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PubMed1995

The predictive value of basal follicle stimulating and growth hormone levels as determined by immunofluorometry during assisted reproduction.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was (a) to investigate relationships of baseline endocrine serum levels with selected assisted reproduction (AR) parameters and (b) to evaluate the clinical applicability of an immunofluorometric assay (IFMA) as an alternative to a radioimmunoassay (RIA). METHODS: Basal endocrine values (analyzed by RIA-rFSH, rLH, and rE2; analyzed by IFMA-fFSH, fLH, and fGH) were determined for female patients (n = 142) preceding ovarian stimulation for AR. RESULTS: Specific AR parameters correlated significantly with RIA- and IFMA-determined FSH levels, although IFMA correlations consistently exceeds that of RIA. Cut-off values of fFSH > or = 11.68 IU/L or rFSH > or = 15.0 IU/L indicated a poor response. The high-basal fFSH group was older (34 vs 31 years; P = 0.0334) and yielded fewer oocytes (2.9 vs 4.6 oocytes; P = 0.0018) than the low-basal fFSH group (< 11.68 IU/L). Lower cumulative embryo scores and conception rates were also associated with the high-fFSH group, compared to the low-fFSH group. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the negative impact of elevated basal FSH levels on AR. Basal LH, GH, and E2 levels are, in comparison to baseline FSH levels, unsuitable indices for estimating ovarian responsiveness. IFMA can be regarded as an alternative to RIA in both clinical and research laboratories.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed2004

Genetic comparison of breeding schemes based on semen importation and local breeding schemes: framework and application to Costa Rica.

Local breeding schemes for Holstein cattle of Costa Rica were compared with the current practice based on continuous semen importation (SI) by deterministic simulation. Comparison was made on the basis of genetic response and correlation between breeding goals. A local breeding goal was defined on the basis of prevailing production circumstances and compared against a typical breeding goal for an exporting country. Differences in genetic response were <3%, and the correlation between breeding goals was 0.99. Therefore, difference between breeding objectives proved negligible. For the evaluation of genetic response, the current scheme based on SI was evaluated against a progeny testing (PT) scheme and a closed nucleus (CN) breeding scheme, both local. Selection intensities and accuracy of selection were defined according to current population size and reproduction efficiency parameters. When genotype x environment interaction (G x E) was ignored, SI was the strategy with the highest genetic response: 5.0% above the CN breeding scheme and 33.2% above PT. A correlation between breeding values in both countries lower than one was assumed to assess the effect of G x E. This resulted in permanent effects on the relative efficiencies of breeding strategies because of the reduction in the rate of genetic response when SI was used. When the genetic correlation was assumed equal to 0.75, the genetic response achieved with SI was reduced at the same level as local PT. When an initial difference in average genetic merit of the populations was assumed, this only had a temporal effect on the relative ranking of strategies, which is reverted after some years of selection because the rate of change in genetic responses remains unchanged. Given that the actual levels of genetic correlation between countries may be around 0.60, it was concluded that a local breeding scheme based on a nucleus herd could provide better results than the current strategy based on SI.

Animals↗

PubMed1977

Chronic toxicity and reproduction studies of hexachlorobutadiene in rats.

Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD), while not produced commercially in the United States, may be encountered as an unwanted by-product of certain processes associated with the chlorination of hydrocarbons. Studies were conducted to assess the potential long-term toxicity of HCBD. In a reproduction study conducted in rats, dose levels of 20 or 2.0 mg/kg-day of HCBD induced slight maternal toxicity (primarily of the kidney) but caused no adverse effects on reproductive parameters-percent pregnancy and neonatal survival/development. A decreased neonatal body weight was noted at the highest dose level of 20 mg/kg-day of HCBD. No toxicologic effects were observed among the adults at a dose level of 0.2 mg/kg-day or among the neonates at dose levels of 0.2 or 2.0 mg/kg-day of HCBD. In a chronic toxicity study in rats, ingestion of 20 mg/kg-day for up to 2 years caused multiple toxicologic effects, primarily of the kidney, including the development of renal tubular adenomas and adenocarcinomas. Ingestion of the intermediate dose level of 2 mg/kg-day caused lesser degrees of toxicity, but no evidence of neoplasia. Ingestion of the lowest dose level of 0.2 mg/kg-day of HCBD caused no effects that could be attributed to treatment. These data indicate a dose-response relationship for HCBD-induced toxicity affecting primarily the kidney. HCBD-induced neoplasms occurred only at a dose level higher than that causing discernible renal injury.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2006

Effects of age and reproductive stage on certain serum biochemical parameters of chios sheep under greek rearing conditions.

