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An experiment was carried out to study the dynamics of various body-Ca pools in the hen during a single ovulatory cycle. One hundred 32-wk-old Single Comb White Leghorn hens were used. For experimental purposes the ovulatory cycle was divided into four periods: 1–6, 6–12, 12–18 and 18–24 h post-oviposition.At 0, 6, 12 and 18 h post-oviposition 25 hens each were intubated proventricularly with 15 μCi of 45Ca as CaCl2 solution. Approximately 1 mL of blood was collected from the leaf brachial vein, and the bird was subsequently placed in an individual cage. Red blood cells, labelled with 15Cr, were re-injected into the same bird from which it was collected. At 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 h post-intubation with 45Ca, blood samples were taken from the right brachial vein of five hens and the birds were immediately killed, carcasses were dissected, the left femur and tibia-fibula were excised, and an egg, if present, was removed. Whole blood was assayed for 51Cr activity, and plasma, bones and shells were assayed for 45Ca activity and Ca concentration.Another five hens were injected in the right brachial vein with 15 μCi of 45Ca immediately following oviposition. Subsequently, the left brachial vein was catheterized and blood was sampled at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h post-injection.There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in blood volume or plasma-Ca concentration for the four periods assayed. Following intubation, plasma-45Ca activity decreased quadratically (P 45Ca was 3.30, 2.13, 1.80 and 1.77 h for periods 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. When birds were injected intravenously with 45Ca the half-life of plasma 45Ca was 0.116 h.There were no significant (P > 0.05) changes over time in ash or Ca content of bone ends (BE) or medullary bone (MB). Only MB accumulated 45Ca during the first 6 h of the cycle. There was no difference (P > 0.05) in 45Ca activity of either BE or MB over time in period 2. Only BE experienced a significant (P 45Ca during period 4.There were no differences (P > 0.05) in total shell ash. shell Ca or 45Ca with time in period 1. Shell ash increased (P −1 and shell Ca increased by 69, 128 and 82 mg h−1 in periods 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Accumulation of shell 45Ca confirmed that the transfer of Ca was greatest during period 4 of the ovulatory cycle. Using 45Ca dynamics, we estimated that over the entire ovulatory period 1716 mg of Ca was absorbed from the digestive tract and 1704 mg was secreted as shell. Key words: Calcium-45 activity, calcium-45 half-life; plasma 45Ca, bone 45Ca, shell 45Ca, shell secretion, Ca absorption

An investigation was conducted on the ovulatory cycles and pregnancies of captive Banteng cattle (n=4). Estradiol and progesterone profiles plus palpation of the ovaries resulted in a mean cycle length of 20 days (± 0.68) for 6 cycles. Maximum follicle diameter before ovulation ranged from 15 to 20 mm and ovulations occurred equally on the right and left ovaries. Estrous cycles continued year round when not interrupted by pregnancy. Mean latency from parturition to the first ovulation was 44.8 (± 7.8) days, ranging from 30 to 65 days for the 4 pregnancies in 3 of the 4 cows. The fourth cow did not ovulate within the 96-day postpartum sampling period. The results generally conform with those found for the domestic cow (Bostaurus).

Recent observations in turkey and chicken hens show that sperm storage in both species is a highly inefficient process. After artificial insemination (AI), less than 1% of spermatozoa inseminated are selected for transport to and enter the sperm storage tubules (SST). It has been shown that the sperm selection process is orchestrated within the vagina and not at the level of the SST. At least two mechanisms are involved in the selection of spermatozoa fit for sperm storage, one being mechanical (motility) and the other biochemical in nature (sperm-vaginal mucosa interactions). Furthermore, it was also observed that the sperm storage efficiency in the chicken is dependent upon the logarithm of the number of spermatozoa inseminated. From a practical standpoint, inseminations performed frequently with a moderate number of spermatozoa should be more efficient than inseminations performed with higher doses at longer intervals. Maximal filling of the SST of hens in egg production requires only 1 day for the chicken and 2 days for the turkey. By contrast, the release of sperm from the SST is about seven times faster in the chicken than the turkey hen. The efficiency of oviducal sperm storage is related to a number of factors including age of the hen, stage of the ovulatory cycle when inseminated, and, in the turkey, if the hen was inseminated before or after the onset of egg production. Two different categories should be considered among factors that affect sperm survival in vivo. 1) Factors affecting sperm storage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The domestic hen with its well-organized follicular hierarchy offers a unique model system for the study of the role of inhibin in follicular development. We have validated a homologous bovine RIA for use in the hen to measure plasma immunoreactive inhibin-like activity during the ovulatory cycle as well as during experimental conditions in which follicular development has been altered. Validation of the bovine RIA kit revealed that increasing amounts of hen plasma gave linear increases in the amount of immunoreactive inhibin detected. This assay system as well as a homologous chicken LH RIA were used to assess plasma concentrations of immunoreactive inhibin and LH, respectively, in experiments 1-3. In experiment 1, blood samples were collected from hens (n = 5) at 2-h intervals for 24 h starting at 1600 h after the lay of the last egg of the sequence through the following day. No significant peak in plasma immunoreactive inhibin level was detected during the ovulatory cycle, in spite of a significant preovulatory rise in plasma LH. The highest level of plasma immunoreactive inhibin was attained, however, 2 h prior to the preovulatory LH surge. In experiment 2, eCG (n = 6) or vehicle (n = 3) was administered to hens daily for 6 days. A blood sample was drawn immediately before injection each day as well as 24 h after the last day of treatment. Treatment with eCG significantly (p < 0.01) raised plasma immunoreactive inhibin-like levels, compared to vehicle-injected controls. In experiment 3, three to four of the largest follicles (F1-F4) were surgically removed, or sham surgery was performed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In this paper I investigate the changes in female Culaea inconstans behaviour at different stages of the ovulatory cycle in response to the presentation of a courting male and an ovulated female intruder. These experiments reveal that female brook sticklebacks display a complex repertoire of behaviours including all of the threat displays commonly described for male gasterosteids. On spawning days, females direct more nudges, bites, broadside displays, head down displays and redirected bites towards an intruding female, and spend more time engaged in hovering, ground head-up courtship, and near, an intruding male. The interspawning interval in females is accompanied by a surge of aggression towards males. In essence, females show a fluctuation in behavioural intensities that mirrors their ovulatory cycle when interacting with males, but show no such cycling during interactions with other females. At the population level female behaviour is thus more predictable when the intruder is a male than when the intruder is another female. At the individual level, however, a female's responses to another female are tightly correlated across her breeding cycle. Aggressive fish spend more time near the intruding female and less time in the plants on all days of their spawning cycle than their less aggressive counterparts, who displayed a strong tendency to flee, S-displaying either during the retreat or from the safety of the plants. Correlations between behaviours are more susceptible to underlying ovulatorty cycle when the intruder is a male. Aggressive fish spend more time near the intruding male only during the interspawning interval.

