Fertility Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Percentage of viable sperms has good potential to reflect male fertilizing potential. In the present study, an attempt was made to find out the percentage of viable sperms in normal and abnormal ejaculates and influence of reactive oxygen... more

Percentage of viable sperms has good potential to reflect male fertilizing potential. In the present study, an attempt was made to find out the percentage of viable sperms in normal and abnormal ejaculates and influence of reactive oxygen species in affecting the viability of sperm. Malondialdehyde (MDA) in seminal plasma of normal and abnormal ejaculates was measured by Thiobarbituric Acid method and percentage of viable sperms was assessed by Eosin-Nigrosin staining. The results revealed that the abnormal semen samples have significantly lower number of viable spermatozoa (59.06 +/- 9.63% vs. 68.33 +/- 5.46%, P < 0.05) and higher levels of MDA (2.53 +/- 0.66 vs. 1.66 +/- 0.37 nmol/ml, P < 0.05) as compared to normal. A significant negative correlation was found between seminal MDA level and sperm viability. Based on the results obtained from the present study, we suggest that viability of sperm is an authentic parameter to assess male fertility potential and it can be affect...

Objective The present study aims to document the experience of a single center on the reproductive outcome of a cohort of women who were treated with conservative surgery for borderline ovarian tumors and to specify whether their... more

Objective The present study aims to document the experience of a single center on the reproductive outcome of a cohort of women who were treated with conservative surgery for borderline ovarian tumors and to specify whether their fertility potential is associated with age, tumor histology and surgery type. Methods A total of 55 women who had undergone conservative surgery for borderline ovarian tumors between January 1999 and January 2009 were eligible. Recurrence rate, fertility outcome and the number of pregnancies were analyzed retrospectively. Results Among the study group, 11 women were not sexually active both at the time of surgery and during the follow-up period. Thus, a total of 44 patients attempted pregnancy after conservative surgery and 52.3% of them (23 out of 44) were able to conceive either spontaneously or by in vitro fertilization. The ability to conceive was shown to be associated with age, tumor histology and type of conservative surgery. As expected, the fertility potential correlated positively with decreasing age (correlation coefficient = 0.705, p = 0.001). Moreover, the existence of non-serous histology and the implementation of unilateral cystectomy were found to be associated with the ability to reach a clinical pregnancy (correlation coefficient = 0.585, p = 0.001 and correlation coefficient = 0.587, p = 0.001, respectively). Conclusions The primary treatment of borderline ovarian tumors refers to conservative surgery. Younger age, non-serous histology and unilateral cystectomy appear to be associated with favorable reproductive outcome in women who undergo conservative surgery for borderline malignancy of ovary.

A large prospective long-term study with users of natural family planning (NFP) methods has been conducted to analyze the relation between unintended pregnancy rates and sexual behavior with special reference to barrier method use in the... more

A large prospective long-term study with users of natural family planning (NFP) methods has been conducted to analyze the relation between unintended pregnancy rates and sexual behavior with special reference to barrier method use in the fertile phase. Seven hundred and fifty eight NFP beginners, 19-45 years of age, 14870 cycles, 28 unintended pregnancies were studied. Of the couples, 54.2% use NFP only or predominantly and 45.9% use mixed methods (additional barrier method use in the fertile phase in 55.7% of the cycles). The overall pregnancy rate after 12 cycles of exposure is 2.2% according to the actuarial method. There is no significant difference between NFP users and mixed methods users and also no significant effect of duration of use in the first 5 years of exposure. During "perfect use" the pregnancy rate at 12 months is 0.63%. When only protected intercourse takes place in the fertile phase the pregnancy rate is 0.45%. The symptothermal method of NFP is most un...

Results: We report data from the largest series so far of semen analyses in patients with sickle cell disease: 108 samples were analyzed, of which 76 were collected before treatment. We found that at least one sperm parameter was abnormal... more

Results: We report data from the largest series so far of semen analyses in patients with sickle cell disease: 108 samples were analyzed, of which 76 were collected before treatment. We found that at least one sperm parameter was abnormal in 91% of the patients before treatment, ...

SuxHoEo M. V. K. 1991. The relationship between intestinal location and fecundity in adult Trichinella spiralis. International Journalfor Parasitology 21: 855-858. Adult female worms recovered from the jejunum of rats infected per OS with... more

SuxHoEo M. V. K. 1991. The relationship between intestinal location and fecundity in adult Trichinella spiralis. International Journalfor Parasitology 21: 855-858. Adult female worms recovered from the jejunum of rats infected per OS with 1000 larvae of Trichinelia spiralis were significantly more fecund ('peak jejunal fecundity = 35.7 f 3.1 newborn larvae per female) than females recovered from the terminal ileum (9.3 f 4.1 larvae per female) in the same infections. The majority of the adult worms were established in those sections of the small intestines that produced the most fecund females (r = 0.92; P < 0.05). Worm fecundity is believed to be location-specific because adult females that were surgically implanted into the jejunum were significantly more fecund than females that were implanted into only the ileum. It is concluded that the physico-chemical conditions of the anterior small intestines are optimal for the parasites' reproductive fitness and this exerts a strong selective pressure on habitat selection behavior.

