Vol 69, No 6 (2020)

Hypothesis/Aims of study. Dyslipidemia is a common metabolic disorder and is an atherogenic factor in the development of cardiovascular disease in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Currently, four phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome are distinguished, associated in varying degrees of severity with dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, and diabetes mellitus on one hand and chronic inflammation and oxidative stress on the other. Hyperandrogenic phenotypes (A, B, C) in polycystic ovary syndrome are associated with the development of adverse metabolic disorders and associated complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the lipid profile in the serum of women of reproductive age with various polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes.

Study design, materials and methods. The study included 86 women of reproductive age from 22 to 37 years old (average age was 26.6 ± 4.3 years), who, in accordance with polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes (A, B, C, D), were divided into four groups. We studied the levels of anti-Müllerian hormone, follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones, prolactin, estradiol, and androgens from days 2 to 5 of the menstrual cycle. The levels of progesterone in the blood serum were determined by the enzyme immunoassay on days 20 to 23 of the menstrual cycle for three consecutive cycles. We also used echographic methods for diagnosing polycystic ovaries. All women underwent a biochemical blood test with an assessment of the lipid profile parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and low-density lipoproteins, LDL). Besides, an oral glucose tolerance test was assessed with the study of plasma glucose and insulin levels on an empty stomach and two hours after ingestion of 75 g of glucose, the HOMA-IR index being used to assess insulin resistance.

Results. Phenotype A was found in 40 (46.5%) women with polycystic ovary syndrome, phenotype B in 22 (25.6%), phenotype C in 10 (11.6%), and phenotype D (non-androgenic) in 14 (16.3%) patients with PCOS. Of those 42 (48.8%) individuals had changes in carbohydrate metabolism (impaired glucose tolerance), of whom 39 (92.8%) women had androgenic polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes (A, B, C). Both non-androgenic phenotype D and impaired glucose tolerance were found in 7.2% of cases. In women with hyperandrogenic polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes, both the fasting and stimulated insulin levels were increased significantly comparing to the non-androgenic anovulatory phenotype (p < 0.05). The HOMA-IR index in women with phenotypes A, B and C was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in patients with non-androgenic phenotype D. When evaluating the lipid profile parameters, no significant differences in cholesterol level and atherogenic coefficient in women with various polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes were found. The levels of triglycerides and LDL were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in women with androgenic phenotype B compared to those in patients with non-androgenic phenotype D and they correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with the serum levels of androgens and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Patients with androgenic polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes (A and B) had significantly (p < 0.05) decreased HDL levels that correlated negatively (r = –0.29; p < 0.05) with the levels of free testosterone and SHBG, when compared to the same parameters in women with non-androgenic phenotype D. In women with androgenic polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes (A, B, C), a significant correlation (r = 0.27; p < 0.05) between the levels of stimulated insulin and SHBG were found, and a direct relation (r = 0.32; p < 0.05) between those parameters and increased levels of triglycerides and LDL was also revealed.

Conclusion. In women with hyperandrogenic and anovulatory polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes A and B, atherogenic dyslipidemia and impaired carbohydrate metabolism were significantly more pronounced, when compared with patients with non-androgenic phenotype D. A differential and personalized approach to the examination of patients with various polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes is an important step in the prevention of the risks of developing cardiovascular diseases in women of reproductive age.

Hypothesis/Aims of study. Postpartum purulent-septic complications continue to rank third in the structure of maternal mortality. In the etiology of postpartum endometritis, the key role is played by opportunistic microflora, including associations of microorganisms, as well as a history of chronic urogenital infection, bacterial vaginosis, and sexually transmitted infections. Despite numerous studies, the question of which microorganisms colonizing the birth canal are potentially dangerous in relation to the development of infectious and inflammatory pathology of the postpartum period is still a subject of discussion. The aim of this research was to study the etiology and identify the clinical features of postpartum endometritis in puerperas with risk factors for the development of purulent-septic complications.