A study was conducted to determine the growth rate of the reproductive organs of breeding female ostriches, which may be used in a prediction model for estimating nutrient requirements of breeders. Forty breeding female ostriches were sampled over an eight week period (five per week) starting at the onset of the breeding season. The ovary and oviducts were collected and weighed at each slaughter interval. No significant trend in the weight of the oviduct of the ostriches could be observed over the 49 d period, this weight being highly correlated with the body weight of the ostrich, whereas the ovary weight tended to be correlated with the time after the onset of the breeding period, although the variation in weights both within and between weights was very high. The variation in the weight of the ovary probably reflects differences in the laying pattern of individuals, and this lends itself to simulating the ovulatory cycle and consequently gaining a better understanding of the process, which would in turn aid in determining the requirement for the nutrients responsible for the growth of the ova.

Summary Ionized Calcium in Blood of Domestic Fowl: Dependence on Ovulatory Cycle In the present study the plasma concentration of both ionized and total calcium in arterial as well as in venous blood of Leghorn hens and its dependence on the ovulatory cycle were investigated. During the ovulatory cycle, the concentration of ionized calcium in blood of hens follows the course of a sine curve. Maximum calcium ion concentrations (1.58 mmol/l in venous blood and 1.48 mmol/l in arterial blood, respectively) were observed 3 to 6 hours after oviposition, and minimum concentrations (1.26 and 1.19 mmol/l, respectively) at 18 to 21 hours after oviposition. Changes in total and ionized calcium concentration went parallel. Six to 9 hours after oviposition maximum values (4.24 and 4.15 mmol/l respectively) and 21 to 24 hours after oviposition minimum values (3.25 and 2.99 mmol/l, respectively) were measured. The arterio-venous difference was −0.22 mmol/l on average. Zusammenfassung In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde das Verhalten des ionisierten Calciums und das Gesamtcalciums im arteriellen und venosen Blut des Haushuhns (Leghorn) in Abhangigkeit vom Legezyklus untersucht. Die Konzentration des ionisierten Calciums im Blut der Hennen folgte wahrend des Legezyklus dem Verlauf einer Sinuskurve. Maxima (1,58 mmol/l im venosen bzw. 1,48 mmol/l im arteriellen Blut) wurden 3–6 Stunden nach der Eiablage und Minima (1,26 bzw. 1,19 mmol/l) 18–21 Stunden nach der Eiablage beobachtet. Der Gesamtcalciumspiegel veranderte sich etwa parallel zu der Konzentration des ionisierten Calciums. 6–9 Stunden nach der Eiablage erreichte er die hochsten Werte (4,24 bzw. 4,15 mmol/l) und 21–24 Stunden nach der Eiablage die niedrigsten (3,25 bzw. 2,99 mmol/l). Die arteriovenose Differenz betrug durchschnittlich −0,22 mmol/l.

The clinical efficiency of Mastodinon (Bionorica) is studied in management of 33 patients (average age 34,6 years) with different menstrual disfunctions and dysmenorrhea. In 13 patients these disturbances coexisted with hyperprolactinemia. As a result of 3-month treatment with Mastodinon we noted the normalization of menstrual function in 13 of 17 patients, and the decrease in prolactin serum levels on 10 of 13 women. The prolactin decrease was followed by increase in luteinizing hormone and progesteron, as chosen for ovulatory cycle. It is found that Mastodinon has the properties of dopaminomimetics and can be concerned as the alternative for synthetic dopaminergic drug therapy (Bromocriptine etc.).

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient involved in most metabolic processes. Most of the interest in Ca metabolism relates to eggshell formation. Although the eggshell is composed of Ca carbonate, metabolism of both Ca and P is closely related such that a deficiency in one can interfere with proper utilization of the other. To understand Ca and P metabolism properly, modeling can be of paramount importance. A new dynamic and mechanistic model of P and Ca metabolism in layers has been developed to simulate diurnal changes in Ca and P and the hourly requirement of the layer for those minerals. The model consists of 8 state variables representing Ca and P pools in the crop, stomachs, plasma, and bone. The flow equations are described by Michaelis-Menten or mass action forms. An experiment that measured Ca and P uptake in layers fed different Ca concentrations during shell-forming days was used for model evaluation. The experiment showed that Ca retained in body and egg decreased from 62.5 to 50.5% of Ca intake when the Ca in diet was increased from 25 to 45 mg/g of feed. The model simulations were in agreement with the trend. Predictions of Ca retention in bone and egg were 63.2, 56.1, and 55.3% for low, medium, and high dietary Ca concentrations. The experimental results showed that P retention in body and egg increased significantly from 11.5% of absorbable P intake at the lowest Ca inclusion concentration to 24.1% at the highest. The model also predicted an increase in P retention in bone and egg from 8.4 to 25.4% of absorbable P intake at the lowest and highest concentration of Ca inclusion, respectively. The advantage of the model is that absorption and utilization can be monitored on an hourly basis and that adjustments can be made accordingly. The model successfully showed how the availability of one mineral affects the utilization of the other and is a useful tool to evaluate feeding strategies aimed at reducing P excretion to the environment in poultry manure.

