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Results for “Reproductive parameters”

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PubMed2005

Anthrax vaccine does not affect semen parameters, embryo quality, or pregnancy outcome in couples with a vaccinated male military service member.

Anthrax vaccination has been used in an effort to prevent infection should anthrax be used as a biological weapon, and widespread use has been considered in the event of another anthrax attack on American soil, but the long-term impact of anthrax vaccination on reproductive outcome is unknown. We found that exposure to the anthrax vaccine by males who were undergoing assisted reproduction did not negatively impact semen parameters, fertilization rate, embryo quality, or clinical pregnancy rates.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Modelling the disposable soma theory of ageing.

We describe a mathematical model, developed using the Mathematica programming system of the disposable soma theory of ageing. The model makes explicit predictions about the optimal strategies for investment in somatic maintenance versus investments in growth and reproduction and confirms the central prediction of the disposable soma theory that the optimum investment in somatic maintenance is less than what would be required for indefinite longevity. We also describe how the optimal investment in maintenance is affected by varying the parameters that specify the schedules of reproduction and mortality.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Perceptual evaluation of multi-dimensional spatial audio reproduction.

Perceptual differences between sound reproduction systems with multiple spatial dimensions have been investigated. Two blind studies were performed using system configurations involving 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D loudspeaker arrays. Various types of source material were used, ranging from urban soundscapes to musical passages. Experiment I consisted in collecting subjects' perceptions in a free-response format to identify relevant criteria for multi-dimensional spatial sound reproduction of complex auditory scenes by means of linguistic analysis. Experiment II utilized both free response and scale judgments for seven parameters derived form Experiment I. Results indicated a strong correlation between the source material (sound scene) and the subjective evaluation of the parameters, making the notion of an "optimal" reproduction method difficult for arbitrary source material.

Acoustics↗

PubMed2006

Optimization of a sampling system for recovery and detection of airborne porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and swine influenza virus.

The objective of this research was to optimize sampling parameters for increased recovery and detection of airborne porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and swine influenza virus (SIV). Collection media containing antifoams, activated carbons, protectants, and ethylene glycol were evaluated for direct effects on factors impacting the detection of PRRSV and SIV, including virus infectivity, viability of continuous cell lines used for the isolation of these viruses, and performance of reverse transcriptase PCR assays. The results showed that specific compounds influenced the likelihood of detecting PRRSV and SIV in collection medium. A subsequent study evaluated the effects of collection medium, impinger model, and sampling time on the recovery of aerosolized PRRSV using a method for making direct comparisons of up to six treatments simultaneously. The results demonstrated that various components in air-sampling systems, including collection medium, impinger model, and sampling time, independently influenced the recovery and detection of PRRSV and/or SIV. Interestingly, it was demonstrated that a 20% solution of ethylene glycol collected the greatest quantity of aerosolized PRRSV, which suggests the possibility of sampling at temperatures below freezing. Based on the results of these experiments, it is recommended that air-sampling systems be optimized for the target pathogen(s) and that recovery/detection results should be interpreted in the context of the actual performance of the system.

Air Microbiology↗

PubMed2001

Repeated analysis of semen parameters in beagle dogs during a 2-year study with the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, atorvastatin.

