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PubMed1982

Reproductive performance in capture-acclimated female rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

Behavioral and physiological data were collected over a three-year period on a colony of compound-housed rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) to examine endocrine influences on sexual behavior. The reproductive performance of the experimental animals was compared to controls which were not routinely handled. The groups did not differ significantly with regard to the percentage of conceptions or other parameters of reproductive biology. The demonstration that manipulations attendant to data collection did not jeopardize reproductive success has important implications for research on primate colonies which are maintained primarily for breeding purposes. Additionally, female copulatory behavior was found to be a reliable indicator of ovulation which allows for an accurate prediction of the parturition date.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed1988

Age-related alterations in pulsatile luteinizing hormone release: effects of long-term ovariectomy, repeated pregnancies and naloxone.

Aging of the female reproductive system may be regulated by changes at the hypothalamic, pituitary, and ovarian levels. Long-term ovariectomy (LT-OVX) and/or multiple pregnancies delay age-related deterioration of several parameters of reproductive potential in rodents. We tested whether long-term suppression of cyclic ovarian hormone release that is normally associated with the 4- to 5-day estrous cycle decelerates age-related decreases in the frequency of luteinizing hormone (LH) pulses to assess whether hormonal milieu influences the rate of aging of the pulse generator. We determined the percentage of rats exhibiting pulsatile LH secretion, mean LH levels, and amplitude and frequency of LH pulses in seven groups of ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Young (3-4 mo), middle-aged (8-10 mo), and old (18-22 mo) virgin rats, ovariectomized 4 wk (4WK-OVX) prior to experimentation, were used to determine the effect of age. The effect of long-term ovarian hormone deprivation was tested by ovariectomizing rats at 2-3 mo of age and using them when they were middle-aged (8-10 months) or old (18-22 mo). The effect of deprivation of cyclic increases in ovarian hormones associated with repeated estrous cycles was tested by using retired breeder (RB) rats that had been ovariectomized 4 wk prior to experimentation. Each rat was implanted with a right atrial cannula and bled the next day at 10-min intervals for 3 h.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗

PubMed1996

Evaluation of the developmental neuroendocrine and reproductive toxicology of aluminium.

Two experiments evaluating functional endpoints pertaining to the developmental neuroendocrine effects of aluminum in the rat are reported. A total of 31 timed mated dams were fed by daily gastric gavage 0, 5, 25, 50, 250, 500 or 1000 mg/kg body weight/day aluminum as a solution of aluminum lactate in distilled water from days 5 to 15 of gestation. The 390 offspring were evaluated for morphological and physiological parameters of reproductive functioning, including birth weight, anogenital distance (AGD), timing of vaginal opening, regularly of oestrous cycles, duration of pseudopregnancy (PSP), number of superovulated oocytes, and gonadal weight. No consistent or reproducible findings suggestive of toxic effect were found in the parameters of birth weight, AGD, timing of vaginal opening, duration of PSP, number of superovulated oocytes, and adult gonadal weight. A temporary increase in the proportion of aberrant oestrous cycles was detected during the first four cycles after vaginal opening, in the 250 mg/body weight/day group, with none by the fifth consecutive oestrous cycle. These results suggest that, apart from a transient disturbance of oestrous cycle regularity, aluminum does not have a developmental reproductive toxic effect.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1993

Effects of trypanosome inferction and postpartum liveweight change on resumption of reproduction activity in N'Dama cows.

Data on reproduction, liveweight and trypanosome infection of N'Dama cattle raised under traditional husbandry systems in The Gambia were analyzed to quantify the relative effects of postpartum liveweight change and infection with pathogenic trypanosomes on 2 parameters of reproductive efficiency: the ability to calve within 21 months after the initial parturition and the length of the calving interval. Information for the study was obtained from a database on an epidemiological survey begun in 1985 in The Gambia. Calving records (n=294) from 3 locations were classified on the basis of body weight change and prevalence of trypanosome infection between 1 and 4 months postpartum. Least-squares analyses adjusted for effects of location, season of calving, viability of calf, and parity showed that the proportion of cows that calved within 21 months was 50% for cows which maintained or lost less than 5% of the initial postpartum weight and 31% for cows which lost a higher percentage of weight. Corresponding mean calving intervals were 567 and 666 days, respectively (P<0.05). With regard to trypanosome infection, 49% of uninfected cows and 32% of infected cows (P<0.05) calved again within 21 months, with calving intervals of 581 and 651 days, respectively (P<0.05). The interaction between liveweight change and trypanosome infection status was not significant. Furthermore, the findings suggest that while postpartum body weight loss impairs reproductive performance, trypanosome infection does likewise, and these effects may act independently of each other.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1982

Chronic cadmium exposure: relation to male reproductive toxicity and subsequent fetal outcome.

