Functional activity of phagocytizing cells of the female reproductive tract in inflammation of the upper part of genitalia

66 women of reproductive age with different course of the inflammatory process in the upper section of the reproductive tract (endometritis and salpingo-oophoritis) were examined. The cell composition, viability and functional activity of the phagocytizing cells of cervical and endometrial secretions, as well as peritoneal exudate, were studied. The study revealed that these characteristics of the phagocytizing cells of the reproductive tract in women with the inflammatory process differed from similar characteristics in healthy women. Different changes in the functional activity of neutrophils and macrophages in the biological fluids under study in different course of the inflammatory process were detected.     

alpha-Glucosidase activity in the reproductive tract of the ewe.

alpha-Glucosidase activity has been estimated in the tissues and rinsings of the reproductive tract of the ewe. There were peaks of activity in the oviducal mucosa at pH 4.0 and 5.7. In the endometrium, caruncles and cervical mucosa and pH optimum occurred from pH 4.0 to pH 5.7. A sharp peak in the activity in the vaginal mucosa occurred at pH 5.7. The only tissue in which changes in enzyme activity were consistently related to one endocrinological state of the ewe was the cervical mucosa. Cervical alpha-glucosidase activity was greater at oestrus than during the rest of the oestrous cycle, declined during early pregnancy, and increased in ovariectomized ewes following the injection of oestradiol-17 beta.     

The microflora of the reproductive tract in women during intrauterine interventions

The species compositions and persistence factors of the vaginal and cervical microflora of the reproductive tract of women in cases of intrauterine interventions (medical abortion, intrauterine contraception) were studied. Women with inflammatory complications following intrauterine interventions were found to have the same species of bacteria in their vaginal and cervical microflora. In addition, an increase in the values of the persistence factors of vaginal microflora was registered in women practicing intrauterine contraception and a decrease in the persistence potential of vaginal microflora was registered after abortion.     

Factors of the local immune defence of the reproductive tract in pregnant women with vaginosis

Clinico-immunological examination of 99 pregnant women with diagnosed vaginosis and 132 pregnant women without genital infection as a control group, was carried out. The immunological factors of cervical and vaginal secretions in pregnant women before and after local treatment were studied. The conclusion was made that the established changes in the cell-mediated and humoral factors of the immune resistance of the reproductive system could probably play some pathogenetic role in the development of vaginosis and its relapses in pregnant women. As found in this study, more pronounced changes in the local factors of immune protection (the signs of the functional irritation of neutrophils in combination with the prevalence of sIgA and lysozyme simultaneously with a decrease in the level of IgM and IgG in cervical slime) developed in patients with subsequent relapses of vaginosis, these changes remaining after local treatment. The defects of cell-mediated and humoral factors of cervical and humoral secretions, together with some clinical parameters, were shown to be prognostically unfavorable with respect to the relapses of vaginosis in pregnant women.     

Role of neutrophils in the regulation of the reproductive tract microbiocenosis in women

The influence of neutrophils and their secretory products on the microflora of the vaginal contents in healthy women and in women having dysbiotic processes in the vagina was studied. The secretory products of neutrophils were found to produce a bactericidal effect on the representatives of the opportunistic bacteria, this effect being less pronounced with respect to lactic-acid bacteria. The established effect of neutrophils on bacteria is regarded as one of the mechanisms of microbiocenosis formation, ensuring colonization resistance.     

Local anti-infective protection of the reproductive tract in women of different ages

Healthy girls and women of the reproductive age, as well as women immediately before and after menopause, were examined. Neutrophils and immunoglobulins of cervical and vaginal secretions were studied and, as a result, age-dependent differences in the activity of the anti-infectious protection of the reproductive tract of women were found.     

Seasonal changes in antioxidant defence systems in seminal plasma and fluids of the boar reproductive tract

