The course of ovulation after biotechnical puberty induction in young sows

Four experimental series were applied to 342 prepuberal young sows to establish ovulation developments. Different periods of time were allowed to elapse between injection and slaughter. Injected were 400 IU PMS/200 IU HCG or 500 IU PMS/250 IU HCG. Onsets of ovulation were found to be highly differentiated and variable. Some of the animals had completed ovulation 72 hours after application of gonadotrophin, whereas in others had not even started 168 hours after such application. In the majority of all sows involved in the experiments ovulation occurred 96--144 hours from application of the gonadotrophis hormone. In other words, fertile semen should be present in the genital tract of sows in that period of time, if the concept of deadlineoriented insemination is followed.     

Studies on biotechnical ovulation synchronization in young sows. 3. Report: ovulation onset, ovarian findings and results of fertilization after metallibur, 750 IU PMS, with and without 500 IU HCG with varied treatment time

Fourty-eight gilts were treated with Turisynchron-Pr?mix (Turi.) and PMS (750 IU; 24-hours a. Turi.). One-half of the animals receaved additionally 500 IU HCG (fourth day a. Turi.). Performing treatments (Turi., PMS, HCG) either between 8 and 9 a.m. or 3 and 4 p.m. resulted in 2 experimental (HCG) and 2 control (without HCG) groups, each consisting of 12 animals. Double insemination took place according to treatment times at the fifth or the fifth and sixth day a. Turi. The experimental animals underwent laparotomy at the sixth day between 9 and 12 a.m., the conerols between 1 and 4 p.m. at the sixth or 9 and 12 a.m., at the seventh day a. Turi. Oviducts were flushed either at laparatomy or on slaughter to establish fertilization. From 24 experimental animals 20 ones had ovulated between 42-53 h p. HCG, and at slaughter 22 did so. The period of ovulation is mainly assumed near and immediately after 42 h p. HCG. In controls ovulation could be established in 3 of 15 animals laparotomized up to 152 h a. Turi. and in 8 of 9 animals laparotomized up to 168 h a. Turi. At slaughter there were in all 22 animals of the 2 control groups which had ovulated. In the rate of ovarian cysts (25-33%) and fertilized ova no remarkable differences were found between the groups.     

Mathematical models of strontium-90 behavior in a "water--fresh-water fish spawn" system in several individual cases of radionuclide entry into bodies of water

A group of 72 gilts, aged between eight and nine months, were treated 20 days each by administration of 5 g Suisynchronpr?mix (Zinc Metallibur/Sui), followed by 24-hour treatment with 750 IU PMS (Prolosanserum). Fifty per cent of the group received 500 IU per animal of HCG (Gonabion) at 11 a.m., on the fourth day after Sui. All animals were artificially inseminated at 3.30 p.m. on the fifth day after Sui. and at 7.30 a.m. on the sixth day after Sui. Laparotomy was performed on 50 per cent of the HCG-treated and untreated animals in the afternoon of the sixth day after Sui. Animals with no recordable ovulation had to undergo another laparotomy in the morning of the seventh day. The above approach resulted in regrouping by four therapeutic categories: 1. HCG with laparotomy, 2. No HCG, 3. HCG with no laparotomy, 4. No HCG and no laparotomy. In the afternoon of the sixth day after Sui (51-56 hours after HCG) ovulation had begun in all 17 measurable animals of the first group, but only in one of 18 animals of the second. The animals were slaughtered between the seventh and twelfth days after Sui, and the following ovulation percentages were established: 100 per cent in the first group, 83.3 per cent in the second, 55.6 per cent in the third, and 72.2 per cent in the fourth. The animals that had been given HCG treatment (Groups 1 and 3) were found to be superior in terms of percentual ovulation to the untreated animals (Groups 2 and 4). However, Group 2 was the only group that had been exposed to the extraordinary stress of two laparotomies, and this should be borne in mind for evaluation. Ovarian cysts (more than 10 mm) began to develop on the eighth day on the laparotomised groups (1 and 2) and on the tenth day on the non-laparotomized groups (3 and 4). Cysts developed in 41.1 per cent of all animals in Group 1, 38.9 per cent in Group 2, 27.8 per cent in Group 3, and 22.2 per cent in Group 4. Therefore, cyst formation is thought to have been stimulated by laparotomy. Ovocyte tests suggested fertilisation of all animals in the first group. The embryonation rates of the second, third, and fourth groups are discussed with reference to the dates of insemination.     

