Whole Period Of Pregnancy Research Articles

Exposición al humo de tabaco del niño asmático y su asociación con la gravedad del asma

IntroductionEnvironmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure produces serious respiratory problems in childhood. The aim of the study was to evaluate if environmental tobacco smoke affects the severity of asthma in asthmatic children. Material and methodsA prospective, multicentre study was conducted on asthmatic children and their parents in 2007-2008, using an exposure questionnaire, pulmonary function, level of cotinine in urine, and evaluation of the severity of asthma according to GEMA guide. The characteristics of the sample are summarised using the appropriate statistical tools, and the comparisons were made using the Pearson chi2 test, Mann-Whitney U test or Student́s t, according to the variable and number of groups compared. ResultsFour hundred and eighty four households in 7 Autonomous Communities were included. The population included, 61% male children with asthma, 56% with a smoking caregiver in their home, 34% fathers, 31% mothers and 17% both. Home exposure was 37%, with 11% daily and 94% passive smokers since birth. There was 20% with exposure during whole period of pregnancy of 5±1 cigarettes/day. Children exposed to 6±1 cigarettes/day, 27%, up to 10 cigarettes/day, and 10% to more than 10. Severity of asthma during the survey was worse among those exposed (episodic-occasional 47%, episodic-frequent 35% and persistent-moderate 18% versus 59%, 25% and 16%, respectively, P=.040). Severity of asthma in the last year was worse in those exposed (episodic - occasional 22%, episodic - frequent 37% and persistent - moderate 50% versus 38%, 28% and 25% respectively, P=.037). The spirometry was abnormal in 64% of the exposed against to 36% in the non-exposed for FEV1 (P=.003, 63% vs 38% for FVC (P=.038), and 54% vs 46% for the PEF (P=.050). The cotinine was higher in exposed: 51 (0-524) ng/ml vs 27 (0-116) ng/ml (P=.032). A relationship was observed between cotinine and level of exposure: 120 (0-590) ng/ml for >10 cigarettes/day as opposed to 44 (0-103) ng/ml ≤10 cigarettes/day (P=.035), which corroborates the consistency of the data collected. ConclusionsThe exposure of children with asthma to environmental tobacco smoke has a highly negative effect on the severity of their asthma.

Glatiramer acetate and interferon-beta throughout gestation and postpartum in women with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common disabling neurological disease in young women of childbearing age and has an increasing incidence [1]. Recently Salminen et al. [2] analyzed the outcome of 14 pregnancies of women with MS exposed to glatiramer acetate (GA) treatment during pregnancy, of which nine conceived under GA and continued therapy during pregnancy and the postpartum period. These women were patients with higher MS activity; interestingly, only one patient on continuous treatment with GA experienced two relapses in the postpartum period. The authors concluded that it may be reasonable to continue GA in those patients with previous higher disease activity during pregnancy. The authors did not follow interferon (IFN)-beta exposed pregnancies, the most widely used immunomodulatory drug in MS, mainly due to an FDA C ranking, because of a reduced birth weight observed by Boscovic et al. [3] and a possible increase in abortion rate (largely based on animal data). Actually, GA and IFN-beta are advised to be stopped prior to an anticipated pregnancy, or at the moment when pregnancy is recognized, although IFNs are labeled now to be given during pregnancy after risk–benefit consideration. We present data of pregnancies conceived under IFN and GA and continued IFN or GA during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Out of our nationwide MS and pregnancy database (including now 400 MS pregnancies) we followed seven pregnancies of women with MS (mean age 30.3 years; mean duration of MS 6.5 years) continuing IFN-beta treatment (IFN mothers) throughout pregnancy and postpartum, and three women (mean age 35.7 years; mean duration of MS 9.3 years) continuing GA throughout pregnancy and postpartum (GA mothers). Whilst none of the GA mothers had had a relapse in the year before pregnancy, during pregnancy and in the first 6 months after pregnancy, IFN mothers showed higher disease activity. Four of the IFN mothers had one relapse and two had two relapses in the year before pregnancy. During pregnancy, two relapses in the first trimester of pregnancy occurred, followed by three relapses in the first trimester postpartum and three in the second trimester postpartum, respectively. Birth weight was lower in GA newborns (mean birth weight 3,141.7 g vs. 3,443.6 g IFN newborns), but GA newborns were born earlier [gestational week (gw) 38.3 vs. 39.7]. However, none of these differences caused medical problems. In each group one malformation occurred; one boy whose mother injected IFN-beta 1a throughout pregnancy was born in gw 40 (4,390 g, 52 cm) with a valvular stenosis of the pulmonal artery. The other boy whose mother injected GA until gw 36 ? 2 (2,505 g and 49 cm) was born with penile hypospadia, which will be surgically corrected. All three GA mothers breastfed exclusively during the first 6 months postpartum and none of the children showed noticeable problems, whilst only one IFN mother breastfed exclusively under IFN-beta 1a. Our observational data are the first case series with IFNbeta exposure during the whole period of pregnancy. The higher disease activity in IFN-mothers during and after K. Hellwig received speaker honoraria from Merck Serono, Bayer Schering healthcare, Biogen Idec and Teva Sanofi-Aventis. R. Gold received speaker honoraria from Merck Serono, Bayer Schering healthcare, Biogen Idec and Teva Sanofi-Aventis.

