Influence of co-culture with established human endometrial epithelial and stromal cell lines on sperm movement characteristics

The effects of co-culture of human spermatozoa with human immortalized endometrial cells - epithelial or stromal - on sperm movement characteristics, including hyperactivation, were studied using computer- assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Epithelial and stromal cell types could be separated following 8-10 days of culture of endometrial cells originating from human biopsies. Both cell types were immortalized by the SV 40 large T antigen. Co-incubation of sperm with epithelial and stromal monolayers enhanced the rate of hyperactivation: 24.9% (P <0.05) and 17.8% (P = 0.05) versus 9.5% as control, respectively, whereas the majority of motility parameters remained unchanged. Conditioned media had no effect upon sperm parameters, including hyperactivation. Co-incubation with either monolayer was able to maintain sperm motility over a longer period than incubation in control medium alone. In four patients whose spermatozoa did not exhibit hyperactivation, co-incubation with epithelial cells, but not conditioned medium, allowed normal rates of hyperactivation (range: 6.9- 15.6%).      

Engineering of osteochondral tissue with bone marrow mesenchymal progenitor cells in a derivatized hyaluronan-gelatin composite sponge

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of a composite matrix, containing esterified hyaluronic acid and gelatin, to facilitate the osteochondral differentiation of culture-expanded, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells. The cell loading characteristics and the effects of the matrix on cell differentiation were examined in vitro and in vivo. Empty and cell-loaded composites were cultivated for up to 28 days in a chemically defined medium with or without transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1). A type II collagen-rich extracellular matrix was produced by cells loaded in the matrix and cultured in the presence of TGF-beta1. Empty and cell-loaded matrices were also implanted subcutaneously in immunodeficient mice. Three types of implant were used: empty (group I), cell-loaded matrices (Group II), and cell-loaded matrices cultured for 14 days in vitro in defined medium with TGF-beta1 (group III). No osteochondral differentiation was found in implanted empty matrices; however, the matrix supported osteochondrogenic cell differentiation in the cell-loaded implants. Preculture in vitro in a chondrogenic medium increased the percentage of osteochondral tissue found in the constructs after 3 weeks. These results indicate the potential use of this composite matrix for delivery of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells for the repair of chondral and osseous defects. The results also indicate that this composite matrix is useful for in vitro tissue engineering.     

Improved oocyte quality is obtained with follicle stimulating hormone alone than with follicle stimulating hormone/human menopausal gonadotrophin combination

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of pure follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) with that of FSH/human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) combination in downregulated cycles. A total of 357 patients was evaluated retrospectively. Sixty percent of patients in the FSH group and 55% in the FSH/HMG group were new; the others were repeat patients. Ovulation was suppressed with leuprolide acetate in all patients, followed by either FSH (n = 218) or FSH/HMG (n = 119). There was no difference in patients' age, infertility factors, number of ampoules used, length of stimulation, oestradiol levels on day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration, number of oocytes recovered or the number of embryos transferred. Also, nuclear maturity at aspiration and fertilization rates were not different between the two groups. FSH stimulation resulted in a significantly higher percentage of mature oocytes that showed the typical 'mature' morphological characteristics (P < 0.0001). The clinical pregnancy rates per transfer were 40 and 28% in patients stimulated with pure FSH and FSH/HMG respectively (P < 0.05). The significantly higher number of immature oocytes matured in vitro in the FSH/HMG group (P = 0.001) suggests a possible effect on in-vitro maturation, due to luteinizing hormone present in HMG. The difference in mature oocyte quality may be an important determinant in the higher pregnancy rates for the FSH- stimulated patients.      

Leukocyte histamine release in Hymenoptera-allergic patients. Correlation with skin test reactivity and changes following hyposensitization therapy

We have studied 46 Hymenoptera-allergic patients and 11 nonallergic controls by grading the severity of their sting reaction, determining their skin test reactivity, and performing human leukocyte histamine release with a commercial mixed stinging insect extract. A significant correlation was found between increasing severity of sting reaction and increasing skin test reactivity (p < 0.001). In $\text{41}\text{46}$ allergic patients from 15 to 100 per cent release of total cellular histamine occurred, whereas in the 11 nonallergic controls no greater than 10 per cent release of total cellular histamine was observed. Skin test reactivity correlated significantly with cell sensitivity in the allergic patients (p < 0.001). Following hyposensitization therapy, cell sensitivity generally did not change, but significant increases in antigen-neutralizing capacity (A.N.C.) of allergic serum did occur in $\text{11}\text{15}$ Hymenoptera-allergic patients.     

1.5-T surface-coil MRI of the knee

Five normal knees and 20 knees with suspected abnormalities involving the menisci or articular surfaces were examined with high-resolution surface-coil MRI. Surgical correlation was available in 15 cases. Signal-to-noise ratios were optimized using a field strength of 1.5 T and a round 7.6-cm surface coil. Spatial resolution was maximized by using fields of view reduced to as small as 8 cm. Separate examinations of the medial and lateral joint compartments were performed with the surface coil positioned vertically adjacent to the meniscus of interest. Ten meniscal tears were identified using sagittal and coronal images. T1-weighted images were adequate to detect most meniscal tears, and T2-weighted images were useful for providing an "arthrogram effect" in the presence of a joint effusion. Extrameniscal lesions that were examined included osteonecrosis of the femoral condyle, subchondral cysts, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis, and anterior cruciate ligament tears. MRI was useful in determining the integrity of articular cartilage overlying defects in the subchondral bone and in detecting gross cartilage lesions in arthritis, but was less sensitive than arthroscopy in evaluating moderate changes in the hyaline cartilage.