In an effort to expand the use of ferrets as models for genetic disease, several experimental parameters that are required for successful genetic manipulation in this species were investigated. Optimum superovulation (19.3 +/- 0.6 oocytes and embryos per female) was achieved after injections of 100 iu equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) and 150 iu human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). The ovula...

The ultrastructure of placental bed giant cells in early human pregnancies of 7-12 weeks gestational age is described. Their nature and function was further characterized by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy of paraffin sections labelled for cytokeratin, gap junction connexins (CX) 32 or 43, and placental hormones, alpha-human chorionic gonadotrophin (alpha-HCG) and human placental lactoge...

In a human conception cycle, the expected decline in progesterone production by the corpus luteum during the late luteal phase is prevented by human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) secreted by the implanting blastocyst. This study investigated the expression of components of the synthetic pathway for progesterone in human corpora lutea in the presence and absence of HCG in vivo. Corpora lutea wer...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness cysteamine supplementation on maturation medium and/or in vitro fertilization with regards improving normal rate sheep oocytes, which are characterized by formation two pronuclei. Grade A and B oocytes were matured medium-199 0.3% bovine serum albumin (BSA), 10 IU/mL follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), human chorionic gonadotrophin (hC...

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is mandatory for the maintenance of the corpus luteum. Ovarian stimulation for IVF has been associated with a defective luteal phase. The luteal phases of two groups of patients with normal menstrual cycles and no endocrinological cause of infertility were retrospectively analysed in IVF cycles. Thirty-one infertile patients stimulated with human menopausal gonadotrophi...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate, retrospectively, the roles of endogenous and exogenous luteinising hormone (LH) activity on live birth rate in ovulation induction cycles. METHODS Associations between LH activity at baseline, end of stimulation and live birth rate were analysed in relation to patient characteristics, baseline and end of stimulation variables in WHO group II anovulatory women (n = 155) ...

Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is secreted during early pregnancy and is required for implantation and maintenance of the pregnancy. Active or passive immunoneutralization of hCG results in termination of pregnancy and this forms the basis of the hCG-based female contraceptive vaccine. However, the beta subunit of hCG possesses 85% sequence homology with the first 114 amino acids of the be...

Background: Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM) is common in obstetrics and management such patients depends on whether the rupture has occurred or not. With membranes ruptured fetus deprived protection provided within amniotic cavity. Beta-Human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-HCG) a hormone present high concentration fluid as well blood urine mother studied possible predictor preterm labour mark...

Thin-section and freeze-fracture studies on the rat ovarian interstitial cells revealed reductions in the size and the number of gap junctions after pituitary ablation. Small gap junctions, however, persist as long as 90 days after hypophysectomy even though regressive cytoplasmic changes are completed 75 d earlier. Administration of exogenous human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) results in the ...