield are influenced by thermal stress in crossbred dairy cows.

This study was conducted on 30 freshly parturated multiparous crossbred dairy cows possessing three levels of Holstein Frisian genetic makeup (62.5, 75.0, and 87.5%). Data on temperature humidity index (THI) were classified into comfortable (≤ 71), mild stress (72-79), moderate stress (80-89), and stressful (≥90) zone. Results showed that serum cortisol concentration increased significantly (P<0.05) in cows during stressful condition irrespective of genetic makeup compared to the other zones. Daily milk yield (DMY) was significantly (P<0.05) lower in cows during stressful condition. Triglyceride was significantly higher in cows with genetic makeup 87.5% compared to the others, while total serum protein was significantly (P<0.05) higher in cows during both moderate and stressful conditions. The mean concentration of cortisol and protein increased linearly from comfort to the stressful condition, while mean serum triglyceride, glucose, progesterone (P4), and luteinizing hormone (LH) decreased by moving from comfort to stressful conditions. Results also indicated that higher cortisol level in higher grade crossbred cows was adversely associated with LH concentration and milk yield under thermal stress conditions. Greater triglyceride in high-grade crossbred (87.5%) cows indicates higher fat mobilization reflecting a negative energy balance. We concluded that heat stress increased blood cortisol and protein, and reduced milk yield in dairy cows irresptive of the genetic makeup. In addition, there was no significant difference in blood metabolites and daily milk yield in the different levels of genetic makeup cows.

Robust Luteolysis of Corpus Luteum in Cyclic Ewes with Castor Beans

Objective: To study a probable luteolytic effect of castor beans in ewes and find which part of the bean is effective. Methods: in experiment I the estrous cycle of 30 desert ewes was synchronized with 2 im injections of 125 μg PGF2 α, 9 days apart. Then the ewes were grouped into 3 groups: A, B and C (10 ewes each). Each ewe in group A was fed 2-4 gm of whole castor beans on day 9 of the estrous cycle (T1) and each ewe in group B was fed 6-8 gm (T2). Group C was left to cycle naturally to serve as a control. Experiment II investigated the effective portion of castor beans. The testae (outer shells) of 8 gm castor beans were removed and separated from the decorticated part. Then 10 cyclic ewes were divided into 2 groups. Group I (n=5) were fed the decorticated castor beans and group II (n=5) were fed the castor beans’ testae. Results: A significant (p<0.001) number of the treated ewes in experiment I expressed estrus 3 days after the treatment and their serum progesterone levels dropped down significantly (p<0.001) on day 12 (0.63 ± 0.07 ng/ml) compared to that of the control (2.63 ± 0.04 ng/ml). In experiment II 72 hr after treatment 3 out of the 5 ewes treated with castor beans’ testae expressed estrus and their mean serum progesterone level was 0.06 ± 0.01ng/ml; while the ewes treated with the decorticated beans did not show any signs of estrus. Conclusion: Castor beans are luteolytic in ewes and the probable luteolytic substance is present in the testae. Thus castor beans and/or their testae can be used as contraceptives, abortifacients or as estrus synchronizing agents.

Progesterone Serum Level in-Labor Women does not Differ with not in-Labor Women

Objectives: To find out the relation of serum progesterone level between patients in-labor and pregnant patients not in-labor.&#x0D; &#x0D; Methods: This was an analytic cross-sectional study, comparing serum progesterone level between in-labor gravida and not in-labor gravida. Subjects were in-labor gravida (n=21) and not in-labor gravida (n=24) admitted to Sanglah Hospital from April to August 2011. The data were analyzed by SPSS 16.0. Independent sample ttest&#x0D; and Fisher’s exact test were used.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results: Mean serum progesterone level were 214.90±92.06 inlabor gravida and 190.69±76.02 not in-labor gravida (t = 0.966 and p = 0.399).&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusions: There is no difference in serum progesterone level between in-labor and not in-labor pregnant women.&#x0D; [Indones J Obstet Gynecol 2012; 36-4: 185-7]&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: labor, progesterone, progesterone withdrawal

Is progestogen supplementation necessary to prevent abortion?

A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the effect of progestogens on the pregnancy outcome of threatened abortion (TA). A total of 251 pregnant women less than 20 weeks of gestational age (GA) were included. Group 1 consisted of women with vaginal bleeding who had already been under treatment with progestogens and Group 2 was composed of women with vaginal bleeding who were only followed without progestogen therapy, whereas Group 3 was the control group without any vaginal bleeding or progestogen therapy. The pregnancy outcomes and serum progesterone levels were compared among the groups. The mean serum progesterone concentrations were statistically significantly higher in Group 1 in comparison to Group 2 and 3 (p < 0.001). Abortion rates were similar among the study groups. Although progestogen supplementation leads to increased level of serum progesterone, this finding does not translate to its beneficial effect on the pregnancy outcomes in cases of TAs.

Expression of prostaglandin receptors in Chlamydia trachomatis-infected recurrent spontaneous aborters.

A study was undertaken to quantify the expression of prostaglandin (PG) receptors and find the effect of gestational age on expression of PG receptor genes in Chlamydia trachomatis-infected recurrent spontaneous aborters (RSA). Endometrial curettage tissue (ECT) was collected from 130 RSA (Group I) and 100 age-matched controls (Group II) at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi (India). PCR was performed for diagnosis of C. trachomatis cryptic plasmid; mRNA expression of PG receptor genes was assessed by real-time PCR (q-PCR), while serum progesterone/estrogen levels were determined by respective commercial kits. Data were evaluated statistically. A total of 15.4 % RSA (GroupI) were diagnosed as C. trachomatis-positive (200 bp), whereas controls were uninfected. q-PCR showed significant upregulation (P<0.0001) of PGE2 (EP-1, EP-2, EP-3, EP-4), PGF2α (FP) and PGI2 (IP) receptors in Group I versus Group II. The expression of PG receptors increased significantly with advanced gestational age (P<0.002); however, only contractile receptors, EP-1, EP-3 and FP, were positively correlated with gestational age in Group-I. In infected RSA, mean serum progesterone level was significantly low (P<0.0001) while serum oestrogen was high (P<0.0001). Overall, the data suggest that increased expression of PG receptors, particularly contractile gene receptors (EP-1, EP-3, FP), with advanced gestational age and altered steroid levels could be a possible risk factor for abortion in Chlamydia-infected RSA.

Characterization of ovarian follicular development and steroid profile during estrous cycle and seasonal anestrous in buffalo

The experiment was conducted to study ovarian follicular population, its diameter, steroid profile (estradiol 17ß and progesterone) and corpus luteum development during estrous cycle and seasonal anestrous in Murrah buffaloes. They were categorized into 2 groups based on the estrus signs i.e. cyclic (6) and anestrous (6) and subjected to ultrasound scanning of ovaries on day 0 (day of estrus in cyclic and day of first scanning in anestrous buffaloes), 6, 10 and 16 using B-mode scanner equipped with 6.0 MHz linear array transducer. Blood samples were collected on the above days for the estimation of the progesterone and estradiol-17ß. The mean number of small follicles on day 0 and 10 and medium follicles on day 10 were significantly higher within as well as between the cyclic and anestrous buffaloes, while mean number of large follicles on day 0, 10 and 16 were significantly higher in the cyclic as compared to anestrous buffaloes. However, mean number of total follicles were significantly higher in cyclic as compared to anestrous buffaloes on all the days of scanning. The maximum diameter of large follicle was observed in cyclic buffaloes on day 0 (1.40±0.49 cm). The diameter of CL increased with its development and reached to its peak on day 10 (1.39±0.04 cm), thereafter, it reduced on day 16 (0.72±0.30 cm) of the cycle. The mean serum progesterone concentration was significantly higher on day 6, 10 and 16 than day 0 of the estrous cycle indicating development of functional corpus luteum, however, mean serum estradiol-17ß concentration was significantly higher on day 0 than the other days of cycle signifying follicular growth and development secreting higher amount of estrogen.

