The uterine arteries of ten mares, from which endometrial biopsies had been taken and graded from category I to category ill, were investigated on a daily basis for an entire cycle using transrectal Doppler ultrasonography. All mares showed a similar cycllc variation in uterine blood flow. Resistance to blood flow in the uterine artery was highest in the periovulatory period. The mares of category llb and lll (group B) had higher values of uterine artery impedance when compared to those mares in category | to lla (group A). Some of the mares in group B showed an absence or reverse in diastolic blood flow. These results agree with similar data obtained in women, where there is discussion as to whether reduced uterine blood flow can cause infertilitv. keywords: mare, Doppler ultrasound, uterine artery blood flow, estrous cvcle, endometrosis Dopplersonographische Studien zur hämodynamischen Uterusperfusion bei der Stute Die Arteriae uterinae von zehn Stuten, deren Endometriumsbiopsien in die Kategorien I bis lll eingestuft waren, wurden transrektal mittels Doppler Ultrasonographie täglich über einen Zyklus untersucht. Alle Stuten zeigten ähnliche zyklische Schwankungen der uterinen Durchblutung. Der höchste Widerstand der Uterinarterie trat in der periovulatorischen Phase auf. Die fünf Stuten der Kategorien llb und lll (Gruppe B) wiesen insgesamt einen größeren Gefäßwiderstand, verglichen mit den Stuten der Kategorien I bis lla (Gruppe A), auf. Einige Stuten der Gruppe B zeigten einen fehlenden oder nickläufigen diastolischen Blutfluß. Diese Ergebnisse stehen im Einklang mlt denen bei der Frau, bei der eine verminderte uterine DurchtJlutung als mögliche Ursache von Infertilität diskutiert wird.

ZusammenfassungBei sieben Stuten, deren Endometrium im modifizierten Beurteilungsschema nach Kenney und Doig (Schoon et al., 1992) In seven mares with endometrial biopsies graded either I or IIA (Schoon et al., 1992) the resistance of the uterine artery wall was measured by Doppler sonography to investigate the influence of the vasoactive substances isoxsuprine, acepromacine, heparin and phenprocoumon. Isoxsuprine and acepromacine are known to act directly at the vessel wall. In the present study could be demonstrated that these substances cause an increase in the wall resistance compared to basic values. These investigations were carried out on six mares on two successive days during diestrus. In 4 mares treated with a low-dose-regimen of heparin (Gerhards und Eberhardt, 1988) on four days during diestrus the wall resistance decreased compared to corresponding values of untreated cycles as well as to basic values at the onset of the treatment period. One mare was treated with phenprocoumone for two cycles. The dosis was chosen according to the results of daily performed coagulating blood tests. The resistance decreased gradually before ovulation compared to untreated cycles. The use of anticoagulating substances seems promissing in the therapy of pathological uterine blood flow.

Purpose: To explore the effect of undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting on sexual quality of life as an integral part of patients’ health-related quality of life. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 265 men ages 18 to 60 years (median age, 55) who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting 1 to 5 years before the study. Standardized questionnaires were implemented to evaluate participant pre- and postoperative sexual quality of life and the quality of counseling provided to patients. Results: Among the patients, 77% were in a steady relationship. The general health score was 5.5 ± 2.8 (mean ± standard deviation) preoperatively and 6 ± 2.2 at follow-up (P = .01). No sexual counseling was given to 83% and 77% of the patients pre- and postoperatively, respectively. The mean sexual satisfaction score dropped from 6.5 ± 2.6 preoperatively to 4.7 ± 3 postoperatively (P < .001). The decline in sexual intercourse frequency and masturbation frequency was significant (P < .001 and P = .006, respectively). Linear regression analysis showed that general health status (P = .008), higher-quality counseling (P = .027), and preoperative sexual quality of life (P < .001) correlated positively with sexual quality of life, whereas sternal pain (P < .001), erectile dysfunction (P < .001), and fear of excessive cardiac burden (P < .001) correlated negatively. Conclusions: Middle-aged men experience decreased sexual quality of life after coronary artery bypass grafting. Preoperative sexual quality of life, general health, and higher-quality counseling positively affect postoperative sexual quality of life, whereas sternal pain, fear, and erectile dysfunction play a negative role. Pre- and postoperative care guidelines should be improved. Further prospective large cohort studies for males and females are required.

No abstract