Recent concerns over rising oil prices and greenhouse gas emissions have sparked an interest for the production of first generation biofuels on marginal agricultural land in Eastern Canada. Field trials were established to compare canola... more

Recent concerns over rising oil prices and greenhouse gas emissions have sparked an interest for the production of first generation biofuels on marginal agricultural land in Eastern Canada. Field trials were established to compare canola seed oil yield and soil nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions in tree-based intercropping (TBI) and conventional monocropping (CM) systems. The 4-5 year-old TBI system comprised alternating rows of hybrid poplar and high-value hardwood species, with 8 m wide alleys. Each cropping system was planted with six canola cultivars, grown at four fertilizer N rates. Seed oil concentrations decreased linearly with fertilizer N, while seed oil yields increased either linearly or following a quadratic trend. An optimal fertilization rate was estimated at 80 kg N ha -1 . Seed oil concentrations were higher in the CM than in the TBI system, but the two systems did not differ significantly in terms of seed oil yield. N 2 O emissions were three times higher in the CM than in the TBI system, probably as a result of higher soil moisture. The cultivar that produced the highest seed oil yield also produced significantly more N 2 O, probably as a result of greater available C in the rhizosphere. Our results may be useful to future life cycle assessments for analyzing the net environmental impacts of producing and distributing fertilizer N to biofuel crops, and the choice of cropping system and canola cultivar that minimize N 2 O emissions. In a first instance, we conclude that our model TBI system did not compromise canola seed oil yields, and substantially reduced soil N 2 O emissions.

The GLH proteins belong to a family of four germline RNA helicases in Caenorhabditis elegans. These putative ATP-dependent enzymes localize to the P granules, which are nonmembranous complexes of protein and RNA exclusively found in the... more

The GLH proteins belong to a family of four germline RNA helicases in Caenorhabditis elegans. These putative ATP-dependent enzymes localize to the P granules, which are nonmembranous complexes of protein and RNA exclusively found in the cytoplasm of all C. elegans germ cells and germ cell precursors. To determine what proteins the GLHs bind, C. elegans cDNA libraries were screened by the yeast two-hybrid method, using GLHs as bait. Three interacting proteins, CSN-5, KGB-1, and ZYX-1, were identified and further characterized. GST pull-down assays independently established that these proteins bind GLHs. CSN-5 is closely related to the subunit 5 protein of COP9 signalosomes, conserved multiprotein complexes of plants and animals. RNA interference (RNAi) with csn-5 results in sterile worms with small gonads and no oocytes, a defect essentially identical to that produced by RNAi with a combination of glh-1 and glh-4. KGB-1 is a putative JNK MAP kinase that GLHs bind. A kgb-1 deletion strain has a temperature-sensitive, sterile phenotype characterized by the absence of mature oocytes and the presence of trapped, immature oocytes that have undergone endoreplication. ZYX-1 is a LIM domain protein most like vertebrate Zyxin, a cytoskeletal adaptor protein. In C. elegans, while zyx-1 appears to be a single copy gene, neither RNAi depletion nor a zyx-1 deletion strain results in an obvious phenotype. These three conserved proteins are the first members in each of their families reported to associate with germline helicases. Similar to the loss of GLH-1 and GLH-4, loss of either CSN-5 or KGB-1 causes oogenesis to cease, but does not affect the initial assembly of P granules. © 2002 Elsevier Science (USA)

Objective: To examine gene expression profiles of women conceiving spontaneously after the age of 45. Design: Expression profiling by complementary DNA microarray analysis. Setting: University departments. Patient(s): Eight women 45 years... more

Objective: To examine gene expression profiles of women conceiving spontaneously after the age of 45. Design: Expression profiling by complementary DNA microarray analysis. Setting: University departments. Patient(s): Eight women 45 years or older (study group) who conceived spontaneously and were 6 months after their last delivery were compared with six women aged 45 years old (control group) who had their last delivery before the age of 30. Intervention(s): Blood samples were collected from each woman for RNA isolation from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Main Outcome Measure(s): Expression profiles of PBMC isolated from each woman were determined by using Affymetrix DNA microarray analysis covering about 15,000 identified genes. Result(s): Microarray of global gene expression revealed 671 genes that showed statistically significant differential expression between the study and control groups: 383 genes were overexpressed and 288 were underexpressed. The most significant functional groups defining these genes were: apoptosis, ubiquitination, and energy production. As many as 60 genes also participated in ovarian physiology. Conclusion(s): These observations suggest that extended fertility is associated with a unique ability to enrich cellular processes, leading to delayed ovarian senescence. (Fertil Steril Ò 2008;-:---.

Objective: To compare the impedance to uterine artery blood flow, during the midluteal phase, in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) as compared to normal fertile controls. Design: A prospective study involving women with a... more

Objective: To compare the impedance to uterine artery blood flow, during the midluteal phase, in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) as compared to normal fertile controls. Design: A prospective study involving women with a history of RSA and fertile controls. Setting: University of Rome "Tor Vergata." Patient(s): Two hundred thirty women with RSA and 50 fertile controls referred for routine examination. Intervention(s): Transvaginal Doppler examination of uterine arteries during the midluteal phase of untreated cycles. Main Outcome Measure(s): The mean pulsatility index (PI) of uterine arteries.