Effect of Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill on FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC%

Background: Combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) is the most commonly used contraceptive method in Bangladesh. This COCP may have some effects on different organs including lungs.Objective: To observe the effects of combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) on FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/ FVC% in apparently healthy women receiving COCP.Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College (SSMC), Dhaka between July 2013 and June 2014. A total 30 apparently healthy young women, age ranged 20 to 30 years were included in this study who were combined oral contraceptive pill users (COCP-U) for at least 6 months. Thirty age and BMI matched combined oral contraceptive pill nonusers (COCP-NU) were taken as control. FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC% of all the subjects were measured by digital spirometer. Statistical analysis was done by Independent sample ‘t’ test.Results: FVC (p&lt;0.001), FEV1 (p&lt;0.001) were significantly higher whereas, FEV1/FVC% (p&lt;0.05) was significantly lower in COCP-U than those of COCP-NU. Moreover, the mean serum estrogen (p&lt;0.001) and progesterone (p&lt;0.05) levels were also significantly higher in COCP-U in comparison to those of COCP-NU.Conclusion: From the result of this study it can be concluded that COCP have beneficial effects on some pulmonary function parameters.Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2015, June; 10(1): 21-25

Evaluation of treatment with a 5-day versus 7-day controlled internal drug-release insert on reproductive outcomes of beef heifers using a modified timed–artificial insemination protocol

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of reducing the duration of controlled internal drug-release insert (CIDR) exposure in a CIDR-based, fixed-time-AI protocol on pregnancy per AI (P/AI) and pregnancy rates in beef heifers. The experiment was conducted in 4 consecutive years. British crossbred heifers (yr 1, n = 82; yr 2, n = 68; yr 3, n = 86; yr 4, n = 53) were stratified by BW and age and were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 treatments: (1) CIDR7 heifers (n = 145) received a CIDR insert for 7 d; and (2) CIDR5 heifers (n = 144) received a CIDR insert for 5 d. Heifers in CIDR7 and CIDR5 were given prostaglandin F2α (25 mg) upon CIDR removal followed by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (75 μg) and fixed-time AI 56 to 59 h after CIDR removal. Estrual behavior was monitored following CIDR removal. In all 4 yr, heifers received AI by a single inseminator. Fourteen days after AI, heifers were exposed to bulls for 40 d. Blood samples were collected on the day of CIDR insertion. Pregnancy status was determined by ultrasonography at d 35 and d 67 to 82 after AI. Data were analyzed by logistic regression and ANOVA. Percentage of heifers detected in estrus was different (P 0.2) between treatments. At CIDR insertion, mean serum progesterone concentrations were similar between CIDR7 and CIDR5, and there was no effect of treatment-by-year interaction on progesterone concentrations (P > 0.2). There was a treatmentby-year interaction effect on P/AI (P < 0.05). For CIDR7 and CIDR5, in yr 1, P/AI was 39 and 65.8% (P < 0.05), respectively; in yr 2, P/AI was 64.7and 41.1% (P < 0.05), in yr 3, P/AI was 59 and 73.8% (P = 0.09), and in yr 4, P/AI was 50 and 70.4% (P = 0.25). Overall, P/AI tended (P = 0.07) to be greater for CIDR5 compared with CIDR7 (63.8 vs. 53%). Regardless of treatment, heifers detected in estrus had a greater (P < 0.01) P/AI compared with those not detected in estrus (65.9 vs 47.9%). The final pregnancy rates of heifers were unaffected by the treatment protocols or year (92 and 95.5% for CIDR7 and CIDR5, respectively). The P/AI results from this study suggest that reducing the duration of CIDR treatment from 7 to 5 d in a CIDR-based and single-prostaglandin-injection, fixed-time-AI protocol may improve P/AI in beef heifers.

