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Monoclonal antibodies were used to localize immunohistochemically epidermal growth factor receptor and HER-2/neu in normal and neoplastic frozen tissue samples from the lower genital tract of women. In squamous epithelia of the cervix, vulva, and vagina, epidermal growth factor receptor and HER-2/neu both were expressed most strongly by basal keratinocytes. Expression of both of these cell surface molecules decreased as cells underwent differentiation toward the mucosal surface. In contrast, both epidermal growth factor receptor and HER-2/neu were expressed throughout the entire thickness of the epithelium by undifferentiated squamous cells in squamous metaplasia, raised condyloma, and carcinoma in situ. In 34 squamous cancers of the cervix, vulva, and vagina, all malignant cells were found to have moderate to heavy staining for epidermal growth factor receptor. Staining of 33 of these cancers for HER-2/neu was light, although one patient who presented with distant metastases had heavy staining for HER-2/neu. These data suggest that although overexpression of HER-2/neu in squamous cancers of the lower genital tract is a rare event, it may be associated with aggressive biologic behavior.

This article evaluates the role of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) testing in the diagnosis of ruptured membranes in the preterm patient. AFP is normally found in amniotic fluid and is not present in vaginal secretions. Testing for AFP in vaginal fluid was compared with nitrazine evaluation and ferning in two groups of preterm patients, those with intact membranes and those with ruptured membranes. There was no difference in the sensitivities of AFP, nitrazine, or ferning in diagnosing ruptured membranes. The specificities of AFP and ferning were similar and both were significantly better than nitrazine. Duration of membrane rupture for greater than 24 hours negatively affected the accuracy of all three tests. Blood-tinged amniotic fluid interfered with AFP and nitrazine evaluation. AFP does not appear to offer a significant advantage over nitrazine testing and ferning in the evaluation of patients with possible ruptured membranes.

Studies were made on the distribution of lymphoid tissues and immunoglobulin (Ig: IgA, IgG and IgM)-containing cells (cIg: cIgA, cIgG and cIgM) and the localization of immunoglobulins (Igs) in the oviducal walls of laying hens. Lymphocyte accumulations were occasionally observed, located mainly in the middle infundibulum and in the regions from the isthmus to the vagina. The number of cIgG significantly predominated over that of cIgA or cIgM in the mucosal connective tissue of the magnum and the isthmus. In contrast, in the regions other than the magnum and the isthmus, these three types of cIg were fewer in number. Igs were localized in some superficial epithelial cells (SECs) and glandular cells (GlCs) of the oviduct. Many IgG-containing SECs were found in the infundibulum, the isthmus, and the cranial and major uterus. IgA- or IgM-containing SECs were rare throughout the oviduct. Three types of Ig-containing GlCs were numerously found in the magnum, though lymphocyte accumulations were scarce there. In the isthmus, many IgG-containing GlCs were found, while IgA- or IgM-containing GlCs were rarely observed. Ig-containing GlCs in the magnum were considerably decreased in number after the egg passage. The results suggest that the maternal Igs are transferred to the egg mainly through GlCs in the magnum of the chicken oviduct, and that the oviducal lymphoid tissues have little relationship to the passive immunity.

This paper describes the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for amplifying small amounts of DNA obtained from samples of interest to the forensic scientist. A region of the HLA DQalpha (DQa) locus was amplified in DNA prepared from the following: hair roots, liquid blood, blood-stains, semen and vaginal swabs (semen free and semen contaminated). A population study was conducted using DNA from 78 unrelated individuals. The observed distribution of HLA DQa alleles varied from that reported for an American population but obeyed the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Interpretation problems associated with the PCR technique are discussed.

To assess the relationship between inflammatory epithelial changes (IECs) and cervicovaginal infection, 249 women with cytologic diagnoses of IEC were studied. The findings showed a Chlamydia infection in 15.7% of the cases, Monilia in 38.1%, Trichomonas in 1.6% and a lateral vaginal wall pH of greater than 5.5 in 29.7%. These results were compared with those for 211 controls drawn from the same population; women with abnormal cytologic reports were excluded from the control group. The controls had a prevalence of yeast and trichomoniasis no different from that of the IEC group. In contrast, the prevalence of chlamydial infection (7.6%) and pH greater than 5.5 (10.7%) were significantly lower in the controls than in the IEC cases. Chlamydia was found in 30.2% of 43 women with an atypical transformation zone, equally distributed between women whose biopsies were normal and those whose biopsies showed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The traditional guidelines of treating cases with cytologic diagnoses of IEC prior to obtaining a repeat smear may need reevaluation in the light of these findings.

