Effects of thyroidectomy on the storage of organochlorine insectisides

Summary Rats submitted to p,p-DDT at 200 ppm in drinking water showed increased p, p-DDT storage which was not statistically different from that of thyroidectomized rats receiving p, p-DDT. Rats receiving p, p-DDT also showed increased fat storage of total o, p-DDT and Dieldrin and decreased total BHC storage.Thyroidectomy decreased the amount of p, p-DDT naturally occurring in the animal body and raised the metabolization of this compound.In thyroidectomized rats submitted to the same dosage of p, p-DDT, increased storage of p, p-DDT, o, p-DDT and Dieldrin was found. A statistically significant increase in BHC was also observed.It is concluded that p, p-DDT in the diet may affect the storage level of other organochlorine insecticides depending on its concentration, and that the physiopathological state of the body, e. g. thyroidectomy has a definite influence on the storage of organochlorine insecticides in the animal body and on their biological effect.     

Anin vitro model for the binding of polybrominated biphenyls in environmentally contaminated blood

Spiking blood with¹⁴C-labeled 2,2, 4,4,5,5-hexabromobiphenyl (¹⁴C-HxBB) or a mixture of 2,2,4,5,5-pentabromobiphenyl, 2,2,4,5,6-pentabromobiphenyl and¹⁴C-HxBB has been found, in comparative measurements, to be a representative model of polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) contaminated blood from Michigan residents. Blood components were obtained by Ficoll-Hypaque techniques, apolipoprotein B and A fractions by immunoprecipitation with specific antisera; congeners were quantified by negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry or scintillation counting. The distribution of PBB among plasma, erythrocytes, mononucleocytes and polymorphonucleocytes was 89:9:1:1. In serum, 20% of the PBB was not bound to protein. The remaining 80% was bound to apolipoproteins B and A in a 41 ratio, which is close to the ratio (by weight) of the lipid content of these apolipoproteins. No preferential absorption of PBB congeners occurred in the examined blood compartments.on leave from Department of Chemistry, University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4067, Australia     

Chromatographic determination of dicofol and metabolites in egg yolks

Egg yolk was spiked withp,p-dicofol (p,p-DCF) (0.1–2.0 g/gm),p,p-dichlorobenzophenone (p,p-DCBP) (0.1–2.0 (g/gm), and 1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethylene (p,p- DDE) (0.05–1.0 g/gm). The fortified egg yolk (2–5 g) was mixed with acetonitrile to extract non-fat organic materials. After removal of acetonitrile, the spiked chemicals were separated with a column chromatograph packed with acid alumina. Recovery efficiencies forp,p-DCBP andp,p-DDE were determined by gas chromatography, and forp,p-dicofol by high performance liquid chromatography. The recovery efficiencies forp,p-dicofol,p,p-DCBP andp,p-DDE were 77.2–93.8%, 84.1–101.1%, and 88.5–96.0%, respectively.     

Pesticide residues in human colostrum: Seasonal variations,Yugoslavia

Levels of HCH, HCH, HCH,o,pDDE,p,pDDE andp,pDDT were measured in 59 samples of colostrum collected in the autumn 1982 and the spring 1983 from healthy nursing mothers on the third day after delivery. Pesticide residues were identified and quantitated on a gas chromatograph. Concentrations of HCH were significantly higher in the autumn (mean, 1.71g/L) than in the spring (0.67g/L), while concentrations of HCH were significantly lower in the autumn (0.49g/L) than in the spring (1.50g/L). The differences between the two seasons were not statistically significant for HCH (0.95 g/L vs 0.88g/L),o,pDDE (0.73g/L vs 1.34g/L),p,pDDE (68.63g/L vs 53.72g/L) andp,pDDT (20.00 (g/L vs 14.29 (g/L).Calculated average daily HCH (Lindane) intake of 0.04g/kg body wt (b.w.) and total DDT intake of 4.16 (/kg b.w. in a 3.5 kg newborn, ingesting 60 ml/kg b.w. of colostrum on the third day of life was below the upper limit of FAO/WHO Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) (0.01 mg/kg b.w. for Lindane and 0.005 mg/kg b.w. for DDT) in the spring. In the autumn, Lindane intake of 1.10k/kg b.w. was below the FAO/WHO ADI and total DDT intake of 5.36 g/kg b.w. was slightly above the FAO/WHO ADI.     

