Many hormones that are central to normal reproductive functioning mediate their physiological effects by activating a receptor which belongs to the large family of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). Members of this family of receptor proteins are usually glycosylated on extracellular domains. In recent years the role of this glycosylation in cell surface expression/protein folding, ligand reco...

A case of delayed haemorrhage after conservative surgery for ectopic pregnancy is presented. Brief pathophysiology of the condition is presented. The importance of beta-subunit human chorionic gonadotrophin monitoring of the serum in this patient is highlighted. Surgical procedures to prevent this complication are also discussed.

A case of persistent trophoblastic tissue on the pelvic peritoneum is presented. While most cases are secondary to conservative surgery for tubal ectopic pregnancy, primary implantation can also occur as highlighted by this case. A brief pathophysiology of the condition is presented. The importance of monitoring the serum for beta subunit human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) is emphasised.

In the oestrous female cat, fertilization can take place when spermatozoa are introduced into the vagina up to 49 hr after an ovulation-inducing injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin. The spermatozoa require residence in the female reproductive tract before they are capable of fertilizing the eggs in vitro. No eggs were fertilized by freshly ejaculated spermatozoa. One of four oestrous fem...

Two cases of primary intracranial choriocarcinoma are reported. One patient died with raised intracranial pressure and pulmonary metastases whereas the second patient, who was diagnosed early, has remained well a year after chemotherapy. Human chorionic gonadotrophin level estimation in serum and cerebrospinal fluid is a useful marker in suspected cases, and chemotherapy following biopsy appear...

The study investigates the correlation between oocyte maturity and fertilization and a variety of hormonal parameters in follicular fluid and ovarian granulosa cells. A methodology for purification of granulosa cells from contaminating blood cells is also established. A total of 63 follicular aspirates were collected at oocyte retrieval from 30 women superovulated using the long luteinizing hor...

Among the gonadotrophins, none has been studied more thoroughly than the active agent present in the blood and urine of pregnant women (Engle"5). Its chemical properties and the biological responses it is capable of inducing have been studied with great thoroughness, but as yet we are in total ignorance concerning the physiological significance of its presence in the pregnant primate. As recent...

Five boys with familial cytomegalic adrenocortical hypoplasia have been followed up for an average of 19 years. Despite treatment with replacement corticosteroids, all 5 failed to show a spontaneous onset of puberty and, when assessed at ages 13 to 19 years, all had both sexual infantilism and skeletal immaturity. Hypogonadism was confirmed by low levels of plasma testosterone, and pituitary re...