reproductive medicine

Background The nature of sexual desire is complex, and little phenomenological consensus exists about its meaning. Low sexual desire (LSD) is a commonly reported sexual difficulty among women, but it is less frequently associated with sexual distress. The aim of this qualitative study is to explore women's understanding of sexual desire, and their perceptions of factors that may contribute to LSD, its effects and their methods of seeking help. Methods The research employed a questionnaire with 12 open-ended questions, developed by the researchers based on sexual script theory...

West Nile virus (WNV) is a vector-borne flavivirus that causes an increasing number of human and equine West Nile fever cases in Europe. While the virus has been present in the Mediterranean basin and the Balkans since the 1960s, recent years have witnessed its northward expansion, with the first human cases reported in Germany in 2018 and the Netherlands in 2020. WNV transmission and amplification within mosquitoes are temperature-dependent. This study applies a mathematical modelling approach to assess the conditions under which WNV circulation occurs based on the proportion of mosquito bites on WNV-competent birds (dilution), vector-host ratios, mosquito season length and the observed daily temperature data...

BACKGROUND: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been garnering ever-increasing worldwide attention as the herbal extracts and formulas prove to have potency against disease. Fuzhengjiedu San (FZJDS), has been extensively used to treat viral diseases in pigs, but its bioactive components and therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. METHODS: In this study, we conducted an integrative approach of network pharmacology and experimental study to elucidate the mechanisms underlying FZJDS's action in treating porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)...

INTRODUCTION: Micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in West Africa, particularly among women of reproductive age (WRA) and young children. Bouillon is a promising food fortification vehicle due to its widespread consumption. This study aims to evaluate the impact of multiple micronutrient-fortified bouillon cubes, compared to control bouillon cubes (fortified with iodine only), on micronutrient status and hemoglobin concentrations among lactating and non-lactating WRA and young children in northern Ghana...

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), an invasive agricultural pest, has significantly impacted crop yields across Africa. This study investigated the relationship between temperature and FAW life history traits, employing life cycle modeling at temperatures of 20, 25, 28, 30, and 32°C. The development time for eggs, larvae, and pupae varied from 0-3 days, 10-18 days, and 7-16 days, respectively. The optimal temperature range for immature stage survival and female fecundity was identified as 21-25°C, with the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and gross reproductive rate (GRR) peaking at 25-28°C...

The North African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is a significant species in aquaculture, which is crucial for ensuring food and nutrition security. Their high adaptability to diverse environments has led to an increase in the number of farms that are available for their production. However, long-term closed breeding adversely affects their reproductive performance, leading to a decrease in production efficiency. This is possibly caused by inbreeding depression. To investigate the root cause of this issue, the genetic diversity of captive North African catfish populations was assessed in this study...

In neoliberal cultural contexts, where the ideal prevails that female bodies should be unchanged by reproductive processes, women often feel uncomfortable with their postpartum bodies. Cesareaned women suffer from additional discomfort during the postpartum period, and cesarean births are associated with less satisfying childbirth experiences, fostering feelings of failure among women who had planned a vaginal delivery. In Switzerland, one in three deliveries is a cesarean. Despite the frequency of this surgery, women complain that their biomedical follow-up provides minimal postpartum support...

OBJECTIVES: With the availability of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) diagnosis of genetic disorders has improved significantly. Its use is also applicable to ascertain diagnosis and management in a perinatal setting. The study aims to detect the genetic aetiology of various congenital structural and functional defects using NGS technology in the reproductive cohort at a tertiary centre. The secondary objective is to address challenges in the interpretation of variants. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of couples who underwent exome sequencing (Mono-testing proband only or Duo-testing parents only or Trio-testing proband and parents) for suspected single gene disorders between years 2020-2022 at a tertiary care perinatal center in the South India ...

BACKGROUND:  Individuals strive to maintain their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) by being exposed to correct information, having access to contraceptives, and promoting safe sex practices. Adolescent SRH promotion efforts should consider the influence of role models. This review explored the availability and nature of strategies and programmes on adolescents' SRH role modelling and described them using a scoping review. METHODS:  Studies were retrieved from four databases and grey literature through a search of 223 studies...

BACKGROUND: Although studies from high-income countries have examined social support during pregnancy, it remains unclear what type of support is received by expectant mothers from low- and middle-income country settings. AIM: To explore young women's social support networks during pregnancy in Soweto, South Africa. SETTING: This study was undertaken in an academic hospital based in the Southwestern Townships (Soweto), Johannesburg, in Gauteng province, South Africa...