Accumulation and persistence of individual polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in liver,blood, and adipose tissue of rats following dietary exposure to Aroclor® 1254

Female F344/NCr rats were exposed continuously to Aroclor^® 1254 (1, 3.3, 10, 33, or 100 ppm in the diet) for 7, 28, or 84 days in order to assess the accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in liver, blood, and adipose tissue. The persistence of the individual PCB congeners which are detected in liver was examined in the three tissues of additional groups of rats exposed for 7 days followed by 21 days on control diet, or for 28 days followed by 56 days on control diet. Limited accumulation of PCB congeners with low chlorine substitution (tri- and tetrachlorobiphenyls) in the liver and blood, and preferential retention of highly substituted PCB congeners (penta-and hexachlorobiphenyls) were observed in rats continuously exposed to Aroclor. In these rats, time- and dose-dependent increases in the relative levels of two congeners which cause profound phenobarbital-type induction [2,2,3,4,4,5-hexachlorobiphenyl (BZ# 138) and 2,2,4,4,5,5-hexachlorobiphenyl (BZ# 153)] were detected in the liver and adipose tissue. Rats receiving control diet following Aroclor treatment displayed a time- and dose-dependent decrease in the relative levels in blood, adipose and hepatic tissue of 2,3,34,4-pentachlorobiphenyl (BZ# 105) and 2,3,4,4,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (BZ# 118), two of the major congeners showing both TCDD- and phenobarbital-type induction. These rats also displayed increases in the relative adipose levels of another relatively potent mixed-type inducer, 2,3,3,4,4,5-hexachlorobiphenyl (BZ# 156), and increases in adipose and hepatic levels of the pure phenobarbital-type inducer, 2,2,4,4,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (BZ# 99).     

Hexachlorocyclohexane Use in the Former Soviet Union

Because of the large size of the former Soviet Union (FSU) and the heavy use of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the FSU, usage information regarding OCPs in the FSU is important in compiling global emission inventories and thus in studying the transport of OCPs among different environmental compartments worldwide. The availability of such information is limited. By analyzing the available 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) data in the FSU, this article presents estimates of HCH usage in this region from 1950 to 1990, when HCH was officially banned for agricultural use by the FSU government. The creation of HCH usage inventories for the FSU has paved the way to produce HCH emission inventories for this region. Total HCH usages for agricultural purposes in the FSU from 1950 to 1990 were estimated to be 1,960 kt for technical HCH and 40 kt for lindane. The total usage for the isomers was 270 kt for -HCH, 1,270 kt for -HCH, and 170 kt for -HCH. Use of HCH reached a peak in 1965: 130 kt for technical HCH, 2.7 kt for lindane, 18 kt for -HCH, 86 kt for -HCH, and 11 kt for -HCH. Gridded usage data sets in the FSU of technical HCH and lindane—and the -HCH, -HCH and -HCH isomers—on a 1^o × 1^o longitude and latitude grid system for 1980 are freely available to all users at .     

Polychlorobiphenyls, ΣDDT,and hexachlorocyclohexane isomers in the western North Pacific ecosystem

Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), DDT (p,p-DDT,p,p-DDD, andp,p-DDE and HCH isomers (hexachlorocyclohexanes including , , and isomers) were determined in a marine food chain, including seawater, zooplankton, myctophid, squid and striped dolphin collected from the western North Pacific waters. The concentrations of these pollutants increased in higher trophic levels, where the highest bioconcentration factors (concentration ratio in organisms to water), as much as 10⁷, were obtained from both PCBs and DDT in striped dolphin. The proportions of highly chlorinated biphenyls,p,p-DDE and -HCH increased in higher-ranking predators. These observations suggest that the bioaccumulation mechanisms in lower trophic levels depend primarily on the physicochemical properties of pollutants, whereas those in higher trophic levels are affected by the biodegradability of the pollutants and the metabolic capacity and life-span of the organisms.     