The authors studied the lipid content of the vaginal epithelium of gravida in whom intrauterine fetal death had occurred. Fifteen gravida in the 6th to 10th month of gestation were examined and an unusual, inconsistent with the respective gestation term increase in the intra- and extra-cellular lipid content of the vaginal epithelium demonstrated. This is related to a decrease in the amount of estrogen hormones secreted by the placenta. A cytochemical 'lipid test' based on the above findings has been developed by the authors for the diagnosis of intrauterine fetal death during the second half of pregnancy.

This report describes the isolation and behavioral testing in normal male hamsters of a high molecular weight fraction (HMF) of vaginal discharge which accounts for much of the aphrodisiac activity in the discharge. The HMF encompasses a group of proteins which elute as a relatively narrow, major peak upon agarose gel filtration of estrous vaginal discharge. The crude fraction from gel filtration retains a variety of volatiles including sulfur-containing compounds which we have previously found to account for much of the initial attraction of males to the female but which do not, themselves, facilitate overt copulatory behavior. Procedures for markedly reducing the presence of such volatiles to yield the HMF are described. In behavioral assays using anesthetized males as surrogate females, scenting the hindquarters of the surrogates with the HMF elicits intense genital investigation by experimental males, although this effect on investigatory behavior is not as dramatic as that of the unfractionated vaginal discharge. Like the unfractionated discharge, the HMF significantly increases the incidence of intromission attempts toward scented surrogates. To assess whether physical contact with the HMF is required for behavioral activity, as would be expected if the active material is proteinaceous, series of preference tests were performed using vanillin as a competing stimulus under conditions in which physical contact with the stimuli either was possible or was prevented. The unfractionated discharge was preferred in both conditions, whereas significant preferences for the HMF were exhibited only if it could be contacted by the snout of experimental males. The active material in the HMF thus appears to be of extremely low volatility, at least prior to physical contact with it by the male.

Raised leukocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) test values were found for 25 women with endometrial carcinoma and 12 women with benign hyperplastic endometrium. Of 42 patients with oligomenorrheic and polymenorrheic disturbances of the menstrual cycle and whose hyperestrogenism was assessed by cytologic indices (i.e., eosinophilic and karyopyknotic indices), 38 exhibited positive or borderline LAI test values with either one or both of the antigens used. The LAI test was negative with both antigens in four women with hyperestrogenism associated with a 28-day menstrual cycle. The high correlation between hyperestrogenism and positive LAI test results as well as between the LAI test and the presence of tumors suggests that both hormonal cytology and the LAI test might be useful as screening methods for evaluating risk factors for the development of malignant tumors of the female reproductive tract. Both methods are fairly simple, reproducible and convenient for long-term follow-up.

The uptake and retention of a radiolabeled synthetic progestin, ORG 2058, was studied in the female reproductive system of the baboon. Four estrogen-primed baboons were injected intravenously with 2.5 micrograms/kg body weight of 3H-ORG 2058. One animal, which served as a control, received an additional injection of 2.5 mg/kg body weight of unlabeled progesterone. One hour after the injections, the animals were killed and the uterus, cervix, oviduct, vagina, and labia were removed and processed for autoradiography. The cells in the germinative layers of the stratified squamous epithelium of the cervix, vagina, and labia demonstrated nuclear localization of the label. The columnar epithelium, both surface and glandular, of the uterus and cervix sequestered the synthetic steroid; however, the nuclei of the epithelium lining the oviduct were unlabeled. The nuclei of the fibroblasts and of the smooth muscle cells were labeled in all the organs studied. These preliminary observations suggest that there is a stage in the reproductive cycle in which progesterone receptors are contained in the stromal cells of the oviduct but are absent in the epithelium.

When female estrogenized rabbits were injected i.v. with 3H-progesterone, the tritium concentration determined after one hour was about two to three times higher in urethra, urinary bladder and vagina than in the heart. High affinity progesterone receptors (KD = 1-2 nM) could be demonstrated in both cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions prepared from estrogenized rabbit urethra, bladder and vagina. The cytosolic receptor concentration in both urethra and bladder was about half of that in the vagina. The concentration of nuclear receptors in urethra was not significantly different from that in the vagina, but in the bladder the concentration was only about one fourth of that in the vagina or urethra. The mean KD of cytosolic receptors from bladder was significantly higher than the corresponding values in urethra and vagina. Progesterone binding sites in the bladder had a broader hormonal specificity than those in the urethra or vagina. The present demonstration of specific progesterone receptors in the female urethra might provide a possible link between estrogen progesterone interaction and the appearance of urinary incontinence during pregnancy in women.