Sperm analyses are often incorporated into reproductive toxicity studies in rats. Due to the relative ease of collecting multiple samples throughout a study, semen analysis in non-rodents such as dogs offers the opportunity to assess potential development of functional effects of compounds on male reproduction over time. In the present study, semen parameters were evaluated in beagle dogs during and at termination of a chronic toxicity study with the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, atorvastatin. Male dogs received 0, 10, 40, or 120 mg/kg orally in gelatin capsules for up to 104 weeks (n = 10/group). After 52 weeks of dosing, 3 dogs/group were euthanized, and 2/group were withdrawn from treatment for a 12-week reversal period and euthanized at Week 64. The remaining 5/group continued treatment until Week 104. Semen was collected from all animals for 3 consecutive weeks prior to termination of the 52-week animals (Weeks 50, 51, 52) for analysis of sperm parameters, using manual methods of evaluation. Semen was collected from the remaining animals at Weeks 64, 78, 91, and 104, and was analyzed. At necropsy, testes, epididymides, and prostates were weighed and evaluated histologically, and epididymal sperm counts were determined. Serum cholesterol was decreased 25--60% at all doses during the study. There were no drug-related differences in semen volume and color, total sperm count, and sperm concentration, morphology, progressiveness, and percent motility during treatment with atorvastatin. There were also no effects on reproductive organ weights or histopathology, and no effects on epididymal sperm count. Thus, incorporation of semen analyses into this study allowed the evaluation of potential male reproductive effects in dogs at multiple time points during the study. Statistical power calculations demonstrated acceptable statistical power (> 80%) for semen sperm count, concentration, morphology, and motility with group sizes of 8--10 animals, and for semen sperm count and concentration or epididymal sperm count with group sizes of 3--5 animals, using the methodology described in this paper.

Acyl Coenzyme A↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The role of ultrasonography in the evaluation of endometrial receptivity following assisted reproductive treatments: a critical review.

We set out to estimate the value of ultrasonographic parameters as prognostic indicators of implantation following in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer. Our survey included 414 natural cycles, 3558 cycles following ovarian stimulation for IVF and embryo transfer, and 411 cycles with hormone replacement therapy for oocyte donation, reviewing 27 reports identified in a computerized literature research. The ultrasonographic prognostic indicators for implantation evaluated included peri-ovulatory endometrial thickness and pattern and Doppler measurements of uterine artery blood flow. Topics include: definitions of the ultrasonographic parameters proposed to evaluate uterine receptivity; the clinical context in which they were used; the proposed optimal timing for sonographic evaluation; and, finally, their actual correlation with pregnancy rate following assisted reproductive technologies. For various sonographic parameters, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, sensitivity and specificity were calculated, based on published data. Sonographic parameters had a high negative predictive value and sensitivity, but a limited positive predictive value and low specificity. Several confounding factors may influence the interpretation of reports, and the statistical evaluation sometimes lacks calculation of the positive and negative predictive values of the parameters examined. Although ultrasonographic parameters of endometrial receptivity have a strong negative value in setting some minimum criteria, their value as prognostic indicators for implantation following embryo transfer has yet to be proved.

Embryo Implantation↗

PubMed1996

Population dynamics of bovine herpesvirus 1 infection in a dairy herd.

An induced outbreak of a bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1) infection in a dairy herd is described. The outbreak was induced by injecting three BHV1 seropositive cows with dexamethasone. Within 7 weeks all seronegative cows had seroconverted. Also some seropositive animals showed a significant increase in serum antibody titre. Using these data, parameters of population dynamics such as R0, the basic reproduction ratio, could be estimated. The basic reproduction ratio is a threshold value describing infection dynamics in a population. This parameter is defined as the average number of secondary cases generated by one primary case in a wholly susceptible population of defined density. In this population R0 was estimated to be at least 7. The importance of these findings, and implications for eradication of BHV1 are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

[Integral indices of the automatically reproduced spatial QRS loop in the diagnosis of different forms of myocardial hypertrophy].