Organochlorine pesticide contaminations in human milk samples from women living in Amman,Jordan

Concentrations of 15 organochlorine pesticides were determined by capillary gas chromatography in 59 human milk samples collected from the general population during 1989/1990 in the Jordanian capital of Amman. In addition to hexachlorbenzene (HCB), three groups of organochlorine compounds namely, DDT and its metabolites, hexachlorcyclohexane (HCH-isomers) and the cyclopentadiene group (aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, and heptachlor epoxide) were analyzed.The results show that almost all samples contained HCB, -HCH, p,p-DDE and p,p-DDT, whereas p,p-DDD, heptachlor, -HCH, -HCH and o,pDDT were found in 42, 40, 33, 22 and 20 analyzed samples, respectively. The concentration of HCB, -HCH, p,p-DDE, p,p-DDT and heptachlor expressed on a milk-fat basis (median in mg/kg milk fat): 0.29, 0.4, 2.04, and 0.7 respectively.For the comparative purposes and in order to try to find the possible sources of mother-milk contaminations, different types of locally produced and imported cow milk samples were also analyzed for the same organochlorine compounds. Almost all types of tested milk were contaminated with p,p-DDE.     

Polychlorobiphenyis (PCBs) in sediments of Tokyo Bay,Japan

Sediment cores were collected from five sites in Tokyo Bay. The sediment age was estimated by the²¹⁰Pb method and the polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs)(2,5,2,4,5 — pentachlorobiphenyl,3,4,2,4, 5-pentachlorobiphenyl, 3,4,2,3,4-pentachlorobiphenyl, 2,3,6,2,3,6-hexachlorobiphenyl, 2,4, 5,2,4,5-hexachlorobiphenyl, and 2,4,5,2,3,4, 5-heptachlorobiphenyl) profiles in the sediments were determined quantitatively by gas chromatography. With respect to the horizontal distribution of PCBs, the levels were highest off Tokyo and Kawasaki, the inner western part of the bay off the mouths of the Tama and Arakawa Rivers, and declined in the direction of the eastern and southern parts of the bay. It was assumed that most of the PCBs supplied to the bay from the adjacent rivers and the industrial zones along the western coast were coprecipitated with suspended particles near the river mouths and the western coast, while PCBs adsorbed by fine particles are carried throughout the bay by the current. The accumulation rate of PCBs in Tokyo Bay sediments gradually increased, starting about 1936, and reached a maximum value in 1972 and declined moderately thereafter. The time-dependent changes in the quantity released into the environment were estimated from the amount of PCBs manufactured and used. The accumulation rate of PCBs in Tokyo Bay sediments was then compared with the estimated rate of release into the environment.     

Biochemical and toxicological effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) congeners in female rats

The capability of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)² and six congeners to induce toxic and biochemical changes in rats was investigated. In addition to TCDD, the following compounds were administered at a dose of 40 or 400 g/kg/day for three days P.O.: 2,7-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (DCDD); 1,2,4-trichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TrCDD); 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin; l,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin; 3,3,4,4,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB); and 2,2,4,4,5,5-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCB). Six days after treatment the animals were killed. Lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity were determined in liver and kidney. Hepatic aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity was determined 48 hr following the administration of 400 g/kg of each congener or 40 g/kg of TCDD. With the exception of PCB and TCDD, the other congeners produced no toxic or biochemical changes at the doses given as determined by the above parameters. PCB (400 g/kg) resulted in a 4-fold increase in lipid peroxidation and a 69% decrease in GSH-PX activity. These results were comparable to the effects of a 40 g/kg dose of TCDD. PCB treatment resulted in a 80% decrease in thymus weight, and a 3.8-fold increase in AHH activity which were comparable to the effects of TCDD. A correlation appears to exist between the ability to induce hepatic AHH activity, enhance lipid peroxidation. inhibit GSH-PX activity, and decrease body and thymus weights.Abbreviations include TCDD 2,7-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin - DCDD 1,2,4-trichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin - TrCDD 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin - OCDD 3,3,4,4,5-pentachlorobiphenyl - PCB 2,2,4,4,5,5-hexachlorobiphenyl - HCB malondialdehyde - MDA aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase - AHH glutathione peroxidase - GSH-PX 8-aminolevulinic acid - ALA structure-activity relations     

Mitochondrial bioenergetics as affected by cationic detergents

This paper examines the accumulation and toxicity mechanism of a cationic detergent, cetyltrimethylammonium (bromide) (CTAB), in energized rat liver mitochondria. The results suggest that: (1) the CTAB ion is accumulated in the mitochondrial matrix by a membrane potential-driven uptake mechanism; (2) accumulation may lead to a toxic effect, since it gives rise to collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential () which is correlated with ATP synthesis and which regulates Ca⁺⁺ uptake; (3) collapse of may be due to enhanced permeability of the mitochondrial membrane to the ions (detergent effect); and (4) collapse and Ca⁺⁺ and K⁺ release were also observed in another cationic detergent, NTAB, but not in the presence of anionic detergents.     