Acute injections of high doses of Cd induce marked testicular necrosis. However, the effects of low-dose, oral Cd exposure on a chronic basis are not well documented. The present investigation was designed to examine the effects of such exposure as reflected in parameters of spermatotoxicity and histology. Moreover, the impact on fetal outcome was measured by evaluating teratological and postnatal neurobehavior endpoints. Male Long-Evans hooded rats (100 d of age) were exposed to 0, 17.2, 34.4, or 68.8 ppm Cd for 70 d. During this period, the animals were maintained on a semipurified diet to control for the contributions of Zn and other trace elements. Near the end of exposure the males were mated to three female rats. One was sacrificed on d 21 of pregnancy for teratological assessment, including fetal weight, and determination of preimplantation and postimplantation loss. The other two dams were allowed to deliver, and their offspring were tested on tasks of exploratory behavior (d 21) and learning (d 90). Subsequently, the male parent was sacrificed and a variety of measures recorded including weights of testes and caudae epididymides, sperm count and sperm morphology, and Cd content of liver and kidney. One of the testes was also evaluated histologically. No significant effects were observed on any of the parameters of reproductive toxicity or fetal outcome. These findings suggest that, at the doses employed in this study, Cd did not have significant deleterious effects on the male reproductive system. Morever, the traditional view of Cd-related testicular insult, based on acute exposure, injection protocols, needs to be reevaluated in terms of environmental relevance.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2005

Effect of Cr(V) on reproductive organ morphology and sperm parameters: an experimental study in mice.

BACKGROUND: Cr(V) species are formed during the intracellular reduction of Cr(VI), a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. In this study, the acute toxicity of a physiologically stable Cr(V) compound, [CrV-BT](2-) (BT = bis(hydroxyethyl)aminotris(hydroxymethyl)methane) was investigated in the male reproductive system of sexually mature 60-day-old male ICR-CD1 mice. METHODS: Eight-week-old animals were subcutaneously injected daily with a dose of ca 8 micromol of Cr/mouse, during 5 days. The control group was injected with 0.5 mL of BT buffer. Testis and epididymis morphology was evaluated using light and transmission electron microscopy. Epididymal sperm counts, motility and acrosome integrity were also assayed using standard methods. RESULTS: Seminiferous epithelium abnormalities were detected in the CrV-BT experimental group, including intraepithelial vacuolation, and remarkable degeneration of Sertoli cells, spermatocytes and spermatids. The premature release of germ cells into the tubular lumen was also evident. Histological evaluation of epididymal compartments revealed apparently normal features. However, the epididymal epithelium presented vacuolation. [CrV-BT](2-) induced a reduction in sperm acrosome integrity. However, sperm motility and density were not significantly affected. CONCLUSION: This in vivo study using a Cr(V) compound, provides evidence for the potential reproductive hazards caused on male reproductive system by species containing chromium in intermediate oxidation states.

Acrosome Reaction↗

PubMed2004

The predictive value of sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) parameters for the outcome of intrauterine insemination, IVF and ICSI.

INTRODUCTION: Sperm chromatin integrity assessment has been suggested as a fertility predictor. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the results of sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and the outcome of IVF, ICSI and intrauterine insemination (IUI). METHODS: A total of 306 consecutive couples undergoing assisted reproduction were included. IUI was performed in 131, IVF in 109 and ICSI in 66. SCSA results were expressed as DNA fractionation index (DFI) and highly DNA stainable (HDS) cell fractions. Reproductive outcome parameters were biochemical pregnancy (BP), clinical pregnancy (CP) and delivery (D). RESULTS: For IUI, the chance of pregnancy/delivery was significantly higher in the group with DFI 27% or HDS >10%. The odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals) were 20 (2.3-117), 16 (1.9-137) and 14 (1.6-110) for BP, CP and D, respectively. No statistical difference between the outcomes of IVF versus ICSI was observed in the group with DFI 27% group, however, the results of ICSI were significantly better than those of IVF. Comparing ICSI with IVF, the OR (95% CI) for BP was 26 (1.9-350). CONCLUSIONS: SCSA is a useful method for prediction of the outcome of assisted reproduction.

Adult↗

PubMed1976

Effect on the reproductive functions of female rhesus monkeys of feeding irradiated wheat flour and potato diet.