This study aimed to analyze seasonal variations in the antioxidant defence systems of the seminal plasma and fluids of the cauda epididymis and vesicular glands of the boar. The analyzed antioxidants included superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total L-glutathione (GSH+GSSG). Seasonal changes in total protein content and total antioxidant status (TAS) of the seminal plasma and reproductive fluids were also analyzed. Compared with the spring-summer period, total protein content in the seminal plasma was significantly higher during the autumn-winter period. Among the antioxidants analyzed, only SOD activity showed marked seasonal variations, being significantly higher during the spring-summer period. Likewise, the fluid of the cauda epididymis exhibited greater SOD and CAT activity during the spring-summer period, whereas TAS levels were markedly higher during the autumn-winter period. Neither GPx activity nor total GSH+GSSG content in the cauda epididymal fluid was significantly affected by the seasonal periods. The vesicular gland fluid exhibited an approximately 4-fold greater level of SOD activity during the autumn-winter period, as compared with the spring-summer period. By contrast, greater CAT and GPx activity, and a higher level of total GSH+GSSG were observed in the vesicular gland fluid during the spring-summer period. In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that seasonal variations could have varying effects on the antioxidant defence systems in the seminal plasma and fluids of the boar reproductive tract.     

Risk behaviors for reproductive tract infection in women who have sex with women in Beijing, China

Objectives

To assess risk behaviors for reproductive tract infections (RTI) including sexually transmitted infections (STI) among women who have sex with women (WSW) in Beijing, China.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of women recruited from venues and internet outreach analyzed using interviews.

Results

We recruited 224 WSW, among whom were 37 couples. The average age of participants was 25.6 years. Sex with men in the past year was reported by 10.7% of participants. During the past year, 34.3% (77/224) had had >1 sexual partner and 72.4% (162/224) had ever had >1 sexual partner. Condom use in the last sex with a man was reported by 54.2% (13/24) of women; 12.5% (3/24) reported never having used a condom with a man in the past year. In the past year, 13.4% (30/224) reported using sex toys with their female partners; of these, 43.3% (13/30) reported consistent condom use with the sex toys and 36.7% (11/30) had shared sex toys. Among participants 65.2% (120/184) reported that their “G-spot” had been stimulated during sex, 49.2% (59/120) of whom reported bleeding during or after sex. Only 12.5% (8/64) of those never reporting “G spot” stimulation reported bleeding during or after sex (P<0.001).

Conclusions

WSW in Beijing engaged in high-risk sexual behaviors that may carry a substantial risk of being infected with STI/RTI. To implement STI/RTI prevention and intervention among women, women-women sexual behavior should be considered when doing research and intervention programs.     

Activation of saturniid moth sperm by a secretion of the male reproductive tract

Whereas sperm under storage in the seminal vesicles of male Saturniid moths are essentially motionless, they become vigorously motile when ejaculated into the spermatophore. This activation is provoked by a certain secretion of the male's ‘common duct’. The amount of activator in the secretion of a male Antheraea pernyi is prodigious: an extract of a single common duct is sufficient to induce motility in the sperm of nearly half a million male moths. Activating substances could not be recovered from any other tissues or organs of either developing or mature male moths. Nevertheless, substances capable of activating pernyi sperm were obtained from the common ducts of diverse Lepidoptera, and even from the accessory glands of two Orthoptera.Provided that the dilution was not excessive, activated silkmoth sperm in vitro remained optimally motile in a wide variety of solutions having a pH between 5·8 and 7·8 and an osmolarity between 80 and 190 milliosmols. Motility was enhanced in the presence of added protein, but was completely inhibited by dilute concentrations of heavy metal cations. Motility was normal under anaerobic conditions, and even in an atmosphere of carbon monoxide. Apparently the motility of silkmoth sperm can be sustained by glycolysis alone.     

Bioelectric activity of various parts of the upper urinary tract

Experiments on 50 dogs carried out by the method of in vivo electromyography have confirmed the localization of the pacemaker of the pyeloureter in the proximal end of the renal pelvis at the pelvicalyceal border. It is determined that the pacemaker biopotentials are characterized by higher frequency, low-voltage rhythmic amplitude, special form and the highest stability of parameters to the diuresis changes and adrenalin influence. Biopotentials are spreading in the distal direction with an increasing speed, amplitude and decreasing frequency. Pyeloureteral junction is the main rhythmoregulator of the bioelectric activity of the ureter. Synchronization of the bioelectric activity of different parts of the pyeloureter depends on the level of its excitability.     