Objective: Fertility sparing surgery (FSS) is a strategy often considered in young patients with early epithelial ovarian cancer. We investigated the role and the outcomes of FSS in eEOC patients who underwent comprehensive surgery.... more

Objective: Fertility sparing surgery (FSS) is a strategy often considered in young patients with early epithelial ovarian cancer. We investigated the role and the outcomes of FSS in eEOC patients who underwent comprehensive surgery. patients underwent fertility sparing surgery. Eighteen were one-to-one matched and balanced for stage, histologic type and grading with a group of patients who underwent radical comprehensive staging (n=18). Demographics, surgical procedures, morbidities, pathologic findings, recurrence-rate, pregnancy-rate and correlations with disease-free survival were assessed. Results: A total of 36 patients had a complete surgical staging including lymphadenectomy and were therefore analyzed. Seven patients experienced a recurrence: four (22%) in the fertility sparing surgery group and three (16%) in the control group (p=not significant). Sites of recurrence were: residual ovary (two), abdominal wall and peritoneal carcinomatosis in the fertility sparing surgery group; pelvic (two) and abdominal wall in the control group. Recurrences in the fertility sparing surgery group appeared earlier (mean, 10.3 months) than in radical comprehensive staging group (mean, 53.3 months) p<0.001. Disease-free survival were comparable between the two groups (p=0.422). No deaths were reported. All the patients in fertility sparing surgery group recovered a regular period. Thirteen out of 18 (72.2%) attempted to have a pregnancy. Five (38%) achieved a spontaneous pregnancy with a full term delivery. Conclusion: Fertility sparing surgery in early epithelial ovarian cancer submitted to a comprehensive surgical staging could be considered safe with oncological results comparable to radical surgery group.

... The role of major histocompatibility complex class I antigens in tumorigenesis: future applications in cancer therapy. Auteur(s) / Author(s). NAPOLITANO L. (1) ; VOGEL J. ; JAY G. ; Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s)... more

... The role of major histocompatibility complex class I antigens in tumorigenesis: future applications in cancer therapy. Auteur(s) / Author(s). NAPOLITANO L. (1) ; VOGEL J. ; JAY G. ; Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s). ... Tumor. ; Antígeno histocompatibilidad clase ...

Enough solid evidence now exists to offer women several fundamental strategies for healthy eating. They include emphasizing healthful unsaturated fats, whole grains, good protein ''packages,'' and fruits and vegetables; limiting... more

Enough solid evidence now exists to offer women several fundamental strategies for healthy eating. They include emphasizing healthful unsaturated fats, whole grains, good protein ''packages,'' and fruits and vegetables; limiting consumption of trans and saturated fats, highly refined grains, and sugary beverages; and taking a multivitamin with folic acid and extra vitamin D as a nutritional safety net. A diet based on these principles is healthy through virtually all life stages, from young adulthood through planning for pregnancy, pregnancy, and on into old age. J Midwifery Womens Health 2010;55:492-501 Ó 2010 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

This study focuses on the various factors that encourage the practice of family planning for rural communities in Malaysia. Family planning program is a modern alternative for married couples in determining the desired number of children... more

This study focuses on the various factors that encourage the practice of family planning for rural communities in Malaysia. Family planning program is a modern alternative for married couples in determining the desired number of children in a family in addition to helping women obtain optimal health with birth intervals exist. It is associated in the field of demography which saw control of the birth rate of a family. Key reference data for this study are based on various population and housing census report Malaysia since the 1980s to 2010. This Followed by a field study based on the questionnaire on targeted population. Multivariate Analysis is used to cluster variables to key factors and then evaluated based on the significance of regression analysis as appropriate. The study found that the level of education, understanding husband, and type of work is the most significant factor influencing the practice of family planning. The study found that rural communities have begun to realize its importance but still not be able to receive a variety of modern methods of family planning practice to practice except oral contraceptives. Thus the results of the study provide some suggestions for improving the knowledge society towards good health and fertility potential trend towards the policy proposed by Malaysia's 70 million populations.

The potential that exists in Kadigunung Hamlet, Hargomulyo Village, Kokap District, Kulon Progo Regency, D.I Province. Yogyakarta is where 90% of agricultural land is planted with coconut trees. The livelihoods of its residents are... more

The potential that exists in Kadigunung Hamlet, Hargomulyo Village,
Kokap District, Kulon Progo Regency, D.I Province. Yogyakarta is where
90% of agricultural land is planted with coconut trees. The livelihoods of its
residents are farmers and coconut sugar grinders. However, a lot of coconut
husks are not used and are just piled up in people's yards until they become
mountains. This results in an increase in unused coconut coir waste. In this
hamlet, there are two farmer groups, namely the Forest Farmers Group
(Poktan) Tani Makmur and the Women Farmers Group Sedyorukun.
Currently, this farmer group in Kadigunung Hamlet has been active in
producing POC from coconut fiber as raw material. However, they still find
it difficult to peel the coco coir (separating the coir from the coconut shell)
in order to get the coco coir that has been separated with large productivity.
In addition, residents have not been able to package the POC products in
good packaging with trademark labels, which are expected to be
commercialized in general. In fact, if residents are able to produce POC
products with good packaging and brand labels, residents can sell them in
general in the market and can increase the economic income of residents,
especially farmer groups in Kadigunung Hamlet. This Community
Partnership Service aims to provide solutions to the residents of Kadigunung
Hamlet, especially farmer groups by donating appropriate technology tools
in the form of a Coconut Coir Peeling Machine that is able to simplify and
increase the productivity of processing unused coconut coir waste into
products of higher use value, namely to become ready-to-use POCs. used
and can be marketed in general. This service program also develops the
Kadigunung Hamlet area into an area that can care about the environment
with the ability of residents to process waste (waste) independently so as to
increase community environmental insight. The output of this Special
Scheme Community Partnership Service (PKM) includes appropriate
technology products in the form of a Coconut Coir Peeler Machine, POC
Processing Module from coconut coir raw materials as well as POC
packaging and trademark labeling, Proceedings of the ISBN Community
Service national seminar or articles in Reputable National Journals. (Indexed
by Sinta), Copyright of the POC Making Module, videos of service
implementation, and news in the mass media.