Plasma progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) profiles were obtained during the first ovulatory cycle of heat-stressed (HS, 35 C; n = 24) and unstressed (US, 17 to 27 C; n = 24) hens using 30-min sampling intervals beginning approximately 6 h prior to ovulation. Progesterone levels from HS hens were lower from 6 h [.07 +/- .01 (SE) versus 1.66 +/- .25 ng/mL; P = .008] to predicted ovulation (.06 +/- .006 versus .70 +/- .18 ng/mL; P = .07). Likewise, LH levels from HS hens were lower from 6 h (1.55 +/- .16 versus 3.86 +/- .34 ng/mL; P = .007) to predicted ovulation (1.63 +/- .18 versus 2.50 +/- .27 ng/mL; P = .01). Eggs from HS hens were more often laid early (less than 24 h) than eggs from US hens (71.42 versus 13.33%, respectively; P = .01), but US hens more often laid eggs of a normal oviposition interval length (24 to 26 h) compared with HS hens (73.34 versus 14.29%; P = .0005). The percentage of delayed eggs (greater than 26 h) was not different (US, 14.29 versus HS, 13.37%; P = .75) between the two treatment groups. Basal production of progesterone by dispersed granulosa cells from US hens was 97.62 +/- 16.01 ng/mL. Challenge by LH increased this to 417.50 +/- 53.38 ng/mL (P = .0001). In contrast, basal progesterone secretion by cells from HS hens was 40.25 +/- 6.60 ng/mL (P = .0001) and LH challenge failed to increase progesterone production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Objective— To study follicle development in women with minimal-mild endometriosis. Design— In women with endometriosis a spontaneous ovulatory cycle was compared with two subsequent cycles in which either clomiphene or clomiphene and FSH were given to stimulate folliculogenisis. Spontaneous cycles in women with tubal infertility provided a comparison group. Setting— Infertility clinic, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital. Subjects— 17 women with minimal-mild endometriosis and 10 women with tubal infertility. Interventions— The women with endometriosis were treated with 150 mg clomiphene citrate from days 2 to 6 in one cycle and in a subsequent cycle with 150 mg clomiphene citrate on days 2 to 6 plus 75 iu FSH daily thereafter. Main outcome measures— Follicular size measured daily using ultrasound. Serum FSH estimated on days 5 and 7 and then daily. Results— Spontaneous follicular growth in the women with endometriosis was similar to that in the women with tubal infertility. Follicular development began earlier in cycles with clomiphene/FSH and the leading follicle reached 16 mm 2 days sooner but the rate of growth was similar whether or not either regimen of stimulation was used. Conclusion— Follicular growth is not impaired by minimal-mild endometriosis. Infertility with this condition cannot be explained by altered follicular growth or responsiveness.

The corpus luteum of the ovulatory cycle is essential for establishing and maintaining the first seven weeks of human pregnancy. Progesterone, given parenterally, appears to be a satisfactory substitute for the corpus luteum, known to be the source of this steroid hormone during this period. Moreover, hCG appears to be essential for sustained secretion of progesterone by the corpus luteum, particularly during the first three weeks after fertilization. In primates at least, neutralization of the biological effects of CG during this critical period results in a reduction of blood progesterone levels and the interruption of pregnancy. Although alternative sources of hCG exist, and the physiological relevance of these sources requires further study, hCG appears to be essential component in the maternal recognition of pregnancy.

The present study examines the ovulatory activity of wild and domesticated ewes subjected to either a constant photoperiod of long days (16L:8D) or natural changes in daily photoperiod for 16 mo. The aim was to determine whether an endogenous reproductive rhythm controls seasonal reproductive activity in these sheep, and how the photoperiod might affect this. The effects of long-day photoperiods on long-term changes in prolactin and melatonin secretion were also evaluated. The two species showed changes in reproductive activity under the constant photoperiod conditions, suggesting the existence of an endogenous rhythm of reproduction. This rhythm was differently expressed in the two types of ewe (P < 0.05), with the domestic animals exhibiting much greater sensitivity to the effects of long days. A circannual rhythm of plasma prolactin concentration was also seen in both species and under both photoperiod conditions, although in both species the amplitude was always lower in the long-day animals (P < 0.01). The duration of the nocturnal melatonin plasma concentrations reflected the duration of darkness in both species and treatments. The peak melatonin concentration did not differ between seasons either under natural or long-day photoperiods.

1. Lohmann Brown pullets were reared on 8-h photoperiods and transferred to 12 h at 15 weeks by either advancing dawn or delaying dusk by 4 h. At 25 weeks, half of each group was transferred to 16 h by advancing dawn or delaying dusk and, 10 d later, each photoperiod-group was advanced or delayed 4 h by moving both dawn and dusk. Individual oviposition times were recorded over 48 h at 25 weeks and 8-10 d after each lighting change. 2. At 25 weeks, there were no differences in mean time of oviposition, eggs laid in the modal 8 h, or in the proportion of eggs laid before dawn between pullets that had been given a 4-h increase in daylength at 15 weeks by advancing dawn and those photostimulated by delaying dusk. 3. Extensions of the daylength from 12 to 16 h at 25 weeks, whether by advancing dawn or by delaying dusk, delayed mean oviposition time by 2 h and virtually eliminated egg-laying before dawn. All groups laid > or = 94% of eggs in the modal 8 h. 4. Moving the complete 12- or 16-h photoperiod forwards by 4 h delayed egg-laying by 0.5 h (relative to dawn), whilst moving them backwards advanced it by 0.7 h. Pullets given 16 h of light laid very few eggs before lights-on, but the divergent movements in oviposition time, relative to dawn, resulted in more eggs being laid before lights-on when the 12-h photoperiod was moved backwards and fewer eggs when it was moved forwards. However, a slower adjustment to the new times of dawn and dusk by the pullets whose day had been moved forward, as indicated by fewer eggs being laid in the modal 8 h and poorer rates of lay compared with pullets that had their photoperiod moved backwards, may explain these differences. It is doubtful that the differences would have persisted after all birds had adjusted their ovulatory cycle, and so any reduction in pre-dawn egg-laying is likely to have been transitory. 5. The only permanent way to minimise pre-dawn egg-laying in brown-egg hybrids is to provide a photoperiod of at least 16 h, though 14-15 h may be long enough for white-egg hybrids and 12-13 h sufficient for broiler breeders.