Studies on biotechnical ovulation synchronization in young cows. 1. Ovulation periods, ovarian findings and fertilization results after use of Metallibur, 750 IE PMS and 250 or 500 IE HCG

The following treatment was applied to 50 mature young sows in two experiments (22 and 28 animals) throughout 20 days: Turisynchron-Pr?mix (Turi.), 5 g/animal, and 750 IU PMS (Prolosan serum) 28 hours after Turi. In the first experiment. 250 IU HCG (Gonabion) were additionally injected to each of twelve animals 100 hours after Turi., while in the second experiment each of ten animals recieved 500 IU HCG 103 hours after Turi. The remaining animals of the two groups were used as controls. Inseminations took place 101 and 104 hours (fourth day) after Turi. in the first experiment and 125, 149, as well as 173 hours (fifth, sixth, and seventh days) after Turi. in the second. Onset of ovulation was brought forward to the sixth day after Turi. in response to 500 IU HCG by laparotomy performed in the mornings and evenings of the fourth through seventh days. Most of the controls and test animals with 250 IU HCG ovulated on the sixth or seventh day after Turi. Ovulation was stimulated by both HCG dosages, in comparison to the controls, which was established by slaughtering the animals between the seventh and twelfth days after Turi. The percentage of ovulations was higher among the test animals and that of ovarian cysts lower. Fertilisation of the second group was clearly better than that in the first where insemination had taken place two days prior to ovulation, that is too early. The latter results were secured by tubal douche and ovocyte tests.     

Age and hormone dependent activity of Delta5, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in isolated Leydig cells from mouse testes

Mouse males aged 2, 4 weeks, and 2 months were given PMS and HCG hormones, and testosterone in intramuscular injections. Leydig cells obtained from treated animals were histochemically investigated for the activity of delta 5, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase). PMS caused no statistically significant changes in the activity of delta 5, 3 beta-OH-SDH in any of the investigated age groups of mice. However, in all tested groups treated with HCG the amount of cells having very strong enzyme activity increased. Testosterone injected into mice induced decrease of delta 5, 3 beta-OH-SDH activity. Both under the influence of HCG and testosterone differences between control group and experimental ones were statistically significant.     

Corpus luteum function and pregnancy rates with clomiphene citrate therapy: comparison of human chorionic gonadotrophin-induced versus spontaneous ovulation

A total of 508 clomiphene citrate cycles with intra-uterine insemination (IUI) performed in 233 consecutive patients were studied. In 247 cycles insemination was performed 36-38 h after human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG)-triggered ovulation; in the remaining 261 cycles IUI was performed 18-20 h after urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) kit detection of a spontaneous LH surge. Corpus luteum function, as determined by luteal phase length and mid-luteal progesterone concentrations, together with pregnancy rates were analysed. There was no difference in luteal phase parameters between spontaneous and HCG-triggered cycles when adjusting for patient age. Furthermore, the pregnancy rates did not differ between the HCG and LH kit groups, even after adjusting for patient age and number of motile spermatozoa inseminated. Additionally, the large numbers of cycles analysed provided sufficient power to detect increases in clinical pregnancy rates in spontaneous ovulatory cycles and HCG-induced ovulation of 10.1 and 2.4% respectively, using the customary significance level (alpha-type error) of 0.05. These findings indicate that pregnancy rates and corpus luteum function in carefully monitored clomiphene citrate/IUI cycles do not differ between HCG-triggered and spontaneous ovulatory cycles.     

Letter: Electrical method of detecting optimum time to inseminate

Recently translated studies of the electrical resistance of cervical mucus as a test for the optimum time of insemination of agricultural animals are reviewed. The technique involves the measurement of the electrical conductivity of the surface of the mucosa in the vaginal vestibule. Experiments with cows and sows have shown that pregnancy or fertilization rates are considerably higher when mucosal electrical resistance is low at the time of insemination than when resistance is high. It has also been demonstrated in sows that mucosal resistance is higher in pregnant than in nonpregnant animals. Further research into these results is recommended.     