Thai national guidelines for the prevention of motherto- child transmission of HIV: March 2010

Abstract Thailand has been one of the leading developing countries to implement a national program to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. Although the recent transmission rate has been low, the goal is to eliminate MTCT altogether. The Thai National HIV Guidelines Working Group issued treatment guidelines to prevent MTCT in Thailand in March 2010. These guidelines will be implemented nationwide within a year. The most important aspects of these new guidelines are as follows: Treatment in HIV-infected pregnant women who have not been on antiretroviral treatment prior to pregnancy. Antepartum treatment is recommended for all pregnant women regardless of CD4 count with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) containing zidovudine (AZT) + lamivudine (3TC) + lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r). Treatment should be started immediately irrespective of gestational age in women with CD4 count <350 cells/ mm3, and as early as 14 weeks of gestation in those with CD4 count >350 cells/mm3. After delivery, women with baseline CD4 count <350 cells/mm3 are referred for long-term care and HAART according to the National Adult HIV Treatment and Care Guidelines 2010. Women with CD4 count >350 cells/mm3 do not need HAART and can stop all drugs after delivery. The treatment in infants includes AZT syrup for four weeks and exclusive formula feeding. Treatment in HIV-infected pregnant women who conceive while on HAART. Women who are stable on HAART should continue the treatment during the whole period of pregnancy. Those who are taking efavirenz (EFV) and present during the first trimester should have EFV switched to another drug. Whenever possible, AZT should be used during pregnancy. Treatment in infants is similar to the above scenario. Treatment in women who present in labor without antenatal care. Single-dose nevirapine (SD-NVP) 200 mg must be given immediately along with oral AZT 300 mg every three hours until delivery, or oral AZT 600 mg given as a single dose. The tail therapy of AZT + 3TC + LPV/r for four weeks should be given unless these women have a CD4 count of <350 cells/mm3 and therefore require life-long HAART. SD-NVP should not be given if the women are to deliver within two hours. The infants in this situation should receive AZT + 3TC + NVP for four weeks. Treatment during delivery and mode of delivery. During labor, oral AZT 300 mg every three hours or oral AZT 600 mg given as a single dose is recommended regardless of antepartum antiretroviral (ARV) regimen or the woman’s history of AZT resistance. Elective caesarean section is suggested in women who did not receive HAART (including those without antenatal care), received HAART for less than four weeks prior to delivery, had poor adherence, or had incomplete viral suppression at 36 weeks of gestation.

