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Background Haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn ( HDFN) occurs due to maternal sensitization to paternal antigens. According to literature, IgG1 and IgG3 have a greater impact when compared to IgG2 and IgG4. To date, there is limited literature available from India. The current study was therefore executed using the column agglutination technique ( CAT) for subclass identification (IgG1 and IgG3). The findings might be important to facilitate early referral, to centers where appropriate care is possible. Methodology Eighty-five alloimmunized antenatal women were included in the study. IgG subclass (IgG1/IgG3) was determined using the ' DAT IgG1/IgG3 ID' card (Bio-Rad). Pregnancies were followed up and categorized into 'no/mild/moderate' or 'severe' HDFN. Prevalence was calculated and severity of HDFN was correlated with subclass. Result In alloimmunized women (2·18%), the prevalence of IgG subclass was 20% for IgG1, 3·53% for IgG3, 24·71% for IgG1 + IgG3 and 51·76% had neither IgG1 nor IgG3. There was a highly significant difference between disease severity and the absence/presence of IgG1/IgG3 - either singly or in combination ( P < 0·001) in newborns at risk. The risk of severe HDFN increased a sevenfold: it was lowest in patients with neither IgG1 nor IgG3, when compared to having either one of them or both ( P < 0·05, CI between 1·5-31·89). Conclusion The presence of IgG1/IgG3 subclass has a significant impact on the severity of HDFN. Therefore, these mothers require close antenatal monitoring to provide appropriate and timely intervention for newborns. CAT is a feasible option to identify high-risk pregnancies and facilitate early referral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of oral tamoxifen were studied at a dose of 0.4 mg/kg per day, on the serum hormones and semen parameters in adult male bonnet monkeys, for a period of 90 days. Honey was used as vehicle. Monkeys were treated with honey for 30 days, followed by tamoxifen from Day 30–120 (90 days). Thereafter the treatment was withdrawn until Day 150 of schedule. Blood samples were drawn at 12 and 24 clock hours at monthly intervals for the analysis of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone. Semen samples were also collected for analysis once a month, from Day 0–150 of exposure. Tamoxifen treatment produced a transient but significant increase in circulating gonadotropins, at Day 90 of treatment schedule, corresponding to 60 days of treatment. Whilst serum testosterone levels were normal throughout treatment period, an increase was observed after 30 days of drug withdrawal. No effect of oral tamoxifen was evident on semen parameters, viz., volume, counts, morphology and motility. However, throughout the exposure period to honey, a significant increase was observed in sperm counts without any effect on testosterone levels. The present study suggests that oral tamoxifen has a transient antiestrogenic effect on the serum hormones and no effect on semen parameters of adult nonhuman primate males. It is concluded that bioefficacy of oral tamoxifen may have been reduced due to hepatic metabolism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]