The aim of the present study was to determine the normal ranges of the most commonly used serum biochemical parameters of sheep reared under Greek breeding conditions, as well as to test for the effects of the age and reproductive status of the animals on the normal values of these parameters. In total, 200 clinically healthy Chios sheep from 10 farms were used in the experiment. For the determination of the effect of age 150 sheep were assigned in three groups. Group A consisting of 50 lambs aged 2-6 months (mean +/- SD: 4.15 +/- 1.08), group B of 50 non-pregnant ewes into lactation aged 1-3 years (mean +/- SD: 2.12 +/- 0.86) and group C of 50 non-pregnant ewes into lactation aged more than 3 years (mean +/- SD: 5.98 +/- 1.66). For evaluating the effect of reproductive status 50 pregnant ewes in dry period were used, 15-30 days before the expected day of lambing (group D), along with the 100 non-pregnant ewes into lactation of groups B and C (group E). Blood sampling was performed once, in dry ewes from December to January, and in lambs and lactating ewes from March to May. The results showed that of the 14 biochemical parameters determined in serum, six were significantly affected by the age and eight by the reproductive stage of the animals.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[An analysis of the viability of clonal plants based on a morphometric approach (exemplified by Calamagrostis langsdorffii)].

Clonal plants viability has been studied on the basis of morphostructure variability of clone modules. The research has been carried out on the Calamagrostis langsdorffii (Poaceae) in the flood-lands of the Amur River Basin (Khabarovsk Territory). Plants vitality has been evaluated by 26 morphometric parameters, characterizing their growth, productivity and reproduction. Clone ramets differed from each other by considerable variability and plasticity. Significant changes of all morphometric parameters according to humidity and alluvion gradients were very specific. Reproductive parameters were the most stable ones. Parameters of growth and dimension were characterised by increased variability. Wide reaction of morphometric parameters of C. langsdorffii to the changes in ecological conditions can be considered as an adaptation to the existence in dynamical environment of the flood-land.

Cloning, Organism↗

PubMed1994

Ovarian surface epithelium during ovulatory and anovulatory ovine estrous cycles.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian surface epithelial cells have been implicated in the mechanisms of ovulation and development of common ovarian cancers. An early indication of predisposition to neoplasia is the formation of ovarian epithelial inclusion cysts. It was unclear whether morphological alterations along the ovarian surface are related directly to ovulation per se or associated endocrine parameters of reproductive cyclicity. METHODS: Light microscopic disturbances in ovarian surface epithelium were monitored during synchronous ovulatory and anovulatory estrous cycles of sheep. Ovulation blockade accompanied by normal luteal phases was induced by administration of indomethacin, a prostaglandin synthase inhibitor. RESULTS: Degenerative cells were sloughed from the apical dome of periovulatory follicles. The resultant stigma of luteinizing follicles was void of surface epithelium. Repair of the ovulatory wound by epithelium did not occur until complete involution of the corpus luteum during the subsequent estrous cycle. In a few cases inclusions containing entrapped ovarian surface epithelium were noted within adjacent stroma. Epithelia covering luteinized unruptured follicles remained intact and was not incorporated into the ovary during luteal resorption. CONCLUSION: Localized damage to and subsequent remodelling of the ovarian surface occurs in a cyclic fashion conjoined with the physical process of follicular rupture.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of textile waste water on the spermatogenesis of male albino rats.

Textile waste water released from dyeing and printing industries situated in Sanganer, Jaipur (India), brought about inhibition of spermatogenesis in male rats. Water analysis showed the presence of heavy metals at more than permissible limits. Oral administration of waste water to the rats at the dose level of 26.6 ml kg(-1) body wt. significantly reduced the weights of testes, epididymides and seminal vesicle. Treated animals showed a notable depression of various stages of spermatogenesis. The production of spermatids was inhibited by 70.8% in waste-water-treated rats. The populations of spermatogonia, preleptotene spermatocytes and secondary spermatocytes were decreased by 67.2, 71.1 and 73.2%, respectively. The total number of Sertoli cells was affected after waste water treatment. Reduced sperm count and motility resulted in treated groups. A significant fall in the content of various biochemical parameters of reproductive tissues was observed after water treatment.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Embryotoxicity and teratogenicity study with gamma-cyclodextrin in rats.