Our previous studies have demonstrated that macromolecular fractions of hamster vaginal discharge elicit intense genital investigation and facilitate copulatory behavior toward anesthetized males (female surrogates) whose hindquarters have been scented with these fractions, and that the aphrodisiac activity is significantly reduced in the vaginal discharge of ovariectomized (OVEX) or hypophysectomized (HYPOX) females. The present series of studies compared the protein compositions of estrous, diestrous, OVEX, and HYPOX vaginal discharge, and assessed whether protein digestion of estrous vaginal discharge affects its aphrodisiac activity. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of vaginal lavages showed that the endocrine status of females has a profound effect on the protein composition of the vaginal discharge. The concentration of the major proteins dropped by about ten-fold in going from the estrous to the diestrous condition. The concentration of these same proteins appear to be at least another order of magnitude lower in the vaginal discharges of OVEX and HYPOX females. These major proteins had molecular weights greater than 10,000 Daltons. A macromolecular fraction of estrous vaginal discharge isolated by gel filtration at elevated temperature (conditions known to separate some protein-bound steroids) and containing proteins of molecular weight greater than 10,000 Daltons was found to be modestly but significantly less active than estrous discharge in its ability to elicit intense genital investigation, and not significantly different from estrous discharge in its ability to facilitate overt copulatory behavior toward scented surrogates. Pronase digestion of the proteins in this fraction did not alter its effects on investigatory behavior toward scented surrogates but significantly reduced its ability to facilitate copulatory behavior.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In the vaginal washings of 100 women with symptomatic non-specific vaginitis a succinate/lactate ratio of greater than or equal to 0.4 had a diagnostic sensitivity of 80%, a specificity of 83% for this condition. The predictive value of a positive test was 94%, but that of a negative test was only 55%. A strong association between the presence of Gardnerella vaginalis, anaerobes, a vaginal pH of above 4.5, and amines was found not only in non-specific vaginitis, but also in trichomonal and gonococcal infection. A variety of primary changes may encourage the multiplication of both gardnerellae and anaerobes and their presence in non-specific vaginitis may be a secondary rather than a primary event.

We hypothesized that the increased vaginal fluid pH and altered vaginal microflora characteristic of bacterial vaginosis might predispose young women to introital colonization with Escherichia coli and to acute cystitis. To evaluate this hypothesis, we studied 291 women who presented with acute urinary symptoms for association of clinically defined bacterial vaginosis and vaginal conditions associated with this syndrome (increased vaginal fluid pH, absence of lactobacilli, and abnormal vaginal fluid gas-liquid chromatographic patterns) with E coli introital colonization and urinary tract infection. Escherichia coli introital colonization and urinary tract infection were both significantly more frequent among women with a high vaginal fluid pH, an absence of vaginal lactobacilli, or an abnormal vaginal fluid gas-liquid chromatographic pattern characteristic of bacterial vaginosis. Escherichia coli introital colonization was also more frequent in women with bacterial vaginosis. These associations and an association of bacterial vaginosis and E coli urinary tract infection were strong only among the 144 women who were diaphragm users. We conclude that bacterial vaginosis, or an altered vaginal microflora as reflected by an abnormal gas-liquid chromatographic pattern characteristic of bacterial vaginosis, is associated with E coli introital colonization and acute symptomatic urinary tract infection in women who use diaphragms.

Prolactin concentrations were assayed in vaginal fluid, urine and plasma in 20 women between 38 and 41 weeks gestation. Plasma concentrations of 12.3 (7.3-20.8) mU/ml (n = 40) were found whereas urine concentrations were low or undetectable. Vaginal fluid concentrations were generally lower than 0.25 mU/ml but occasionally elevated up to 3 mU/ml in women with unruptured membranes. Half an hour after artificial rupture of the membranes, vaginal fluid prolactin concentrations were always higher than paired maternal plasma concentrations (p less than 0.001). In women suspected of premature rupture of the membranes, prolactin concentrations in vaginal fluid were always higher than the plasma concentrations except in those in whom the clinical outcome showed that the membranes had not ruptured. A rapid prolactin radioimmunoassay is therefore recommended as a new clinical tool for the diagnosis or exclusion of prematurely ruptured membranes.

We have previously identified a 105,000-Da plasma membrane glycoprotein, denoted cell-CAM 105, that is involved in intercellular adhesion of reaggregating rat hepatocytes. In this communication we report on the development of a radioimmunoassay for cell-CAM 105, employing purified cell-CAM 105, specific antisera against the molecule, and formalin-fixed protein A-containing staphylococci for precipitation of the immune complexes. The assay was shown to be sensitive, specific, precise, rapid, and easy to perform. We used this radioimmunoassay in investigations of the occurrence of cell-CAM 105 in different rat organs. Cell-CAM 105 was present in a wide spectrum of organs in varying amounts. The highest concentrations were found in the gastrointestinal tract, liver, some secretory glands, vagina, kidney, and lung. In addition, cell-CAM 105 was detected in blood, where it was shown to reside mainly in the platelets. Other tissues, particularly the central nervous system and muscle tissues, were cell-CAM-negative. The results were confirmed by immunoblotting, which revealed one distinct protein component, corresponding to cell-CAM 105, in each positive organ.