Study design, materials and methods. This retrospective comparative study included 199 puerperas, who were divided into two groups: the main group consisted of women who developed postpartum endometritis (n = 72), and the comparison group comprised women with the physiological course of the postpartum period (n = 127). Bacteriological examination of lochia was performed on the third day of the postpartum period, as well as with the development of postpartum endometritis before empirical antibiotic therapy was started.

Results. During the bacteriological study of lochia in the main group of patients, potentially pathogenic microorganisms were observed in 68 % of puerperas, with the pathogen of endometritis not detected with repeated crops of lochia in 32 % of postpartum women. In the comparison group, this proportion was only 15 % (p < 0.005). During pregnancy, the release of microorganisms from the cervical canal was observed in 26.4 % of cases in the main group and in 7 % of cases in the comparison group of puerperas (p < 0.005). Despite the absence of clinical symptoms, all patients received systemic antibacterial therapy. Subsequently, 90 % of maternity patients in the main group revealed the ineffectiveness of empirical therapy due to antibiotic resistance of the identified microflora. When analyzing the species composition of microorganisms, intestinal microflora in monoculture was more often isolated in the patients of the main group: Escherichia coli (40 % vs. 2.4 % in the comparison group) and Enterococcus faecalis (25 % vs. 4.7 % in the comparison group). In 10 % of postpartum women with severe purulent-septic complications (sepsis, parametritis, pelvioperitonitis), the composition of the released microflora in lochiae did not differ from that of maternity women with endometritis without severe purulent-septic complications, and microbial associations were only detected in two cases.

Conclusion. The etiological cause of postpartum endometritis in puerperas with risk factors for the development of purulent-septic complications is intestinal bacteria (Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis) more often detected as a monoculture. The species composition of microorganisms that cause severe forms of postpartum purulent-septic complications does not differ in principle from the pathogens of uncomplicated forms of postpartum infection. Unreasonable antibacterial therapy during pregnancy is associated with antibiotic resistance of microorganisms that cause postpartum endometritis, which poses significant difficulties in the selection of antibacterial drugs for its treatment.

Hypothesis/Aims of study. At present, there is no doubt about the importance of the problem of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and the search for the best way to eliminate it. Sling operations in SUI treatment are the most popular in world and domestic practice. However, they are not without certain complications. In this regard, it becomes relevant to determine the factors for predicting their effectiveness and safety. The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative study of the effectiveness of two anti-stress operations: TVT-Obturator® and urethrovesicopexy with vaginal flap, by using echography of the urethrovesical segment.

Study design, materials and methods. During the period from 2011 to 2018, 105 incontinent patients were examined and operated on. Two groups were formed: Group 1 consisted of 52 patients who underwent TVT-Obturator® surgery, Group 2 included 52 patients who underwent urethrovesicopexy with vaginal flap. In all patients, the anatomical topographic position of the bladder and urethrovesical segment, the internal urethral sphincter status, as well as the angles α and β were determined, based on which the conclusion about the type of SUI was made and, accordingly, the adequate method of surgical intervention was determined.

Results. Before the operation, the angle α averaged 37.2 ± 10.11, with 24.7 ± 4.64 a year after the operation and 26.8 ± 3.72 five years after the operation. Rotation of the angle α in the study groups >20° before surgery did not significantly affect the presence of long-term complications, urinary retention after a year and five years, and recurrence of urinary incontinence. After the operation, there was an increase in the angle β after a year (p = 0.0032) and five years (p = 0.0035) and in the total urethral length after a year (p = 0.0022), but after five years, this parameter did not differ significantly from that before surgery (p = 0.29).

Conclusion. TVT-Obturator® and urethrovesicopexy with vaginal flap are equally effective (p > 0.05) in the surgical treatment of female SUI in both the nearest postoperative period (96.2% and 94.3%, respectively) and the distant period (90.4% and 88.7%, respectively).

