Showing papers in "Indian Journal of Medical Research in 1974"

Effect of oral contraceptives on quantity and quality of milk secretion in human beings.

Abstract: The oral contraceptives primovlar minovlar and norgestrel were administered on the basis of the endocrine profile to 94 lactating women and were compared with a control group of 42. After an initial assessment at 6 weeks postpartum oral contraceptive therapy was begun and a further assessment was made at 10 14 and 18 weeks. Quantity was measured by the weight of the infant at feeding and the expression of remaining milk by pump. Quality of expressed milk was determined by studies for fat protein albumin globulin and lactose content. The 3 assessments showed a diminution in quantity of 13% 18% and 28% in the control group 13% 20% and 30% in norgestrel whereas the primovlar and minovlar groups showed a reduction of 25% (p less than .05) 39% (p less than .01) 57% (p less than .01) and of 18% 38% (p less than .01) and 54% (p less than .01) respectively. Supplementary feedings of more than 4 were required in 7% of norgestrel and control groups but in 26% and 30% of the primovlar and minovlar groups respectively. All parameters of quality showed no significant change. These results indicate that estrogens inhibit milk secretion. The number of dropouts due to side effects with primovlar was 10.5% with minovlar 11.7% but with norgestrel 30.2%. These rates are less than those reported in the literature indicating that selection of oral contraceptives on the basis of an endocrine profile reduces the number of dropouts.

Anthiovulatory activity of five indigenous plants in rabbits.

Abstract: The petroleum ether alcoholic and aqueous extracts of 5 indigenous plants known to have antifertility activity in female rats and mice (Areca catechu Linn Carica papaya Linn Daucus carota Linn Mentha arvensis Linn and polygonum hydropiper Linn) were evaluated for their possible antiovulatory activity in rabbits with copper-induced ovulation. The alcoholic extract of Mentha arvensis (leaves) and the petroleum ether extract of the roots of Polygonum hydropiper were the most successful agents inhibiting ovulation in 60% of the animals. All the other extracts inhibited ovulation in 40% or less of the animals.

A modified method for the estimation of acetylisoniazid in urine.

Abstract: The method of Venkataraman et al. (1968) for the direct estimation of acetylisoniazid in urine has been modified to make it suitable for application to urine specimens containing sugar. The urine is first extracted with a mixture of chloroform and n-butanol, the organic phase re-extracted with dilute sulphuric acid, and the original method then applied to the acid extract. With the modified method, recoveries of acetylisoniazid were quantitative, both in the presence and the absence of glucose. Interference due to hydrazones and isonicotinyl glycine was substantially reduced by the modification, while that due to isoniazid remained the same. There was little or no interference from isonicotinic acid, with either the original or the modified method.