A comparative investigation of the one- and two-dimensional electrophoretic keratin polypeptide patterns of various keratinizing epithelial tissues and of benign and malignant tumors of these tissues in the rodent species mouse, rat and hamster was undertaken. Keratin polypeptides of all normal epithelia investigated (vaginal, anal and forestomach epithelium) appear in a molecular weight range of about 40 K--70 K daltons and can be divided according to molecular weight and electrical charge into three groups. The large keratins (group A) have a basic character, while the lower molecular weight components of groups B and C are acidic in nature. The tissue-specific variations within one species are minimal and, apart from minor quantitative differences, mainly concern differing numbers of components within groups A and B, whereas the species-specific variations are more pronounced and apply to all three groups of keratins, which show a variable number of individual polypeptides differing in molecular weights and/or electrical charge. Independent of the tissue- and species-specific differences, keratins of epithelial carcinomas exhibit a special pattern differing from that of their corresponding intact tissues, as well as from benign tumors, by the lact of the large keratin polypeptides of group A. These characteristic differences in the keratin polypeptide composition of normal epithelia and of benign and malignant tumors may be useful for the diagnosis of epithelial tumors.

Moldy corn was substituted for normal corn in four dietary treatments to provide 0, 2.1, 3.7 and 4.8 ppm of zearalenone. The diets were fed to gilts from the day after first observed estrus through two gestation-lactation periods. Each diets was fed to 11 gifts initially. Overall reproductive performance appeared to decrease as the level of moldly corn in the diet increased, with fewer sows completing two parities and fewer piglets weaned per litter, especially from sows fed the highest level of moldy corn. Three-week-old gilts that nursed sows fed the highest level of moldy corn had increased weight of reproductive tracts. In 35-d-old gilts, symptoms of estrogenism increased as the level of moldy corn in the diet increased, even though there were no symptoms of estrogenism in the mature gilts or sows fed the same diets. Neither zearalenone nor its metabolites (alpha- and beta-zearalenol) were detected in milk obtained 1 or 14 d postpartum.

The aim of this study was to compare cytosol estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PgR) receptor levels measured in normal and pathological tissue specimens (n = 395) of endometrium (ED), endocervical mucosa (EM) and cervical vaginal portion (VP) from 108 patients (age 27-79). The highest ER levels were found in ED which decreased to 25% in VP. The PgR decline was more pronounced in VP since the majority of samples were PgR-negative. In addition pathological tissue from ED exhibited marked differences in steroid receptor levels: The highest ER and PgR concentrations were detected in the proliferative phase, whereas the secretory phase exhibited significantly reduced ER and PgR levels. The lowest ER and PgR amounts were measured in atrophic and quiescent tissues; in proliferative tissue ER and PgR levels were comparable to hyperplastic tissue. Cervical ER and PgR concentrations were significantly lower as compared with ED (25-30%), and no cyclic variations were detectable. Also ER and PgR levels were different between EM and VP. 96% of ER were positive in the cervix, whereas 73% were PgR-negative in VP. Furthermore an inverse correlation between ER and progesterone was found in ED and a positive correlation between estradiol and PgR. These results suggest that the cytosol ER and PgR levels vary markedly in the uterine corpus and may explain in part the different response to endocrine therapy.

Both sodium molybdate and Percoll density gradient stabilize the hormone-binding capacities of the estrogen and progestin receptors and individually increase the recovery of these receptors in prepared cytosols of the separated mouse vaginal epithelium and fibromuscular wall. Their effects are additive. The concentrations of estrogen receptors are similar in the epithelial and fibromuscular compartments, whereas progestin receptor concentrations are higher in the epithelium.

A vaginal lavage from a preferred female sexual partner (donor) with whom old (21-27 yr) rhesus males readily copulated or a distilled water lavage was applied to the perineum of non-preferred females (N = 8) with whom old males rarely copulated. The donor and recipients were ovariectomized and were treated with estradiol benzoate (EB) before being tested. Sexual performance of the males did not differ under the two conditions of testing, but the rate of sexual solicitation by the females was significantly higher when treated with the vaginal lavage. One month later the non-preferred females were again treated with EB and paired with the old males. In these tests the preferred female was present in a cage adjacent to and in view of the test pairs. Sexual behavior was not altered significantly, but whereas these males had never threatened or aggressed their partners in previous tests, there was a significant increase in the rate at which they threatened their partners and aggression occurred for the first time. When paired with the preferred female, males ejaculated in 100% of the tests and the average ejaculation latency was less than 2.5 minutes.

