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Investigates the effects of hormone replacement therapy on the reactivity of monocytes and platelets in whole blood, measured by tissue factor activity, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and thromboxane B2. Significant reduction of tissue factor activity in monocytes and formation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and thromboxane B2 after 12 months of hormone replacement therapy.

Mitochondrial dysfunction reduces aerobic energy production and results in symptoms from various tissues, depending on metabolic demands. Mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is essential for sperm motility. Sperm motility was investigated in a patient with a mitochondrial disease caused by reduced activity of the mitochondrial enzyme complexes I and IV, and in two control subjects. Spermatozoa were cultured in media containing various energy substrates. Motility was judged by light microscopy, and ultrastructure by transmission electron microscopy. In the patient with mitochondrial disease, 12% of the spermatozoa were motile in the medium containing only glucose. There was a three-fold increase in motile spermatozoa when pyruvate and succinate were present together with glucose. In contrast, the spermatozoa of both control subjects had best motility in the presence of substrates for complex I, and no further increase was observed when succinate was added. Glucose and pyruvate enter the respiratory chain at complex I, and succinate at complex II. Electron microscopy of spermatozoa from the patient with mitochondrial disease revealed mitochondria with increased matrix, thickening of membranes, parallelization of cristae and lipid inclusions, which are characteristic findings in mitochondrial disorders. Abnormal mitochondria were also found in a spermatid, suggesting that the ultrastructural changes of mitochondria are primary rather than secondary to degeneration of the spermatozoa. The results indicate that mitochondrial dysfunction causes reduced sperm motility in some men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tissue factor activity in blood monocytes was investigated during ovarian stimulation for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in 13 women. Blood samples were taken prior to hormonal stimulation (days 2-3 of the menstrual cycle, median serum oestradiol concentration 70 pmol/l) and the day after ovulation induction with human chorionic gonadotrophin (days 11-13, median serum oestradiol concentration 6270 pmol/l). The tissue factor activity in unstimulated monocytes and factor VII concentration were unchanged during the treatment. However, the tissue factor activity in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated monocytes was on average more than twice as high after stimulation (P < 0.02). A positive correlation was found between the tissue factor activity and the serum concentration of oestradiol (r = 0.514, P < 0.02). The tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha increased during ovarian stimulation (P = 0.05), and there was a positive correlation between the change in TNF-alpha and the change in tissue factor activity (r = 0.663, P < 0.05). Our results indicate an enhanced sensitivity of the extrinsic coagulation system during IVF treatment since more tissue factor is available upon stimulation. It is suggested that this may be important in thrombotic situations. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism behind this response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the recurrence risk of hypertensive disorders in subsequent pregnancies and to explore the associations among hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and maternal cardiovascular risk factor profile and the development of cardiovascular diseases later in life. STUDY DESIGN: We used population-based, cross-sectional data from the fourth survey of the Tromsø Study. RESULTS: Preeclampsia in the first pregnancy increased the risk of recurrence in later pregnancies (relative risk, 6.6; 95% confidence interval, 5.5-7.9) compared with a normotensive first pregnancy. Women with a history of preeclampsia or nonproteinuric hypertension had an unfavorable cardiovascular risk profile. Hypertension was prevalent in 25% and 28% of the women, respectively. The carotid artery intima-media thickness and total carotid plaque area were significantly larger in women with previous preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: A strong association between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and an increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases was demonstrated by the assessment of risk factors that can be potentially modified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify predictors of preferences for cesarean among pregnant women, and estimate how different predictors influence preferences. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study based on the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (n = 58,881). RESULTS: Of the study population, 6% preferred cesarean over vaginal delivery. While 2.4% of nulliparous had a strong preference for cesarean, the proportion among multiparous was 5.1%. The probability that a woman, absent potential predictors, would have a cesarean preference was similar (<2%) for both nulliparous or multiparous. In the presence of concurrent predictors such as previous cesarean, negative delivery experience, and fear of birth, the predicted probability of a cesarean request ranged from 20-75%. CONCLUSION: The proportion of women with a strong preference for cesarean was higher among multiparous than nulliparous women, but the difference was attributable to factors such as previous cesarean or fear of delivery and not to parity per se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the influence of anti-D on the prevention of severe thrombocytopenia. Levels of maternal anti-HPA 1a antibodies; Pregnancy complications associated with anti-HPA 1a antibodies; Treatment for thrombocytopenia