This is an Open Access Article. It is published by The Journal of Health and Population in Developing Countries (ISSN 1095-8940) is a publication of the Department of Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health University of... more

This is an Open Access Article. It is published by The Journal of Health and Population in Developing Countries (ISSN 1095-8940) is a publication of the Department of Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

This paper has not undergone the review accorded to official World Bank publications. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the International... more

This paper has not undergone the review accorded to official World Bank publications. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank and its affiliated organizations, or those of the Executive Directors of The World Bank or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgement on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries.

More successful methods of vasectomy reversal would benefit those undergoing this treatment and might also increase the popularity of vasectomy. We conducted a randomized, prospective clinical trial of vasectomy reversal methods,... more

More successful methods of vasectomy reversal would benefit those undergoing this treatment and might also increase the popularity of vasectomy. We conducted a randomized, prospective clinical trial of vasectomy reversal methods, comparing a new absorbable stent with 2-layer reattachment.We studied 116 men seeking vasectomy reversal between November 1990 and March 1994. Data were analyzed primarily by intention to treat.Patients in the stent (64 cases) and no stent (52) randomized groups were similar in age distribution, age of spouses, years since vasectomy, proportion who had undergone prior vasectomy reversal and proportion who had previously achieved pregnancy. Operation time was more than 19 minutes shorter in the stent randomized group (p = 0.006). Fewer patients in the stent than the no stent group had patent vasovasostomies (81.0 versus 89.6%, respectively, p = 0.2) postoperatively. Fewer stent randomized patients had motile sperm (76.2 versus 81.3%, respectively, p = 0.5) and normal total motile sperm counts (49.2 versus 52.1%, respectively, p = 0.8) than did those without a stent. Conception occurred in 22 and 51% of all couples in the stent and no stent groups. The relative risk of conception among those in the stent group was 0.42 (95% confidence interval 0.24 to 0.71, p = 0.002). A Mantel-Cox log-rank test comparing pregnancies in each group according to the number of postoperative months revealed that the no stent group achieved more earlier pregnancies (p = 0.003).The 2-layer microscopic vasovasostomy results in greater pregnancy rates than vasovasostomy using the absorbable stent.

The copulatory pattern of rats consists of a series of 10 to 15 intromissions culminating in ejaculation, during which the pair remains immobile for a number of seconds. At ejaculation, the male deposits sperm and a coagulating... more

The copulatory pattern of rats consists of a series of 10 to 15 intromissions culminating in ejaculation, during which the pair remains immobile for a number of seconds. At ejaculation, the male deposits sperm and a coagulating "copulatory plug" in the vagina. This plug lodges tightly up against the cervix and holds the sperm in contact with the channels in the c e r~i x . '~,~~

We evaluated the eects of smoking on testicular function and fertilizing potential in rats. Twenty rats (group A) were exposed to the smoke of 20 cigarettes for 1 h per day. Ten rats (group B) were exposed to the smoke of 40 incense... more

We evaluated the eects of smoking on testicular function and fertilizing potential in rats. Twenty rats (group A) were exposed to the smoke of 20 cigarettes for 1 h per day. Ten rats (group B) were exposed to the smoke of 40 incense sticks for 1 h per day, and an additional 10 rats served as a control group (group C). After 10 weeks of daily exposure, serum levels of nicotine and cotinine were assessed, and a mating test was conducted. Five days later, serum concentrations of testosterone before and after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation, gonadotropins, and epididymal sperm content and motility were evaluated. In addition, in vitro fertilization was carried out. Nicotine and cotinine were detected in group A, but not in groups B and C. Basal serum testosterone and gonadotropin concentrations did not dier signi®cantly among the three groups, but the testosterone response to hCG stimulation was signi®cantly lower in group A than in groups B and C. Group A showed signi®cant reductions in epididymal sperm content and motility, and in fertility in vivo and in vitro. These ®ndings suggest that smoking leads to a secretory dysfunction of the Leydig cells, and also a de®ciency in sperm maturation and spermatogenesis. In addition, smoking has a detrimental eect on sperm fertilizing potentials in vivo and in vitro.

Background: Approximately one-third of a million women die each year from pregnancy-related conditions. Three-quarters of these deaths are considered avoidable. Millennium Development Goal five calls for a reduction in maternal mortality... more

Background: Approximately one-third of a million women die each year from pregnancy-related conditions. Three-quarters of these deaths are considered avoidable. Millennium Development Goal five calls for a reduction in maternal mortality and the establishment of universal access to high quality reproductive health care. There is evidence of a relationship between lower levels of maternal education and higher maternal mortality. This study examines the relationship between maternal education and maternal mortality among women giving birth in health care institutions and investigates the association of maternal age, marital status, parity, institutional capacity and state-level investment in health care with these relationships.