Treatment of non-extractable common bile duct stones with combination ursodeoxycholic acid plus endoprostheses

To assess the effect of timing of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration in ovarian stimulation cycles, the serum oestradiol concentration and follicle profile were compared with the clinical pregnancy rate in 582 ovarian stimulation-intra-uterine insemination (OS-IUI) cycles and 3917 in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. The pregnancy rates increased exponentially with increasing oestradiol in both OS-IUI and IVF-ET cycles (R2 = 0.720, P < 0.001) but then decreased in OS-IUI cycles when the oestradiol concentration exceeded 5000 pmol/l (R2 = 0.936, P < 0.004) at HCG administration. In OS-IUI cycles the percentages of cycles with three or more mature follicles (> or = 18 mm diameter) increased up to an oestradiol concentration of 5000 pmol/l then declined, mirroring the pregnancy rate (R2 = 0.900, P = 0.01). The exponential increase in pregnancy rate with increasing oestradiol concentration in IVF-ET cycles suggests that high oestradiol concentration does not have a deleterious effect on endometrial receptivity. The decrease in pregnancy rate in OS-IUI cycles when oestradiol concentration exceeded 5000 pmol/l reflected fewer mature follicles, resulting from premature administration of HCG to avoid severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). We recommend that HCG administration be delayed until multiple follicles have reached maturity, and reducing the risk of severe OHSS by converting high risk OS-IUI cycles to IVF-ET, or if funds or facilities are unavailable, transvaginally draining all but four or five mature follicles.     

Initiation of periovulatory events in gonadotrophin-stimulated macaques with varying doses of recombinant human chorionic gonadotrophin

During in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles, a large bolus of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) is used to induce periovulatory events, but the efficacy of lower doses is undefined. Following follicular stimulation in rhesus monkeys, oocyte nuclear maturation, IVF, granulosa cell luteinization and corpus luteum function were compared after injection of 100, 300 or 1000 IU recombinant HCG or 1000 IU urinary HCG. Bioactive HCG rose to peak concentrations within 2 h that were proportional to the dose administered (100 < 300 < 1000 IU, recombinant HCG = urinary HCG). The duration of surge values (>100 ng/ml) was also dose-dependent (0 h, 100 IU; 24 h, 300 IU; >48 h, 1000 IU, recombinant and urinary HCG). While the proportions of oocytes resuming meiosis and undergoing IVF were similar among groups, fewer animals yielded fertilizable oocytes following 100 and 300 IU (five of nine) compared to 1000 IU recombinant and urinary HCG (nine of 10). Peak values of serum progesterone in the luteal phase were similar, but declined 2 days earlier after 100 and 300 IU relative to 1000 IU recombinant and urinary HCG. Thus, 3-10 fold lower doses of HCG elicit low amplitude surges of short duration that induce periovulatory events such as re-initiation of oocyte meiosis and granulosa cell luteinization. However, oocyte fertilization and luteal function may optimally require surges of higher amplitude and longer duration similar to those produced by standard doses of 1000 IU recombinant or urinary HCG.     

Comparison between stimulated in-vitro fertilization and stimulated intrauterine insemination for the treatment of unexplained and mild male factor infertility

A prospective trial was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of stimulated in-vitro fertilization (SIVF) and stimulated intrauterine insemination (SIUI) in couples with unexplained and mild male factor infertility. In all, 80 couples were allocated to treatment with SIVF or SIUI, both treatments following the same protocol [clomiphene citrate and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) injection], except that higher doses of FSH were used in the SIVF treatment cycles. Initially, 41 couples were allocated to and started treatment with SIVF but eight cases were eventually converted to SIUI because of under-response. Similarly, although 39 couples were initially allocated to SIUI treatment, five of these converted to SIVF because of over-response. The treatment cycles that were converted either to SIUI or to SIVF were not considered as treatment failures but as treatment changes and so were included in the analyses. Of the final 38 SIVF cycles, four were cancelled (dysfunctional response), failed fertilization occurred in five cycles and 29 subjects reached embryo transfer. There were two biochemical pregnancies [positive human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) only], two clinical abortions and seven live births. Of the final 42 SIUI cycles, only two were cancelled, insemination being performed in the remaining 40 cases. The result was one clinical abortion, three ectopics and eight live births. The proportion of cycles with positive HCG was identical (28.9% per cycle treated for SIVF and 28.6% for SIUI) and the livebirth rates were also not different (18.4% per cycle treated for SIVF and 19.0% for SIUI). The cost per maternity of SIUI was approximately half that of SIVF (Pounds Sterling 1923 versus Pounds Sterling 4611) and so we conclude that, as SIUI had an efficacy that was not significantly different from SIVF (using similar protocols) but was more cost-effective, it must be considered the more appropriate form of management for the treatment of unexplained and mild male factor infertility. Indeed, it is hard to justify the routine use of IVF, as a first approach, in unexplained infertility.     

