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Schwabe News Volume 4 | Issue 3 | March 2013

Research news

Dynamized follicle-stimulating hormone affects the development of ovine preantral follicles cultured in vitro

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dynamized follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on the survival, activation and growth of ovine preantral follicles (PFs) in vitro. Ovarian fragments were cultured for 1 or 7 days in alpha minimum essential medium (α-MEM+) control in the absence or presence of alcohol (Al control) or FSH (6CH, 12CH and 30CH) added at intervals of 24 or 48 h. The ovarian fragments were processed, coded and analyzed by a blinded observer by classical histology (CH), fluorescence microscopy (FM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

After 7 days of culture, the group which to which FSH 6CH was added at 24 h intervals showed better rates of follicle survival and activation compared to α-MEM+ control or Al control (p < 0.05). This group also showed higher follicle and oocyte growth than α-MEM+ control (p < 0.05). FM and TEM techniques confirmed that FSH 6CH promoted viability and ultrastructural integrity of follicles after 7 days of culture. The results of the study have lead the researchers to conclude that FSH 6CH (24 h) treatment maintained the viability, and promoted the activation and in vitro growth of ovine PFs.

Reference:

• Lima LF, Rocha RM, Alves AM, Saraiva MV, Araújo VR, Lima IM, Lopes CA, Báo SN, Campello CC, Rodrigues AP, Figueiredo JR., Dynamized follicle-stimulating hormone affects the development of ovine preantral follicles cultured in vitro by Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles (LAMOFOPA), State University of Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, Brazil.

Note: The medicines presently does not have pharmacopoeial status, hence not manufactured.

Homeopathic treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a case study

It is an observational, prospective study to describe the homeopathic management of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) by a group of French physicians. Women with PMS for >3 months were prescribed individualized homeopathic treatment. The intensity of 10 clinical symptoms of PMS was scored individually at inclusion and at a 3–6 month follow-up visit: absent = 0, mild = 1, moderate = 2, severe = 3. Total symptom score (range: 0–30) was calculated and compared for each patient at inclusion and at follow-up. PMS impact on daily activities (quality of life, QoL) was compared at inclusion and follow-up as: none, mild, moderate, severe, very severe.

Twenty-three women were prescribed homeopathic treatment only (mean age: 39.7 years). Folliculinum (87%) was the most frequently prescribed homeopathic medicine followed by Lachesis mutus (52.2%). The most common PMS symptoms (moderate or severe) at inclusion were: irritability, aggression and tension (87%), mastodynia (78.2%) and weight gain and abdominal bloating (73.9%); and the most common symptoms at follow-up were: irritability, aggression and tension (39.1%), weight gain and abdominal bloating (26.1%) and mastodynia (17.4%). Mean global score for symptom intensity was 13.7 at inclusion and 6.3 at follow-up. The mean decrease in score (7.4) was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Twenty-one women reported that their QoL also improved significantly (91.3%; p < 0.0001).

The results have showed that homeopathic treatment was well tolerated and seemed to have a positive impact on PMS symptoms. Folliculinum was the most frequent homeopathic medicine prescribed. There appears to be scope for a properly designed, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of individual homeopathic medicines in PMS.

Reference:

• Danno K, Colas A, Terzan L, Bordet MF Homeopathic treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a case series,

• Laboratoires Boiron, Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon, France.

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