Background: Studies on nickel patch test reactivity and reproducibility of positive tests at different points of the menstrual cycle are heterogeneous. Objective: To investigate if non-reproducibilities of positive nickel sulphate patch tests in the two different phases of ovulatory menstrual cycles with the endocrine evidence of luteal phase adequacy are statistically different. Methods: 15 women (group 1) with positive Finn chamber® nickel patch test results in the follicular phase of the ovulatory cycle and 13 women (group 2) with positive Finn chamber nickel patch test results in the luteal phase of the ovulatory cycle were tested again in the counter-phases of their ovulatory cycle, with a scheduled interval of 6 weeks following the first tests. Reproducibilities of the tests in the two groups were evaluated statistically. Results: 3 of the positive test results in group 1 (20%) and 2 of the positive test results in group 2 (15.4%) were non-reproducible. The difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The reproducibility of positive Finn chamber nickel patch tests does not seem to be affected by the changes in the follicular and luteal phases of the ovulatory cycle.

Bei Epilepsiepatientinnen kann es zu zyklusabhängigen Schwankungen der Anfallsfrequenz kommen. Da deren Pathophysiologie noch nicht hinreichend erklärt ist, war es Ziel dieser Studie, zyklusabhängige Veränderungen corticaler Exzitabilität bei erkrankten und gesunden Frauen mittels transkranieller Magnetstimulation (TMS) zu untersuchen. Es wurden acht gesunde Probandinnen mit anovulatorischen Zyklen, 12 gesunde Probandinnen mit ovulatorischen Zyklen und sechs ovulatorische Patientinnen mit katamenialer Epilepsie in die Studie aufgenommen. Katameniale Epilepsie wurde definiert als Verdopplung der Anfallsfrequenz in einer oder zwei von vier Zyklusphasen (follikuläre Phase, Ovulation, Lutealphase und Menstruation). Mit Hilfe von Einzel- und Doppelimpulsparadigmen der TMS wurden während der vier Zyklusphasen (Tag 8, –14, –7 und 2) die corticale Exzitabilität über Bestimmung der motorischen Ruheschwelle (RMT), corticalen Silent Period (CSP), intracorticalen Inhibition (ICI) und intracorticalen Fazilitation (ICF) charakterisiert. Eine Varianzanalyse für Messwiederholungen mit Zyklusphase als intraindividuellem Faktor und Zugehörigkeit zu Frauen mit anovulatorischen oder ovulatorischen Zyklen beziehungsweise zu Patientinnen oder gesunden Kontrollpersonen als Gruppenfaktor wurde zur statistischen Auswertung verwendet. Dadurch aufgedeckte signifikante Veränderungen der TMS-Parameter (p0,05). Fünf der untersuchten Patientinnen litten unter einer fokalen Epilepsie (drei rechtshemisphärisch, eine bitemporal und eine mit unklarer Lokalisation); eine Patientin hatte eine generalisierte Epilepsie. Alle Patientinnen wurden während eines ovulatorischen Zyklus untersucht und zeigten eine perimenstruelle Anfallshäufung, zwei zeigten außerdem eine Anfallshäufung in der Lutealphase. Hinsichtlich der CSP ergab sich in den rechten Hemisphären der Patientinnen ein signifikanter Einfluss der Zyklusphase (F=7,5, P=0,0020) mit Verkürzung der CSP während der Menstruation (Z=-2,2, P=0,028) sowie in der Lutealphase (Z=-2,0, P=0,043) gegenüber der follikulären Phase. Hinsichtlich der ICI fand sich in der linken Hemisphäre ein signifikanter Unterschied zwischen Patientinnen und ovulatorischer Kontrollgruppe (F=5,3, P=0,037), der auf einer verstärkten ICI bei den Patientinnen an den Zyklustagen –14 (Z=-0,56, P=0,048) und –7 (Z=-0,21, P=0,037) beruhte. Die übrigen Parameter zeigten keine Unterschiede (p>0,05) zwischen Patientinnen und Kontrollen. Die Ergebnisse bei gesunden Frauen belegen, dass es auch während anovulatorischer Zyklen zu Schwankungen der corticalen Exzitabilität kommt. Zur Menstruation hin nahm die ICI, die GABAA-erge Inhibition widerspiegelt, in anovulatorischen Zyklen stark zu, was auf abfallende Serumspiegel der prokonvulsiv eingestuften Östrogene zurückgeführt werden kann, die in anovulatorischen Zyklen die Menstruation auslösen. Die verminderte Inhibition in ovulatorischen versus anovulatorischen Zyklen an Tag –14 und –7 könnte mit erhöhten Östrogenspiegeln in diesen Phasen zusammenhängen und belegt ebenfalls deren fazilitierende Wirkung. Bei den ovulatorischen Patientinnen mit katamenialer Epilepsie zeigte sich eine bei gesunden Kontrollen nicht nachgewiesene verkürzte CSP während Lutealphase und Menstruation, die gut mit den Anfallshäufungen der untersuchten Patientinnen korrelierte. Die CSP-Veränderungen, die am ehesten GABAB-erge Inhibition reflektieren, fanden sich nur in den rechten Hemisphären, die bei einem Großteil der Patientinnen die epileptogene Zone enthielten, und nicht in den kontralateralen linken Hemisphären. Dies belegt frühere Beobachtungen von Veränderungen im GABAB-ergen Transmittersystem in epilepsietragenden Hemisphären und könnte, wie hier gezeigt, eine pathophysiologische Grundlage für katameniale Anfallshäufungen bilden. Darüber hinaus lassen unsere Ergebnisse ähnlich früheren Arbeiten den Schluss zu, dass kompensatorisch in den kontralateralen Hemisphären eine verstärkte Inhibition zu finden ist. Zukünftige Studien könnten getrennt verschiedene Epilepsiesyndrome und Patientinnen mit anovulatorischen Zyklen, sowie eine katameniale Einnahme GABA-erger Antikonvulsiva evaluieren., The pathophysiology underlying seizure clustering in female patients with epilepsy in the course of the menstrual cycle is still unclear. Therefore, we investigated cyclical changes of cortical excitability in healthy women and women with catamenial epilepsy using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Eight healthy women with anovulatory cycles, 12 with ovulatory cycles and six patients with catamenial epilepsy and ovulatory cycles were included in the study. Catamenial epilepsy was defined as doubling of seizure frequency during one or two of the four cycle phases (follicular phase, ovulation, luteal phase and menstruation). On days 8, -14, -7 and 2 of the cycle, resting motor threshold (RMT), cortical silent period (CSP), intracortical inhibition (ICI) and intracortical facilitation (ICF) were investigated. Repeated measures ANOVA with menstrual cycle phase as within-subject factor and group (anovulatory vs. ovulatory cycles; healthy women vs. patients with catamenial epilepsy) as between-subject factor was used for statistical analysis. Significant results were further analysed using non-parametric methods (Friedman-test, Wilcoxon-test and Mann-Whitney U-test). In healthy women there was a significant difference between ovulatory and anovulatory cycles regarding ICI (F=7.4, P=.016), inhibition being reduced in ovulatory cycles on days –14 (Z=-2.3, P=.021), -7 (Z=-2.0, P=.048) and 2 (Z=-2.4, P=.018). Intracortical inhibition varied significantly during anovulatory cycles (c²=8.3, P=.040), due to an increased inhibition on day 2 (Z=-2.2, P=.028 as compared to days 8 and –7). Statistical analysis of the other parameters revealed no significant results (P>.05). Five patients suffered from focal epilepsies (3 right hemispheric, 1 bitemporal and 1 with unknown focus) and one patient had idiopathic generalized epilepsy. All patients experienced perimenstrual seizure clustering and two also showed an increased seizure frequency during the luteal phase. Concerning the CSP, there was a significant effect of the cycle phase in the right hemispheres of the patients (F=7.5, P=.0020), CSP being shorter during menstruation (Z=-2.2, P=.028) an luteal phase (Z=-2.0, P=.043) as compared to the follicular phase. In the left hemispheres of the patients, there was a significant difference of ICI as compared to healthy controls (F=5.3, P=.037), due to increased inhibition in patients on days –14 (Z=-0.56, P=.048) and –7 (Z=-0.21, P=.037). There were no significant differences concerning the other parameters (P>.05). The results obtained from healthy women reveale changes in cortical excitability during anovulatory cycles. Intracortical inhibition, reflecting GABAA-ergic transmission, was increased during menstruation of anovulatory cycles, possibly due to the falling estrogen levels that accompany menstruation in anovulatory cycles. The decreased inhibition in ovulatory as compared to anovulatory cycles on days –14 and –7 may be related to higher estrogen levels during these cycle phases of ovulatory cycles and points to a facilitating effect of estrogens on cortical excitability. In contrast to healthy women, patients with catamenial epilepsy showed a shortened CSP during luteal phase and menstruation, which correlated well with the increased seizure frequency during these cycle phases. The changes in CSP, which reflect GABAB-ergic inhibition, could only be found in the right hemispheres, where the epileptogenic focus was located in most of the patients, and not in the contralateral left hemispheres. This confirms earlier studies which showed changes in GABAB-ergic transmission in hemispheres containing an epileptogenic focus and may present a pathophysiologic correlate for catamenial seizure clustering. In addition, we found an increased inhibition in contralateral hemispheres, also confirming results of earlier studies. Future studies should evaluate a more homogenous patient group as well as patients with anovulatory cycles.

