Preimplantation mouse embryos were used to determine whether the reported significant increase in embryo metabolism and viability achieved through supplementation of the culture medium with the ether phospholipid 1-o-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocoline (platelet activating factor, PAF) is attributable to an enhanced rate of mitosis. Blastocyst-stage embryos cultured in the presence of 0.186 to 18.6 microM exogenous PAF had a significantly (P < 0.01) higher mitotic index (the proportion of cells arrested in metaphase following incubation in colchicine) than those cultured without PAF. At the 8-cell stage, 29% more blastomeres were in metaphase in the PAF-treated group (P < 0.01) 8 h after the addition of colchicine, but by 16 h there was no difference between groups; thus, PAF increased the rate at which cells entered metaphase but did not increase the total number. The mitotic index showed a negative correlation with the number of cells within blastocysts. PAF had a significantly (P < 0.01) greater impact on the mitotic index of blastocysts with fewer cells. The action of PAF was specific, being completely blocked by the PAF-receptor antagonist WEB 2086 (33 microM). In the absence of exogenous PAF the mitotic index was lower with WEB 2086 than without, suggesting inhibition of the action of endogenous embryo-derived PAF. These results show that PAF stimulates the rates at which cells within the preimplantation mouse embryo enter metaphase in vitro and suggest that it would decrease their doubling time, perhaps accounting for the embryotrophic actions of PAF.

a preliminary study which is in prcss,' IVC have reported results in Cmenty-five cases of lymphogranuloma venercum treated with Anreomycin. This study was conducted between January 22nd, 1948, and April 24th, 1948. The results obtained with this new therapeutic agent were so superior to all other forms of therapy2 that had been used by us that me did not hesitate to continue its use. In the earlier paper, it was stated that Aureomycin was used for the first time in human beings. Apparently we were dealing with an antibiotic that could cure this virus infection in humans.The present paper confirms our previous observations. It is a report of ten additional cases of lymphogranuloma venereum, treated with -1ureomycin since our original article was sent in for publication. It also includes a follow-up report on fourteen of our original twenty-five cases, and a preliminary report on the use of Aureomycin in three cases of granuloma inwinale. Lymphogranuloma Venereum'Lo date, the total number of patients to whom we have administered Aureomycin, as the sole form of specific therapy, is thirty-five, and it should be stated that thcy were all hospitalized. This was done so that we could bc sure that the patients received an adequate amount, of the drug under controlled cnnditions and, also. so that n e could properly evaluatr the results. J l o s t patients receivcd 1 0 to 40 ing. of Aureomycin daily, by intramiiscwlar injection. The drug n as dissolved in 2 cc. of normal saline soliition. In our previous series, a mild, hypochromic anemia developed when ne used a special diluent. In all cases, the anemia was corrected by the administration of folic acid and iron (Folvron), In some of our earlier c a m , n e used folic acid and iron as an anemia preventive, while in this group we found this precaution unnecessary.Because of a pre-existing anemia, two patients in this series received folic acid and iron v hile being treated with Aurcomycin. We feel that the we are gratrful to the late Dr. k. RiibbaRoa and his associates at t h e Lederle Lalmratoricq Division 4merican C yanaruid Company. for their cooperation and for the Aureomyriii uwd. 1318 1

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