Effects of preovulatory estradiol on embryo survival and pregnancy establishment in beef cows

The role of preovulatory estradiol on post-fertilization embryo survival and pregnancy establishment has not been well characterized in beef cows. We hypothesized that preovulatory estradiol is important for embryo survival and pregnancy establishment in beef cows. Twenty-four ovariectomized multiparous cows were used in a replicated 3×3 Latin Square design. Cows received estradiol cypionate (ECP) 36h, estradiol benzoate (EB) 12h, or no estradiol (CON) before a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (d 0) induced LH surge. Luteal phase progesterone was mimicked with twice daily progesterone injections from d 3 to 6. On d 7 cows received one embryo and progesterone was supplemented with progesterone-releasing devices (CIDR). Expression of interferon stimulated genes, ISG15, MX2, and OAS1, in leukocytes was determined on d 17, 19, 21, and 28 to determine capability of embryonic signaling. Pregnancy specific protein B concentrations were measured in serum samples from d 17 through 29 to determine embryonic attachment. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed on d 29 and 32 to determine pregnancy viability (heartbeat). Serum estradiol profiles during simulated proestrus/estrus were different (P<0.001) between treatments. Mean serum progesterone concentrations from d 17 to 24 were decreased (P=0.05) in EB and ECP cows compared to CON. Transrectal ultrasonography indicated that fewer CON (4%) cows had a viable embryo present compared to estradiol treated cows (25%). Embryonic loss in cows that did not receive estradiol during the simulated preovulatory period occurred following maternal recognition of pregnancy, indicating that its impact was likely on uterine receptivity and embryonic attachment.

Triggering ovulation with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist versus human chorionic gonadotropin in polycystic ovarian syndrome. A randomized trial

Abstract Objectives: To compare GnRH agonist to hCG for triggering ovulation in polycystic ovarian syndrome treated with clomiphene citrate. Study design: Prospective randomized study. Materials & methods: Eighty five infertile women with PCOS participated in a randomized allocation concealed prospective trial and had induction of ovulation with clomiphene citrate. GnRH agonist 0.2 mg subcutaneously (group 1) or hCG 10,000 IU intramuscularly (group 2) was given to trigger ovulation. Primary outcome was mid-luteal serum progesterone, while secondary outcomes were ovulation rates and clinical pregnancy rates along 3 cycles. Results: No difference was found between group 1 and group 2 regarding mean serum progesterone and clinical pregnancy rates in each cycle. Cumulative pregnancy rates were similar (17.14% versus 20% respectively; P = 0.332). Ovulation rates were 80% versus 68.6% ( P = 0.413); 94.3% versus 90.9% ( P = 0.669); 97.1% versus 93.7% ( P = 0.603) in the two groups respectively. However, a significant rise in number of patients with mid-luteal serum progesterone >10 ng/mL was noted in the 3rd cycle between both groups, ( P P = 0.007 for group 2). Conclusion: Triggering ovulation with GnRH-a after treatment with clomiphene citrate in PCOS, in view of its known protective effect against OHSS, may be an effective physiological alternative to conventional hCG without compromising luteal function and pregnancy rates after repeated cycles of treatment.

The relationship between serum progesterone concentration and anesthetic and analgesic requirements: a prospective observational study of parturients undergoing cesarean delivery.

In clinical practice, pregnant women have lower anesthetic requirements for general anesthesia than nonpregnant women. Although the hormonal changes such as progesterone associated with pregnancy may affect the minimum alveolar concentration of volatile anesthetics, the relationship between the anesthetic or analgesic requirements and progesterone level in full-term women has not been studied. In this study, we attempted to identify relationships between anesthetic or analgesic requirements and maternal serum concentrations of progesterone. We studied 100 parturients >36 weeks' gestation who were scheduled for planned cesarean delivery under general anesthesia. Venous blood was collected to measure the maternal progesterone concentration. Anesthesia was induced with 4 to 5 mg/kg thiopental and 0.8 mg/kg rocuronium. During anesthetic maintenance, sevoflurane 0.5% to 2.0% and nitrous oxide 50% in oxygen were titrated based on arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and bispectral index value. Vital signs, bispectral index, end-tidal sevoflurane concentration, and sevoflurane consumption per hour were recorded. Visual analog scale pain scores and cumulative analgesic consumption were recorded at 2, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively. The mean serum progesterone concentration was 128.2 ± 83.0 ng/mL. There was a significant negative correlation between sevoflurane consumption per hour and serum progesterone concentration (Pearson correlation r = -0.26; 95% confidence interval, -0.44 to -0.05, P = 0.01). Cumulative analgesic consumption at postoperative hours 2 (r = -0.20, P = 0.05), 24 (r = -0.25, P = 0.02), and 48 (r = -0.28, P = 0.01) were correlated inversely with serum progesterone concentration. Women with high progesterone levels (higher than the median value) had lower sevoflurane consumption per hour (P = 0.02) and 48-hour postoperative cumulative analgesic consumption (P = 0.02) than women with low (below the median value) levels. The decreased anesthetic and analgesic requirements of near full-term parturients might partially depend on serum progesterone concentration.