Objectives To measure the serum concentrations of lamotrigine throughout a complete menstrual cycle. Methods Serum concentrations of lamotrigine, estradiol, and progestogen throughout a menstrual cycle were measured in 2 young women not using hormonal contraception. Results and conclusions The physiological hormonal fluctuations during an ovulatory cycle were not associated with clinically relevant changes in lamotrigine serum concentrations.

Objective: It is known that most cases of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) are associated with the therapies for ovulation induction. However, OHSS may rarely be associated with a spontaneous ovulatory cycle, usually in the case of multiple gestations, hypothyroidism or polycystic ovary syndrome. Case Report: A case of OHSS in a woman who became pregnant naturally and who had no underlying disease is presented here. The patient was managed expectantly with no complications. Conclusion: Although spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation is a rare entity, it is important to differentiate it from other causes of ovarian enlargement. Occasionally, life-threatening situations may occur, but it is usually a self-limiting process.

The relationship between basal body temperature and circulating progesterone levels were investigated in a female beluga. Body temperature and serum concentrations of progesterone were measured daily and at 2-4 week intervals respectively, in a female beluga that was in captivity for 7 years between 1996 and 2003. The beluga first ovulated in April, 2000 (13 years old). Thereafter, serum concentrations of progesterone showed cyclic changes, indicating that the ovulatory cycle had started. Serum concentrations of progesterone ranged from 0.1 ng/ml to 15.7 ng/ml. Body temperature also showed cyclic changes during the estrous cycle. Body temperature ranged from 34.9 to 35.9 C, and tended to reach the peak during the high progesterone phase. Mating behavior was observed during the low body temperature phase. The changes in body temperature positively correlated with the circulating progesterone levels. The length of the estrous cycle was 36.7 +/- 3.9 (mean +/- SEM) days based on the intervals between the days of mating behavior. This is the first report demonstrating that body temperature clearly changes during the estrous cycle in a captive female beluga. The present finding suggests that measurement of body temperature is a useful method for detecting the ovarian cycle of the beluga in captivity.

We studied the activity levels of matrix metalloproteinase 1, 2, and 9 in periovulatory fluids from naturally occurring menstrual cycles versus those from samples taken from menstrual cycles stimulated with clomiphene citrate or recombinant stimulating hormone. No statistically significant differences were found.

1. The mathematical model of the hen's ovulatory cycle proposed by Etches and Schoch (British Poultry Science, 25: 65-76, 1984) predicts ovulation times for sequences of 2 to 9 ovulations only. 2. Continuous functions have been produced, representing the changes required to the parameters lambda1, lambda2, S1, S2, b1, b2 and b3, such that the prediction of any sequence length is now possible. 3. This improved ovulation model is capable of predicting ovulation times and intra-sequence ovulation intervals for any ovulation rate between 0.5 and 1.0. 4. The improved ovulatory model lends itself to stochasticity. The rate of lay of a population of hens at a time may be modelled with the use of means and standard errors for each of the parameters in the model. 5. Age-related changes in the ovulation rate of the population may be predicted using a combination of three methods, which are consistent with published theories that account for the decline in performance with time.

The development of clomiphene citrate marked a milestone in the regulation of the female ovulatory cycle. Since its testing and distribution in 1960 and 1967, respectively, millions of patients have used this medication and thousands of articles have been written defining its mechanism of action and clinical uses. As an inexpensive, easy-to-use medication with minimal side effects, it is an important tool for clinicians trying to help women ovulate and become pregnant.

