Changes In Reproductive Potential Research Articles

External and Genetic Conditions Determining Male Infertility.

We explain environmental and genetic factors determining male genetic conditions and infertility and evaluate the significance of environmental stressors in shaping defensive responses, which is used in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility. This is done through the impact of external and internal stressors and their instability on sperm parameters and their contribution to immunogenetic disorders and hazardous DNA mutations. As chemical compounds and physical factors play an important role in the induction of immunogenetic disorders and affect the activity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic responses, causing oxidative stress, and leading to apoptosis, they downgrade semen quality. These factors are closely connected with male reproductive potential since genetic polymorphisms and mutations in chromosomes 7, X, and Y critically impact on spermatogenesis. Microdeletions in the Azoospermic Factor AZF region directly cause defective sperm production. Among mutations in chromosome 7, impairments in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator CFTR gene are destructive for fertility in cystic fibrosis, when spermatic ducts undergo complete obstruction. This problem was not previously analyzed in such a form. Alongside karyotype abnormalities AZF microdeletions are the reason of spermatogenic failure. Amongst AZF genes, the deleted in azoospermia DAZ gene family is reported as most frequently deleted AZF. Screening of AZF microdeletions is useful in explaining idiopathic cases of male infertility as well as in genetic consulting prior to assisted reproduction. Based on the current state of research we answer the following questions: (1) How do environmental stressors lessen the quality of sperm and reduce male fertility; (2) which chemical elements induce oxidative stress and immunogenetic changes in the male reproductive system; (3) how do polymorphisms correlate with changes in reproductive potential and pro-antioxidative mechanisms as markers of pathophysiological disturbances of the male reproductive condition; (4) how do environmental stressors of immunogenetic disorders accompany male infertility and responses; and (5) what is the distribution and prevalence of environmental and genetic risk factors.

Temperature-dependent growth of Thysanoessa macrura: inter-annual and spatial variability around Elephant Island, Antarctica

Somatic growth of pelagic invertebrates is controlled by temperature and food, both of which vary in space and time. Species-specific growth rate responses to environmental variabil- ity may affect populations through changes in reproductive potential; therefore, measuring spatial and temporal variability in growth rates of highly abundant zooplankton is critical to predict the impact of climate change on pelagic ecosystems. Here, we used length frequencies from bi-annual surveys conducted 1 month apart to estimate growth rates of one the most abundant euphausiids in the Southern Ocean, Thysanoessa macrura. We analyzed summer data from 4 separate years (1995, 1998, 2001, and 2004) that varied widely in temperature and primary production. Stations within the surveys were grouped by water characteristics: warm, low salinity Antarctic Circum - polar Current (ACC) water, and cold, saline Bransfield Strait and Weddell Sea (MBW) water, to assess inter-annual and spatial variability in cohort growth. Mid-summer cohort growth rates of T. macrura varied between years and water masses, ranging from �0.037 mm d �1 in MBW water in 2004 to 0.081 mm d �1 in ACC water in 1995. Growth rates were faster in ACC water than in MBW water during all years. Growth rates were strongly correlated with temperature (R 2 = 0.82) but weakly correlated with copepod density (R 2 = 0.38), and were not correlated with chl a con- centration (R 2 = 0.11). These results suggest that the growth rates of T. macrura may increase in regions exhibiting warming trends, such as the Antarctic Peninsula. This contrasts with published data on the growth rates of Euphausia superba, which is predicted to be impacted negatively by climate warming.

New artificial diet for continuous rearing of the bean pod borer, Maruca vitrata.

The bean pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a serious pantropical pest of grain legumes. A suitable artificial diet is desirable for producing uniform insects for commercial purposes or research. Three previously described artificial diets, 1 newly-developed artificial diet, and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (Fabales: Fabaceae)), the natural hostplant of M. vitrata, were used for rearing M. vitrata, and the life parameters were examined. The results indicated that insects completed a full life cycle only when the larvae were fed cowpea or the diet reported by Onyango and Ochieng'-Odero (1993), called the “D-OO diet.” However, the rearing efficiency (i.e., larval and pupal survival, longevity of adults, and fecundity) on the D-OO diet was inferior to the rearing efficiency on cowpea. Subsequently, a new artificial diet was formulated based on soybean powder, Glycine max (L.) Merr. (Fabales: Fabaceae), and wheat germ, Triticum aestivum L. (Poales: Poaceae). The egg production, egg hatching, larval developmental duration, and pupal survival of the M. vitrata reared on the new artificial diet were found to be significantly improved relative to the D-OO diet, but were not significantly better than on the host-plant cowpea. The optimum rearing density was 15–25 larvae per box. There were no significant changes in reproductive potential after 8 successive generations of rearing on the new diet. These results indicated that the newly developed diet could serve as a viable alternative to cowpea plant for continuous rearing of M. vitrata.

Effects of temperature, season and locality on wasting disease in the keystone predatory sea star Pisaster ochraceus

This study investigates wasting disease in the northeast Pacific keystone predatory sea star Pisaster ochraceus on the outer west coast of Vancouver Island (British Columbia, Canada). To quantify the effects of temperature, season and locality on the vulnerability of P. ochraceus to wasting disease, we conducted surveys and experiments in early and late summer. To test the prediction that a small increase in temperature would result in heightened infection intensities, we housed sea stars at different temperatures in the laboratory and caged sea stars subtidally at 2 depths. Prevalence and infection intensity were always higher in warm temperature treatments and did not differ between the sexes or with increasing size. Disease effects also varied with season and locality. Specimens held in aquaria displayed significantly higher disease prevalence and infection intensity in June versus August. Furthermore, sea stars from a sheltered inlet showed markedly higher prevalence of the disease in late summer, while wave-exposed sites had consistently low disease prevalence. Seasonal changes in reproductive potential, host condition and/or physiological acclimation, as well as differences in environmental regime among localities, may impact the dynamics of wasting disease. These results demonstrate that small increases in temperature could drive mass mortalities of Pisaster due to wasting disease, with vulnerability possibly reaching a peak in spring and in populations from sheltered localities. This is the most northern report of wasting disease in the class Asteroidea on the west coast of North America.