The influence of folic acid supplementation on maternal and fetal bone turnover

The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between maternal and fetal bone turnover markers and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy. In an observational study performed in Tehran University of Medical Sciences related hospitals, 113 healthy pregnant women with gestational age between 8 and 12 weeks and aged between 15 and 42 years were recruited and followed until delivery time. The participants were divided into two groups; women who took 1 mg of folic acid daily supplement from the beginning of the pregnancy until the end of the second trimester entered into group I and women who choose to continue their daily intake of folic acid until the delivery time entered into group II. The two groups were matched based on the maternal anthropometric data, energy, calcium and vitamin D intake. Following the delivery, venous blood samples were collected from mothers and umbilical cords of the neonates. Maternal and fetal serum concentrations of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3, PTH, osteocalcin (OC), crosslaps and maternal serum level of homocysteine, folate, soluble receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (sRANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), calcium, and phosphate were measured. Measured birth outcome parameters included weight, length, head circumference, appearance, and respiration. With regard to maternal assessment, the serum levels of OC and OPG and folate were significantly higher in group II compared to group I, while the serum levels of RANKL and homocysteine were significantly higher in group I. We did not find significant differences in serum levels of 25-OH vitamin D, PTH, crosslaps, calcium, or phosphate between the two groups. The neonates from mothers recruited in group II had higher (but not significantly) serum level of OC. We observed that the neonates born from mothers in group II had overall better birth outcome parameters and apgar scores compare to the neonates born from mothers in group I. Our results show that daily supplementation of folic acid during pregnancy could have a positive impact on the bone turnover markers in mothers and their newborns. This may suggest that both pregnant mothers and their fetuses could benefit from positive effects of folic acid taken during the whole period of pregnancy.

Effects of maternal l-citrulline supplementation on renal function and blood pressure in offspring exposed to maternal caloric restriction: The impact of nitric oxide pathway

Maternal undernutrition can cause reduced nephron number and glomerular hypertrophy, consequently leading to adult kidney disease. We intended to elucidate whether NO deficiency evolves to kidney disease vulnerability in offspring from mothers with caloric restriction diets and whether maternal l-citrulline ( l-Cit) supplementation can prevent this. Using a rat model with 50% caloric restriction, four groups of 3-month-old male offspring were sacrificed to determine their renal outcome: control, caloric restriction (CR), control treated with 0.25% l-citrulline solution during the whole period of pregnancy and lactation (Cit), and CR treated in the same way (CR + Cit group). The CR group had low nephron numbers, increased glomerular diameter, and an increased plasma creatinine level compared with the control group. Maternal l-Cit supplementation prevented these effects. The CR + Cit and Cit groups developed hypertension beginning at 4 and 8 weeks of age, respectively. Plasma asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA and SDMA) levels were increased, but l-arginine/ADMA ratios (AAR) were decreased in the CR group vs the control group. This was prevented by maternal l-Cit supplementation. Renal cortical neuronal NOS-α (nNOSα) protein abundance was significantly decreased in the Cit and CR + Cit groups. Collectively, reduced nephron number, reduced renal nNOSα expression, increased ADMA, and decreased AAR contribute to the developmental programming of adult kidney disease and hypertension. Although maternal l-Cit supplementation prevents caloric restriction-induced low nephron number and renal dysfunction, it also induces hypertension.

The effects of microwave emitted by cellular phones on ovarian follicles in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate whether there were any toxic effects of microwaves of cellular phones on ovaries in rats. In this study, 82 female pups of rats, aged 21 days (43 in the study group and 39 in the control group) were used. Pregnant rats in the study group were exposed to mobile phones that were placed beneath the polypropylene cages during the whole period of pregnancy. The cage was free from all kinds of materials, which could affect electromagnetic fields. A mobile phone in a standby position for 11 h and 45 min was turned on to speech position for 15 min every 12 h and the battery was charged continuously. On the 21st day after the delivery, the female rat pups were killed and the right ovaries were removed. The volumes of the ovaries were measured and the number of follicles in every tenth section was counted. The analysis revealed that in the study group, the number of follicles was lower than that in the control group. The decreased number of follicles in pups exposed to mobile phone microwaves suggest that intrauterine exposure has toxic effects on ovaries. We suggest that the microwaves of mobile phones might decrease the number of follicles in rats by several known and, no doubt, countless unknown mechanisms.