Considerable evidence suggests that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected macrophages and/or lymphocytes may mediate sexual transmission of HIV. We and others have previously demonstrated that when vitally stained donor mouse lymphocytes or macrophages are placed in the vaginas of mice, some of the stained cells can later be found in the iliac lymph nodes. The aim of this study was to assess the extent of mononuclear cell trafficking from the vagina and to test the possibility that carrageenan formulation, a sulfated polysaccharide formulation containing 3% PDR98-15 carrageenan (PC-515; FMC Biopolymer, Rockland, ME), a vaginal microbicide, would prevent vaginal transmigration of macrophages. When supravitally stained mouse macrophages and T cells were inoculated into the vagina of recipient mice, discrete numbers of donor cells migrated to the recipient iliac and inguinal lymph nodes and spleen. When recipient mice were preinoculated with the carrageenan formulation, the number of macrophages in lymph nodes and spleen was reduced by90%. In contrast, a methylcellulose formulation, which is believed to be inactive, did not significantly reduce migration to the lymphoid organs. Our findings suggest that the carrageenan formulation blocks cell trafficking of macrophages from vagina and that blocking does not result from cytotoxicity. Blocking cell trafficking may help to prevent sexual transmission of HIV.

The major symptoms of endometriosis are dysmenorrhea and infertility. Pertubations with lidocaine have been shown to reduce dysmenorrhea and have an enhancing effect on fertility. Different concentrations of lidocaine were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind study of pre-ovulatory pertubations with lidocaine solutions in women with dysmenorrhea. The patients had laparoscopically diagnosed endometriosis and normal fallopian tubes. Ninety pertubations were carried out without complications on 26 patients during up to six cycles. The effect was evaluated by means of questionnaires where a clinically significant reduction of dysmenorrhea was reported. Pertubation with lidocaine can be a non-hormonal treatment option for dysmenorrhea.

We studied the relationship between progesterone (P4) concentrations early in the estrus cycle and follicular dynamics in dairy goats. We used seven untreated goats (control group) and six progesterone treated goats (P group) with a controlled internal drug release device from Days 0 to 5 (Day 0: day of ovulation). We performed daily ultrasonograph during the interovulatory interval to determine ovarian change and took daily blood samples to determine serum estradiol 17beta (E2) and P4 concentrations by RIA. We divided the control goats into 3- (n = 4) and 4-wave goats (n = 3), according to the number of follicular waves recorded during the ovulatory cycle. Mean progesterone concentrations between Days I and 5 were higher and mean estradiol concentrations between Days 3 and 5 were lower in 4-wave goats (P4: 3.8+/-0.2 ng/ml; E2: 1.6+/-0.2 pg/ml) than in 3-wave goats (P4: 2.0+/-0.5 ng/ml, P < 0.05; E2: 4.4+/-0.9 pg/ml, P < 0.05). Wave 2 emerged earlier in 4-wave (Day 4.2+/-0.3) than in 3-wave goats (Day 7.3+/-0.3, P < 0.05). Three out of six of the progesterone-treated goats had short cycles (mean 8.0+/-0.0 days) and ovulated from Wave 1. The other three goats had shorter cycles (mean 18.3+/-0.3 days) than the control group (20.0+/-0.2 days; P < 0.05), although they were within the normal range of control cycles (shortened cycles). In the three treated goats with shortened cycles (two with four waves, one with three waves), mean progesterone concentrations between Days I and 5 were higher (4.7+/-0.6 ng/ml) than in the 3-wave control goats. In these goats, Wave 2 emerged at Day 4.3+/-0.3, similar to the time observed in 4-wave goats but earlier (P < or = 0.05) than in 3-wave control goats. Overall results confirm a relationship between the progesterone levels and the follicular wave turnover during the early luteal phase in the goat. Higher progesterone concentrations may accelerate follicular turnover probably by an early decline of the negative feedback action of the largest follicle of Wave 1. This is followed by an early emergence of Wave 2.

The effect of exogenous progesterone exposure early in the oestrous cycle on the duration of the interovulatory interval was studied in dairy goats. A controlled intravaginal drug release (CIDR-G) device was inserted for 5 days starting at day 0 (D0 group, n = 6) or day 3 (D3 group, n = 5) postovulation. A third group was composed of untreated control goats (control group, n = 7). Daily transrectal ultrasound was carried out during the interovulatory interval to assess the ovarian dynamics. Oestrous behaviour was checked twice a day and serum progesterone levels were assayed in daily jugular blood samples. Treated goats showed two different responses. In three D0 goats and one D3 goat, progesterone concentrations fell immediately after CIDR withdrawal and this was followed by oestrus and ovulation between days 8 and 11 (short cycles). In the other three D0 goats and in four D3 goats the treatment significantly reduced the interovulatory interval (18 .3 ± 0.3 and 18.5 ± 0.3 days, respectively) (shortened cycles) compared with the control group (20.0 ± 0.2 days; P< 0.05), but the intervals with progesterone concentrations over 1 ng/ml were not different (15.7 ± 0.3, 15.8 ± 0.7 and 16.0 ± 0.5 days for D0, D3 and control goats, respectively). In all D0 goats with a short cycle response, the ovulatory follicle arose from the first follicular wave but in the D3 goat with a short cycle it arose from the second follicular wave. These results showed that premature progesterone exposure early in the ovulatory cycle of the goat affected its length inducing short or shortened cycles. The effect of progesterone could either affect luteotropic support of the corpus luteum (CL) and/or stimulate a premature release of the luteolysin. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Data relating serum oestradiol concentration to follicle size in unstimulated cycles are lacking. We provide precise data on serum concentrations expected for any follicle diameter (FD) in the mid- to late follicular phase. Infertile women (n = 35) with apparently normal ovulatory cycles were studied in detail in 128 unstimulated monofollicular cycles leading to IVF. Using mathematical modelling to account for repeated cycles in the same woman, the relationship between serum oestradiol and FD was explored and reference ranges for serum oestradiol at individual FD were calculated. Serum oestradiol concentrations [number of patients, geometric mean, 95% confidence interval (CI)] at the onset of the LH surge were higher in 'fertilized' cycles (73, 1279, 1180-1378 pmol/l) compared with 'unfertilized' cycles (31, 1055, 929-1197 pmol/l, P: = 0.008) and 'no oocyte' cycles (24, 1064, 922-1227 pmol/l, P: = 0.03) respectively. In 'fertilized' cycles, oestradiol concentrations rose exponentially with FD and for each size of follicle the oestradiol distribution was skewed. Functional oocyte competence varied in apparently normal ovulatory cycles and was correlated with pre-ovulatory serum oestradiol but not FD. Serum oestradiol varies within wide limits for maturing follicles of any given diameter prior to the onset of the LH surge.