We investigated the effects on reproductive functions of feeding adult rhesus monkeys on a diet of irradiated wheat flour and potato. Wheat flour and potatoes were exposed to 75000 and 10000 rad, respectively, of gamma-irradiation and then fed to the animals. Various parameters of reproductive function were compared with those of animals fed on unirradiated food. These were: external changes in the reproductive organs, menstrual cycle, vaginal cytology, assay of urinary hormones (oestrogens and pregnanediol), and post-mortem histopathological examination of the reproductive organs. At the end of 3 months, the experimental and control animals behaved similarly with regard to their reproductive functions.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Reproduction study in rats or ginseng extract G115.

The effect of ginseng extract G115 on reproductive performance was studied in two generations of Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals of both sexes were fed wither control diet or diet supplemented with ginseng extract G115 at dose levels of 1 . 5, 5 or 15 mg/kg body weight/day. Parameters of reproduction and lactation in the treated groups were comparable to those of the controls for two generations of dams and pups. For F1 males and females, no treatment-related effects were seen in weekly body weights and food consumption, haematological and clinical chemical data, and ophthalmic, gross and histopathological examinations. The gross autopsies of F1 and F2 animals also revealed no significant treatment-related findings.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Sodium chlorite administration in Long-Evans rats: reproductive and endocrine effects.

Long-Evans rats, 4-6 weeks of age, were given access to 0, 1, 10, or 100 ppm sodium chlorite in deionized water ad libitum as drinking water. Males were exposed 56 days, and females for 14 days prior to breeding and throughout the 10-day breeding period. Males were evaluated for sperm parameters and reproductive tract histopathology following the breeding period. Females were exposed throughout gestation and lactation. Dams and pups were necropsied at weaning. Decreases in serum T3 and T4 were observed on Postnatal Days 21 and 40 in male and female pups exposed to 100 ppm chlorite or above. Additionally, groups of males were exposed to 0, 10, 100, or 500 ppm ad libitum in the drinking water to confirm observed subtle reproductive effects and examine dose-effect relationships. A significant increase in the percentage of abnormal sperm morphology (P less than 0.001) and decrease in sperm direct progressive movement (P less than 0.01) were observed for adult males at chlorite levels of 100 or 500 ppm. Since other clinical and reproductive endpoints were not affected, sperm morphology and sperm direct progressive movement may be two of the more sensitive indicators of reproductive damage.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

[The dynamics of neuronal, autonomic and movement parameters in animals during the reproduction of a learned habit].

Data by the authors, as well as from other laboratories, show that the intertrial responses correlated with accuracy of avoidance or feeding behaviour. Moreover our previously data demonstrated the definite changes of neuronal activity, heart rate and respiration during intertrial responses. In this study we investigated the time-course of intertrial response appearance, the pattern of neurophysiological parameters during intertrial periods, and the types of intertrial responses. Experiment 1 showed that different environmental stimuli influenced the level of intertrial responses and successfulness of the avoidance learning. In experiment 2, in which learning and extinction procedures were presented in rabbit passive-avoidance conditioning, two types of intertrial responses were observed; the first type repeated the pain reinforcement, the second one imitated the conditioned reaction of neuronal activity, heart rate, respiration, and moving. These investigations suggest that the processes of intertrial eliciting of avoidance effector programs may be one of the mechanisms of fixation in memory and play an important role in acquisition of more effective results.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed2005

Endocrine profiles and reproductive output in European ground squirrels after unilateral ovariectomy.

In the course of a long-term study on reproductive physiology and behaviour in female European ground squirrels (Spermophilus citellus) we investigated interactions among reproductive timing, maternal effort and hibernation. To gain information on the state of follicular development shortly before hibernation, histological investigations of ovaries were carried out. To collect the ovaries, unilateral ovariectomy was chosen as the least invasive method. The aim of this study was to monitor patterns of hormone secretion, behavioural parameters and reproductive output in females after unilateral ovariectomy, and compare them with intact individuals to assess potential effects of the treatment. Reproductive performance including duration of gestation and lactation, litter size, and offspring mass at natal emergence were similar in treated and untreated individuals. Before weaning, plasma estradiol levels were higher in the hemicastrated group than in intact females. Progesterone concentrations tended to be lower in unilaterally ovariectomized females during gestation and postlactation. In both groups we measured cortisol metabolites in fecal samples to estimate basal adrenal activity. Untreated individuals had significantly higher cortisol levels than hemicastrated females during lactation. In all other phases no significant differences in patterns of cortisol excretion were found between the two groups. Prehibernatory body-mass did not differ between treated and untreated females. These results indicate that unilateral ovariectomy had no significant negative effects on reproductive timing and output in female European ground squirrels. Compensatory activity of the remaining ovary does occur, concerning estradiol secretion even a kind of overcompensation was reported. These elevated estradiol levels in unilaterally ovariectomized females could play a role in limiting the degree of follicular compensation.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Effects of interleukin-12 administration during the pre- and peri-implantation period on mouse embryofetal development.