Risk of pregnancy‐associated recurrent venous thromboembolism in women with a history of venous thrombosis

Limited data exist on the risk of pregnancy-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) in women with a history of VTE. To evaluate the risk of recurrent pregnancy-associated thrombosis in women with previous VTE in a large retrospective cohort study. One hundred and fifty-nine women with at least one pregnancy (293 pregnancies in total) after a VTE were included into the study. The patients underwent a standardized interview on their history of thrombosis and pregnancy-associated complications. Eight recurrent events occurred during 197 pregnancies without thrombosis prophylaxis. The probability of VTE during pregnancy without thrombosis prophylaxis was 6.2% (95% confidence interval 1.6-10.9%). The risk was constant over the whole period of pregnancy. Of the eight women with VTE during pregnancy four had heterozygous FV:R506Q, two in combination with hyperhomocysteinemia. No VTE occurred during 87 pregnancies with thrombosis prophylaxis. In the postpartum period 15 VTEs occurred, two of 83 (2.4%) after pregnancy termination, one of 53 (1.9%) after miscarriage, three of 10 (30%) after stillbirth and nine of 138 (6.5%) after live birth. Without thrombosis prophylaxis the risk for recurrent symptomatic VTE is substantial during the whole period of pregnancy in women with previous VTE. The majority of events occurred after delivery, reflecting the very high risk during the postpartum period. Prospective and comparative trials to ascertain efficacy and safety of prophylactic heparin are urgently needed.

Consequences of in utero caffeine exposure on respiratory output in normoxic and hypoxic conditions and related changes of Fos expression: a study on brainstem-spinal cord preparations isolated from newborn rats.

Several aspects of the central regulation of respiratory control have been investigated on brainstem-spinal cord preparations isolated from newborn rats whose dam was given 0.02% caffeine in water as drinking fluid during the whole period of pregnancy. Analysis of the central respiratory drive estimated by the recording of C4 ventral root activity was correlated to Fos ponto-medullary expression. Under normoxic conditions, preparations obtained from the caffeine-treated group of animals displayed a higher respiratory frequency than observed in the control group (9.2 +/- 0.5 versus 7.2 +/- 0.6 burst/min). A parallel Fos detection tends to indicate that the changes of the respiratory rhythm may be due to a decrease in neuronal activity of medullary structures such as the ventrolateral subdivision of the solitary tract, the area postrema, and the nucleus raphe obscurus. Under hypoxic conditions, the preparations displayed a typical hypoxic respiratory depression associated with changes in the medullary Fos expression pattern. In addition, the hypoxic respiratory depression is clearly emphasized after in utero exposure to caffeine and coincides with an increased Fos expression in the area postrema and nucleus raphe obscurus, two structures in which it is not increased in the absence of caffeine. Taken together, these results support the idea that in utero caffeine exposure could affect central respiratory control.

Effect of regular maternal exercise on lipid peroxidation levels and antioxidant enzymatic activities before and after delivery.

This study was designed to investigate the influence of maternal aerobic exercise on lipid peroxidation levels and antioxidant enzymatic activities before and after delivery. Predelivery and 1- and 24-hour post partum blood samples were collected from 18 nulliparous healthy pregnant women who exercised regularly throughout the whole period of pregnancy and from 22 matched controls. The plasma concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured as an indicator of lipid peroxidation. Erythrocyte enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and catalase (CAT), were measured as intracellular antioxidant markers. In the control group, MDA increased slightly from predelivery to 1 hour post partum and then increased significantly at 24 hours post partum, with significant increase in SOD and CAT activities. On the other hand, MDA of the exercise group remained unaltered at 1 and 24 hours after delivery. At 1 hour post partum, the SOD and CAT levels of the exercise group increased markedly and then decreased to predelivery levels. The present results indicate that uncontrolled lipid peroxidation occurs during labor and suggest that continuing regular maternal exercise may reduce labor-induced lipid peroxidation by improving the defense capabilities against free radical generation.

Changes in biochemical bone markers during pregnancy and puerperium.

