No abstract

Comparison of mean times (SD) taken to reach various labour indices Fixed dose Incremental dose Induction-IC (mnu) .. 27-5 ±14-06 10-95 ± 10-65 (P <0-05) IC-AC(h) .. .. 2-50±1-39 0 96±1-16 (P <0 005) IC-5 cm (h) .. .. 3-76 ±3-45 2-80±1 43 IDI (h) .10-21 ±6-27 5 25 ±298 (0O5>P>0-01) IC = Initial contractions (recorded tocographically). AC = Adequate contractions (painful). 5 cm= End point of trial. IDI = Induction-to-delivery interval. Comment The buccal route does not have any disadvantages when compared to the oral route of prostaglandin administration. The incidence of vomiting (25%) described for the oral route by other workers is similar.2 3 The buccal route also has the advantages of oral drug administration. These are staff convenience and patient comfort, the latter being without the discomfort of an intravenous infusion and the attendant danger of circulatory overload. It may, however, have the added advantage in that the tablet may be removed if uterine hypertonus, or any other side effect, maternal or fetal, should occur. Administering prostaglandin E2 by the buccal route is a satisfactory method for inducing labour at term. An incremental mode of administration is advantageous. The prostaglandin E2 tablets were kindly supplied by Dr B S de Wet, Upjohn, South Africa. Dr June Juritz kindly did the statistical tests.

The influence of thyroid deficiency and the administration of thyroxine on pituitary-testicular function were studied in male albino rats from weaning age (22 days old) up to 82 days of age. The results showed that the hyperthyroid state induced by a daily injection of 2.5 or 5 µg L-thyroxine resulted in acceleration of growth, a comparative increase in size and number of spermatogenic and interstitial cells, an increase in the STH cells, particularly at the earlier age (42 days old), and in a decrease in the number and size of TSH cells. Gonadotrophic FSH and LH and prolactin cells exhibited an increase in their granular content. The hypothyroid state induced by thyroidectomy or thiourea feeding, at the levels of 0.1 and 0.2%, resulted in the depression of growth rate, destructive changes of the spermatogenic and interstitial cells and also in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules. A decrease in the STH, gonadotrophic FSH and LH and prolactin cells and hypertrophy of TSH cells accompanied by degranulation were also observed.

Changes in testicular histology and concentrations of testosterone and oestradiol 17 beta in testicular tissue and plasma have been studied following administration of gonadotrophins (oFSH, oLH, hCG and PMSG) to immature male monkeys. Treatment with FSH (1 mg/day) or PMSG (100 IU/day) for five days, induced a marked enlargement of the seminiferous tubules and increase in the Sertoli cell cytoplasm. Injections of LH (1 mg/daily) or hCG (100 IU/daily) administered similarly, failed to produce hypertrophy of the Sertoli cell. In LH, hCG and PMSG stimulated testes morphologically differentiated interstitial cells could be recognized. FSH did not produce any detectable effect on the intertubular tissue. A significant increase in testicular and plasma testosterone levels was observed with LH, hCG and PMSG. FSH was shown to be much less effective in stimulating androgenesis. An increase in testicular oestradiol production over that of controls, was observed in FSH and PMSG treated monkeys but not in animals treated with LH or hCG.