A total of 249 patients with arterial hypertension taking a variety of clinical forms, primary pulmonary hypertension, dilatation cardiomyopathy, congenital heart diseases with secondary pulmonary hypertension were examined and allocated to 3 groups: 125 patients with left-ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (group 1); 44 patients with right-ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) (group 2), and 80 patients with combined hypertrophy of both ventricles (CH). Eighty-one normal subjects were taken as controls. New parameters of diagnostic significance were identified by automated reproduction of vectorcardiographic spatial QRSxyz loop (the Macfee-Parungao system) and computer analysis of vectorcardiographic parameters, that improve electrocardiographic diagnosis of cardiac hypertrophies, as compared to the conventional criteria, bringing its accuracy to 88.8% for LVH, 100% for RVH, and 45% for CH. Typical features of myocardial hypertrophy at large are increased area enclosed by the spatial loop (SQRS greater than 3.4 mV2) and/or increased mean vector (LQRSxyz greater than 0.76 mV), while Lx greater than 0.6 mV and/or Lz less than -0.4 mV were specific for LVH; Lx less than 0.05 mV was specific for RVH, and the H angle ranging from -70 degrees to -140 degrees or H of -60 degrees to -140 degrees at Lz less than 1.1 mV, or -50 degrees to -140 degrees at Lz less than 1.5 mV were specific for CH.

Cardiomegaly↗

PubMed2006

Reproductive and developmental toxicity of inhaled 2,3-dichloro-1,3-butadiene in rats.

Inhalation developmental and reproductive toxicity studies were conducted with 2,3-dichloro-1,3-butadiene (DCBD), a monomer used in the production of synthetic rubber. In the reproductive toxicity study, Crl:CD(SD)IGS BR rats (24/sex/group) were exposed whole body by inhalation to 0, 1, 5, or 50 ppm DCBD (6 h/day) for approximately 10-11 weeks total, through premating (8 weeks; 5 days/week), cohabitation of mating pairs (up to 2 weeks, 7 days/week), post-cohabitation for males (approximately 7 days) and from conception to implantation (gestation days 0-7 [GD 0-7]), followed by a recovery period (GD 8-21) for presumed pregnant females. Estrous cyclicity was evaluated during premating (last 3 weeks) and cohabitation. Reproductive organs and potential target organs, sperm parameters, and GD 21 fetuses (viability, weight, external alterations) were evaluated. In the developmental study, pregnant Crl:CD(SD)IGS BR rats (22/group) were exposed whole body by inhalation to 0, 1, 10, or 50 ppm DCBD (6 h/day) on GD 6-20; dams were necropsied on GD 21 (gross post-mortem only) and fetuses were evaluated (viability, weight, and external, visceral and skeletal exams). During the in-life portion of the studies, body weight, food consumption, and clinical observation data were collected. At 50 ppm, gasping and labored breathing occurred in both studies during the first few exposures; body weight and food consumption parameters were affected in parental animals from both studies, but were more severely affected in the developmental study. Fetal weight was decreased in the developmental study at 50 ppm. Degeneration of the nasal olfactory epithelium was observed in the reproduction study at 50 ppm. There were no effects on reproductive function, embryo-fetal viability, or increases in fetal structural alterations in either study. The no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for reproductive toxicity was 50 ppm. The NOAEL for systemic toxicity in the reproduction study was 5 ppm based on adverse effects on body weight and food consumption parameters and nasal olfactory epithelial toxicity at 50 ppm in parental rats. The NOAEL for maternal and developmental toxicity was 10 ppm based on reduced maternal weight gain and food consumption and reduced fetal weight at 50 ppm in the developmental toxicity study.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1989

Possible relationships between SLA and porcine reproduction.

The possible influence of the pig major histocompatibility complex on reproductive traits is reviewed. Among the parameters investigated, significant associations were observed between SLA and genital tract development in males. Several SLA haplotypes affected either positively or negatively the development of testes, the epididymes and the Cowper's glands, whereas the influence of these haplotypes on androsterone tissue content was limited. The impact of the SLA complex on female reproductive performance has been more difficult to ascertain, although some results suggest that the SLA region may interfere with ovulation rates. The influence on prolificacy of SLA sharing between sires and dams was also investigated. Even if fertilization rate is not affected, embryonic mortality and preimplantation embryo development might be influenced by the pig MHC region. Although the litter size was not only marginally affected by the SLA complex, there is one case where SLA identity between the boar and several related sows led to significantly reduced litter size. In these families piglets homozygous for a particular SLA haplotype were almost absent, suggesting the existence of a recessive lethal gene linked to SLA.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Pollen coupling of forest trees: forming synchronized and periodic reproduction out of chaos.