Effects of herbicides on streamAufwuchs productivity and nutrient uptake

The effects of atrazine and a combination of alachlor, atrazine, metolachlor, and metribuzin on the productivity and nutrient uptake rates of native streamAufwuchs communities were investigated in two separate artificial stream experiments. After an 8-day colonization period, the first experiment employed constant doses of atrazine at 0 g/L (control), 24 g/L and 134 g/L. The second experiment employed a pulsed dose having maximum concentrations of 35 g/L alachlor, 109 g/L atrazine, 90 g/L metolachlor, and 21 g/L metribuzin. Each 20-day experiment was run at both 10C and 25C. Constant exposure to 24 g/L atrazine yielded a significant reduction in both ash-free dry weight (AFDW) and chlorophylla at 25C but not at 10C. Constant exposure to 134 g/L atrazine yielded significantly less AFDW and chlorophylla at both temperatures. The pulsed exposure to four herbicides yielded significantly less AFDW at both temperatures, while chlorophylla was significantly less only at 10C. During continual exposure to 134 g/L atrazine, both NO₂ + NO₃ and silica uptake rates appeared to be reduced at both temperatures, although the differences were generally not statistically significant. At 10C uptake rates of soluble reactive phosphorus and NO₂ + NO₃ were depressed temporarily by exposure to the pulse of four herbicides, recovering to control rates within a few days, while no effect on uptake rates was discerned at 25C. The temperature difference between experimental runs had a greater effect on nutrient uptake rates than did the herbicide treatments during a run. The results indicate thatAufwuchs growth and nutrient uptake rates may be reduced temporarily by herbicide exposures in agricultural streams. However, greater effects on these processes may be exerted by other factors accompanying storm events, such as reduced temperatures.     

Reliability of Birth Certificate Data: A Multi-Hospital Comparison to Medical Records Information

Objective: To examine the reliability of birth certificate data and determine if reliability differs between teaching and nonteaching hospitals. Methods: We compared information from birth certificates and medical records in 33,616 women admitted for labor and delivery in 1993–95 to 20 hospitals in Northeast Ohio. Analyses determined the agreement for 36 common data elements, and the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of birth certificate data, using medical record data as a gold standard. Results: Sensitivity and positive predictive value varied widely (9–100% and 2–100%, respectively), as did agreement, which was almost perfect for measures of prior obstetrical history, delivery type, and infant Apgar score ( = 0.854–0.969) and substantial for several other variables (e.g., tobacco use ( = 0.766), gestational age ( = 0.726), prenatal care ( = 0.671)). However, agreement was only slight to moderate for most maternal risk factors and comorbidities ( = 0.085–0.545) and for several complications of pregnancy and/or labor and delivery ( = 0.285–0.734). Overall agreement was similar in teaching (mean = 0.51) and nonteaching ( = 0.52) hospitals. Although agreement in teaching and nonteaching hospitals varied for some variables, no systematic differences were seen across types of variables. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the reliability of birth certificate data vary for specific elements. Researchers and health policymakers need to be cognizant of the potential limitations of specific data elements.     

Education,motivation for learning,and social competence of 6-year-olds in kindergarten in Denmark and the United States

On the basis of ethnological research methods, the everyday life of one Danish and one American kindergarten class in school is described. In the American kindergarten class teaching of the three Rs (reading, writing and arithmetic) is predominant, whereas play constitutes the life in the Danish classroom. The study shows that the American teacher-controlled academic practice and the children's concrete cultural background contribute to the development of motivation for learning at the age of 6 years. On the other hand, the American children are very egocentric and have difficulties in participating in group activities. In contrast, the more child-controlled practice in the Danish kindergarten develops social competence but neglects the development of motivation for learning. With comprehensive development as the educational aim, neither the American teacher-controlled academic practice nor the Danish child-controlled play approach is quite adequate, which calls for a new paradigm in early childhood education.     