To elucidate the changes in bone turnover during pregnancy and puerperium, we measured serially the levels of serum osteocalcin and urine deoxypyridinoline (Dpy) as markers of bone formation and bone resorption, respectively, in 22 healthy women with normal pregnancy. Nineteen non-pregnant women served as control. The Dpy levels increased significantly at 16 weeks of pregnancy and remained elevated thereafter. The levels of osteocalcin, however, were significantly decreased at 16 weeks of pregnancy and elevated later at 6 weeks postpartum. Bone turnover ratio (Dpy/osteocalcin) continued to rise during pregnancy, but returned to control levels 6 weeks after delivery. Dpy levels and bone turnover ratio during puerperium tended to be higher in 17 breast-feeding women than those of 5 exclusive bottle-feeders. In conclusion, bone resorption begins to increase from the second trimester of pregnancy and calcium release from bone tissue might play a major role in calcium homeostasis during the whole period of pregnancy as well as during lactation.

Effects of the presence of rams during pregnancy on lambing performance in ewes

Ewes of the Préalpes-du-Sud breed (n = 112) were mated with fertile rams and were used to investigate the effect of the presence of vasectomized rams during pregnancy on reproductive outcomes. Ewes in the control group (n = 56) were isolated from rams during the whole period of pregnancy, whereas those in the experimental group (n = 56) were kept with vasectomized rams from day 10 post-mating until lambing. At day 10 post-mating, a series of blood samples was collected every 15 min for 8 h from five control ewes and five experimental ewes to determine their patterns of LH secretion. The introduction of the ram was associated with a rapid increase of pulsatile LH release. The lag between the introduction of the ram and the onset of the first episodic LH release was less than 15 min. The mean(+/- sem) number of LH pulses/4 h after the introduction of the ram (2.8 +/- 0.4) was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that observed/4 h before the introduction of the ram (1.4 +/- 0.2). Although more ewes were pregnant in the control group (87.5%) than in the ram-exposed group (82.1%), the difference was not significant. The presence of rams did not affect gestation length (145.8 days), overall lamb mortality (3.5%) or birth weights of single (3.96 kg), twin (3.24 kg) or triplet (2.59 kg) lambs. The proportion of ewes with multiple births in the control group (69.4%) was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than that in the ram-exposed ewes (47.8%). The ewes in the control group had significantly more (P < 0.01) twin lambs born alive (72.3%) than the ewes in the ram-exposed group (50.0%). In conclusion, the presence of vasectomized rams during early pregnancy affected the incidence of multiple births but did not affect pregnancy rate or gestation length. The altered fertility of ewes exposed to vasectomized rams may reflect changes in embryonic loss during early pregnancy.

Reduction of food intake during pregnancy in rural south India.

A common custom in developing countries is reduction of food intake during pregnancy, especially in the last trimester. In the research area in South India, women mentioned that they reduce food intake late in pregnancy. This paper explores whether the reported reduction could be confirmed by quantitative data on food intake; by how much intake was reduced; and whether all women ate less. A group of 186 women in a rural area of Karnataka were followed throughout pregnancy. Most did not achieve the daily food intake recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), not even that of non-pregnant women. Their average daily energy intake during pregnancy was 1700 kcal. A trend of declining daily energy intake within subjects over the whole period of pregnancy was observed, the biggest change taking place between month 5/6/7 and month 8/9. The major determinant of change in energy intake turned out to be prepregnancy nutritional status, i.e. chronic energy deficiency (CED), measured by body mass index (BMI). Results indicate that women who were better nourished before they became pregnant were more likely to reduce energy intake during pregnancy.

Low Molecular Weight Heparin as Thromboprophylaxis in Familial Thrombophilia during the Whole Period of Pregnancy

Low Molecular Weight Heparin as Thromboprophylaxis in Familial Thrombophilia during the Whole Period of Pregnancy

Effects of static and time‐varying (50‐Hz) magnetic fields on reproduction and fetal development in rats