A technique to detect tocopherol histochemically was proposed in basis on the following schedule: 1. toluidine blue and Schiff reagent negativity before a suitable oxidation; 2. performic acid-toluidine blue and performic acid-Schiff reagent positivity after fixing in formalin-CaCl2; 3. performic acid-toluidine blue and performic acid-Schiff reagent negativity after fixing in formalin-HgCl2; 4. ferric ferricyanide reaction positivity not influenced by the formalin-HgCl2 blockade. This technique tested on filter paper strips loaded with several lipids, steroids, vitamins, proteins, amino acids and ribonucleic acid shows that it is specific to tocopherols among the tested substances. Used on tissue sections this technique appears as very suitable to histochemical purposes.

The present studies were conducted to compare the levels of free secretory component (SC) in a number of rat mucosal secretions and to determine whether SC content varies significantly during the four stages of the estrous cycle. Levels of SC, as measured by radioimmunoassay, were markedly different in various external secretions. Bile contained the highest amount, irrespective of whether SC was normalized to volume or protein. Concentrations of SC in saliva or uterine fluid from intact rats were approximately 20- to 30-fold less than measured in bile. When SC levels were normalized to protein, the SC to protein ratios in uterine, vaginal, and respiratory secretions were six to 18 times greater than values calculated in salivary and small intestinal fluids. Analysis of SC levels in mucosal secretions during the estrous cycle indicated significant variations occur in uterine and vaginal samples, but not in saliva or small intestinal secretions. In the uterine lumen, SC levels were highest at proestrus, partially elevated at estrus, and lowest at both days of diestrus. In contrast, vaginal SC levels were maximal at estrus and reduced at all other stages of the cycle. Immunoglobulin A content was also measured in uterine and vaginal secretions during the estrous cycle. Significant changes in IgA levels were found and these coincided with the changing pattern of SC. These results suggest hormones may modulate SC levels in reproductive tissues. In addition, our findings indicate variations in SC during the estrous cycle may direct the movement of IgA from tissue to lumen.

The sensitivity of the vaginal epithelium of ovariectomized mice of the A and C57 strains to estradiol differ approximately fivefold. The vaginas of the more sensitive C57 strain did accumulate more 333H-E2 at 1 hr in two or three experiments but the retention at 6 and 12 hr was not significantly different. The pituitary accumulation of H-E2 by the pituitary-tumor susceptable C57 mice, although not significantly greater than that of the nonsusceptable A strain mice at 1 hr was higher at 6 and 12 hr after the injection. Most of the toluene extractable radioactivity from pituitary glands and vaginas was estradiol with no strain differences. The accumulation of H-E2 in other tissues was not significantly different in mice of the two strains.

The development of an accurate method for the detection and typing of genital human papillomavirus is of substantial clinical importance. This virus has been implicated as an etiologic agent in the development of cervical neoplasia. To detect human papillomavirus infection with maximum sensitivity, cells must be collected and assayed for human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid. We compared two noninvasive methods of sampling exfoliated cervical cells--cervicovaginal lavage and scrape-Cytobrush. Seventy-four patients newly referred to the colposcopy clinic were divided randomly for cell sampling by either cervicovaginal lavage followed by scrape-Cytobrush or, conversely, scrape-Cytobrush followed by cervicovaginal lavage. Restriction analysis and Southern blot hybridization were used to test all the samples thus obtained for human papillomavirus. Overall, test results from 42 patients (56.8%) were positive for human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid. Twenty-six (31.1%) tested positive for human papillomavirus by both sampling methods, and 32 (43.2%) tested negative for human papillomavirus by both methods. One (1.4%) tested positive with scrape-Cytobrush sampling but negative with cervicovaginal lavage, while 15 (20.3%) tested negative with scrape-Cytobrush but positive with cervicovaginal lavage (p less than 0.001, McNemar's test). These data, combined with previous work from our group, suggest that, of the available methods, cervicovaginal lavage, coupled with human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization, is the most sensitive noninvasive method for harvesting cells for molecular identification of human papillomavirus in the female lower genital tract.

Fractionation of vaginal secretions from sexually human females by partitioning and chromatographic procedures demonstrates the presence of short-chain fatty acids seen as crucial pheromonal components in previous higher primate studies. In addition, the appearance of these short-chain fatty acids suggests a possible correlation of the rise and fall of hormone levels during the female menstrual cycle.