Hypothesis/Aims of study. Currently, the frequency of suboptimal response (4-9 retrieved oocytes) to controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in woman is quite high; however, its efficacy is poorly studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the main characteristics of IVF / ICSI programs in patients with a suboptimal response to COS.

Study design, materials and methods. We performed a retrospective study of 412 IVF / ICSI cycles in women with a suboptimal response to COS, including a comparative analysis of clinical and embryological parameters, ovarian reserve and the efficacy of IVF / ICSI protocols.

Results. Clinical pregnancy rate in ovarian stimulation cycles with a suboptimal response to COS was 27.9%. The efficacy of assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs in women with uterine fibroids was significantly lower than in patients without fibroids (19.1% vs. 30.5%, p = 0.03; OR = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.31-0.95). Clinical pregnancy rate in patients with male factor infertility was significantly higher than in women with anovulation (37.1% vs. 20.9%, р = 0.005; OR = 2.24; 95% CI: 1.27-3.94) or tubal factor infertility (37.1% vs. 24.8%, р = 0.02; OR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.09-2.94). There were significant correlations between the number of retrieved oocytes with serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration (r = 0.32, p < 0.001) and antral follicle count (AFC) (r = 0.38, p < 0.001). In addition, the need for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) preparations during COS correlated significantly with ovarian reserve parameters (AMH and AFC) (r = –0.45 and –0.44, both p < 0.001, respectively) and the age of patients (r = 0.47; p < 0.001).

Conclusion. The clinical pregnancy rate in women with a suboptimal response to COS was low. Concomitant uterine fibroids represented an additional factor of negative influence on IVF / ICSI outcomes in women with a suboptimal response to COS. The male factor of infertility in patients with a suboptimal response did not reduce the efficacy of ART programs. Ovarian reserve parameters in women with a suboptimal response correlated with the need for FSH preparations during COS and the number of retrieved oocytes.

Hypothesis/Aims of study. One of the problems discussed in the field of obstetrics and gynecology is the combined pathology of the reproductive system. Among the female reproductive system disorders associated with uterine leiomyoma, endometrial pathology prevails in the form of local inflammatory, receptor and hormonal changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the structural features of the endometrium and its receptivity in patients with uterine leiomyoma, depending on its histological type and localization.

Study design, materials and methods. We examined 128 women with leiomyoma manifesting abnormal uterine bleeding, using clinical, instrumental and morphological methods.

Results. Combined pathological changes in the endometrium are more characteristic of submucous leiomyoma compared to intramural and subserous leiomyomas. The proliferative activity of endometrial cells in submucous leiomyoma is two or more times higher than in intramural and subserous leiomyoma. In submucous leiomyoma, cell proliferation occurs significantly more often than in other locations of myomatous nodes.

This review presents literature data on the role of melatonin in regulating the composition of the microbiota and on the variety of functions it performs that are synchronized with the circadian rhythm of vital activity of the body. During pregnancy, the restructuring of the intestinal, vaginal and placental microbiota is provided by a significant increase in the production of epiphyseal melatonin, which contributes to the creation of optimal conditions for the development of microflora in early ontogenesis. In the absence of circadian production of melatonin, a pregnant woman retains dysbiosis, which determines the transmission of altered intestinal microflora to the fetus and subsequent metabolic dysregulation in the child’s body.

The intrapartum period is one of the most crucial stages for both the mother and the fetus. During the delivery process, complications can develop that lead to a deterioration in the condition of the fetus and threaten his life. Therefore, the outcome of labor depends on the effectiveness of fetal monitoring. The aim of this study was to define the possibilities of intrapartum fetal monitoring at the present stage of research. We systematically analyzed and summarized the literature data of foreign and domestic authors for the period from 1997 to 2020. An integrated approach to assessing intrapartum fetal status will optimize the management of labor, which will improve perinatal outcomes in the future.