PROBLEM: The immunological success of pregnancy is thought to depend upon the establishment of a balance between favorable and deleterious cytokines, the current paradigm viewing pregnancy as a T helper (Th)2 cytokine-dependent phenomenon. In this context, a particular attention should be directed to the potential role of interleukin (IL)-12, which promotes the development of Th1 responses, in the induction of adverse pregnancy-related phenomena. Indeed, very few data linked the Th1-inducer IL-12 to the event of abortion. METHODS: In this study, we have investigated the maternal and fetal effects of exogenous administration of IL-12 to CD1 (BR) ICR mice during the pre- and peri-implantation period (day 2-6 of pregnancy). Animals have been evaluated for parameters of reproductive performance, embryo and fetal developmental toxicity and maternal toxicity. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal administration of IL-12 at concentrations from 2.5 to 10 microg/kg daily did not result in an increase in the murine abortion rate. A statistically significant, although minimal, decrease in the number of somites were found in the embryos of animals treated with IL-12 at a dose of 10 microg/kg/day. However, developmental parameters at birth were similar between the two groups of animals suggesting that alteration of somites might be a transitory state during treatment. An increased body weight gains and reduced feed and water consumption were observed in the mothers treated with the cytokine. CONCLUSION: In the present experimental conditions and in this specific strain of mice, IL-12 does not exert adverse effects on reproductive performance and induces an only modest harmful action on mothers and embryos.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed1995

Response to treatment in hereditary metabolic disease: 1993 survey and 10-year comparison.

Knowledge about cause, pathogenesis, and manifestations of hereditary metabolic diseases puts them among the best known of all human diseases. On the other hand, outcomes of treatment are cause for uncertainty and concern. In 1985, Hayes et al. analyzed efficacy of treatment up to 1983 in 65 of these diseases selected randomly from the McKusick catalogs. Disease scores were calculated for seven parameters: longevity; reproductive capability; somatic and cognitive development; and handicaps affecting schooling, work, and cosmetic appearance. Scores of the untreated and treated phenotypes were then compared. We have now measured progress over the past decade by calculating scores on the same 65 diseases from data in several hundred new reports published since 1983. All seven parameters in the 1993 survey reflect improved efficacy of treatment in the 10-year interval. However, the percent of diseases for which all manifestations of the disease were removed by treatment has not changed (12% in 1983; 12% in 1993). The group in which manifestations were untouched by treatment has become smaller (48% in 1983; 31% in 1993), and the group partially ameliorated by treatment had increased reciprocally (40% in 1983; 57% in 1993). Progress in the treatment of hereditary metabolic disease is thus better than it was, but it is still only a partial success. The advances are attributable to greater success with organ and tissue transplantation, better pharmacotherapy, and better support systems. Restoration of normal homeostasis, the key to successful treatment, remains an elusive challenge and is a logical, major focus for research in human genetics.

Data Collection↗

PubMed2005

Estimates of genetic parameters for Canadian Holstein female reproduction traits.