Many of the tree species in mature forests show masting; their reproductive activity has a large variance between years and is often synchronized between different individuals. In this paper, we analyse a globally coupled map model in which trees accumulate photosynthate every year, produce flowers when the energy reserve level exceeds a threshold, and set seeds and fruits at a rate limited by pollen availability. Without pollen limitation, the trees in the forest show independent chaotic fluctuation. Coupling of trees via pollen exchange results in reproduction being synchronized partially or completely over the forest. The whole forest shows diverse dynamical behaviors determined by the values of two essential parameters; the depletion coefficient k and the coupling strength beta. We find perfectly synchronized periodic reproduction, synchronized reproduction with a chaotic time series, clustering phenomena, and chaotic reproduction of trees without synchronization over individuals. There are many parameter windows in which synchronized reproduction of trees shows a stable periodic fluctuation. For perfectly synchronized forests, we can calculate all the Lyapunov exponents analytically. They show that synchronized reproduction of all the trees in the forest can only occur when trees flower at low (but positive) levels in a significant fraction of years, resulting in small fruit sets due to outcrossed pollen limitation. This is consistent with the observation that the distinction between mast years and non-mast years is often not clear cut.

Models, Biological↗

PubMed2004

Fertility is reduced after restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis: a study of 300 patients.

BACKGROUND: Restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis (RP/IPAA) has become the gold standard surgical therapy for the majority of patients with mucosal ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the fertility rates before and after RP/IPAA, to compare them with the reproductive data of the general United States population, and to determine surgical parameters that might influence subsequent fertility. METHODS: Three hundred women of reproductive age who underwent RP/IPAA between 1983 and 2001 completed a mailed questionnaire regarding their reproductive function before and after the procedure. Additional information was obtained from the pelvic pouch database. The reproductive information was compared to age-matched historical control subjects from the United States general population. The associations between changes in fertility and surgical parameters were also investigated. RESULTS: The median (25th, 75th percentile) age at surgery was 28 (24, 33) years. Out of 300 women, 206 attempted to conceive. Before operation, 48 (38%) of 127 patients were unsuccessful after 1 year of unprotected intercourse, whereas after operation, 76 (56%) of 135 patients were unsuccessful. This infertility rate was higher after operation than before (P <.001). For the subgroup of 56 women who tried to get pregnant both before and after operation, the infertility rate was higher after operation than before (69% vs 46%; P=.005). Also, a higher percentage of these patients who had an intraoperative transfusion were infertile after operation compared to patients who did not have an intraoperative transfusion (54% vs 21%; P=.023). CONCLUSIONS: There was an increase in the infertility rate after RP/IPAA. Intraoperative blood transfusion had a negative impact on the fertility rate after operation in patients who tried to conceive both before and after RP/IPAA.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Blood parameters of clinically normal captive bobcats (Felis rufus).

Data on blood parameters were obtained from 56 (32 female, 24 male) clinically healthy, captive bobcats (Felis rufus). The animals were housed under ambient conditions at the Mississippi State University Captive Bobcat Facility. Samples were collected opportunistically between 1982 and 1995. Differences (P < or = 0.05) in blood parameters existed between sexes, among age classes (kitten, subadult, adult, and geriatric), and among stages in the reproductive cycle (breeding, parturition, recycling, and anestrus). Blood parameters for bobcats were similar to reported values for domestic cats (Felis catus). These results can be used as as reference to indicate when blood parameter aberrations exist in bobcats.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1999

Are sperm motion parameters influenced by varicocele ligation?