General histochemistry of uterovaginal sperm-host glands (SHG) of Japanese quail was examined in virgin and naturally mated hens and during oviposition in artificially inseminated hens. The SHG tissues were stained for complex carbohydrates with periodic acid - Schiff (PAS); for lipids with oil red O (ORO); and for acid phosphatase (AP) with AS-TR phosphate substrate. Typically, PAS material was absent from SHG cells, SHG showed preferential uptake of ORO, and the stain was seen as discrete droplets with greater accumulation in the apical and basal portions of the epithelia. The SHG showed reduced ORO with an egg in the uterus, and staining was not altered by presence or absence of sperm. All epithelia of the uterovaginal region showed strong AP activity with greatest concentration in the apical portion of the SHG epithelia.

The X-linked testicular feminization mutation (Tfm) in the mouse is characterized by an androgen receptor defect. Due to random X-chromosome inactivation, XTfm/X+ heterozygotes are mosaics with respect to Tfm. They are composed of androgen receptor deficient XTfm cells and normal X+ wild-type cells. If Tfm heterozygotes are converted to XX males by the sex reversal factor (Sxr) the mosaicism is expressed. Therefore in sex reversed Tfm heterozygotes (XTfm/X+-Sxr) intersexual sex organs develop. In five intersexes with small male accessory glands and hypospadia and one heavily feminized intersex with vagina and caudally dislocated deferent ducts the mosaic is visualized by 3H-DHT-autoradiography. In the epididymis differentiated wild-type cells show nuclear labeling, whereas undifferentiated Tfm cells are unlabeled. Unlabeled Tfm cells are also encountered in the vesicular glands of the heavily feminized animal, demonstrating that Tfm cells can participate in the formation of male sex glands. The urethral glands of the mosaic animals are composed of unlabeled Tfm lobules exhibiting the female phenotype of the glands, and of labeled wild-type lobules exhibiting the male phenotype. Formation of a vagina and deviation of the deferent ducts is correlated with lack of androgen binding sites in the connective tissue.

To assess correlations between the content of the diamines putrescine and cadaverine in vaginal fluid and the clinical manifestations of vaginitis, a rapid procedure for the determination of diamines has been developed. The procedure involves thin-layer chromatography of the dansylated vaginal washings; then the fluorescence of dansyl diamines is compared with that of dansyl alanine. For 520 college women, the result of the test for diamines was positive in 173 (88%) of 197 women with nonspecific vaginitis or vaginitis due to Trichomonas vaginalis and was negative in 291 (90%) of 323 women without nonspecific vaginitis or vaginitis due to T. vaginalis. The diamine content of vaginal fluid specimens after therapy with metronidazole was correlated with the clinical response to treatment.

VIP-like immunoreactive material is present in the female reproductive tract, with a distinct pattern of distribution. The highest concentrations of extractable material and immunoreactive nerve fibres were found in the cervix and vagina. In the cervix these fibres were seen below the surface epithelium and around cervical glands as well as in association with blood vessels and smooth muscle bundles. In the vagina the nerve fibres were most abundant in th superficial regions of the lamina propria. Scattered fibres were also present in the rest of the uterus and in the fallopian tubes. Chromatographic evidence indicates that this VIP-like material is of a similar molecular size to that extracted from other organs. Possible roles for VIP in the regulation of myometrial activity and of cervical and vaginal dilation and secretion are proposed.

Sixty-nine patients with first episodes and 111 with recurrent episodes of genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection were enrolled in a double-blind trial comparing a 5 percent topical acyclovir ointment versus placebo, polyethylene glycol (PEG). Among acyclovir recipients with first episodes of genital herpes, the mean duration of viral shedding from genital lesions, 2.0 days, mean duration of local pain or itching, 3.6 days, and mean time to healing of lesions, 11.2 days, were less than in placebo recipients 4.6, 6.7, and 15.8 days, respectively (p less than 0.05 for each comparison). Among patients with recurrent genital herpes, the mean duration of viral shedding from genital lesions was 0.8 days in acyclovir recipients compared with 1.7 days in placebo recipients (p less than 0.001). Among men with recurrent genital herpes, the mean time to crusting and healing of lesions was 3.5 and 7.5 days in acyclovir recipients compared with 5.0 and 9.7 days in placebo recipients, p = 0.03 and 0.07, respectively. No significant differences in the duration of symptoms or healing times were noted between acyclovir- and placebo-treated women with recurrent genital herpes. Acyclovir therapy was not associated with a decrease in frequency of clinical recurrences or an increase in the time of the next recurrence in patients with either first or recurrent genital herpes. Topical acyclovir appears effective in shortening some of the clinical manifestations of genital HSV infections.