Age at first insemination, days from calving to first insemination, number of services, first-service nonreturn rate to 56 d, days from first service to conception, calving ease, stillbirth, gestation length, and calf size of Canadian Holstein cows were jointly analyzed in a linear multiple-trait model. Traits covered a wide spectrum of aspects related to reproductive performance of dairy cows. Other frequently used fertility characteristics, like days open or calving intervals, could easily be derived from the analyzed traits. Data included 94,250 records in parities 1 to 6 on 53,158 cows from Ontario and Quebec, born in the years 1997 to 2002. Reproductive characteristics of heifers and cows were treated as different but genetically correlated traits that gave 16 total traits in the analysis. Repeated records for later parities were modeled with permanent environmental effects. Direct and maternal genetic effects were included in linear models for traits related to calving performance. Bayesian methods with Gibbs sampling were used to estimate covariance components of the model and respective genetic parameters. Estimates of heritabilities for fertility traits were low, from 3% for nonreturn rate in heifers to 13% for age at first service. Interval traits had higher heritabilities than binary or categorical traits. Service sire, sire of calf, and artificial insemination technician were important (relative to additive genetic) sources of variation for nonreturn rate and traits related to calving performance. Fertility traits in heifers and older cows were not the same genetically (genetic correlations in general were smaller than 0.9). Genetic correlations (both direct and maternal) among traits indicated that different traits measured different aspects of reproductive performance of a dairy cow. These traits could be used jointly in a fertility index to allow for selection for better fertility of dairy cattle.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of two solanaceous plants on developmental and population parameters of the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is an important tomato pest that also feeds on other host-plants from the Solanceae family. We studied the effect of two cultivated plants, tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) and potato Solanum tuberosum L. on the development and populational parameters of T. absoluta related with host-plant suitability. Larval developmental time, pupal weight, mean fecundity and an index of host-plant quality (IPQ = pupal weight / frass weight) were estimated. Age-specific survivorship and fecundity life tables were constructed in the laboratory to evaluate the following populational parameters: net reproductive rate (Ro), intrinsic rate of increase (r) and generation time (T). Larval developmental time was shorter and pupal weight was higher (P < 0.0001) for larvae reared on tomato (P < 0.0001). Mean fecundity was not significantly different on both plants (P = 0.07) and food quality of host-plant was higher for tomato (P = 0.02). Mean population parameters on tomato were: Ro = 48.92; T = 27.98, r = 0.14; and on potato: Ro = 14.43; T = 32.35, r = 0.08. Although results showed that tomato was a more suitable host-plant and had a better nutritional quality than potato, when T. absoluta fed on potato the potential population increase requires attention. Under appropriate climatic conditions, spatial and temporal coincidence between crop and pest, T. absoluta could become a pest for the potato crop.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Dietary two-generation reproduction study of thiabendazole in Sprague-Dawley rats.

The potential reproductive toxicity of the fungicide and anthelmintic thiabendazole (TBZ) was assessed in Sprague-Dawley rats for two generations. Doses of 10, 30 or 90 mg/kg/day were administered by way of the diet beginning at 8 wk of age for the F0 generation and postnatal wk 4 for the F1 generation and continuing until the animals were killed. Concentrations of TBZ in the diet were adjusted weekly, except during the gestation and lactation intervals when concentrations were held constant. There were no TBZ-related deaths or adverse physical signs during the study. TBZ-related effects consisted of decreases in average body weight gains and food consumption in the middle and high dose groups. In both the F0 and F1 generations during the premating and post-cohabitation periods, the effects in the middle-dose group were observed only in males and were generally slight in magnitude (food consumption 3-5% below control, weight gain 7-18% below control), whereas the effects in the high dose group occurred in both sexes and were slight to moderate in magnitude (food consumption 9-13% below control, weight gain 13-46% below control). During gestation of the F0 females there were slight decreases in average weight gain and food consumption (8% and 4-16% below control, respectively); a similar effect on food consumption, but not weight gain, occurred in the F1 generation. There were no effects on F0 or F1 reproductive performance (including indices of mating, fecundity, fertility, length of gestation, litter size, birth weight, and post-implantation survival), nor were any histomorphological changes observed in the reproductive tissues of animals in the high dose group. There was no evidence of developmental toxicity in the TBZ-exposed F1 or F2 generations, except for slight decreases in average pup weights between postnatal days 4 and 21 in the high dose group (5-10% below control). The NOAEL (no-observed-adverse-effect level) for all developmental, growth, survival and reproductive performance parameters assessed in this study was 10 mg/kg/day.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Reproductive effects of alternative disinfectants.

Organohalides formed through the reaction of chlorine and organic compounds in natural and waste waters pose potential health hazards. For this reason, alternative water disinfectants that do not form organohalides are being investigated with great interest. Limited data are available on the health effects, in particular reproductive toxicity effects, of these compounds. In our laboratory, we have examined the reproductive effects of chloramine and chlorine administered by gavage in Long-Evans rats. Animals were treated for a total of 66 to 76 days. Males were treated for 56 days and females for 14 days prior to breeding and throughout the 10-day breeding period. Females were treated throughout gestation and lactation. Following breeding, the males were necropsied and evaluated for sperm parameters and reproductive tract histopathology. Adult females and some pups were necropsied at weaning on postnatal day 21. Other pups were treated postweaning until 28 or 40 days of age. These pups were evaluated for the day of vaginal patency and thyroid hormone levels. No differences were observed between control rats and those rats exposed to up to 5 mg/kg/day chlorine or 10 mg/kg/day chloramine when fertility, viability, litter size, day of eye opening, or day of vaginal patency were evaluated. No alterations in sperm count, sperm direct progressive movement (micron/sec), percent motility, or sperm morphology were observed among adult male rats. In addition, male and female reproductive organ weights were comparable to their respective control groups, and no significant histopathologic changes were observed among chlorine- or chloramine-treated male and female rats.

Animals↗