Social roles theorists claim that differences between the sexes are of limited consequence. Such misperceptions lead to misunderstanding the important role of sexual selection in explaining phenotypic differences both between species and within humans. Countering these claims, we explain how sexual dimorphism in humans affect expressions of artistic display and patterns of male and female aggression across the ovulatory cycle.

In the present study chemosensory event-related potentials (CSERP) were used to find objective evidence that body odor and the perception of body odor by females is related to the similarity of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (HLA in humans) of the subject and donor. Ten female subjects were examined three times during the course of their menstrual cycle (follicular, ovulatory and luteal phase). During a test session the responses of subjects to the odors of either three male or three female donors was measured. The HLA types of two donors were similar to each other but different to the HLA type of the test subject and the third donor, who shared a similar HLA type. Chemosensory event-related potentials were recorded from 7 electrode sites on the skull (Fz, Cz, Pz, F3, F4, P3, P4), referred to linked mastoids. Preliminary results show that during the ovulatory cycle phase, subjects responded with larger amplitudes to body odors of male donors with a similar HLA-type than to odors of male donors with a dissimilar HLA-type. When female odors were presented the speed of the neural response changed with the HLA-type of the odor donor during the luteal phase only.

Oscillations are ubiquitous temporal patterns observed in biological systems that may occur in different time scales; the periods range from seconds, as in the case of excitation and nerve pulse propagation, to a month or a year, as in the female ovulatory cycle or flowering cycle in higher plants (Lloyd and Rossi, 1993). The spatio-temporal dimensions at distinct levels of organization of biological phenomena, including oscillatory processes, were presented in Table 2.2.

On dispose de peu d'informations sur le controle de la reproduction chez les petits mammiferes d'Afrique australe. On a emis l'hypothese que le climat imprevisible de la region reduirait l'efficacite de la photoperiode comme signal, comme c'est le cas chez les especes vivant sous un climat tempere dans l'hemisphere nord et que les composes secondaires des plantes fourniraient des signaux plus utiles. Les effets de la photoperiode de jours courts et d'une alimentation comprenant le compose secondaire des plantes, l'acide p coumarique (pCA), ont ete examines pour deux especes largement reparties, a reproduction saisonniere et sympatriques, la gerbille a sole plantaire poilue (Gerbillurus paeba) et la souris a poches (Saccostomus campestris). Dans aucune des deux especes la photoperiode de jours courts n'a affecte significativement la masse de l'uterus ou des ovaires, ni le developpement des ovules. On a conclu que la reproduction de ces especes est sous l'effet d'une combinaison de signaux integres, ou qu'elle est controlee directement par des contraintes energetiques et metaboliques.

To study the effect of moderately elevated gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) baseline concentrations during the luteal and the follicular phase, pseudopregnant rats were infused s.c. with GnRH at several doses for 5 days. These rats were also treated with oestradiol or sham-treated during the last 3 days of GnRH treatment. GnRH infusions started on day 7 or day 3 of the luteal phase of the ovulatory cycle; in the rat, the luteal phase or pseudopregnancy lasts about 10 days. Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) responses were induced by i.v. injection of GnRH on days 12 (after expected luteolysis) or on day 8 (before expected luteolysis). In normal rats the LH and FSH responses induced by GnRH on day 12 were higher than on day 8 (approximately 160 and approximately 50% respectively). In GnRH-infused rats the LH and FSH responses were not increased. In these rats the luteal phase was extended (the plasma progesterone concentrations remained high) and the onset of the follicular phase was postponed (plasma oestrogen concentrations did not increase). Oestradiol increased the day 12 LH and FSH responses; this effect of oestradiol was suppressed by GnRH infusion. On day 8, exogenous oestradiol also increased the LH and FSH responses, but again the effect of oestradiol was suppressed when the animals were concomitantly infused with GnRH. These data may suggest that in the rat, GnRH baseline concentrations participate in the neuroendocrine system controlling gonadotrophin secretion and hence the ovulatory cycle.

The effects of 6 months of hormone replacement therapy by transdermal estradiol patches (0.05 mg/day for 21 days) and oral progestogens (10 mg/day for 10 days) on hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian function was evaluated in 32 perimenopausal women, aged 42-47 years, with irregular anovulatory cycles and menopausal symptoms. Hormone levels evaluated on the 8th and 24th day of the cycle preceding therapy showed follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels above 15 mIU/ml, estradiol less than 45 pg/ml and progesterone less than 800 pg/ml. During therapy, there was an improvement in menopausal symptoms, a decrease in luteinizing hormone (LH) and FSH levels, an increase in estradiol levels and the transdermal patches were well tolerated. At the end of therapy, 19 women continued to have regular ovulatory cycles with progesterone levels similar to those in luteal phase. FSH and LH concentrations were significantly lower than before therapy. This study shows that hormone replacement therapy not only improves menopausal symptoms but may also restore the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian function.

To compare pregnancy rates per treatment cycle of artificial inseminations with donor sperm in patients receiving one versus two inseminations.Retrospective cross-sectioned analysis of 167 patients who underwent 869 cycles receiving one or two donor inseminations were reviewed from 1987 through 1993 at our institution.A total of 256 cycles with one donor insemination per cycle resulted in 21 pregnancies and a cycle of fecundity of 8.2%, and 613 cycles with two donor inseminations resulted in 35 pregnancies and a cycle fecundity of 5.7%. Life table and logistic cumulative probability analysis of pregnancy occurrence showed no difference between treatment groups.These data suggest there are no important clinical differences of cycle fecundity or cure rate in one versus two inseminations with donor sperm. Economic costs of two inseminations may not be justified.