The embryotoxicity/teratogenicity of gamma-cyclodextrin (gamma-CD) was examined in Wistar Crl:(WI)WU BR rats. gamma-CD was fed at dietary concentrations of 0, 1.5, 5, 10, and 20% to groups of 25 pregnant female rats from day 0 to 21 of gestation. A comparison group received a diet with 20% lactose. The additions to the diet of gamma-CD and lactose were made at the expense of pregelatinized potato starch. Body weight and food and water intake were recorded during the treatment period. The rats were killed on day 21 and examined for standard parameters of reproductive performance. The fetuses were examined for signs of toxic and teratogenic effects. Generally, gamma-CD was well tolerated and no deaths occurred in any group. Weight gain and food consumption were similar in all groups during gestation, except for a slightly reduced food intake in the 20% gamma-CD group from day 0 to 16. Water intake was similar in all gamma-CD groups; in the lactose group, it was significantly higher than in the control group. Reproductive performance was not affected by the gamma-CD treatment. Examination of the fetuses for external, visceral, and skeletal alterations did not reveal any fetotoxic, embryotoxic, or teratogenic effects of gamma-CD. In conclusion, no adverse effects were observed at gamma-CD intakes of up to about 20% of the diet (approximately 11 g/kg body wt/day).

Animal Feed↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reproductive profile of mothers in relation to hemoglobin E genotypes.

The reproductive profile of 190 Ahom-Kachari mothers belonging to Mongoloid ethnic stock of Assam has been studied in relation to hemoglobin (Hb) E genotypes. No significant variations have been observed in the reproductive performance between the normal population and abnormal hemoglobin homozygote (HbEE) and heterozygote (HbAE) mothers. However, the reproductive wastage among the hemoglobin homozygote (HbEE) mothers has been observed to be double than the normal hemoglobin (HbAA) and abnormal hemoglobin heterozygote (HbAE) mothers. The reproductive performance parameters have also been compared with the other available studies.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed2000

Additive cytotoxic effect of cisplatin and X-irradiation on human glioma cell cultures derived from biopsy-tissue.

PURPOSE: Investigation of the in vitro cytotoxic effect of X-rays, either alone or combined with cisplatin on early passage cell cultures derived from human glioblastoma multiforme biopsy tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fresh tumour specimens from four patients were processed to cell cultures. The U373 glioma cell line was used as a reference. Early passage cell cultures were X-irradiated (0-8 Gy) either alone or in combination with cisplatin (0.5-1 microgram/ml). Cell survival was determined by either clonogenic assay or the colorimetric MTT assay. Survival curves were generated and mathematically analysed using the linear quadratic model, to obtain the radiosensitivity parameters alpha, beta, and SF2, i.e., the Surviving Fraction after 2 Gy. RESULTS: Two patient-derived glioma cell cultures and the U373 cell line showed rather high SF2 values of 0.61-0.72 in the clonogenic assay, indicating relative high radiation resistance. Cisplatin alone (1 microgram/ml) reduced cell survival by 10-30% (n = 4). When combined with irradiation, a clear additive cytotoxic effect of cisplatin was demonstrated by the unaltered value of the alpha-parameter for reproductive cell death. CONCLUSION: Cisplatin exerted an additive rather than radiosensitising cytotoxic effect in uncharacterised patient derived glioma cell cultures.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Endogenous opioid peptides in intrapartum uterine blood.

Endogenous opioid peptides have consistently been reported to exert significant influence on several parameters of reproductive physiology, including tolerance to pain, release of prolactin, pleasurable behavior patterns, and appetite satiety. Immunoreactive endorphins measured in several hundred samples of postpartum uterine blood had a mean value of 190 pg/ml and a range of 60 to 520 pg/ml. Individual values in 100 mothers who were delivered at the Northwest Hospital failed to correlate with doses of postpartum pain medications, infant feeding patterns, and recorded estimates of maternal bonding behavior. Postpartum "blues" may be related to stress-induced depletion of endorphinergic systems.

Depression↗

PubMed1987

Age-related prevalence and intensity of Trichuris trichiura infection in a St. Lucian community.