Antibiotic resistance of coryneform bacteria isolated from the reproductive tract of women

The species composition, antilysozyme activity and antibiotic resistance of coryneform bacteria, isolated from the reproductive tract of women with microecological disturbances, were studied. Sixty six women without microecological disturbances and 102 female patients with microecological disturbances in the reproductive tract were examined. The study showed that Corynebacterium minutissimum, C. amycolatum, C. group JK, C. bovis and C. pseudodiphtheriticum prevailed in the healthy women. In the patients with microecological disturbances in the reproductive tract C. vitarumen, C. matruchotii, C. striatum, C. renale and C. urealyticum were detected in addition to the above species. The average antilysozyme activity of the coryneform bacteria isolated from the healthy women was 1.32 +/- 0.47. In the patients with microecological disturbances in the reproductive tract it was 1.84 +/- 0.38. The in vitro susceptibility of the coryneform bacteria to antimicrobial agents was determined. High prevalence of resistance to beta-lactams (oxacillin and penicillin), erythromycin and co-trimoxazole was detected. Thus, the species variety and the antilysozyme activity of the coryneform bacteria in the reproductive tract of the women with microecological disturbances were found to be higher. The high prevalence of resistance to oxacillin, penicillin, erythromycin and co-trimoxazole in the coryneform bacteria isolated from the patients with the microecological disturbances did not differ from that in the healthy women.     

Associations between testosterone secretion and sexual activity in women

Some studies show an increase in testosterone (T) after sexual activity; this literature has inconsistent findings, focuses mostly on men, and does not employ control activities. The present study examined within-subject effects of intercourse versus control activities (cuddling; exercise) on salivary T. The initial sample included 49 women (mostly heterosexual), though not all participants returned all samples or engaged in all activities, leaving a smaller sample for endocrine analyses (n=16). Participants attended an initial session in the laboratory where they completed questionnaires, and then engaged in the activities on their own. On three separate nights, they provided pre-activity, post-activity, and next-morning saliva samples and completed brief questionnaires at the last two timepoints. Women's T was higher pre-intercourse than pre-control activity. Women's T was also higher post-intercourse than post-control activity, though the percent change in T from pre- to post-activity was highest for cuddling, then intercourse, then exercise. Next-morning T did not differ by activity. Data pointed to an association between T and orgasming, sexual desire, and relationship commitment. Analyses on post-activity appraisals suggest that the close intimate physicality of a sexual and non-sexual nature can affect T and be beneficial in short-term and perhaps longer-lasting ways for women's sexuality and relationships.     

The effect on preimplantation embryo development of non-specific inflammation localized outside the reproductive tract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of non-specific acute inflammation localized outside the reproductive tract on the quality of preimplantation embryos. In fertilized female mice two experimental models of inflammation were used—trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid colitis and carrageenan paw oedema. Inflammation was induced during the cleavage period of embryo development and embryos were collected at 92 h post hormonal synchronization. Stereomicroscopical evaluation of in vivo derived embryos showed that the presence of inflammation in the maternal body did not affect their basic developmental abilities, i.e. there were no significant differences in the proportion of early blastocysts, morulas, slowly developing embryos and degenerates between embryonic pools obtained from mothers with induced inflammation and control mothers. In the next step, non-degenerated embryos from all mothers were cultured in vitro under standard conditions for another 24 h, and the average cell number (fluorescence DNA staining) and the incidence of cell death (fluorescence viability staining combined with TUNEL assay) were evaluated. The majority of cultured embryos reached expanded blastocyst stage. There were no significant differences in the average cell numbers of blastocysts, but blastocysts derived from mothers with induced inflammation showed a significantly higher incidence of dead cells in both experiments. The majority of dead cells were of apoptotic origin. These results show that non-specific inflammation localized outside the reproductive tract has no detrimental effect on the preimplantation embryo growth; however it can affect the embryo quality.     

Delayed reconstruction of the upper digestive tract in a patient following total pharyngolaryngectomy with resection of the cervical oesophagus

Carcinoma of the hypopharynx is an uncommon disease, with an annual incidence of approximately 1 in 100,000. Post-cricoid carcinoma is more common in women and is not usually associated with tobacco and alcohol abuse. Reconstruction of large pharyngeal defects following surgery for squamous cell carcinoma is complex and often requires microvascular free tissue transfer to achieve the best oncological and functional outcomes. The most common complications of such procedures include fistulas and strictures of the neopharynx. Here, we describe a case of a female patient admitted to the Head and Neck Department at our hospital to undergo delayed reconstruction following pharyngolaryngectomy and removal of the cervical oesophagus. Several complications occurred during post-operative care, including stricture and skin dehiscence. At present, the patient is able to swallow saliva and is currently being prepared to return to a normal diet.