Mated Wistar rats were chronically exposed to a static magnetic field (MF) from day 1 to day 20 of pregnancy. Flux density of the MF was 30 mTesla (mT), i.e., within the range of exposures of operators of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices. For comparison with effects of this static field, a time-varying (50-Hz) MF of the same flux density was used. In both experiments, i.e., static or 50-Hz MF exposure, sham-exposed groups of dams served as controls. On day 20, the dams were sacrificed for reproductive and teratological assessment. The litters were evaluated for numbers of implantations, fetal deaths and resorptions, gross external, visceral, and skeletal malformations, and fetal weights. No adverse effects were seen in the dams during MF exposure. The mean number of living fetuses per litter was significantly decreased in the group with static MF exposure, but not the group with 50-Hz MF exposure. Further differences between the two types of field exposure were observed with respect to minor (skeletal) fetal anomalies which were increased in the 50-Hz but not the static MF group. No serious malformations were seen in any group. In both MF-exposed groups, increased skeletal ossification was found, possibly indicating an accelerated prenatal development. In a second experiment with static MF (30 mT) in which dams were exposed for the whole period of pregnancy, and postnatal growth and development of offspring were studied, the postnatal growth was significantly enhanced in offspring following their prenatal MF exposure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of flushing of blastocysts on days 10-13 on the life-span of the corpora lutea in the pig.

Blastocysts were flushed out of both uterine horns of gilts on Days 10, 11, 12 or 13. In mated non-pregnant gilts flushing had no effect on progesterone profile or cycle length (20.8 +/- 0.4 versus 20.6 +/- 0.6 days in the preflush cycle, N = 6, mean +/- s.e.m.). Flushing the blastocysts out of the uterine horns on Day 10 resulted in a cycle with a normal progesterone profile and a normal length (21.2 +/- 0.4 days, N = 5). Flushing on Days 11, 12 or 13 resulted in a normal cycle or in maintenance of the CL for 3-13 days as indicated by elevated progesterone concentrations and an increased interoestrous interval of, respectively, 22.0 +/- 1.2 versus 19.8 +/- 0.6 days (Day 11; N = 6), 24.8 +/- 1.4 versus 21.0 +/- 0.6 days (Day 12; N = 5; P less than 0.05) and 26.3 +/- 2.3 versus 20.5 +/- 0.4 days (Day 13; N = 6; P less than 0.05). There was a positive relationship between the change in interoestrous interval and the interval between the first observed standing oestrus and flushing of the blastocysts (rs = 0.350; n = 22; P less than 0.1). There was a large variation in the diameter of the blastocysts flushed on the same day. Only in those gilts in which the blastocysts were greater than or equal to 8 mm or filamentous were the CL maintained for 3 or more days. These results indicate that a first signal for maternal recognition of pregnancy is generated on Day 12 and that blastocysts greater than or equal to 8 mm are required for prolongation of CL function for 3 or more days. Since CL function is only extended for a maximum of 13 days (mean 7.4 +/- 1.0), a second signal seems necessary to maintain the CL for the whole period of pregnancy.

Serum zinc binding capacity in pregnant women.

Zinc is an important element during the prenatal period. Since plasma zinc levels are not directly related to the nutritional status of this metal in pregnant women, we designed this study to find out if plasma protein zinc binding capacity is a more reliable parameter than total serum zinc to establish zinc nutritional status during pregnancy. We analyzed total serum zinc and zinc binding capacity in 84 normal pregnant women and in 14 nonpregnant women. Within pregnant women, samples were classified according to the gestational age. Total zinc serum was significantly decreased in pregnant women as compared to control ones. The decrease in zinc occurred slowly during the whole period of pregnancy; a negative correlation was found between serum zinc and gestational time. Protein zinc binding capacity was found to be significantly higher in pregnant women than in the control ones. This parameter was positively correlated to total serum zinc in pregnancy. We conclude that since the protein zinc binding capacity increases with advancing gestation, pregnant women take advantage of this to maintain the levels of serum-free zinc, transferable to the fetus.

Energy costs of reproduction in the djungarian hamster Phodopus sungorus under laboratory and seminatural conditions.