Objective. To evaluate the reproductive performance of crossbred cows in the tropics of Mexico fed two levels of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), eliciting them to ovulate with a hormonal protocol and fixed-time artificial insemination... more

Objective. To evaluate the reproductive performance of crossbred cows in the tropics of Mexico fed two levels of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), eliciting them to ovulate with a hormonal protocol and fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). Material and methods. Twenty-seven multiparous cows were used. Twenty-one days before calving, cows were assigned to two treatments: T1= 4.5 kg of concentrate/cow/d and T2= 3.0 kg of concentrate/cow/d, and forage ad libitum in both treatments. Results. Cows assigned to T2 consumed more NDF (p<0.05) than cows assigned to T1 (38 vs 44% of the diet). The increment in forage consumption, up to the NDF allowed, compensated the provision of metabolizable energy (ME) and protein (MP), which were similar in cows of both treatments during the 15 days before calving. Cows fed with T2 tried to compensate the nutrients deficit consuming more forage (6.25 vs 7.37 kg of DM/d). The MP was always deficient during lactation for T1 and T2 cows. In T2 cows, the MP deficiency resulted in less milk nitrogen content. Cows assigned to T1 lost less body condition, which resulted in higher (p<0.05) pregnancy rate at first service (75.2 vs 42.8%), although they did not produce more milk than T2 cows. Conclusions. NDF reduction in the ration from 44 to 38% and the application of the FTAI hormonal protocol reduce the open period to 105 d in lactating cows in the tropics.

Food, as the source of nutrients, truly is the "fire of life," and even to the casual observer it is apparent that it is important for reproduction and all other biologic functions. Relating nutrition to reproductive performance in beef... more

Food, as the source of nutrients, truly is the "fire of life," and even to the casual observer it is apparent that it is important for reproduction and all other biologic functions. Relating nutrition to reproductive performance in beef cattle, however, becomes more difficult when the specific nutrients are considered against a background of varying circumstances. The task presented to a veterinary clinician becomes more complex because the "problem" can have other causes; for example, infectious agents, toxins, genetic disorders, and so on, and a "problem" with multiple causes is not uncommon. The approach of this article will be to describe relationships between nutrition and reproduction in beef cattle and to acquaint the clinician with tools available for assessing nutritional status. The challenge to the clinician will be to recognize and quantitate clinical and/or subclinical disease and to logically determine the cause(s). Reproduction will be considered in a broad sense. This will include (1) the capability to conceive a viable embryo, (2) the normal maintenance and maturation of the fetus to term, (3) neonatal survivability, (4) the ability of the female to become pregnant soon after calving, and (5) calf performance. These general reproductive parameters will be discussed, where applicable, for each nutrient considered. WATER The availability of a clean, wholesome source of water is assumed in this article. Beef cattle weighing 450 kg and consuming 10 kg of dry matter feed per day will drink from 25 to 70 L of water per day as ambient temperature varies from winter (4°C) to summer (32°C). As intake or temperature increases, water consumption would be expected to increase also. If toxic substances are thought to be present in the water consumed

In planta RNAi (i.e. plants engineered to synthesize active RNAi molecules) has great potential as a strategy to control insect crop pests. This study investigated the impact of RNAi against osmoregulatory genes expressed in the gut of... more

In planta RNAi (i.e. plants engineered to synthesize active RNAi molecules) has great potential as a strategy to control insect crop pests. This study investigated the impact of RNAi against osmoregulatory genes expressed in the gut of two phloem-feeding species, the green peach aphid Myzus persicae and the potato/tomato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli. The target genes comprising candidate gut sucrase, aquaporin and sugar transporter genes were identified by mining insect genomic and transcriptomic datasets for genes orthologous to empirically-tested osmoregulatory genes of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. Insects feeding on plants with RNAi against the target genes exhibited elevated hemolymph osmotic pressure (a predicted effect of perturbed osmotic function) and some reduction in performance, especially offspring production in M. persicae and mortality in B. cockerelli, associated with up to 50% reduction in mean expression of the target genes. The effects were particularly pro...

To determine the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on the pharmacokinetics of DHEA and its metabolites and the reproductive axis of healthy young men. Design: A prospective, randomized, double-blind,... more

To determine the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on the pharmacokinetics of DHEA and its metabolites and the reproductive axis of healthy young men. Design: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pharmacokinetic study. Setting: Patient(s): Fourteen healthy men, ages 18 -42 years. Intervention(s): Daily oral administration of placebo (n ϭ 5), 50 mg DHEA (n ϭ 4), or 200 mg DHEA (n ϭ 5) for 6 months. Blood samples were collected at frequent intervals on day 1 and at months 3 and 6 of treatment. Main Outcome Measure(s): Quantification of DHEA, DHEA sulfate (DHEAS), androstenedione, T, E 2 , dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and 5␣-androstane-3␣-17␤-diol glucuronide (ADG). Physical examination, semen analysis, serum LH, FSH, prostate-specific antigen, and general chemistries were carried out. Result(s): Baseline DHEA, DHEAS, and ADG levels increased significantly from day 1 to months 3 and 6 in the DHEA treatment groups but not in the placebo group. No significant changes were observed in pharmacokinetic values. Clinical parameters were not affected. Conclusion(s): DHEA, DHEAS, and ADG increased significantly during 6 months of daily DHEA supplementation. Although the pharmacokinetics of DHEA and its metabolites are not altered, sustained baseline elevation of ADG, a distal DHT metabolite, raises concerns about the potential negative impact of DHEA supplementation on the prostate gland. (Fertil Steril 2004;81:595-604.

