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Purpose: Undesirable side effects of cancer treatments are common and include damage to the ovary, and depletion of the follicle reserve, which if severe enough, can lead to infertility and early menopause. Antimetabolite drugs, such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), are not considered to be detrimental to the ovary, but the ovotoxicity of 5-FU has not been evaluated in any detail. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 5-FU on follicle number.Methods: In this study, adult female C57Bl6 mice (n = 4-6 animals/group) received a single dose of saline or 5-FU (150 mg/kg) and markers of ovarian damage and follicle depletion were assessed 12 h and 7 days later.Results: Exposure to 5-FU did not alter primordial and primary follicle numbers. Atresia of secondary and antral follicles was increased significantly 12 h after 5-FU treatment, but atresia rates returned to levels similar to that of saline treated controls at 7 days. The number of corpora lutea were reduced 7 days after exposure to 5-FU, possibly as a consequence of earlier follicular atresia.Conclusions: These findings suggest that a single dose of 5-FU is mildly ovotoxic, but any effects on ovarian function are likely transient because the primordial follicle population is not depleted. Collectively, these data support the notion that 5-FU is unlikely to impact on the long-term fertility of women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is great variation in response when ruby laser is used to remove unwanted body hair. Destruction of hair is often not possible after one laser treatment and the frequency and timing of repeated treatments required to achieve optimum treatment results are unknown. It was the aim of this study to determine whether the efficacy of ruby laser hair removal depended on the hair growth cycle. A prospective clinical study was carried out. The lower legs of 48 patients were treated with the Chromos 694 ruby laser at a standard fluence of 11 Jcm–2. Treatment efficacy was determined as the percentage decrease in hair density at 3 and 7 months. The proportion of growing and resting hairs in the treatment site was assessed by examination of plucked hair roots harvested from areas adjacent to the treatment site. To determine whether examination of plucked hair roots microscopically was reliable in assessing the proportion of growing and resting hairs in a specific site, 7 ex-vivo scalp skins were examined histologically. Results showed that examination of plucked hair roots was a reliable method in assessing the proportion of growing and resting hair. There was no correlation between the treatment efficacy and the growth phases of hair (one way analysis of variance, P=0.116). In conclusion, growing hairs are not more susceptible than resting hairs to ruby laser injury. The clinical implications of this finding are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-pulsed ruby laser has been used to remove unwanted body hair with encouraging results. It is clear from various studies that complete removal of hair is unlikely after a single treatment and diverse response rates have been observed in various individuals. It was the aim of this study to examine the efficacy of ruby laser hair removal after repeated treatments and to assess the patients’ satisfaction with this method of hair removal. In all, 88 patients were treated with the Chromos 694 Depilation Ruby Laser (SLS/Biophile, Wales) at monthly intervals for 4 months and their hair density was measured at 7 and 12 months after the first treatment. The average reduction in hair density was 13.7% at 1 year, which was statistically significant. No adverse long-term side effects were seen. Although only 44.3% of patients had reduced hair count at 1 year, 79.5% patients were satisfied with their treatment. In conclusion, we have shown in this study that the long-pulsed ruby laser is only effective in permanently removing a small proportion of unwanted dark coloured body hair. This method of hair removal is, however, superior to other conventional types of hair removal according to the patients’ subjective observation, because it slows the hair growth, causes thinning of hair, and provides good temporary control of hair from most treatment sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]