Ovulatory response and luteal function after eCG administration at the end of a progesterone and estradiol’ based treatment in postpartum anestrous beef cattle

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) administration associated to fixed-time AI (FTAI) on follicular dynamics, ovulation, corpus luteum (CL) development and serum progesterone concentrations. Multiparous suckled Hereford cows (n=46) in anestrus with 60–75 days postpartum were used. Females received an intravaginal device containing 0.5g of progesterone during 8 days and 2mg of estradiol benzoate i.m. at device insertion. At device removal 500μg of cloprostenol and 0.5mg of estradiol cypionate were administered i.m., and FTAI was performed 52–56h later. Cows were divided into two experimental groups to receive 400IU of eCG i.m. at device removal (n=23), while control group did not receive eCG (n=23). Daily ovarian ultrasonography (7.5MHz transducer) and progesterone concentrations determined by RIA were assayed from device removal until 30 or 14 days after FTAI, respectively. Treatment with eCG increased ovulation rate [65.2% (15/23) vs. 30.4% (7/23); P=0.018], ovulatory follicle diameter (14.5±0.4 vs. 13.1±0.7mm, mean±SEM; P=0.081), CL area from 6 to 14 days after FTAI (344.3±25.1 vs. 274.2±23.9mm2; P=0.045) and mean serum progesterone concentrations from FTAI to 14 days later (3.0±0.2 vs. 1.8±0.2ng/ml; P=0.001), in comparison with control cows. In conclusion, the addition of eCG to a progesterone and estradiol’ based treatment for FTAI improves ovulation rate and luteal function in anestrous cows. These findings have implications in order to increase pregnancy rates in FTAI treatments in Bos taurus beef cattle.

The Muscle Stretch Reflex throughout the Menstrual Cycle

The significant sex disparity in sports-related knee injuries may be due to underlying differences in motor control. Although the development of sex-specific movement patterns is likely multifactorial, this study specifically focuses on the potential modulatory role of sex hormones. This study aimed to investigate the muscle stretch reflex (MSR) across the menstrual cycle. We hypothesized that the MSR would fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle and that the lowest response would correspond with peak concentrations of estrogen. Nineteen healthy women age 18-35 yr participated in this study: 8 eumenorrheic women and 11 women taking oral contraceptives. Serum estradiol and progesterone concentrations, anterior knee laxity (AKL), and the MSR response of the quadriceps muscles were measured three times during the menstrual cycle. The MSR response of the rectus femoris (RF) varied significantly across the menstrual cycle in both groups. Specifically, the RF MSR response was 2.4 times lower during the periovulatory phase when compared with the luteal phase (P = 0.007). The same trend was seen in the vastus medialis, but this did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.070). The MSR response of the vastus lateralis did not change significantly across the menstrual cycle (P = 0.494). A mixed model comparison did not show an association between endogenous concentrations of estradiol and progesterone, exposure to hormonal contraceptives or AKL, and the MSR response for any muscle. Our results demonstrate that the RF MSR response varies throughout the menstrual cycle with the lowest response around the time of ovulation. Additional research is needed to clarify the exact relationship between sex hormones, AKL, and MSR response and to determine the specific origin of the change along the monosynaptic reflex arc.