The aim of this study was to obtain ecologically relevant data on the rates and efficiencies of energy allocation to reproduction and to determine how laboratory data compare with data obtained under 'seminatural' conditions. Using the tritiated water (HTO) method we measured average daily metabolic rates (ADMRs) in Phodopus sungorus reproducing females over the whole period of pregnancy and lactation and in nonreproducing ones, under both laboratory and 'seminatural' conditions.Taking the difference in total energy expenditure between reproducing and nonreproducing females as the additional energy requirement for reproduction, it was found that the absolute energy expenditure for reproduction was independent of the experimental conditions used. For the production and nursing of one litter, Djungarian hamsters metabolized an additional 20.9 MJ kg-1 in the laboratory, i.e. a 37% increase over normal maintenance expenditure, and 22.6 MJ kg-1 under seminatural conditions, i.e. a 24% increase. The efficiency of litter production was estimated as 18.3% in the laboratory and as 16.4% under seminatural conditions. The differences between the two experimental conditions were not significant.

D-penicillamine in pregnancy--to ban or not to ban?

The action of D-penicillamine on collagen can cause undesired side-effects in the treatment of cystinuria and Wilson's disease, it is on the other hand essential to the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma. Furthermore D-penicillamine can be potentially teratogenic, since it crosses the placental barrier. From the literature and our own observation of two pregnancies it is shown that among 87 pregnant women who received D-penicillamine 46 cases were treated during the whole period of pregnancy. Two infants from the latter group were found to have severe connective-tissue defects. We suggest that the dose of D-penicillamine in pregnant patients with cystinuria and Wilson's disease should be kept as low as possible. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis D-penicillamine should not be given during pregnancy.

Transplacental induction of lymphomas in Swiss mice by carbendazim and sodium nitrite.

Swiss mice at different stages of pregnancy were treated intragastrically with the pesticide Carbendazim (MBC, BCM, methyl-2-benzimidazole carbamate) together with sodium nitrite. Lymphomas developed in 33.3% of young mice whose mothers were treated in the first week of pregnancy, in 53.3% of whose mothers were treated during the second week, and in 38.8% of those born of mothers treated during the third week. Treatment during the whole period of pregnancy yielded on an average 70.0% malignancy in offspring. However, administration of Carbendazim by itself did not produce lymphomas in the first generation. In lymphomas induced by in vivo-formed n-nitroso compounds, A- and C-type oncornavirus particles were observed with the electron microscope.

Die Bewegungsaktivität der weiblichen Schabe Leucophaea maderae (F.) im Laufe des Fortpflanzungszyklus und ihre experimentelle Beeinflussung

The ovoviviparous cockroach Leucophaea maderae exhibits cyclic motor activity that is correlated with the reproductive cycle. This latter cycle takes about 85 days. The cycle of motor activity is characterized by low activity during pregnancy; a rapid and large increase about 8 days before parturition; medium activity at the beginning of oögenesis. With progressive egg development, the degree of activity gradually decreases until the pregnancy phase is reached again. In its natural environment, the onset of activity of this nocturnal insect is at sunset. Under conditions of constant darkness, the total activity could be clearly subdivided into two components: one regularly distributed over the whole day which was termed ‘basic activity’; the second, strictly periodical, termed ‘circadian activity’. The basic activity component was taken as an indicator of the internal state of excitement. This component is extremely low during the whole period of pregnancy and reaches its peak during the first half of oögenesis (after parturition). The curve of activity resembles the normal curves of oxygen consumption and food consumption. These findings support the hypothesis concerning the activity of the corpora allata. It is possible that the basic activity is enhanced by the c. allata. This has been shown by allatectomy and implantation experiments. However, the results are only statistically weakly significant. Presumably the c. allata effect involves still another system. The circadian activity is superimposed on the basic activity, especially in the 8 day period preceding parturition, but also after optical, mechanical, and acoustical disturbances. It is based on a constant, inborn rhythm of about 24 hr. The rhythmic control of the circadian activity occurs exclusively via nervous pathways originating in the brain. The rapid increase in circadian activity preceding parturation does not occur after cutting the nervous connexions between abdomen and thorax, although circadian behaviour as such may continue. It is therefore concluded that the brain receives information about the state of development of the embryos through the ventral nerve cord. The biological significance of increased motor activity is still unclear. As far as investigated, the circadian rhythmic activity of Leucophaea supports Aschoff's (1964) ideas regarding nocturnal animals.