OBJECTIVE: To document objectively, improvements in sperm motion parameters in subfertile men after varicocele ligation with the use of computer-aided sperm analysis. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: An academic clinical environment. PATIENT(S): Thirty-four men with varicocele as the primary cause of infertility who underwent a physical examination, hormonal profile, and Doppler ultrasound evaluation. INTERVENTION(S): Computer-aided sperm analysis was performed before and after either subinguinal or laparoscopic varicocele ligation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Patients were followed up for 3-18 months after operation, and average computer-aided sperm analysis values were obtained before and after operation. Computer-aided sperm analysis values were analyzed by paired Student's t-test, with special reference to motility and sperm motion parameters. RESULT(S): After varicocele ligation, patients demonstrated increases in mean sperm density and in the overall distribution of sperm with rapid velocity, although the increases were not statistically significant. Mean measures of straightness, linearity, and track speed also were increased after operation, but only progressive sperm velocity was increased to a statistically significant level. CONCLUSION(S): Because progressive velocity has been a primary computer-aided sperm analysis parameter predictive of male fertility and the success of assisted reproductive techniques, we conclude that varicocele ligation results in improvements in semen parameters, especially the key parameter of progressive sperm velocity.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Higher bone mineral density in Caucasian, hirsute patients of reproductive age. Positive correlation of testosterone levels with bone mineral density in hirsutism.

OBJECTIVE: The mechanisms leading to higher bone mineral density (BMD) in hirsute patients than in healthy controls have seldom been examined. We compared the metabolic, hormonal and bone metabolic parameters in hirsute patients and female controls and correlated BMD and bone metabolic parameters with testosterone, oestradiol and metabolic parameters. PATIENTS: Fifty-one Caucasian, reproductive-aged, hirsute patients referred to the outpatient clinic of an academic tertiary-care medical centre and 63 healthy, female Caucasian controls matched for season, weight and age. MEASUREMENTS: BMD (hip, neck, lumbar and total BMD), bone metabolic parameters (osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, PTH, ionized calcium, phosphate and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD)) and endocrine profiles (androgen status, oestradiol and insulin) were evaluated during follicular phase. Oestradiol measurement was repeated during cycle days 8-12. RESULTS: Lumbar and neck BMD levels were significantly higher in hirsute patients than in controls: (mean +/- SD): lumbar BMD 1.10 +/- 0.12 vs. 1.06 +/- 0.10 g/cm2 and neck BMD 0.91 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.87 +/- 0.12 g/cm2, P < 0.05. Fasting insulin and free testosterone levels were significantly higher in hirsute patients than in controls. Free testosterone correlated positively with neck and hip BMD levels in hirsute patients. During multiple regression analysis, testosterone, oestradiol and waist/hip ratio (WHR) were found to have positive effects on BMD levels independent of body mass index (BMI). 25OHD levels were significantly lower in hirsute patients [42 (13-131)] than in controls [72 (27-196)] nmol/l (geometric mean +/- 2SD), P < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: Hirsute patients demonstrated significantly higher bone mineral density levels than controls, which could be explained by hyperinsulinaemia and higher testosterone levels in hirsute patients compared with controls. The pathogenesis for significantly lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in hirsute patients compared with controls needs to be evaluated in future studies.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

The reproductive toxicity of the organophosphate pesticide 0, 0-dimethyl 0-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate (methyl parathion) in the male rat.