Ovum pick-up (OPU) by transvaginal ultrasound guided aspiration (TUGA) is a procedure applied in equine-assisted reproduction programs such as oocyte transfer and in vitro embryo production. Despite a large number of studies reporting... more

Ovum pick-up (OPU) by transvaginal ultrasound guided aspiration (TUGA) is a procedure applied in equine-assisted reproduction programs such as oocyte transfer and in vitro embryo production. Despite a large number of studies reporting that it is a repeatable and safe technique, little information is available about the effect of repeated punctures on fertility of mares. Moreover, even if flushing follicles improves the oocyte recovery rate, to our knowledge the efficiency of flushing estrous and diestrous follicles has not been evaluated. The aims of the present study were (1) evaluate if repeated TUGAs negatively effects fertility and (2) investigate the influence of flushing the follicular cavity (as compared to aspiration only-unflushed) on the recovery rate from follicles of different sizes and in different stages of the estrous cycle. Seventy-six TUGAs were carried out on 20 mares during the breeding season; 153 follicles were aspirated and 31 oocytes were recovered (20.3% per follicle; 40.8% per TUGA attempt). Of the 76 aspirations, 52 were carried out during estrus and 24 in diestrus. Flushing the follicular cavity significantly increased (P < 0.01) the oocyte recovery rate from estrous follicles (13/28, 46.4% flushed versus 3/24, 12.5% aspirated only) but not (P > 0.05) from diestrous follicles of different diameters (3/30, 10% flushed versus 2/36, 5.6% aspirated only for follicles <2 cm in diameter; 6/20, 30% flushed versus 4/15, 26.7% aspirated only for follicles ≥2 cm in diameter). Mares underwent ultrasonic examinations after every aspiration and no alteration was found with the exception of two mares in which the corpus luteum (CL) did not form following aspiration of estrous follicle. Of the 20 mares involved in this study, 10 were artificially inseminated with fresh semen from a single fertile stallion at the first spontaneous heat following the previous aspiration. Of the 10 inseminated mares, 7 were found to be pregnant 16, 30 and 50 days after artificial insemination (AI), indicating that repeated TUGAs did not adversely affect fertility.

Genetic (co)variances between body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW), milk production, and fertilityrelated traits were estimated. The data analyzed included 8591 multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows with records for BCS, BW, milk... more

Genetic (co)variances between body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW), milk production, and fertilityrelated traits were estimated. The data analyzed included 8591 multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows with records for BCS, BW, milk production, and/or fertility from 78 seasonal calving grass-based farms throughout southern Ireland. Of the cows included in the analysis, 4402 had repeated records across the 2 yr of the study. Genetic correlations between level of BCS at different stages of lactation and total lactation milk production were negative (−0.51 to −0.14). Genetic correlations between BW at different stages of lactation and total lactation milk production were all close to zero but became positive (0.01 to 0.39) after adjusting BW for differences in BCS. Body condition score at different stages of lactation correlated favorably with improved fertility; genetic correlations between BCS and pregnant 63 d after the start of breeding season ranged from 0.29 to 0.42. Both BW at different stages of lactation and milk production tended to exhibit negative genetic correlations with pregnant to first service and pregnant 63 d after the start of the breeding season and positive genetic correlations with number of services and the interval from first service to conception. Selection indexes investigated illustrate the possibility of continued selection for increased milk production without any deleterious effects on fertility or average BCS, albeit, genetic merit for milk production would increase at a slower rate. (Key words: body weight, body condition score, fertility, selection index)

Day length is the primary cue used by many mammals to restrict reproduction to favourable spring and summer months, but it is unknown for any mammal whether the seasonal loss of fertility begins at the same time and occurs at the same... more

Day length is the primary cue used by many mammals to restrict reproduction to favourable spring and summer months, but it is unknown for any mammal whether the seasonal loss of fertility begins at the same time and occurs at the same rate in females and males; nor it established whether the termination of mating behaviour in males and females coincides with the loss of fertility. We speculated that females, owing to their greater energetic investment in reproduction, are the limiting sex in terminating offspring production in short days (SDs). Oestrous cycles and production of young were monitored in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) transferred from long days (LDs) to SDs. Females were mated to LD males after three to eight weeks of SD treatment; in a parallel experiment, males housed in SDs were mated to LD females. After five and eight weeks in SDs, at least twice as many males as females were fertile. Both males and females continued to copulate for several weeks after becoming infertile. The onset of seasonal infertility occurs earlier in females than males and the decline in fertility precedes the seasonal loss of mating behaviour in both sexes.

Finding a laboratory test reliable enough to predict the potential fertility of a given semen sample or a given sire for artificial insemination (AI) is still considered utopian, as indicated by the modest correlations seen between... more

Finding a laboratory test reliable enough to predict the potential fertility of a given semen sample or a given sire for artificial insemination (AI) is still considered utopian, as indicated by the modest correlations seen between results obtained in vitro and field fertility. Male fertility is complex, and depends upon a heterogeneous population of spermatozoa interacting at various levels of the female genital tract, the vestments of the oocyte, and the oocyte itself. For this reason, laboratory assessment of semen must include the testing of most sperm attributes relevant for fertilization and embryo development, not only in individual spermatozoa but within a large sperm population as well. Strategies for the discovery of in vitro predictors of semen fertility require evaluations of low sperm doses for AI, so that differences in innate in vivo fertility can be accurately detected.

