In a 20-year longitudinal study on ectopic pregnancy in a defined population of women aged 15-39 years the rate of ectopic pregnancy per 1000 diagnosed conceptions increased from 5 8 during 1960-4 to 11 1 during 1975-9. The mean annual incidence of ectopic pregnancy per 1000 women increased from 0 6 to 1 2 during the same period. The numbers of ectopic pregnancies per 1000 diagnosed conceptions increased with increasing age of the women and were 4 1, in the teenage group 6 9, in women aged 20-29 years, and 12 9 in women aged 30-39. Among 20-to 29-year-old sexually active women at risk of pregnancy who had never had acute salpingitis the rates of ectopic pregnancy per 100 woman-years were the same in those who did not use contraceptives as in those using non-medicated or copper-medicated intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs; 0 3/100 woman years). The risk of an ectopic pregnancy increased sevenfold after acute salpingitis.These findings confirm the increased risk of ectopic pregnancy after salpingitis and suggest that the increase in the incidence of ectopic pregnancy in Lund from 1960 to 1979 was partly accounted for by the use of IUCDs.

Few studies have assessed pain in neuropathic and neuroischaemic foot ulcers. This pilot study found that patients with these ulcers do experience pain, and that the intensity and nature of the pain was similar in both types of ulcer.

A micro-transducer catheter was tested in vitro and in vivo for recording of myometrial activity in the non-pregnant human uterus and was also compared with conventional fluid-filled, open end catheters previously used for recording intra-uterine pressures. The micro-transducer catheter had a frequency response far above that of fluid-filled, open end catheters. It was easily introduced through the uterine cervix and was never obstructed. Provided that the sensory surface of the micro-transducer was kept from direct contact with the uterine wall by some special arrangement it gave recordings of the intra-uterine pressure, that were practically identical with those obtained by an open end catheter.

No abstract

Summary. A flock of thirty ewes was observed through two pregnancies to determine whether parturition could be delayed by the systemic administration of gestagens. In the first season, the four treated groups received daily injections of 2-5 and 10 mg, 6a-methyl-17a-hydroxyprogesterone acetate (6-map) and 10 and 40 mg progesterone for 14 days starting 1 week before the expected date of delivery. The time and course of delivery appeared to be unaffected. The following season the dose levels were increased to 25 and 40 mg 6-map, and 80 and 160 mg progesterone. A high proportion of pregnancies was affected by this treatment. Some sheep delivered to schedule but most of the others had to be subjected to Caesarian section. The mortality of lambs delivered at term was higher than in the control group and in all the cases of delayed parturition the lambs died in utero. The foetal death was not considered to be due to post-maturity. The results are discussed and it is concluded tentatively that placental progesterone in the ewe is not replaceable by systemic progesterone.