Age-related changes in the average worm burden and the prevalence of Trichuris trichiura infection, in a village community in St. Lucia, were examined by field studies based on worm expulsion techniques. Horizontal age-intensity profiles were convex in form with peak parasite loads occurring in the 2 to 15-year-old children. Prevalence is shown to be a poor indicator of changes in average worm load with age. Faecal egg counts (epg and epd) provide a qualitative measure of worm burdens since fecundity is shown to be approximately independent of worm load. The parasites were highly aggregated within the study community, with most people harbouring low burdens while a few individuals harboured very heavy burdens. Of the total parasite populations in the study sample, 84% were harboured by the 2 to 15-year-old children. Of those individuals harbouring 100 worms or more, 87% were in the 2 to 10-year-old age range. Crude estimates of population parameters (basic reproductive rate, 4-5; rate of reinfection, 90 year-1) suggest that the rate of reinfection is higher than for other helminth parasites of man. The control of morbidity and parasite transmission is discussed in the context of targeting drug treatment at the child segment of the study population.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1982

The effect of short term calf removal in combination with GnRH treatment and the effect of limited nursing on reproductive performance of postpartum suckled beef cows administered PGF2alpha for ovulation control.

Over a two year period, postpartum suckled Hereford and Angus Cows (n=213) were administered two injections of PGF2alpha (25 mg/injection) and divided into three groups. No additional treatments were administered to cows in Group I and calves were allowed to nurse their dams ad libitum. In Group II, calves were removed for 48 hours beginning on the third day following the initial PGF2alpha injection. These cows were given a subcutaneous injection of 250 microg GnRH dissolved in 2% carboxymethylcellulose midway through the 48 hour period. In Group III, calves were allowed to nurse their dams for only one hour per day for the first 7 days after the initial PGF2alpha injection. In year 1, PGF2alpha was administered 14 days apart whereas in year 2, PGF2alpha was administered 11 days apart. Cows were artificially inseminated at 72 and 96 hours after the second injection of PGF2alpha. In year 1, the numbers of cows that conceived to the timed inseminations were similar (P>.10) for the three groups. In year 2, a higher percentage of cows in groups II (P<.10) and III (P<.05) conceived to the timed inseminations than in group I. Other reproductive performance parameters were similar (P>.10) between groups for both years 1 and 2. In summary, limited nursing and short term calf removal in conjunction with GnRH treatment may improve the pregnancy rate in cows administered PGF2alpha for ovulation control.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1993

Use of a vaginal mucus impedance meter to detect estrus in the cow.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the efficacy of a vaginal mucus impedance meter for the detection of estrus in the dairy cow. In Experiment 1 the positioning of the probe within the vaginal tract was examined in dairy cows (n=6) by measuring mucus impedance at 5-cm intervals during probe withdrawal and comparing these fixed distance measurements with the depth within the vaginal tract at which the lowest impedance measurement was recorded. Measurements at 15 and 20 cm from the vulva were significantly lower than at other fixed depths, but did not show a reduction during estrus. The lowest recording upon withdrawal of the probe, which usually occurred between 15 and 20 cm from the vulva, was significantly lower than at any fixed depth recordings and was reduced proportionate during estrus to 0.14 of its non-estrus value. In Experiment 2 the accuracy of the probe to confirm estrus in cows exhibiting possible estrus signs was examined. Dairy cows (n=191) were inseminated either on the basis of herdsman observation of behavior alone (Treatment A) or on the basis of herdsman observation with cows exhibiting signs of estrous behaviour, but not standing to be mounted, being tested for vaginal mucus impedance (Treatment B). There were no significant treatment differences in the estrus detection rate, conception rate or other reproductive performance parameters. However, in 12% of cows in Treatment B, measurement of vaginal mucus impedance detected an extra estrous event, giving a theoretical increase in the estrus detection rate from 0.67 to 0.74 detected/predicted estrous events. It was concluded that when using a vaginal probe the lowest value in the vaginal tract should be sought, but that using the probe as an adjunct to herdsman's observation would not greatly increase estrus detection rate.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1988

Crop growth along a gradient of ambient air pollution.