Methyl parathion (MP) is a pesticide widely used to protect crops but also illegally used in many countries for spraying homes and businesses to contain insects. The present study was planned to investigate the effects of MP on the male reproductive organs in the rat. Male Wistar rats (13-14 weeks old) were treated with MP and sacrificed as follows. Experiment 1:0 (water vehicle), 1.75, 3.5 or 7 mg/kg (i.p.) for 5 days and sacrificed on day 14; experiment 2:0, 0.5 or 1 mg/kg (i.p.) for 12 days and sacrificed on day 130; experiment 3: 0, 0.5 or 1 mg/kg (i.p.) for 12 days and sacrificed on day 77; experiment 4: 0, 0.75 or 1.5 mg/kg (i.p.) for 25 days and sacrificed on day 17; experiment 5: 0 or 3.5 mg/kg (p.o.) for 25 days and sacrificed on day 17 after the last exposure. The reproductive organs were removed, weighed and processed for histopathological analysis. Structural changes, for example the morphology of the epithelium and the lumina of the organs, were observed in all animals. Biochemical estimates of acid phosphatase (ACP), cholesterol, total protein, uric acid, and vitamin C were conducted in the epididymes. The weight of the epididymes increased in experiment 2 in a dose-dependent pattern (p < 0.01) and decreased in experiments 4 and 5 (p < 0.01). The weight of the ductus deferens decreased in experiment 3 at 1 mg/kg dose level (p < 0.001) and increased in experiment 5 (p < 0.05). The weight of the seminal vesicle decreased in experiment 3 at both 0.5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg dose levels (p < 0.001), and increased in experiment 5 (p < 0.01). The weight of the prostate decreased in experiments 4 (in a dose-dependent pattern) and 5 (p < 0.001). ACP levels decreased in experiment 4 (p < 0.001) with a greater effect at 0.5 mg/kg than at 1 mg/kg. In experiment 5 (p < 0.01) cholesterol levels decreased to less than 50% of the control level for this experiment (p < 0.01) and protein levels also decreased (p < 0.01). Vitamin C levels decreased in a dose-dependent pattern in experiments 4 (p < 0.001) and 5 (p < 0.01). There were no effects on uric acid level. Sperm density was decreased in the epididymes of the rats treated and the epithelium of the epididymis and ductus deferens showed cellular necrosis, brush-border disruption and nuclear pyknosis. Nuclei were haloed, except in experiment 2 and the 0.5 mg/kg group of experiment 3. Methyl parathion did not induce significant changes in the structure of the seminal vesicle and prostate, except that epithelial folding was shorter than in the control. In conclusion, MP is a reproductive toxicant in the male rat and causes deterioration in the structural integrity of the reproductive organs and also the biochemical parameters in the epididymis.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMed1994

Disorders of reproduction.

Human reproduction is an exceedingly complex process susceptible to insult at many stages. The targets of reproductive injury include the male and female worker as well as the conceptus. Because research into the reproductive and developmental effects of occupational exposures is relatively new, there are significant gaps in our knowledge of specific agents, their mechanisms of action, and their adverse effects. At the same time, workers increasingly are turning to their primary health care providers with concerns about potential reproductive hazards. Evaluation of patients includes identifying occupational agents with suspected reproductive or developmental effects, defining exposure parameters, and making estimates of risk based on the best available data. Management includes patient counseling and intervention to decrease hazardous exposures through workplace controls or temporary job transfers and leaves. By taking an occupational history, identifying possible work-related problems, and making appropriate referrals, primary care physicians can have an important role in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of adverse reproductive outcomes.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed2005

A comparative analysis of the toxicity of eight common soil contaminants and their effects on drought tolerance in the collembolan Folsomia candida.

Previous exposure to contaminants can increase the susceptibility to drought stress in soil invertebrates. In the present study, the effects of eight common environmental contaminants on drought tolerance and reproduction were investigated using the collembolan Folsomia candida as a model organism. Four classes of chemicals were considered: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (pyrene and fluorene), detergents (linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) and nonylphenol), insecticides (dimethoate and cypermethrin), and heavy metals (copper and cadmium). Previous exposure to nonylphenol, pyrene, and fluorene had significant effects on drought tolerance. LAS had a weak effect on drought tolerance, whereas the remaining chemicals had no such effects even at concentrations at which reproduction was considerably reduced. Reproduction and adult survival in F. candida were equally sensitive to dimethoate. However, for all other chemicals, reproduction was a considerably more sensitive parameter than adult survival. The results suggest that toxicants whose effects are associated with cell membrane function are the most potent with respect to effect on drought tolerance.

Adaptation, Physiological↗