Single versus double insemination: a retrospective audit of pregnancy rates with two treatment protocols in donor insemination

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of a change in treatment protocols, suggested following an inspection visit by the regulatory authority, from single to double inseminations during donor insemination treatment cycles. We therefore conducted a retrospective audit of pregnancy rates in the reproductive medicine clinic of a major teaching hospital. All patients were treated for male factor infertility by donor insemination, without ovulation induction with gonadotrophins between October 1992 and December 1995. The main outcome measures were cumulative conception and live birth rates. During the study period 250 patients underwent treatment and 650 single insemination and 277 double insemination treatment cycles were undertaken. The pregnancy rate per cycle was 0.054 and 0.119 for single and double insemination respectively. After six cycles the cumulative pregnancy rates were 0.28 and 0.47 and the take-home baby rates were 0.25 and 0.37 for single and double inseminations respectively. The change in practice from single to double insemination resulted in a doubling of the pregnancy rate per treatment cycle. Cumulative pregnancy rates after two treatment cycles of double insemination were comparable with those achieved after six cycles of single insemination. These results have significant implications for both patients and purchasers.     

Serum progesterone at the time of human chorionic gonadotrophin does not predict pregnancy in in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

Controversy exists as to whether the serum concentration of progesterone on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration following ovarian stimulation for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer can be used to predict the likelihood of success. This retrospective study was undertaken to answer this question by analysing a large population of IVF and embryo transfer cycles (n = 756). In addition to the concentration of progesterone on the day of HCG administration, all variables known to impact on IVF and embryo transfer success (such as patient age), indication for IVF and embryo transfer, number of oocytes retrieved and the number of embryos generated and transferred were examined. There was a significant increase in the number of oocytes retrieved with increasing progesterone concentration at the time of HCG administration. However, there was no correlation of progesterone concentration at HCG administration with pregnancy and implantation rates. It is concluded that previous reports associating a slight elevation of progesterone in gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist ovarian stimulation cycles for IVF and embryo transfer may be misleading because of a small sample size or the presence of confounding variables that affect IVF and embryo transfer success.     

Increase in plasma leptin and Lep mRNA concentrations by food intake is dependent on insulin

The difference in pregnancy rates following intrauterine insemination (IUI) for 1 vs. 2 days in the periovulatory period has been reported as either inconsequential or favoring the use of two consecutive inseminations, 24 hours apart. Our study compared the monthly fecundity and cumulative probability of pregnancy in a large group of women (n = 123) undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and 1- or 2-day inseminations with donor sperm prepared from frozen-thawed samples. All patients underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation employing either clomiphene citrate in 217 cycles or human menopausal gonadotropin in 185 cycles. The choice of single or double insemination was decided by the day of the week each patient received human chorionic gonadotropin for ovulation induction. Approximately 80% of all the patients underwent both single and double insemination treatments during the 2.5-year study period. Ninety-three patients received single inseminations in 180 cycles, whereas 103 patients received double inseminations in 222 cycles. Nine clinical pregnancies were achieved in the 1-day group (5% per cycle, 9.7% per patient), while 39 pregnancies occurred in the 2-day group (17.9% per cycle, 37.9% per patient). Two and five spontaneous abortions occurred in the 1- and 2-day groups, yielding take-home baby rates of 3.9% per cycle (7.5% per patient) and 15.3% per cycle (33.0% per patient), respectively. The cumulative probability of conception over 15 cycles of treatment was consistently twice as high or higher for the 2-day group. The results of this study support the use of 2-day IUI treatment cycles when using frozen-thawed donor sperm.     