With an incidence of up to 5% in the general population, genital malformations are a frequent clinical occurrence. However, using the existing published classifications of malformations, difficulties arise in classifying genital... more

With an incidence of up to 5% in the general population, genital malformations are a frequent clinical occurrence. However, using the existing published classifications of malformations, difficulties arise in classifying genital malformations appropriately. The aim of the present study was to produce a simple, systematic, and reproducible classification system. Design: A systematic arrangement of genital and associated malformaltions, using a structure similar to that in the TNM classification of oncological tumors, was developed and validated. Setting: Patients with genital malformations in a university hospital. Patient(s): Ninty-nine premenopausal patients with genital malformations. Intervention(s): Patients were diagnosed for genital malformation using laparoscopy or magnetic resonance imaging. Main Outcome Measure(s): A new classification (VCUAM) is presented to evaluate patients with different genital malformations. Result(s): The external and internal female genital organs were divided into the following subgroups in accordance with the anatomy: vagina (V), cervix (C), uterus (U), and adnexa (A). Associated malformations were assigned to a subgroup (M) relative to each specific organ. The classification was validated in a group of 99 patients with genital malformations. Conclusion(s): The VCUAM classification for the first time makes it possible to reflect even complex malformations in a precise and individual fashion, taking associated malformations into account. The classification makes it easier to provide appropriate clinical care for the affected patients. (Fertil Steril 2005;84:1493-7.

Optimising the number of replacement heifers needed will have positive economic and environmental consequences on herds that rear their own young stock. The number of heifers needed to be kept is closely related with the number of culled... more

Optimising the number of replacement heifers needed will have positive economic and environmental consequences on herds that rear their own young stock. The number of heifers needed to be kept is closely related with the number of culled dairy cows in the herd. This study therefore looked at the variation that exists in culling rate and herd level factors associated with it. A dataset from 1903 dairy herds available included information at animal level (dates of culling, slaughter/death) and herd level (characteristics of reproduction, performance, health) over the years 2007 to 2010. The average culling rate for slaughter/death was used and was defined for each year as percentage of the herd size that died within 30 d after they were culled. The analysis of the association between average culling rate for slaughter/death and the characteristics of the herd was performed using a mixed model. The results showed that the average culling rate for slaughter/death was 25·4% and varied be...

Allatotropin (AT) and allatostatin (AS) neuropeptides are known to regulate the biosynthesis of juvenile hormones (JH) in insects. Furthermore, they possess myoregulatory and other activities in a wide range of insect species. The genome... more

Allatotropin (AT) and allatostatin (AS) neuropeptides are known to regulate the biosynthesis of juvenile hormones (JH) in insects. Furthermore, they possess myoregulatory and other activities in a wide range of insect species. The genome of Tribolium castaneum encodes two AS and one AT precursors. Here we cloned the cDNAs of the precursors, followed their expression patterns during the pupal stage, and established their putative roles in adult development and oviposition of the females using RNA interference (RNAi). Cloning of the cDNA and gene structure analyses of the Tc-AT gene confirmed that the gene is expressed in three mRNA isoforms. Real-time PCR data demonstrate that the Tc-AT isoforms and the AS genes, Tc-AS C and Tc-AS B, are expressed in discerning developmental and tissue-specific patterns. Single injections of dsRNAi (targeted against the Tc-AT, Tc-AS C, and Tc-AS B, respectively), into young pupae resulted in abnormal adult phenotypes, whereby about half of the animals (P1 phenotype) looked relatively normal, but the females laid low numbers of eggs. The other halves (P2) exhibited strong developmental defects with abnormal duration of the pupal stage, abnormal head and body sizes, short elytra, and incomplete sclerotization. Moreover, these females deposited no eggs and died within one week after emergence. Individual silencing of the Tc-AT mRNA isoforms showed that Tc-AT3 had the most disruptive influence on adult development and fecundity of the females. Our findings clearly indicate a significant role of AT and AS neuropeptides in the pupa. The distinct mechanisms of action, however, remain to be determined.

El estudio que da lugar al presente artículo surge a partir de los resultados obtenidos en el marco de un convenio de colaboración firmado por la Dirección General de Estadística de la Municipalidad de Rosario y la Escuela de Estadística... more

El estudio que da lugar al presente artículo surge a partir de los resultados obtenidos en el marco de un convenio de colaboración firmado por la Dirección General de Estadística de la Municipalidad de
Rosario y la Escuela de Estadística de la Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Estadística de la Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Entre sus objetivos, se plantea el de obtener pronósticos probabilísticos de la fecundidad para la Ciudad de Rosario. Para ello, con base en estadísticas vitales, estimaciones y proyecciones de población
se construyen escenarios probables, pasados y futuros, tanto para la tasa global de fecundidad como para las tasas específicas de fecundidad. Los resultados de este estudio, basados en la aplicación de modelos probabilísticos de pronóstico, permiten conocer estructuras y tendencias, pasadas y futuras de la fecundidad, de modo que puedan generarse diagnósticos que sean de utilidad para la evaluación y gestión del sistema de salud o bien para el desarrollo de nuevas políticas públicas. Los resultados indican que Rosario tuvo, tiene
y seguirá teniendo un cambio en los patrones de fecundidad más rápido y marcado que el promedio nacional. Si bien este hecho es esperable, en un contexto signado por los avances en la salud pública, que permiten
acceder a más y mejor atención en salud reproductiva, la metodología aquí empleada se basa únicamente en la extrapolación de las tendencias, por ello la retroproyección debe ser analizada cuidadosamente. Con posterioridad, en la sección metodológica, se presentan los modelos probabilísticos de pronóstico que se
emplean para la obtención de resultados.