Organochlorine chemicals in skin lipids as an index of their accumulation in the human body

Application of a noninvasive method of analyzing skin lipids was considered as a means of monitoring human exposure to organochlorine pesticides. Skin lipids were collected by wiping the face with cotton and purified by gel permeation chromatography and treatment with H₂SO₄. Organochlorine chemicals were determined by electron capture gas chromatography with a fused silica capillary column.p,p-DDE, -HCH and chemicals related to chlordane were detected in the skin lipids. Residue levels ofp,p-DDE, -HCH and oxychlordane in the skin lipids correlated with those in the adipose tissue; correlation coefficients forp,p-DDE, -HCH and oxychlordane were 0.93, 0.92, and 0.68, respectively. The correlation between skin lipids and adipose tissue for trans-nonachlor was poor ( = 0.46). The component pattern of chlordanes in skin lipids was similar to that of technical chlordane. The results suggested that chemicals in the skin lipids reflected both their accumulation in the body burden and dermal exposure.Skin lipids collected during 1986 to 1988 in Japan were determined forp,p-DDE, -HCH and the chlordanes. Residue levels ofp,p-DDE and -HCH in the aged were high compared with those in the young (=0.31–0.45). Chlordanes were detected from inhabitants in the southern area of Japan where chlordane had been used for termite control.     

Toxicity and persistence of low-level PCB in adult wistar rats,fetuses, and young

Aroclor 1254 was fed to female and male rats daily for 9 weeks at a dose of 6.4 mg/kg in their drinking water. Control animals received plain tap water plus the emulsifier (0.15% Tween 80). Elevated mixed function oxidase (MFO) activity appeared to be due to 2,4,5,2,4,5- and 2,4,5,234-hexachlorobiphenyls, since only these compounds were present to any degree in the tissues of the animals when MFO activity persisted after termination of exposure. The placenta apparently is an effective barrier to PCB transfer.We also appreciate the advice, help, and facilities furnished by Dr. Melvin K. Abelseth, Director, Laboratories for Veterinary Science, New York State Department of Health.     

Embryotoxic and teratogenic effects in unhatched fertile eggs from hens fed polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Summary The PCBs tested with caged White Leghorn hens were Aroclors 1221, 1232, 1242, 1248, 1254, 1268, 5442 and BP-6, fed at the 20 ppm level. In addition, 1242, 1248 and 1254 were also fed at the 2 ppm level. Feeding 20 ppm Aroclors 1232, 1242, 1248 and 1254 reduced hatchability and caused teratogenic effects in the embryos. The most common abnormalities found in the unhatched embryos were edema and unabsorbed yolk. Since Aroclors 1221 and 1268 did not adversely affect embryonic development, adverse effects of the PCBs were not directly related to the degree of chlorination of the biphenyls, or to the amount of total residue.     

Congener-specific data on polychlorinated biphenyls in tissues of common porpoise from Puck Bay,Baltic Sea

Individual congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), including the highly toxic non-ortho coplanar 3,3,4,4-tetrachlorobiphenyl (IUPAC No. 77), 3,3,4,4,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (IUPAC No. 126), and 3,3,4,4,5,5-hexachlorobiphenyl (IUPAC No. 169), and their mono- and di-ortho analogs, have been identified and quantified in the blubber, liver, and muscles of three female common porpoise Phocoena phocoena collected from the Puck Bay (inner Gulf of Gdask, Poland) in 1989–1990, to elucidate actual concentrations and toxic potential. The total 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin toxic equivalent for 13 coplanar PCBs in blubber was 1,500±470 pg/g wet wt. 2,3,4,4,5-Pentachlorobiphenyl (IUPAC No. 118) was the most contributing individual and occupied between 57 and 67% in total toxic equivalent of coplanar PCBs in blubber, while 2,2,4,4,5,5-hexachlorobiphenyl (IUPAC No. 153), 2,3,3,4,4-pentachlorobiphenyl (IUPAC No. 105) and 2,2,3,4,4,5-hexachlorobiphenyl (IUPAC No. 138) comprised between 9.5–14, 7.6–11.5, and 7.2–11.0%, respectively (totally 82–95%), and 2,3,3,4,4,5-hexachlorobiphenyl (IUPAC No. 156) was absent. A potentially most toxic non-ortho PCB members such as 3,3,4,4,5-pentachlorobiphenyl, 3,3,4,4,5,5-hexachlorobiphenyl and 3,3,4,4-tetrachlorobiphenyl were only minor contributors, altogether occupying between 1.0 and 14.5% in total TEQ of coplanar PCBs. Concentrations of total PCBs in lipids of the blubber ranged from 26 to 47 g/g and were comparable or lower than reported earlier for common porpoises from the Baltic Sea, North Sea, and North Atlantic by other authors.     