Paired human chorionic gonadotrophin determinations for the prediction of pregnancy outcome in assisted reproduction

The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of single and paired measurements of serum concentrations of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) for successful pregnancy following in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and tubal embryo transfer (TET). We analysed serum HCG concentrations 15 and 22 days after IVF or TET in 198 conception cycles. Cut-off values of serum HCG were determined by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. On the basis of single HCG samples on day 15 (HCG15) after transfer, using a cut-off value of HCG15 = 150 mIU/ml, the sensitivity was 71% and the specificity was 77%. The positive predictive value (HCG15 > or = 150 mIU/ml indicating a normal pregnancy) was 89%, while the negative predictive rate (HCG15 < 150 mIU/ml indicating an abnormal pregnancy) was 51%. Patients with HCG15 < 150 mIU/ml but HCG22/HCG15 ratio > or = 15, still had a 90% chance of normal pregnancy. However, in patients with HCG15 < 150 mIU/ml and an HCG22/HCG15 ratio < 15, there was an 84% chance of an abnormal pregnancy. We conclude that a single HCG15 determination combined with the ratio of HCG22 to HCG15 has a higher diagnostic accuracy for prediction of pregnancy outcome than either analysis alone.     

Milk production and reproductive performance in dairy cows given bovine respiratory syncytial virus vaccine prior to parturition

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of vaccination against bovine respiratory syncytial virus on milk production, reproductive performance, and health in lactating dairy cows. DESIGN: Prospective randomized block design. ANIMALS: 385 Holstein dairy cows and heifers. PROCEDURE: Cows were grouped by lactation number, season of calving, and previous mature equivalent 305-day milk production (where appropriate). Prior to parturition, cows and heifers were randomly assigned to be vaccinated i.m. against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, bovine viral diarrhea, and parainfluenza 3 viruses by use of a three-way vaccine, or to be vaccinated against those viruses as well as bovine respiratory syncytial virus, using a four-way vaccine. Milk production was measured daily through 305 days of lactation. Reproductive and medical records were reviewed to obtain insemination dates and record medical problems of cows in each vaccine treatment group. RESULTS: Compared with the three-way vaccine, administration of the four-way vaccine was associated with higher milk production (1.39 kg [3.06 lb] more milk/d) in first-parity cows during the first 21 weeks of lactation. Vaccination did not have any effect on milk production after the first 21 weeks of lactation in cows of any parity. Conception rates at first insemination were higher for four-way vaccinated first-parity cows than for three-way vaccinated first-parity cows (54.6 vs 32.7%). Compared with second-parity cows that received the three-way vaccine, first insemination conception rate was improved for second-parity cows vaccinated with the four-way vaccine (28.9 vs 47.8%, respectively). In cows of third or greater parity, first insemination conception rate was not different between the 2 vaccine treatment groups. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Vaccination of heifers against bovine respiratory syncytial virus prior to partrition may increase milk production and first insemination conception rates.     

Interaction of oxidized and reduced N-methylphenazonium methosulfate (PMS) with photosystem II

In 3-(3,4-dicholorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) poisoned chloroplasts, the restoration of the fluorescence induction is presumed to be due to a back reaction of the reduced primary acceptor (Q-) and the oxidized primary donor (Z+) of Photosystem II. Carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) is known to inhibit this back reaction. The influence of reduced N-methylphenazonium methosulfate (PMS) in the absence of CCCP and of oxidized PMS in the presence of CCCP on the back reaction was investigated and the following results were obtained: (1) Reduced PMS at the concentration of 1 muM inhibits the back reaction as effectively as hydroxylamine, suggesting an electron donating function of reduced PMS for System II. (2) The inhibition of the back reactionby CCCP is regenerated to a high degree by oxidized PMS which led to assume a cyclic System II electron flow catalysed by PMS. (3) At concentrations of reduced PMS higher than 1 muM it is shown that both the fast initial emission and more significantly the variable emission are quenched.     

Leptin is a four-helix bundle: secondary structure by NMR

OBJECTIVES: To describe the experience of two male fertility programs using electroejaculation (EEJ) in the management of men with ejaculatory failure secondary to diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Twenty-nine EEJ procedures were performed in 7 diabetic men with ejaculatory failure. Results were reviewed with attention paid to sperm characteristics in both antegrade and retrograde specimens as well as pregnancy rates. RESULTS: Retrograde semen specimens retrieved from the bladder following EEJ contained a mean of 3444.5 million sperm (range 269.2 to 4996 million). Antegrade specimens contained a mean of 698.8 million sperm (range 226.8 to 1961 million). Mean sperm motility was 4% for retrograde specimens (range 0% to 11%) and 7% for antegrade specimens (1% to 15%). In all but 1 case, semen specimens were used for intrauterine insemination. The total number of motile sperm contained in the processed, inseminated specimens ranged from 1 to 87.2 million. In 1 case, the sperm obtained through EEJ was used in an in vitro fertilization procedure. CONCLUSIONS: EEJ can be successfully used to obtain sperm from men with ejaculatory failure due to diabetes mellitus. The procedure requires general anesthesia, and pregnancy rates after intrauterine insemination with the processed sperm are low. Advanced reproductive technologies may offer a feasible alternative, providing higher success rates with fewer procedures.     