Long-term pituitary downregulation before frozen embryo transfer could improve pregnancy outcomes in women with adenomyosis

Some studies have shown that long-term gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist administration before in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm in infertile women with endometriosis or adenomyosis significantly increases the chances of pregnancy. We were interested in whether long-term GnRH agonist pretreatment could improve pregnancy outcomes in adenomyosis patients undergoing frozen embryo transfer (FET) after preparation of the endometrium with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Totally, 339 patients with adenomyosis were included in this retrospective study, 194 received long-term GnRH agonist plus HRT (down-regulation + HRT) and 145 received HRT. There were no differences between the groups in characteristic such as age, body mass index, duration or cause of infertility, serum CA-125 level and basal hormone levels. On the day of progesterone administration, mean endometrial thickness and serum progesterone level were significantly greater in HRT patients. Mean score and number of embryos transferred showed no differences. In down regulation + HRT group, clinical pregnancy, implantation and ongoing pregnancy rates were 51.35%, 32.56% and 48.91%, respectively, significantly higher than that of HRT group (24.83%, 16.07% and 21.38%, respectively). So, we concluded that in FET, long-term GnRH agonist pretreatment significantly improved pregnancy outcomes in patients with adenomyosis.

Relation between single serum progesterone assay and viability of the first trimester pregnancy

This study was designed to detect the relation between serum progesterone and viability of pregnancy during the first trimester. Two hundred and sixty women during the first trimester of their pregnancies were hospitalised due to vaginal bleeding and/or abdominal pain and were included in this study. Criteria for inclusion in this study were: certain dates, foetus conceived spontaneously with no history of infertility and a positive serum pregnancy test. Blood samples were taken from women included in this study for serum progesterone assay; the patients were followed by ultrasound until the end of the first trimester for the viability of the pregnancy and the outcome of their pregnancy was recorded. BY THE END OF THE FIRST TRIMESTER, WOMEN INCLUDED IN THIS STUDY WERE CLASSIFIED INTO: viable pregnancy group (n=178; 68.5%) and non-viable pregnancy group (ended by miscarriage) (n=82; 31.5%). The mean serum progesterone of the studied population was significantly higher in the viable pregnancy group (46.5±7.4 ng/mL) compared to non-viable pregnancy group (9.9±4.8 ng/mL; p<0.05). The serum progesterone cut-off level of 10 ng/mL was 79.3% sensitive for diagnosing non-viable pregnancy and 93.3% specific for the diagnosis of viable pregnancy, while a cut-off level of 20 ng/mL was 95.1% sensitive for the diagnosis of non-viable pregnancy and 98.9% specific for diagnosing viable pregnancy. Serum progesterone is a reliable marker for early pregnancy failure and a single assay of its serum level can differentiate between viable and non-viable pregnancies.

Relation between single serum progesterone assay and viability of the first trimester pregnancy

Abstract Objective To detect the relation between serum progesterone and viability of pregnancy during the first trimester. Methods Two hundred and sixty women during the first trimester of their pregnancies were hospitalized due to vaginal bleeding and/or abdominal pain and were included in this study. Women included in this study were: sure of dates, conceived spontaneously with no history of infertility and had a positive serum pregnancy test. Blood samples were taken for women included in this study for serum progesterone assay, they were followed by ultrasound till the end of first trimester for the viability of the pregnancy and the outcome of their pregnancy were recorded. Results By the end of the first trimester, women included in this study were classified into: viable pregnancy group (178 cases, 68.5%) and non-viable pregnancy group (ended by miscarriage) (82 cases, 31.5%). The mean serum progesterone of the studied population was significantly higher in viable pregnancy group (46.5 ± 7.4) ng/mL compared to non-viable pregnancy group (9.9 ± 4.8) ng/mL, ( P Conclusion Serum progesterone is a reliable marker for early pregnancy failure and single assay of its serum level can differentiate between viable and non-viable pregnancies.