The presence of a high-affinity and limited-capacity progestin receptor was demonstrated in the human vaginal epithelium. The sedimentation coefficients of the receptor were 8.5 S and 5 S. Both nuclear and cytosol progestin receptor concentrations varied considerably during both the follicular and the luteal phase of the cycle. In postmenopausal women no correlation was found between the receptor concentrations and the dose and type of estrogens given.

Sperm and prostatic acid phosphatase identified in vaginal fluid after an alleged sexual assault constitute important physical evidence useful in courts of law during rape trials. The purpose of this study was to define a normal and abnormal range for acid phosphatase in the post-coital vagina for our emergency department and to compare the sensitivity of acid phosphatase versus sperm in determining recent coitus. Vaginal swabs obtained from 90 patients were analyzed for acid phosphatase activity by the Sigma p-nitrophenyl phosphate technique. Swabs were stored in a bovine albumin preservative broth. Pap smears for sperm identification were also performed. Acid phosphatase values greater than 50, especially those greater than 138 Sigma units/cc, correlated with intercourse within the preceding 24 hours (P .005). Values greater than 20 but less than 50 correlated with intercourse within 48 hours (P .005). The presence or absence of sperm was found to be less sensitive, and correlated poorly with the time since intercourse [of 12 cases less than or equal to 24 hours, 11 were acid phosphatase-positive (91.7%) while seven were sperm-positive (58.4%)].

The regional distributions of neuropeptide Y (NPY), peptide histidine-methionine (PHM), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) immunoreactivities in the human female genital tract have been estimated by specific radioimmunoassays, and their molecular forms determined by chromatography. The localisation and distribution of these three peptides was carried out by immunocytochemistry. The vagina and cervix contain high concentrations of NPY- and VIP-immunoreactive nerves, mainly localised around the vascular and nonvascular smooth muscle. VIP-containing nerves were, in addition, seen beneath the cervical and, in particular, the vaginal epithelium. A comparatively high level of immunoreactive NPY is found in the fallopian tube, mainly around the circular muscle coat. There is evidence that VIP is a neurotransmitter in the female genital tract, and these results suggest a similar role for NPY and PHM.

Samples from the genital tract of two cows in metoestrus and two in dioestrus were fixed with formalin-cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and the amount of glycosaminoglycan leached into this histological fixative was estimated using an Alcian Blue method. Uronic acid content was estimated by a carbazole method. Total glycosaminoglycan was estimated after digestion with papain. No more than 10% of the glycosaminoglycan was soluble in the fixative and in comsequence 90% is potentially stainable by Alcian Blue in tissue sections. Total glycosaminoglycan in uterus and vagina is higher in metoestrus than in dioestrus. Estimation of uronic acid in the leached material confirmed the results and indicated that little of it consisted of mucin or keratan sulphate.

The authors have used monoclonal estrophilin antibodies and the peroxidase antiperoxidase technique to characterize the distribution of estrogen receptor in the human vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes. Exclusively nuclear localization of estrogen receptor was observed in epithelial cells, stromal cells of the lamina propria, and smooth muscle cells with both immunohistologic studies and immunoelectron-microscopy studies. The endometrium in various regions of the uterus (uterine isthmus, corpus, and fundus) was stained for estrogen receptor, with similar staining intensities in each of the respective cell types. There was no systematic regional variation in the staining intensity or distribution of cells with stained nuclei. The functionalis of the endometrium showed distinctive variation in the intensity of the staining for estrogen receptor with the menstrual cycle. The staining intensity of both endometrial epithelium and stroma was greatly reduced in the functionalis during the secretory phase. The vaginal epithelium did show some variation with the menstrual cycle, but it was much less than that observed in the functionalis of the endometrium. The basal cells of the vaginal stratified squamous epithelium, strongly stained during the proliferative phase, were less strongly stained during the secretory phase. No variation in the staining intensity for estrogen receptor was observed in different regions of the fallopian tube (isthmus, ampulla, and infundibulum), and the staining intensity varied only minimally with the menstrual cycle. The serosa of the female reproductive tract, connective tissues in the muscularis and in the vicinity of blood vessels, as well as neutrophils, eosinophils, mast cells, and lymphoid cells in the female genital tract were not stained for estrogen receptor.

The Gm 1, Gm 2, and Inv 1-factors in the vaginal secretion are in accordance with the corresponding serum features to be expected basically. Deviations are possible. They are either caused by interference factors in the vaginal secretion or other factors which are not, however, always detectable in each case. It is important to test in advance the appropriate dilutions for the particular antiserum charges and to examine extracts of the samples to find out whether they have the necessary concentration.

The dynamics of increasing the concentration of microelements in the ovary, uterine tubes, uterus and vagina in the second half of intrauterine life were studied. Changes in the concentration of microelements depend on increasing the weight of the organs in question beginning from the 4th up to the 10th month of the fetal period. Hence, copper, zinc, manganese, titanium, lead, molybdenum are necessary for development and formation of internal female genitalia.