Concentrations and chromatographic profile of DDT metabolites and polychlorobiphenyl (PCB) residues in stranded beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from the St. Lawrence Estuary,Canada

The concentrations and high resolution gas Chromatographic profiles of DDT metabolites and polychlorobiphenyl (PCB) congeners were determined in blubber, liver, kidney and lung tissue and milk samples of stranded beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) collected at localities along the coasts of the Saint Lawrence Estuary, Canada from November 1983 through December 1984. The analyses indicate that the major PCB components of the tissues were 2,2,5,5-tétra-, 2,2,4,4,5-penta-, 2,2,3,4,4,5-hexa-, 2,2,4,4,5,5-hexa-, 2, 2,3,3,4,5-hexa-, 2,3,3,5,5,6-hexa-, 2,2,3,4, 5,5,6-hepta- and 2,2,3,4,4,5,5-heptachlorobiphenyls. Although the highest organochlorine chemical concentrations were found primarily in the blubber, concentrations of 1.72 g/g for PCB and 2.04 g/g for DDT were determined in one milk sample. No correlation was established between PCB,p,p-DDE and DDT concentrations and the fat content of the kidney liver and lung tissues. The Chromatographie patterns of the PCB congeners were similar from one tissue to another with the exception of the kidney; the profile indicates the retention of PCB congeners which are minor components in the other tissues. Relations of residue concentrations between tissue are described and the significance of congener-specific PCB analysis is discussed in terms of the structureactivity effects on PCB persistence and toxicity.Portions of this work were presented at the Sixth Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Vancouver, British Columbia, November 22–26, 1985.     

‘U’ technique and standard technique of Norplant removal

Objectives To compare the side effects and time required for Norplant removal between the U technique (using the no-scalpel vas deferens holding forceps) and the standard technique.Materials and methods A randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out of acceptors in family planning clinics in Dr Kariadi Hospital, Semarang, who wanted to have Norplant removal. The Norplant was removed by experienced doctors who had been trained for both the U technique and the standard technique. Removal time, capsule condition and complications were examined.Results From 41 clients in the U technique group and 41 clients in the standard technique group, the removal times were 2.75±1.28 and 6.57±2.93 minutes, respectively (p<0.01). One week after Norplant removal, complications were found in 5 clients, 1 from the U technique group (2.44%) and 4 from the standard technique group (9.76%). Two weeks after Norplant removal no complications were found.Conclusion The U technique was quicker and less complicated compared with the standard technique.

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ResumenObjectivos Comparar los efectos secundarios y el tiempo requerido para el retiro de Norplant con la técnica U y la técnica estándar.Materiales y métodos Un ensayo clínico controlado aleatorizado de aceptadoras en la clínica de planificación familiar Dr. Kariadi Hospital Semarang que deseaban que se retirase el Norplant. El Norplant fue retirado por médicos experimentados que habían sido adiestrados tanto en la técnica U como en la estándar. Se examinaron el tiempo de retiro, el estado de las cápsulas y las complicaciones.Resultados En 41 clientas en la técnica U y 41 clientas en la técnica estándar, el tiempo de retiro fue 2,75±1,28 y 6,57±2,93 minutos (p<0,01) respectivamente. Se detectaron complicationes después de una semana del retiro de Norplant en 5 clientas, 1 caso (2,44%) en la técnica U y 4 (9,76%) en la técnica estándar. Dos semanas después no se detectaron complicaciones.Conclusión La técnica U fue más rápida y señaló menos complicaciones que la técnica estándar.

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ResumèObjectifs Comparer les effets secondaires et le temps nécessaire pour le retrait du Norplant, entre la technique en U et la technique standard.Matériels et méthodes Un essai clinique randomisé a été effectué sous contrôle à la clinique de planning familial de l'hôpital Dr. Kariadi de Semarang sur des patientes sollicitant le retrait du Norplant. Celui-ci a été retiré par des médecins expérimentés qui avaient, été formés à la technique de retrait dite en U et à la technique standard. On a relevé les temps de retrait, l'état des implants et les complications survenues.Résultats Pour 41 patientes soumises à la technique en U et 41 patientes à la technique standard, les temps de retrait ont été respectivement de 2,75±1,28 et 6,57±2,93 minutes (p<0,01). Des complications ont été observées une semaine après le retrait de Norplant chez 5 femmes, soit 1 cas (2,44%) pour la technique en U et 4(9,76%) pour la technique standard. Deux semaines plus tard, aucune complication n'a été constatée.Conclusion La technique en U est plus rapide et entraîne moins de complications que la technique standard.