vasoactive-intestinal-peptide and Infertility--Female

Apart from the abnormalities of tubal anatomy, the main concern linked to infertility is impaired tubal motility associated with hydrosalpinx, which is thought to be controlled by hormones and nerves. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution of nerve fibers in the oviduct isthmus in women with and without hydrosalpinx. Histological sections of the oviduct isthmus tissue were obtained from 18 women undergoing salpingectomy for hydrosalpinx, and from 15 women undergoing hysterectomy and salpingectomy for benign gynecologic diseases. The tissues were immunohistochemically stained for protein gene product (PGP) 9.5, protein S100, neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) to reveal all nerve fibers, as well as sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers, in the oviduct isthmus. We detected the presence of PGP9.5, S100, VIP, and NPY-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the oviduct isthmus in all study subjects. However, the densities of PGP9.5, S100, VIP, and NPY-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the oviduct isthmus were all significantly decreased in women with hydrosalpinx compared with those in women without hydrosalpinx (P<0.01). Our results suggest that reduced nerve fibers in the oviduct isthmus in women with hydrosalpinx compared with women without hydrosalpinx may have an important function in the mechanism of hydrosalpinx-associated infertility.

Topics: Adult; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases; Biomarkers; Fallopian Tubes; Female; Humans; Hysterectomy; Infertility, Female; Nerve Fibers; Neuropeptide Y; S100 Proteins; Salpingectomy; Salpingitis; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; Young Adult

Dopamine has already been recognized as an inhibiting factor of prolactin. On the other hand, the stimulators of prolactin are still judged diversely at the moment. In addition to hypothalamic TRH, serotonine as well as endogenous opiates and VIP are under discussion. The object of our studies was testing the function of VIP in directing prolactin secretion on three different groups of patients: 1. hyperprolactinaemic women of WHO-group VI; 2. patients who had undergone a TRH-test along with an endocrine check-up; 3. post partum in childbed. The determination was made from analyzing peripheral blood by radioimmunoassay. In 20 amenorrhoeic patients of WHO-group VI, their prolactin and VIP levels were determined between 8 and 10 a. m. Only 4 patients showed a VIP-concentration below 20 pg/ml (which represents the limit of detectability). The other 16 patients showed an increased concentration of VIP. In 15 cases there was an obvious correlation of VIP and prolactin concentrations according to the linear regression. In the course of a TRH-test to 20 and 40 minutes after initial blood examination prolactin and VIP were again determined. After 20 minutes all patients showed a threefold increase of the initial prolactin value. On the other hand, VIP increased in 3 cases only. Apart from all those patients who wanted to become pregnant, these three women--being postmenopausal--showed increased initial values already in the unstimulated condition. The third group of patients consisted of 26 women in childbed. Their prolactin and VIP were determined between the second and eight day post partum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Female; Humans; Hyperprolactinemia; Infertility, Female; Prolactin; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide