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PubMed1985

Factors affecting reproductive performance of dairy cows.

We conducted two studies to determine how herd management practices and traits of individual cows affect performance of the herd and of the cow within a herd. Management practices, reproductive performance of the herd, and relationships between management and reproductive performance were characterized on 83 dairy farms with 7596 cows. Data included 21 management variables (e.g., facilities, herd health program, estrous detection program) and 8 performance variables obtained from Dairy Herd Improvement or unofficial records (e.g., size of herd, production, days open). Although varying among herds, annual average herd incidences of reproductive disorders and reproductive performance were similar to those reported. Managerial practices influenced incidences of retained placenta and uterine infection, days open of cows not bred and of all cows, services per conception, and percentages of herd open more than 100 days and culled for low production. Veterinarian was the most consistent variable influencing herd reproductive performance. Data also were collected from production and lifetime records of 2532 cows in 19 herds. Reproductive performance was affected by season of calving, production, maturity, and reproductive disorders. Several cows with extremely poor reproductive records were maintained.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed1999

Comparative reproductive function in cervids: implications for management of farm and zoo populations.

The cervids represent a complex assemblage of taxa characterized by extreme diversity in morphology, physiology, ecology and geographical distribution. Farmed species (for example red deer and fallow deer) are usually the common larger-bodied, gregarious and monotocous species that express marked reproductive seasonality in their temperate environment. Their commercial importance has facilitated considerable research into reproductive physiology and the development of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). In contrast, the remaining species, including many of tropical origin, show wide diversity in reproductive patterns, have generally received little scientific scrutiny, and include a number of endangered taxa that are reliant on ex situ conservation efforts (such as captive breeding) to ensure their survival. Domestication and ex situ management programmes have been associated with widespread translocation of various cervid species around the world, often placing the animals in environments that are not compatible with their evolved reproductive patterns. For example, the summer calving/lactation pattern of red deer, attuned to northern continental climatic patterns, is frequently misaligned with seasonal changes in feed availability in the Australasian pastoral environment. Similarly, seasonal or aseasonal calving patterns of tropical species translocated to temperate regions are usually associated with increased perinatal mortality of calves born in cool seasons. Conversely, temperate species in tropical zones may exhibit aberrant reproductive patterns in the absence of biologically significant photoperiod fluctuations. ARTs, which presently include artificial insemination, embryo transfer and in vitro embryo production, have potential application to the genetic management and population growth of various cervid species. Although application to some farmed cervid species is widespread, these technologies are rarely directly transferable from farmed to endangered species. Even within species, ART protocols developed successfully for one genotype (i.e. subspecies) may be ineffective in another (for example superovulation of red deer and wapiti). Therefore, application to genetic management of endangered species necessitates prior research into their reproductive patterns. This is often difficult because of the rarity of the animals, a lack of suitable handling facilities for the particular species, and the timid nature of the deer. More recently, however, non-invasive reproductive profiling, based on remote collection and monitoring of excreted steroid metabolites, has facilitated such research.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

[Medical genetics in reproductive medicine].

Reproductive genetics (RG) is another new field of medical genetics, integrated with reproductive medicine, assisted reproduction and developmental genetic. RG is closely linked to the perioconceptional prevention, perinatology, ultrasound and biochemical screening in the end of the first and beginning of the second trimesters. RG is based on the system of specialized genetic counseling, clinical cytogenetics, molecular cytogenetics and molecular genetics to provide prefertilization, preimplantation and classical prenatal diagnosis in the Ist to IIIrd trimesters. Thus, RG is part of the fetal medicine and therapy. The six years experience with RG is summarized. A system of the specialized health care, organized, if possible in one integrated center of RG and reproductive medicine (RM) is presented. Reproductive medicine provides all necessary clinical gynecological and andrological surveillance, with assisted reproduction and further obstetrical ultrasound examinations, including nuchal translucency measurements and 2D, 3D ultrasound, echocardiography examinations, if indicated, as well as the invasive method of prenatal diagnosis and perinatology care. Specialized genetic counseling and cytogenetic analysis, if indicated, should be offered to all partners with reproductive disorders as well as to oocyte donors. Chromosome anomalies are disclosed in 6% of men with abnormal sperm analysis as well as in women with severe reproductive disorders. In males with severe oligo, azoospermia, the sperm aneuploidy analysis by molecular cytogenetic methods is recommended. Advised is also the molecular genetic detection of Y chromosome microdeletions, which is detected in 9% of our azoospermic men with deletions in AZFb region. CFTR gene mutations and intron 8 and 10 polymorphism examination is provided not only in men with obstructive azoospermia (CBAVD), but also if severe oligospermy with less than 1 x 10(6) sperm/ml is detected. Molecular genetic analysis of thrombophilic mutations of factor II., V. (Leiden) and MTHFR gene in unexplained recurrent abortions and in cases with unsuccessful IVF is part of the diagnostic strategy. The population frequencies of carriers of mutations of factor II. (2.3%), factor V.-Leiden (5.7%) and MTHFR gene (38%) were determined. The laser biopsy of the first polar body and of blastomeres was introduced for FISH analysis of chromosome aneuploidies. Quantitative fluorescent PCR (QFPCR) detection is used for testing of the most frequent delta F508 CFTR gene mutation and the most frequent aneuploidies of chromosome 13, 18, 21, X and Y. QFPCR was successfully tested for male fetal sex examination from partially purified fetal cells in the maternal blood. The first trimester ultrasound and biochemical screening is recommended to all successful pregnancies after different IVF methods. If borderline levels of first trimester biochemical screening of PAPP-A protein and beta hCG are detected without pathological ultrasound findings, classical triple test of biochemical screening in 16th week of gestation is recommended. If pathological results of ultrasound and biochemical screening are disclosed, invasive prenatal genetic diagnosis is indicated as well as in pregnancies after ICSL, if there is not any obstetrical contraindication.

Chromosome Disorders↗

PubMed2002

[Perinatal outcome of twin pregnancies conceived by assisted reproductive techniques and those conceived spontaneously].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate perinatal outcomes of twin pregnancies conceived by assisted reproductive techniques and those conceived spontaneously. METHODS: The pregnant complications, delivery situation and neonatal outcomes of 104 twin pregnancies conceived by assisted reproductive techniques were compared to 173 spontaneous ones. RESULTS: (1) The women of twin pregnancies conceived by assisted reproductive techniques were (31.2 +/- 3.7) years old while the spontaneous ones were (27.8 +/- 3.5) years old. There was significant difference between two groups (P < 0.05). (2) There were also significant differences in the incidence of premature delivery and gestational diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance(P < 0.01) between two groups. There were 70 cases (67.3%) premature delivery in assisted reproduction group, while 78 cases (45.1%) in spontaneous group. There were 16 cases (15.4%) gestational diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance in assisted reproduction group, while 4 cases (2.3%) in spontaneous group. (3) Cesarean sections were more frequently performed in assisted reproduction group (79 cases, 76.0%) than in spontaneous group (113 cases 65.3%). (4) There were no statistically significant differences in perinatal deaths, congenital malformations, neonatal asphyxia between two groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The women of twin pregnancies conceived by assisted reproductive techniques were older than those conceived spontaneously. The incidence of premature delivery, gestational diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance and cesarean section were higher in assisted reproduction group. However, no statistically significant differences in perinatal morbidity were found between the two groups.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Epigenetic and synergistic types of inheritance of the reproductive characters in angiosperms].

The author considers three types of hereditary memory (structural, cell and signal), that are realized on different levels of biological organization. These three types of hereditary memory correspond to three types of reproduction: self-replication, cell division and reproduction s. str. Reproductive characters are exemplified with three essential characters in angiosperm plants: dimorphism in population by flower sex; mono-, di- and trystyly of flowers; uni- and biparental mode of seed reproduction. All these characters are considered as "supercharacters" that are controlled by gene ensembles. The correspondence between three types of reproduction and three types of hereditary memory are discussed. The authors reviews also the role of polyploidy (auto- and endoploidy) in the inheritance of reproductive condition. From the information theory point the increase in cell ploidy causes the growth of uncertainty in expression of genes and gene ensembles thus creating new type of variability--epigenetic variation. The change of reproductive strategy in plants is regulated by state of gene and gene ensembles and does not demand structural changes in genome. The reproductive characters of plants in spite its complex structure are inherited in number of generations as a discrete Mendel characters by mono-, di-, ot trihybrid schemas.

Biological Evolution↗

PubMed2004

[Psychological condition of children from pregnancies after assisted reproduction in the third year of life].

OBJECTIVE: To analyse psychological development of children born after assisted reproductive technology. DESIGN: Psychological analysis of the child's development related to the technology of assisted reproduction, length of pregnancy and multiple birth was performed and compared with the control group. SETTING: Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Prague. METHODS: Out of the total number of 123 children born after assisted reproductive technology during the 1st half of the year 1998 in the Center ISCARE IVF, psychological development was evaluated in 109 children (88.6%). Ninety four children from this sample were assessed using mental, motor and behavior scales of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II. RESULTS: Mental and motor development of infants born after intracytoplasmatic injection (ICSI) and after in-vitro-fertilisation (IVF) was not significantly different. Fullterm singletons born after assisted reproductive technology did not differ from control fullterm children. There was a developmental delay in both fullterm and preterm children from multiple pregnancies in comparison to control children. No child had serious impairment of psychic functions (developmental index <50). There were no significant differences in behavior records between children born after assisted reproductive technology and control children, but some parents had problems in educational care of their children born after assisted reproductive technology. CONCLUSION: From children born after assisted reproductive technology, those from multiple pregnancies may be at risk for later psychological development. The occurrence of educational problems in assisted reproductive families indicates a need of accessible professional care in this field.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Condition of the children born after assisted reproduction in Czech Republic].

OBJECTIVE: A retrospective study of data, with an analysis of bio-social factors and the incidence of birth defects in the children born out of pregnancy resulting from assisted reproduction in the Czech Republic in the period from 1995 to 2002. Also, the objective was to analyse these factors in comparison with a group of children born during the same period after spontaneous conception. DATA SOURCE AND METHODS: The data were obtained from the National Health Registers, the administration of which has been entrusted to the Institute of Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic (IHIS CR). Specifically, the National Register of Birth Defects and the National Register of Neonates were used. Groups of children born after spontaneous conception and after assisted reproduction were analysed. We analysed the frequency of pregnancy, the gestation week at birth and birth weight, the incidence of immaturity at birth, hypotrophy, hypertrophy, the incidence of birth defects in prenatally and postnatally diagnosed cases and the mortality rate during the 1st year of life. RESULTS: In the period 1995-2002, a total of 731,617 children were born in the Czech Republic. During the same period, a total of 14,243 children were born after assisted reproduction. A statistically significant higher (p<0.0001) proportion of the children born out of multiple pregnancies (40% in the assisted reproduction group as compared with 1.7% in the spontaneous conception group) was identified. The overall mortality rates (early neonatal mortality and infant mortality) are significantly influenced by the number of children within a pregnancy, and as a consequence of the unfavourable distribution in the assisted reproduction group (statistically significant higher representation of children from multiple pregnancies), the rates are higher in the assisted reproduction group. CONCLUSION: The frequencies of children born with a birth defect in the assisted reproduction group and in the group of other born children were not statistically significant. The differences in mortality rates, birth weights and the gestation week are caused by the unfavourable demographic distribution in the assisted reproduction group.

Birth Weight↗

PubMed2005

Perspective: Reproductive isolation caused by natural selection against immigrants from divergent habitats.

The classification of reproductive isolating barriers laid out by Dobzhansky and Mayr has motivated and structured decades of research on speciation. We argue, however, that this classification is incomplete and that the unique contributions of a major source of reproductive isolation have often been overlooked. Here, we describe reproductive barriers that derive from the reduced survival of immigrants upon reaching foreign habitats that are ecologically divergent from their native habitat. This selection against immigrants reduces encounters and thus mating opportunities between individuals from divergently adapted populations. It also reduces the likelihood that successfully mated immigrant females will survive long enough to produce their hybrid offspring. Thus, natural selection against immigrants results in distinctive elements of premating and postmating reproductive isolation that we hereby dub "immigrant inviability." We quantify the contributions of immigrant inviability to total reproductive isolation by examining study systems where multiple components of reproductive isolation have been measured and demonstrate that these contributions are frequently greater than those of traditionally recognized reproductive barriers. The relevance of immigrant inviability is further illustrated by a consideration of population-genetic theory, a review of selection against immigrant alleles in hybrid zone studies, and an examination of its participation in feedback loops that influence the evolution of additional reproductive barriers. Because some degree of immigrant inviability will commonly exist between populations that exhibit adaptive ecological divergence, we emphasize that these barriers play critical roles in ecological modes of speciation. We hope that the formal recognition of immigrant inviability and our demonstration of its evolutionary importance will stimulate more explicit empirical studies of its contributions to speciation.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Stress, cortisol and reproduction in female pigs.

Two key hypotheses emerge in the literature regarding the impact of stress on reproduction in females of any species. First, prolonged stress impairs reproduction in females. Secondly, acute stress impairs reproduction, if it occurs at a critical time during the precisely timed series of endocrine events that induce oestrus and ovulation. We reviewed studies conducted in female pigs to find support or opposition for these hypotheses in female pigs. We also considered the role of cortisol. We found confirmation that prolonged stress or the prolonged elevation of cortisol can impair reproductive processes in female pigs, but also found that there appear to be some female pigs in which reproduction is resistant to such treatments. Reproduction in female pigs appears to be resistant to acute or repeated acute stress or elevation of cortisol, even if these occur during the series of precisely timed endocrine events that induce oestrus and ovulation. Thus, we propose modified versions of the above hypotheses that are specific to female pigs. Furthermore, while cortisol may mediate the effects of prolonged stress on reproduction in female pigs, there is evidence that, in female pigs, ACTH may require the presence of the adrenal glands to impair reproduction rather than having direct effects.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMed1987

The effect of seasonal temperature and experimental illumination on reproductive rate in the snail Biomphalaria glabrata.

1. Reproduction in the snail Biomphalaria glabrata, a vector of Schistosoma mansoni, was measured by egg production and other parameters such as number of clutches, eggs per clutch and egg hatching, under laboratory conditions. 2. Reproductive rates were highest in terms of total number of eggs, clutches and hatching under constant illumination, followed by conditions similar to the natural rhythm of illumination. The greatest reduction in reproduction occurred in constant darkness. In summary, reproductive rate was dependent on both the intensity of absolute illumination and the schedule of illumination exposure. 3. Seasonal variation in reproductive rate appeared to vary inversely with local temperature in Belo Horizonte, situated in a tropical zone (latitude 20 S) owing probably to a temperature preference of 20 to 25 degrees C by the snail. The highest reproductive rates occurred in winter, except for the parameter eggs per clutch which was maximal in autumn. Snail reproduction appeared to be most reduced during summer. There was no linear correlation between reproductive rate and temperature.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Physiological adaptations and the concepts of optimal reproductive strategy and physiological constraint in marine invertebrates.

The dominant 'demographic' theory of life history evolution supposes that different lifetime patterns of reproduction are the result of selection of alternative optimal solutions for the allocation of limited resources between somatic and reproductive functions. A number of trade-off possibilities have been recognized--those between current reproductive output and residual reproductive value and between fecundity and initial offspring size being considered especially important. Many theoretical studies assume that natural selection will favour the adoption of optimal solutions, but it has been pointed out that such solutions may not be obtainable due to design constraints and the development of physiological adaptations to specific reproductive traits which limit subsequent evolutionary potential. The validity of this idea is examined in this paper through a review of the major reproductive strategies available to marine invertebrates and the physiological adaptations associated with them. The ecologically important distinction between planktotrophic and lecithotrophic development is not necessarily associated with major physiological adaptations in the adults, but the distinction between strictly semelparous and iteroparous life histories is. This is demonstrated in a survey of the endocrinological and environmental control of reproductive processes in related organisms with contrasting modes or reproduction. Particular reference is made to the Polychaeta, in which the contrast between semelparous and iteroparous life histories is particularly marked. A similar contrast is found between cephalopoda and other mollusca, and the discussion of physiological adaptations is extended to include these groups and the Echinodermata.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Regulation of reproductive medicine in North America or the Wild West of Medicine (Part I)].

The objective of this work is to offer a general introduction of the legal regulation of the Reproductive Medicine that is practiced in the United States of America. In the United States, besides the Federal Administration, there are also fifty state juridical instances who have competence in Assisted Reproduction subjects. The first section studies the limits of the Right to Reproduction. The American Constitution, interpreted by the Supreme Court, has been useful to establish the limits. Then, will be analyzed the reasons that have been taken by the legislator to adopt a permission with regard to issues appeared by the Medicine of the Fertility. Once studied the general context of the regulation of the Procreation Technology, it is exposed the state legislation and jurisprudence about the matter, and it is also made a review to the most relevant doctrine opinions of the american jurist in relation to Assistance to Reproduction. The cultural and juridical answers that these new clinic methods have used to control, improve or limit the reproduction capacity of human beings are almost as interesting as the Reproductive Technology. Contrary to what happens in Europe, where the legislator has firmly establish the regulation of the Reproductive Medicine since the late 80's, in North-America the lack of regulation has caused a free market where all kind of treatments of fertility are offered, just up to the point that an American author has called the sector "wild west of the Medicine".

Human Rights↗

PubMed1996

Potentiation of diethylstilbestrol-induced alterations in the female mouse reproductive tract by transforming growth factor-alpha transgene expression.

Neonatal estrogen exposure causes numerous abnormalities in the female reproductive tract, including carcinogenesis. One mechanism by which neonatal estrogen elicits teratogenic and carcinogenic effects is epigenetic and involves the modulation of a number of estrogen-regulated genes including epidermal growth factor (EGF). Because of the evidence that there is an integral relationship between the EGF family, estrogen action, and the regulation of the growth and differentiation of the reproductive tract, we used transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha) transgenic mice to investigate the interaction of constitutive TGF alpha expression with the potent estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) in the induction of reproductive-tract alterations. Our study was designed to determine whether TGF alpha expression could modulate DES-induced carcinogenesis of the female mouse reproductive tract. The animals were homozygous TGF alpha transgenic female mice from the MT42 line and the parental CD-1 outbred mice. The presence of the TGF alpha transgene significantly increased the incidence of DES-induced vaginal adenosis, uterine endometrial hyperplasia, uterine polyps, hypospadia, benign ovarian cysts, and pituitary adenomas. However, constitutive TGF alpha expression did not promote reproductive-tract neoplasia. This study demonstrates that TGF alpha participates in the regulation of developmental and morphogenic events in the Müllerian duct and urogenital sinus, suggesting a role for TGF alpha in the pathogenesis of reproductive-tract diseases. Furthermore, we showed that although constitutive expression of the TGF alpha transgene did have an effect on the reproductive tract, TGF alpha overexpression alone could not substitute for DES as a reproductive-tract carcinogen or as a promoter of uterine neoplasia, indicating that DES-induced carcinogenesis requires events in addition to the overexpression of this single peptide growth factor.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Differences in potential reproductive rates of male and female seahorses related to courtship roles.

Dwarf seahorses, Hippocampus zosterae (Syngnathidae), are distinguished by extreme morphological specialization for paternal care, the formation of monogamous pair bonds and mating repeatedly over the course of a breeding season. To determine the potential reproductive rates of male and female dwarf seahorses, we measured (1) the maximum number of offspring produced per breeding cycle when sexually receptive mates were unlimited, and (2) the relative time each sex was unavailable for mating ('time out'). We paired sexually isolated males and females with sexually receptive partners and observed them from the day of introduction through to copulation, to determine the length of time it takes each sex to prepare to mate. We conducted additional experiments to determine the length of gestation, which when added to the time needed to prepare to mate and copulate gives an estimate of total reproductive cycle duration, T. We estimated potential reproductive rate by dividing the mean number of offspring produced per breeding cycle by the duration of the breeding cycle (T). We estimated reproductive 'time out' by identifying the period of time males and females were physiologically capable of mating ('time in', S) and subtracting time S from time T. When provided with sexually receptive partners, females took 2 days longer than males to complete courtship and copulation, but neither males nor females remated during gestation. Therefore, males could potentially produce 17% more offspring than females over the course of one breeding season. Females had reproductive 'times out' 1.2 times longer than did males, as they were only capable of mating during the 4 h directly preceding copulation. Thus, H. zosterae males have higher potential reproductive rates and shorter reproductive 'times out' compared with H. zosterae females. These results and previous work indicating that seahorses display traditional courtship roles support the prediction that the sex having the higher potential reproductive rate, or equivalently, the shorter 'time out', will compete more intensely for access to the opposite sex. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

Predator avoidance, breeding experience and reproductive success in endangered cheetahs, Acinonyx jubatus.

I examine three hypotheses about predator avoidance behaviour: (1) avoidance increases an individual's reproductive success; (2) avoidance changes with breeding experience according to one of three described models; and (3) any reproductive or experience benefits accrued to individuals by avoidance are reflected in their spatial distribution. These hypotheses were tested on cheetahs which incur substantial juvenile mortality from predation by two larger competitors: spotted hyaenas, Crocuta crocuta, and lions, Panthera leo. To examine avoidance tactics, I played lion and hyaena vocalizations to individual female cheetahs. Lion avoidance increased with the statistical interaction between age and reproductive success, suggesting that it may be a learned behaviour, reinforced by successful reproductive events. This behaviour translated into a nonrandom spatial distribution of cheetahs with the most reproductively successful females found near lower lion densities than less successful females. Hyaena avoidance decreased with the interaction between age and reproductive success, suggesting that it is diminished by successful reproductive events, perhaps because a female cheetah switches from avoidance to using antipredator behaviours as she gets older. Hyaena avoidance behaviour translated into a spatial distribution with the most reproductively successful females found near lower hyaena densities than less successful females; however, younger females were found near lower hyaena densities than older females. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1997

Evolutionarily Stable Reproductive Strategies in Sexual Organisms: III. The Effects of Lottery Density Dependence and Pollen Limitation

This paper extends our previous work on modelling, within a single framework, the allocation of resources to reproduction vs. survival and the male vs. female components of reproduction in perennial plants. We derive the evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) results under pollen limitation for both hermaphroditic and dioecious plant populations held stable through density-dependent juvenile recruitment. Pollen limitation affects female reproductive allocation in our model because there is post-flowering provisioning of offspring. We find that pollen limitation is unimportant to the ESS reproductive allocation and sex allocation so long as there are enough seeds to fill the empty sites left by the death of adults. To the extent that the relationships between gamete output and resource investment are linear for both sexes or sex functions, the separate treatment of reproductive and sex allocation in modern life-history and sex-allocation theories is adequate. In such cases, the ESS sex allocation is exactly what is found in traditional sex allocation theory, and the ESS reproductive allocation of hermaphrodites or females in a dioecious species maximizes the amount of resources allocated to reproduction during an average lifespan, an analogue of the usual maximization principle in life-history theory modified to include the possibility of pollen limitation and extended seed maturation. The ESS reproductive allocation of males in a dioecious species maximizes lifetime pollen production, independent of pollen limitation and the female's resource allocation. Copyright 1997 Academic Press Limited

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Women's reproductive health and depression: a community survey in the Gambia, West Africa.

BACKGROUND: Depression is the commonest mental illness in developing countries and impoverished women are most at risk. Formal mental health services in these situations are rare. Depression commonly co-presents with physical symptoms or else is unspectacular, so the condition often goes unrecognised. To strengthen the prevention and management of depression, information is required on easily recognisable correlates of depression. This study explored associations between depression and reproductive health conditions in rural African women of reproductive age. METHODS: A community-based reproductive health survey among rural women aged 15-54 years in The Gambia, West Africa, included screening with a modified Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS), a reproductive health questionnaire and a gynaecological examination. Depression was then assessed clinically and data for 565 women were used to estimate the prevalence of depression and examine associations with reproductive health conditions and demographic factors. RESULTS: The weighted prevalence of depression was 10.3% (95% CI 8.3-12.7). Being depressed was most significantly associated with widowhood or divorce (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 8.42, 2.77-25.57), infertility (3.69, 1.42-9.65) and severe menstrual pain (3.94, 1.52-10.27). There were significant differences between ethnic groups. Being in the postpartum period was not associated with an increased likelihood of depression. CONCLUSION: This study points to the importance of reproductive potential and reproductive health in maintaining women's mental well-being across different strata of a rural and resource-poor society. It could provide an initial focus for the management of women with depression as well as directing future research in reproductive health and psychiatry.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Female survival, lifetime reproductive success and mating status in a passerine bird.

In facultatively polygynous birds, secondary females of polygynously mated males typically have reduced annual reproductive success, because polygynous males provide less paternal care than monogamous males. Life history theory predicts that, as a result of increased reproductive investment, secondary females should suffer from reduced survival and lifetime reproductive success, but previous studies provided only weak support for this hypothesis. We used 7 years of data to study the fitness of female collared flycatchers Ficedula albicollis in relation to mating status by estimating survival and lifetime reproductive success. Taking differences in recapture probability into account, a mark-recapture analysis revealed that females observed at least once to breed as secondary female had higher survival than other females. This relationship was not confounded by laying date, because when we assessed the impact of laying date on survival, we found similar survival patterns. Females of polygynous males had reduced breeding success in terms of number of young fledged during the current reproductive event. However, during their lifetime females found at least once in primary or secondary mating status produced significantly more eggs, and at least the same number of fledglings and recruits as monogamous females. Thus, in the collared flycatcher, females of polygynously mated males seem to suffer from mating status during the most recent reproductive event, but considering survival and lifetime reproductive success, the apparently disadvantageous mating event is not necessarily associated with reduced residual reproductive value.

Animals↗