The effects of progestins and glucocorticoids on cellular proliferation were examined in the uterus of 5-day-old mice by monitoring either the labeling index (LI) after exposure to [methyl-3H]thymidine ([3H]TdR) in vivo or the mitotic index (MI) after colchicine-induced arrest of cells in metaphase. In untreated 5-day-old mice, epithelial LI was 31%, and stromal LI was 15%. Eighteen hours after a single ip injection of 40 mg/kg progesterone, epithelial LI was reduced to 2.3% and remained low for 48 h. Stromal LI increased transiently, reaching a zenith (40%) 18 h after administration of progesterone and returning to control levels by 24 h. When mitotic activity was assessed 24 h after progesterone treatment, epithelial MI was decreased (control, 3.1%; progesterone, 0.23%) and stromal MI was increased (control, 0.60%; progesterone, 2.1%). Thus, the measured effects on LI were indicative of altered proliferative activity of the tissues. Glucocorticoids also inhibited epithelial LI, but had no effect on stromal LI. Eighteen hours after a single ip injection, dexamethasone inhibited epithelial LI to the same extent as progesterone treatment. Corticosterone did not significantly decrease epithelial LI, while cortisol produced an intermediate inhibitory response. To determine whether the high baseline LI in uterine epithelium of neonatal mice was estrogen dependent, uteri of 1-day-old mice were grafted under the kidney capsule of ovariectomized adult mice. Eight days later, the hosts were treated with either progesterone or vehicle and then killed 18 h later. After labeling the tissue with [methyl-3H]thymidine in vitro, the mean LI of the epithelium of the grafted uteri was 11.5%, while that of the vehicle-treated hosts was 0.10%. Progesterone treatment reduced the LI of the grafted uterine epithelium to 1.0%. These data demonstrate that uterine tissues of the neonatal mouse proliferate rapidly in the absence of gonadal steroids. Progestins and glucocorticoids specifically inhibit this estrogen-independent DNA synthesis of uterine epithelium.

A comprehensive study was made of the patterns of lipid granules in vaginal cells exfoliated during different hormonal states as well as under neoplastic conditions. The influence of in vitro incubation with estrogen and progesterone on the lipid patterns in cells exfoliated from normal and cancerous cervices was also investigated. The results clearly indicated the influence of sex hormones on the size and distribution of the lipid granules. While estrogen increased the fine lipid granules, as evident during the estrogenic phase of the menstrual cycle, progesterone influenced the coarse granules, which increased during the progestational phase and pregnancy. Similar responses were observed in the in vitro studies. The significance of the fine and coarse granules in different conditions is discussed in light of both the alteration of the metabolic process governing the synthesis of these components and the conversion of fine granules to coarse granules under such conditions.

An increasing incidence of endometrial cancer caused by a higher life expectancy and a number of other facters (i.e. obesity, diabetes, hypertension, lower pregnancy rate) as well as the unfavorable location for early detection when compared with cervical cancer has initiated this review in order to single out women with increased risk. Clinical characteristics of patients with endometrial cancer represented by age, menstrual disorders, reduced fertility, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hirsutism, hyperplasia of the ovarian stroma or hilus cells in connection with an increased oestrogen effect in the vaginal smear and proliferative changes of the endometrium can be explained by extraglandular respectively peripheral aromatization of androgens to oestrogens, particular by the conversion of androstenedione to oestrone. This is supported by an increased plasma oestrone/oestradiol-ratio and increased conversion rate with age and overweight. In vivo- and in vitro-investigations have demonstrated the participation of adipose tissue in peripheral oestrogene production. The compiled data point towards the importance of the extraglandular oestrone production for the etiology of endometrial cancer by effecting the endometrium over a long period of time. The counter action of the normally cyclic changes of oestradiol and progesterone is lacking. Therefore, a dysoestrogenic effect of oestrone upon the endometrium can be fully effective, depending on the hormone receptor content of the respective endometrium. Based upon these data including recent publications, pre- and postmenopausal oestrogen therapy has to be critically reevaluated.

Estrogen receptor content in vaginal tissue was quantified in 12 healthy female volunteers during the menstrual cycle. Epithelial biopsies were obtained at cycle days 10 and 21 and investigated by a monoclonal enzyme immunoassay. Measurable amounts of estrogen receptors were found in all women at both sampling occasions. In women with an ovulatory menstrual cycle, a significant fall in V-receptor content was recorded during the luteal phase. Structural and functional changes in the vaginal epithelium during the menstrual cycle may be important for the diagnosis and susceptibility to certain viral infections.