Gradual pollen presentation is a plant reproductive mechanism to improve pollination efficiency and accuracy and promote outcrossing. Vaccinium corymbosum 'Bluecrop' has a typical gradual pollen presentation mechanism. 'Bluecrop' exhibits an inverted bell-shaped flower with a white coloration. By investigating the flower syndrome, pollination characteristics, pollination efficiency, and breeding system of 'Bluecrop', this study aims to explore the adaptive significance of these traits. The results showed 'Bluecrop' released pollen gradually through anther poricidal dehiscence...

One of the most vulnerable phases in the plant life cycle is sexual reproduction, which depends on effective pollen transfer, but also on the thermotolerance of pollen grains. Pollen thermotolerance is temperature-dependent and may be reduced by increasing temperature associated with global warming. A growing body of research has focused on the effect of increased temperature on pollen thermotolerance in crops to understand the possible impact of temperature extremes on yield. Yet, little is known about the effects of temperature on pollen thermotolerance of wild plant species...

The low survival rate of leverets may significantly contribute to steep population declines and slow recovery of European hares ( Lepus europaeus ). However, the leveret survival rate in farmlands with different landscape structures is poorly understood, and the existing evidence comes mainly from Western Europe. In this study, we explored the survival of leveret hare dummies along linear semi-natural habitats in homogeneous Central European arable farmland during the main part of the European hare reproduction period (March-April) in 2019 and 2020...

INTRODUCTION: with imported malaria cases in a given population, the question arises as to what extent the local cases are a consequence of the imports or not. We perform a modeling analysis for a specific area, in a region aspiring for malaria-free status. METHODS: data on malaria cases over ten years is subjected to a compartmental model which is assumed to be operating close to the equilibrium state. Two of the parameters of the model are fitted to the decadal data...

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Baneh ( Pistacia atlantica ) is a plant species that is commonly consumed as food and has a long-standing traditional use as a sexual enhancer. Despite its widespread use, a limited amount of academic and scientific literature is available regarding its potential impact on the reproductive system. The present research aimed to study the effect of a diet enriched with Baneh on the female rats' reproductive system. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE: Three groups of rats (n = 8) were subjected to the intended diet for six weeks...

Introduction Emergency contraceptives (ECs) are a critical method for preventing unwanted pregnancies following unprotected sexual intercourse. However, Tanzania is experiencing an alarming surge in the misuse of ECs among reproductive-aged females, particularly younger girls and women. Reports of their use as regular contraceptives are a rising concern. Deviations from their intended use in emergencies may not only increase the risk of contraceptive failure but also increase the risk of adverse health events...

INTRODUCTION: Adverse pregnancy outcomes pose serious health risks to both periconceptional women and newborns. This study aimed to investigate the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) toward adverse pregnancy outcomes among women of reproductive age in Al-Suwaira, Wasit governorate, Iraq. METHODS: During November 2021 to February 2022, cross-sectional research of randomly selected women was performed. The KAP was evaluated with a standard, self-administered questionnaire...

BACKGROUND: Serial serum hormone measurements and transvaginal ultrasound are reliable measures to predict ovulation. These measures are inconvenient and expensive therefore, basal body temperature charting (BBT) and urine ovulation predictor kits (OPK) for luteinizing hormone are often used to determine the 6-day fertile window. However, BBT does not clearly change until 1-2 days after ovulation. Additionally, while OPK can indicate positivity prior to ovulation, false readings are common...

Tripterygium glycosides (TG) is extracted from the roots of Chinese herbal medicine named Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF). TG tablets are the representative TwHF-based agents with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Although the curative effect of TG is remarkable, the clinical application is limited by a variety of organ toxicity. One of the most serious side-effects induced by TG is damage of the male reproductive system and the toxic mechanism is still not fully elucidated...

Methodological limitations in studying the association between the use of fertility drugs and cancer include the inherent increased risk of cancer in women who never conceive, the increased risk of cancer because of factors (endometriosis and unopposed estrogen) associated with infertility, the low incidence of most of these cancers, and that the diagnosis of cancer is typically several years after fertility drug use. On the basis of available data, there does not appear to be an association between fertility drugs and breast, colon, or cervical cancer...