Prolactin delays gonadotrophin-induced ovulation and down-regulates expression of plasminogen-activator system in ovary

This study was conducted to determine whether prolactin (PRL) suppresses gonadotrophin-induced ovulation and disturbs the co-ordinated gene expression of tissue type plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) in rat ovary. Immature female rats were injected with 10 IU pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin to stimulate follicle growth, and 48 h received different doses of prolactin followed by 7 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). The oviducts were examined for the presence of ova, and the amounts of tPA and PAI-1 mRNA present in the ovary were measured at various times after the hormone treatment. PRL had no significant effect on ovarian weight but caused a dose-dependent decrease in ovulation number. In the control animals receiving HCG alone, 13.3 +/- 1.3 (mean +/- SEM) ova/oviduct were found; while in animals receiving HCG plus 50, 100 or 200 microg PRL, the ovulation number was dose-dependently suppressed by 53.6, 66.9 and 76% respectively at 18 h after treatment. PRL suppression of HCG-induced ovulation was time-dependent. By 24 h after treatment, the number of ova in the oviducts in HCG- and HCG plus PRL-treated groups was not significantly different. PRL also suppressed HCG-induced tPA gene expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. At all time points examined, tPA mRNA content of whole ovaries and granulosa cells (GC) in PRL-treated groups was lower than in the HCG-treated controls. The activities of PAI-1 in ovarian extracellular fluid (OEF) and PAI-1 mRNA in the theca-interstitial cells (TI) in the PRL-treated groups were higher than in the HCG-treated controls. The highest stimulation by PRL of PAI-1 activity in OEF and of PAI-1 mRNA in TI was observed at 9 h and 6 h after HCG treatment respectively. The localization of tPA and PAI-1 antigens in the ovaries was consistent with changes in the mRNA and activity levels. These data suggest that PRL temporarily delays, but does not completely inhibit, HCG-induced ovulation, which may be caused by a suppression of PA-mediated proteolysis.     

A comparison of the psychological and hormonal factors in women with and without premenstrual syndrome.

Women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS; n?=?14) were compared with women without premenstrual syndrome (n?=?14). The diagnosis was based on the volunteers' responses to the Premenstrual Assessment Form, their medical history, a physical examination, and the Utah PMS Calendar. After assignment to the non-PMS or PMS group, each subject was studied for one menstrual cycle and was evaluated, once during the follicular phase and twice during the luteal phase. On each of these occasions, circulating concentrations of estradiol and progesterone were determined, and the Depression Adjective Checklist (DACL), the Minnesota Multiphase Personality Inventory (MMPI), and the Attributional Style Questionnaire were completed. Each subject recorded daily her physical symptoms on the Utah PMS Calendar. During the luteal phase, women with PMS had significantly higher levels of depression as measured by the DACL and MMPI than women without PMS. The two groups did not differ in the follicular phase. These findings suggest a luteal phase disorder superimposed on a background free of psychiatric or physiological illness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An exploration of clinicians' diagnostic approaches to premenstrual symptomatology.

Explored whether non-medical clinicians and medical clinicians use a medical and/or sociocultural model to diagnose women presenting with PMS. Equal groups of female and male, Anglophone and Francophone, medical and non-medical clinicians (aged 24–82 yrs) were chosen in random samples of Quebec's professional orders. All clinicians were asked to diagnose a female patient described in a scenario as having symptoms construed to look like PMS. While 73% of the clinicians gave a PMS diagnosis, only 5% indicated that they would use prospective data to confirm their diagnosis. Clinicians who gave a PMS diagnosis explored more medical issues in the intake interview than those who did not. Medical clinicians considered more medical issues and a larger proportion of medical issues than non-medical clinicians did. Anglophone clinicians, female clinicians, and clinicians who did not diagnose PMS considered a greater number of sociocultural factors than did Francophones, males, and clinicians who did diagnose PMS. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)