In the human uterine endocervix, five out of the six human mucin genes investigated (MUC 2, MUC 3, MUC 4, MUC 5AC, MUC 5B and MUC 6) are expressed, whereas in some other mucosae the hybridization pattern demonstrates the expression of only two or three of these genes. The most intense labelling by in-situ hybridization is obtained significantly with MUC 4, predominantly during the luteal phase. The expression of the MUC 4 gene appears to be influenced by the oestro-progesterone ratio. During the ovulatory cycle, there are only a few differences concerning the variations of expression of all other MUC genes.

Thirty women with hypothalamic amenorrhoea and infertility were treated with pulsatile GnRH S.C. without monitoring with estradiol and ultrasonography. Ovulation rate per patient was 93%. Ovulation rate per cycle was 90%. Pregnancy rate per ovulatory cycle 30%8. Miscarriage rate 18.5%. 23 children were born including one set of twins. No serious side effects were recorded.

A novel approach was used to evaluate the distribution of sperm in the oviduct of turkey hens inseminated before or after the onset of egg production. Prior to insemination, sperm were stained with the nuclear fluorescent stain bisbenzimide. Sperm distribution in the sperm storage tubules (SST) of the uterovaginal junction and the infundibular tubular glands was determined by use of simultaneous differential interference contrast and fluorescence microscopy. In hens inseminated and examined prior to the onset of egg production, 94% of the SST contained sperm (21% were filled). In contrast, in hens inseminated initially before the onset of egg production and examined after the onset of lay, only 73% of the SST contained sperm (5% were filled); and in hens inseminated initially after the onset of lay and then examined, 78% of the SST contained sperm (4% were filled). Sperm were sparsely distributed in the infundibular tubular glands. Therefore, lower percentages of filled SST were associated with the onset of egg production, an indication that the sperm storage capacity of the SST is diminished with the onset and continuation of egg production. Physical events associated with the daily ovulatory cycle, such as rotation of the egg mass during shell formation, may both displace sperm residing in the SST and diminish the efficacy of sperm entry into the SST.

Recent research shows that women experience nonconscious shifts across different phases of the monthly ovulatory cycle. For example, women at peak fertility (near ovulation) are attracted to different kinds of men and show increased desire to attend social gatherings. Building on the evolutionary logic behind such effects, we examined how, why, and when hormonal fluctuations associated with ovulation influenced women's product choices. In three experiments, we show that at peak fertility women nonconsciously choose products that enhance appearance (e.g., choosing sexy rather than more conservative clothing). This hormonally regulated effect appears to be driven by a desire to outdo attractive rival women. Consequently, minimizing the salience of attractive women who are potential rivals suppresses the ovulatory effect on product choice. This research provides some of the first evidence of how, why, and when consumer behavior is influenced by hormonal factors.

1. A highly specific and sensitive homologous radioimmunoassay was developed for measurement of chicken follicle stimulating hormone (cFSH). 2. Mammalian gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) significantly stimulated secretion of chicken luteinising hormone (cLH) but not cFSH when administered to 22 week non-laying hens. 3. Chicken GnRH-I did not affect circulating cFSH concentrations but significantly stimulated cLH secretion when administered to 3 week cockerels. 4. The plasma concentration of cFSH was low throughout the ovulatory cycle, but a significant decline in cFSH occurred prior to the pre-ovulatory LH surge and a significant increase occurred during the 3 hr prior to oviposition as LH levels decline.

New and specific assays, probably based on two-site assay technology, for various forms of circulating gonadal peptides are likely to be available within the next few years and these in turn should open up a range of potential clinical applications, particularly in andrology, management of ovulatory disorders, and especially ovarian and perhaps other malignancies. Current inhibin assays are already proving to be of great value in ovarian cancer management. The recent demonstration that inhibin subunits and dimeric activin are present in the human adrenal also raises the possibility that measurement of inhibin and activin may ultimately be applicable to the study of adrenal disorders.

What are the long-term effects of hysterectomy on the ovaries of normal women? Ninety-three women aged 29–44 years (median, 38 years) who had undergone hysterectomy for benign reasons 0·3–9·1 years prior to investigation, contributed urine samples twice weekly for a period of 53–149 days (median 102 days) for pregnanediol analysis. The interval between successive pregnanediol peaks and their increment over baseline were measured. The median peak interval was 27·3 days, and 93·3% of all intervals were of 21- to 35-days duration. Of the 337 peaks observed, 96·7% met the criteria previously used to define an ovulatory cycle. These are similar to the figures reported for menstruant women of comparable age. ANOVA showed no significant effect of age or time since hysterectomy on either the interval between peaks or peak increment (P > 0·10 in all cases). The evidence suggests that the ovaries of women who have no uterus behave like those of intact women. Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 135, 597–602

The objectives of this study were: 1) to document age-related ovulation failure in mares and 2) to contrast the number of ovarian follicles, occurrence of ovulations, and postovulatory concentrations of progesterone in aged versus young mares. In Experiment 1, 4 of 10 aged (25- to 33-years-old) mares were anovulatory between July 1 and September 1, 1989. In Experiment 2, two of 25 aged (20- to 30-years-old) and none of 21 young (3- to 12-years-old) mares were anovulatory between February 1 and June 30, 1990. The average (+/- SEM) day of the first ovulation was later (P0.05) for aged versus young mares (May 9 +/- 7.1 vs April 25 +/- 7.4 days, respectively). There tended (P0.10) to be fewer 11- to 20-mm ovarian follicles in aged versus young mares (2.8 +/- 0.2 vs 5.3 +/- 0.1, respectively), but there was no difference (P0.10) in the total number of ovarian follicles in aged versus young mares (21.0 +/- 0.3 vs 26.1 +/- 0.2, respectively) during the pooled periovulatory period of the first and second (single) ovulations. The number of ovulatory cycles during the study period was less (P=0.01) for aged versus young mares (2.2 +/- 0.3 vs 3.2 +/- 0.3). Plasma progesterone concentrations on Days 10 and 15 of the first ovulatory cycle were higher (P0.05) in aged versus young mares.

The purpose of the ovary is to produce eggs. In the human, oocyte production occurs cyclically at monthly intervals. The control of egg production is provided by both the endocrine and immune systems. Successful oocyte production is the result of sophisticated communication between the two systems. These interactions allow adaptive processes necessary for continuation of the species.