The article presents the results of an analysis of fertility trends in Russia based on the most powerful statistical and demographic tool known to the international community as period and cohort age- and parity-specific fertility tables,... more

The article presents the results of an analysis of fertility trends in Russia based on the most powerful statistical and demographic tool known to the international community as period and cohort age- and parity-specific fertility tables, constructed for calendar years in retrospective of four decades (1979-2017), and for generations of women born from 1955 to 1990. The results are intended to strengthen an objective, comprehensive approach to interpreting historical and recent fertility trends in in Russia, as well as to a balanced assessment of the foreseeable prospects for changes in period and cohort total fertility. The author critically assesses the demographic results of the pronatalist policy in Russia over the past decade and calls into question the overly optimistic prospects for further increase in level of fertility, widespread in the Russian political elite.

In Italy the participation of women has not increased very much in the last few decades relative to other developed countries and it is still among the lowest in Europe. The female employment rate stands almost 13 percentage points below... more

In Italy the participation of women has not increased very much in the last few decades relative to other developed countries and it is still among the lowest in Europe. The female employment rate stands almost 13 percentage points below the EU average and 22 below the Lisbon target. One of the most important reasons is related to the characteristics of child care system. In this paper we analyze the characteristics of the child care system in Italy and its relationship to the labor market participation decision of mothers. We present a simple discrete choice framework in which the two decisions can be jointly considered, which also allows for simple forms of rationing. We go on to estimate a bivariate probit model of the child care and employment decisions and interpret the results within the framework of our model. We find evidence that rationing is an important factor in interpreting price effects on utilization rates and employment decisions.

Lepidium meyenii (Brassicaceae), known as Maca, is a Peruvian hypocotyl that grows exclusively between 4000 and 4500 m above sea level in the central Andes. Maca is traditionally employed in the Andean region for its supposed... more

Lepidium meyenii (Brassicaceae), known as Maca, is a Peruvian hypocotyl that grows exclusively between 4000 and 4500 m above sea level in the central Andes. Maca is traditionally employed in the Andean region for its supposed fertility-enhancing properties. The study aimed to test the hypothesis that different ecotypes of Maca (Red, Yellow and Black) after short-term (7 days) and long-term (42 days) treatment affects differentially spermatogenesis adult rats. After 7 days of treatment with Yellow and Red Maca, the length of stage VIII was increased (P < 0.05), whereas with Black Maca stages II-VI and VIII were increased (P < 0.05). Daily sperm production (DSP) was increased in the group treated with Black Maca compared with control values (P < 0.05). Red or Yellow Maca did not alter DSP and epididymal sperm motility was not affected by treatment with any ecotype of Maca. After 42 days of treatment, Black Maca was the only ecotype that enhanced DSP (P < 0.05). Moreover, Black Maca was the only that increased epididymal sperm motility (P < 0.05). In relation to the control group, Red Maca did not affect testicular and epididymal weight nor epididymal sperm motility and sperm count; however, prostate weight was reduced (P < 0.05). Black or Yellow Maca did not affect prostate weight. In conclusion, there were differences in the biological response of the three ecotypes of Maca (Yellow, Red and Black). Black Maca appeared to have more beneficial effect on sperm counts and epididymal sperm motility.

Scientists are able to advance the frontiers of human reproduction by employing a variety of molecular biological techniques to understand the biological processes intricately linked to oocyte and ovarian follicle development. Despite an... more

Scientists are able to advance the frontiers of human reproduction by employing a variety of molecular biological techniques to understand the biological processes intricately linked to oocyte and ovarian follicle development. Despite an abundance of knowledge concerning essential pathways which may have critical roles in oogenesis and folliculogenesis, the repertoire of medications to treat female fertility problems remains limited to a few classes of drugs involved in the induction or suppression of folliculogenesis and ovulation; many of which are not specific in their drug actions and can give rise to complications during clinical application. This paper aims to review biomolecules and pathways (e.g. PI3K, WNT, MAPK) pertinent to ovarian follicular development and active in human oocytes, including those involved in communication between somatic cells within the ovary (cumulus cells, granulosa cells and thecal cells) and the oocyte itself. These biomolecules which are involved in the nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of oocytes and the control of ovarian folliculogenesis have potential as targets for improved ovarian stimulation, optimisation of oocyte maturation, and as biomarkers of oocyte viability assessment.

Abstract: Low female labor force participation and low fertility rates in OECD countries, especially in Southern European countries, have raised a great deal of concern in recent years. As a means to reconcile work and family, Spain (one... more

Abstract: Low female labor force participation and low fertility rates in OECD countries, especially in Southern European countries, have raised a great deal of concern in recent years. As a means to reconcile work and family, Spain (one of the countries with the lowest female participation and lowest fertility) tried to target both issues through an income tax reform in 2003. One component of the tax reform consisted of a tax credit for working mothers of young children and the other consisted of sizeable increases in households ’ tax deductions per child. We find that the reforms increased both fertility and participation, and that these effects were very heterogeneous across different groups of women. Fertility is estimated to have increased by between 5 and 6 births per 1,000 women (where the average fertility is 37 per 1,000), while the participation rate of mothers with children under the age of 3 years increased by about 1.6 percentage points (where the average participation ...

Background: Proteomics' requirement for simultaneous measurement of multiple markers is now possible with biochip array technology. Many laboratories utilise in-house, manual procedures for biochip fabrication and sample testing.... more

Background: Proteomics' requirement for simultaneous measurement of multiple markers is now possible with biochip array technology. Many laboratories utilise in-house, manual procedures for biochip fabrication and sample testing. Reproducibility and standardisation of biochip processes is vital to ensure quality of results and offer the best tool for elucidation of complex relationships between multiple proteins in diseased conditions.