World Health Organization Special Programme of Research，Development ＆ Research Training in Human Reproduction sixth Annual Report (November 1977) 1
1．Overview 1
The Need for Research 3
WHO＇s Programme 3
Technology 4
Acceptability ＆ Service Delivery 6
National Self-Reliance in Research 7
International Scope of the Programme 9
Coordination 10
With Other Agencies 10
Within WHO 11
Mechanisms for Strategy Formulation，Project Review，Programme Implementation，Evaluation ＆ Coordination 11
Funding 12
Annex 14
2．Task Forces for Collaborative Research ＆ Development of Methods of Fertility Regulation 15
2．1 Oral Contraceptives 15
Comparative Clinical Trials 15
Metabolic Studies in Healthy Women 16
Lactation 17
In the Presence of Deficiency ＆ Disease States 18
Interactions Between Oral Contraceptives ＆ Drugs 18
Long-Term Effects 18
2．2 Intra-Uterine Devices for Fertility Regulation 21
Safety ＆ Efficacy of Current IUDs 21
Development of Improved ＆ New IUDs 23
Mechanism of Bleeding 24
Pain ＆ Expulsion 25
New Post-Placental IUDs 26
Other Studies 26
2．3 Long-Acting Systemic Agents 27
Safety ＆ Efficacy of Available Compounds 27
Development of New Long-Acting Systemic Agents 32
2．4 Methods for the Determination of the Fertile Period 36
Assessment of Currently Available Methods 36
Improvement of Service Delivery 37
Evaluation of Physiological Events 38
Assay Kit Development 39
Device Development 41
2．5 Female Sterilization 42
Surgical Methods 42
Non-Surgical Methods 43
Reversal of Sterilization 44
2．6 Assessment of the Sequelae of Abortion 46
Short-Term Complications 46
Long-Term Sequelae 51
Health Service Implications of Induced Abortion 54
Illegal Abortion 55
2．7 Prostaglandins 56
Termination of 1st Trimester Pregnancy 56
Termination of 2nd Trimester Pregnancy 59
Analyses of Prostaglandins in Human Plasma 60
Development of Vaginal Delivery Systems 61
Prostaglandins ＆ Prostaglandin Inhibitors 61
2．8 Vaginal Rings ＆ Cervical Devices 63
Vaginal Rings 63
Intra-Cervical Devices 65
Other Approaches 67
2．9 Indigenous Plants 69
2．10 Anti-Implantation Agents 73
2．11 Methods for the Regulation of Male Fertility 76
Clinical Trials 76
Synthesis of New Compounds 80
Inhibin 81
Androgon Binding Protein 83
Inhibition of Sperm Maturation 84
2．12 Post-Ovulatory Methods 85
2．13 Immunological Methods 87
Placental Antigens 87
Sperm Antigens 93
Zona Pellucida Antigens 94
Reference Bank for Reproductive Immunology 95
2．14 Intranasal Administration of Steroids 96
2．15 Acceptability of Research in Family Planning 95
Male Methods 98
Patterns ＆ Perceptions of Menstrual Bleeding 101
Routs of Administration 103
Preferences in a Free Choice Situation 104
Research on Methods Undergoing Clinical Trial 105
Other Acceptability Research 109
Development of Resources for Acceptability Research 110
2．16 Service Research in Family Planning 111
2．17 Diagnosis ＆ Treatment of Infertility 115
3．Collaborating Centres for Clinical Research in Human Reproduction 116
4．Collaborating Centres for Research ＆ Training in Human Reproduction 119
Delhi RTC 119
Moscow RTC 121
Mexico RTC 122
South American RTC 122
Stockholm RTC 123
Research Training Activities 127
5．Research Training 128
6．Other Programmes 130
Standardization ＆ Quality Control of Laboratory Procedures 130
Small Supplies ＆ Journal Subscriptions 134
Seminars，Workshops ＆ Publications 135
7．Relations with Industry 136
8．Statement of Expected Income ＆ Estimated Obligations for 1977 137
Annual Report of Research ＆ Training Gentre for Human Reproduction of WHO in 1977，Stockholm 140
1．Prostaglandins in Fertility Regulation 141
Studies on Prostaglandins in Relations to Their Use for Termination of Pregnancy 141
Roles of Prostaglandins ＆ Thromboxanes in Reproductive Physiology 154
2．Long-Acting Systemic Agents 160
Hormonal Parameters Charcterizing the Normal Menstrual Cycle 161
Correlation of the Bleeding Pattern with Endometrial Histology，Plasma Levels of Norethisterone，Endogenous Steroids ＆ Gonadotrophins 165
3．Development of Assay Techniques 178
Methods for Steroid Analysis 178
Methods for Protein ＆ Polypeptide Hormones 187
Methods for Prostaglandins ＆ Prostaglandin Intermediates，Metabolites ＆ Analogues 195
Annual Report of Research ＆ Training Centre for Human Reproduction of WHO in 1977，New Delhi 198
1．Anti-HCG Vaccine 199
Purification of HCG ＆ Its Beta Subnit from Pregnancy Urine 199
Toxicology Studies 200
Studies on the Immune Complexes 201
Testing of Fertility ＆ Related Issues 204
Biology ＆ Sites of Action of HCG 205
Investigations on the Optimal Does of the Pr-β-HCG-TT Vaccine，Interinjection Interval ＆ the Nature of Adsorbent for Arriving at a Two Injection Schedule for Primary Immunization 208
Sub-Acute Toxicity Studies of Pr-β-HCG-TT in Rats 211
Abstracts of Papers Presented in Professional Conferences ＆ Symposia 215
2．Male Methods of Fertility Control 222
Annual Report of Research ＆ Training Centre for Human Reproduction of WHO in 1977，Moscow 231
1．Prostaglandins for Fertility Regulation 232
2．Endocrine Aspects of Contraception 238
3．New Trends 247