An experiment, designed to elucidate the relative importance of SO2, NO2, O3, and other environmental factors in influencing the performance of four cultivars of Trifolium pratense L. and Hordeum vulgare L., was performed by growing plants in situ along a transect from central London into the surrounding countryside. A multiple regression analysis provided evidence of significant effects of SO2, NO2, and, to a lesser extent, O3, on vegetative and reproductive growth parameters, although these differed according to pollutant, cultivar, species, and the parameter concerned. The significance of these findings for the impact of ambient air pollution on the growth of crops in the more polluted rural areas of western Europe is suggested by the fact that mean SO2, NO2, and O3 concentrations in the experimental area are less than 0.020 (39.2 microg/m3), 0.025 (47.75 microg/m3), and 0.030 ppm (58.8 microg/m3), respectively. The value of the technique is discussed with respect to other studies on the effects of low levels of air pollution on crops.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1989

Differential effects of cefmetazole sodium on the reproductive system of infant and pubertal male rats.

The effects of cefmetazole (CMZ), a cephem antibiotic which contains the N-methyltetrazolethiol (NMTT) side-chain moiety, were compared in infant (6-42 days of age) and pubertal (6-10 weeks of age) male Sprague-Dawley rats. High doses of either CMZ or free NMTT caused reductions in testicular weight and delayed maturation of spermatogenic germ cells in the testes of infant rats, implicating NMTT as the active component in causing these effects. Pubertal rats expressed neither of these effects, even when treated with doses of CMZ far in excess of those used in infant rats. The effects of CMZ and NMTT on testicular weights and histologic features of testes of rats treated as infants were mainly reversed when these animals were examined 35 and 70 days after cessation of treatment. All reproductive functional parameters were normal in mating studies using male rats which had been treated with CMZ or NMTT as infants and allowed to recover. Because of the species differences in rates of sexual maturation and the greater rate at which rats metabolize CMZ to NMTT, the relevance to humans of the testicular effects of CMZ in infant rats is unknown.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Abortifacient potential for the epigeal parts of Peganum harmala.

The effect of methanol and acetone extracts of the epigeal parts of Peganum harmala, a common medicinal plant among Bedouins in Israel, was studied on several parameters of reproduction in female rats. The methanol extract at a dose of 2.5 g/kg/day, offered in food or in drinking suspension for 30 days, significantly prolonged diestrus by 1.0 day. The methanol extracts at doses of 2.0, 2.5 and 3.5 g/kg/day appeared to produce a dose-dependent significant decrease in litter size. No change in the physical and nutritional status of the animals and no adverse toxicological effects were observed.

Abortifacient Agents↗

PubMed2026

Transcriptomic insights into thermal stress reveal physiological trade-off between thermal stress adaptation and reproductive investment in Spodoptera litura.

Spodoptera litura, a highly polyphagous lepidopteran pest, poses a major threat to agricultural productivity due to its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions. Although heat stress is known to trigger transcriptional reprogramming in insects, the molecular mechanisms underlying thermal stress responses in S. litura remain poorly understood. In the present study, fourth-instar larvae were exposed to acute heat stress (44 °C) and compared with control conditions (27 ± 1 °C) to investigate heat-induced transcriptional alterations affecting physiology and reproduction. High-quality RNA-Seq data achieved more than 80% mapping efficiency, with a total of 15,782 transcripts were identified. Transcriptome analysis of S. litura larvae showed 323 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 262 genes were significantly upregulated and 61 were downregulated in heat-stressed larvae compared to the control group. The DEGs were associated with stress response, reproduction, signalling, proteostasis, detoxification, oxidative stress, metabolism, development, and chromatin regulation. Heat shock proteins genes, including HSP70, HSP90, and HSP27, together with co-chaperones such as TRET-1, STIP1, and Starvin, were strongly upregulated, indicating enhanced cellular protection against protein damage and oxidative stress under heat stress. Conversely, key reproductive and cell cycle-related genes, including BARR, CAPD2, FEO, CDK2 and MORULA, were significantly downregulated, suggesting reproductive impairment and developmental arrest. RT-qPCR validation corroborated the RNA-Seq findings, demonstrating a heat-induced physiological trade-off that prioritizes survival over reproduction. Consistent with these molecular responses, heat-stressed insects exhibited marked reproductive impairment, including significant reductions in gonadosomatic index, eupyrene sperm bundle count, mating frequency, mating success, female calling behaviour, copulation duration, fecundity, and egg fertility. Collectively, these findings provide comprehensive insights into the molecular basis of thermal adaptation in S. litura and demonstrate that acute heat stress compromises reproductive fitness while activating conserved stress-response pathways that promote short-term survival.

Animals↗