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PURPOSE: To construct a new embryonic quality scoring system to compare groups of embryos at different developmental stages. METHODS: Based on a hypothesis that the implantation potential of any embryo in an ovum pickup (OPU) cycle remains the same at any stage of development, be it day 2, 3, or 5, a new embryo quality scoring (EQS) system was designed. It was based on the analysis of the clinical results of 1610 single embryo transfers. We validated this scoring system in the comparison of embryonic quality between groups by evaluating the mean scores calculated at day 2, day 3, and day 5 for 957 embryos (150 cycles) from 3 different groups. We then compared EQSs of patients with pregnancy favorable factors (group A) such as young age and high AMH levels, with the patients with contra features (group B). RESULTS: We confirmed that each mean EQS assessed at different stages of embryonic development within the same group was similar. The mean EQSs on day 3 and day 5 in group A were significantly higher than the mean EQSs on days 2, 3, and 5 in group B. CONCLUSION: The novel EQS system proposed by us enables embryonic quality comparison between groups of embryos at different developmental stages.

We examined the effects of non-sedative histamine H1 receptor antagonists on the electrocardiogram (ECG) in conscious cynomolgus monkeys. Terfenadine (3 mg kg(-1) h(-1), i.v.) and astemizole (0.3 and 1 mg kg(-1) h(-1), i.v.) caused significant time-dependent increases in the QT interval and QTc Bazett (QTc). However, normal ECG forms were found during a 60-min infusion of epinastine (3 mg kg(-1) h(-1) i.v.). A higher dose of epinastine (10 mg kg(-1) h(-1), i.v.) increased the QTc and PR interval only 5 min after the start of the infusion. The minimum plasma concentrations of terfenadine, astemizole and epinastine which caused QTc prolongation were 85, 35 and over than 3600 ng/ml, respectively. These drugs did not alter the PQ and QRS intervals and did not cause arrhythmia or atrioventricular block. Our results are consistent with the clinical observation that prolongation of QTc is caused by terfenadine and astemizole but not by epinastine. Thus, measurement of QTc in cynomolgus monkey appears to be a useful approach for evaluating the potential cardiotoxicity of histamine H1 receptor antagonists.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous analysis of the enantiomers of pimobendan and its main metabolite, with an n-hexane-ethanol-acetic acid solvent system, has been developed. After solid-phase extraction from plasma, the enantiomers were separated from each other using a Sumichiral OA-4400 column, which is commercially available and contains a chiral stationary phase composed of (S)-proline and (S)-1-(alpha-naphthyl)ethylamine coated on silica. The enantiomers were detected with a fluorescence detector (excitation at 330 nm, emission at 415 nm). The intra- and inter-day precision studies showed good reproducibilities: the coefficients of variation were less than 10.3% for pimobendan enantiomers and 13.0% for metabolite enantiomers. The calibration curves were linear (r20.996) in the concentration range 1.25-200 ng/ml. The minimum measurable level was 125 pg per 100 microliters of plasma. The method was used in a preliminary pharmacokinetic study in three male rats after intravenous administration of racemic pimobendan (2 mg/kg).