Effect of changes in reproductive potential on perceived productivity of three Northwest Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) stocks

Abstract Variation in maturity-at-age, sex ratio, and potential egg production (through changes in length at age) were examined for northern cod (NAFO Division 2J + 3KL), southern Grand Bank cod (3NO), and southern Newfoundland cod (3Ps). All showed significant interannual variability in each stock. Estimates of reproductive potential were produced by sequentially incorporating estimates of proportion mature at age, sex ratio at age, and potential egg production. The estimates of reproductive potential produced by each method were broadly similar, but there were important differences. This leads to differing perceptions of stock productivity, as measured by relative rate of recruitment of a stock and in the spawning stock produced per recruit. These differing perceptions can have a major impact on expectations for the recovery of depleted stocks and the sustainability of various levels of fishing. Efforts should be made to improve estimates of reproductive potential by further exploring the impacts of changes in the spawning characteristics of populations, and by collecting such basic information as fecundity data.

Characteristics of luteinizing hormone secretion in younger versus older premenopausal women

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to document specific attributes of pulsatile luteinizing hormone secretion in middle-aged women before discernible alterations in their menstrual cycles and to compare the results to corresponding data obtained in younger women. Study Design: After documenting normal cycle length, biphasic basal body temperatures, and normal midluteal progesterone in younger and middle-aged women during an initial cycle, daily blood samples and samples withdrawn at 10-minute intervals for 8 hours during the midfollicular phase were obtained during a subsequent cycle. Results: Assessment of luteinizing hormone pulses with the pulse detection algorithm Cluster demonstrated a prolonged interpulse interval and increased pulse width in the older women. Assessment of luteinizing hormone secretory bursts and half-life with the deconvolution analysis procedure demonstrated a prolonged interburst interval and half-life in the older women. Appraisal of approximate entropy revealed greater orderliness of luteinizing hormone release in the older women. Conclusions: Middle-aged women exhibit alterations in hypothalamic-pituitary function that may account in part for age-related changes in reproductive potential. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998;178:504-10.)

Changes in reproductive potential of the leech Nephelopsis obscura (Erpobdellidae) as biomarkers for cadmium stress

The effects of exposure for 4–24 days to 0, 58, 145, 290, 435, and 580 μg∙L−1 cadmium on the reproductive potential of the freshwater predatory leech Nephelopsis obscura were investigated. The numbers of ova and spermatozoa per unit biomass were significantly reduced with increasing cadmium concentration and exposure time, as were the masses of the ovisacs, testisacs, and epididymis plus cornu. It is concluded that these variables are effective biomarkers for identifying sublethal effects of direct importance to population dynamics.

Degenerative Changes in the Reproductive Organs of Female Schistosomes during Maintenance In vitro

Degenerative alteration of the reproductive organs of female schistosomes in correlation with the change in egg-laying rate of schistosome pairs in vitro was studied by electron microscopy. The production of normal eggs by adult S. japonicum pairs decreased after 4 days in vitro followed by an increase of abnormal egg laying up to day 8. In S. mansoni, the yield of both normal and abnormal eggs decreased gradually from the start of maintenance in vitro in spite of a much higher pairing rate than in S. japonicum. The vitelline gland of 14-day in vitro-maintained S. japonicum stained with Fast red B, while that of S. mansoni did not. The ovary of both species exhibited regressive features after 14 days of maintenance in vitro. Ultrastructural examination showed that the vitelline cells and oocytes of S. japonicum and S. mansoni had already lost their structural integrity after 2 days in vitro and continued to exhibit signs of structural degeneration throughout the 14-day in vitro maintenance period. The regressive changes in reproductive potential of female S. mansoni maintained in vitro for 4 days could be reversed by surgically implanting the parasites into mouse mesenteric veins.

Has fecundability been declining in recent years in developed countries? A comment.

2 objections may be lodged against James (1981) who offers evidence that Western fecundability has been declining. His argument, together with the author's previous comment, engenders concern about the effect of technological change on reproductive ability. The recent fertility decline was, with minor exceptions, characterized by an increasing concentration of childbearing in the younger age groups. The age shift continues that observed in essentially every Western fertility decline thus far, and it is regarded as proof of increasing family limitation. Secondly, changes in reproductive potential cannot greatly affect reproduction unless the affected population is reproducing near that potential. A fecundity decline could not then effect the recent decline in fertility unless Western fecundity in 1960 had already been unexpectedly low. James offered his effect as only a partial explanation of that fertility decline. Before accepting such a concession, it is necessary to question whether the explanations and procedures of demography give reason to reject a biosocial explanation of the overall Western fertility decline, particularly one based on an increasing prevalence of degenerative diseases. Several objections to such a "demographic degeneration" theory are impugned by ambiguities in the usual demographic definitions of fecundity and birth control. The Davis-Blake framework for fertility analysis and the many surveys based on it fail to consider reasonable distinctions between the social and biological motives for birth control and between voluntary family limitation and behavioral disorders affecting fertility. As yet, the predicted sociopsychological determinants of fertility have not been found. Many demographers now concede the inadequacy of the desired family size model of childbearing. Couples reproductively compensate for child deaths at barely 1/4 of the rate it predicts. Social demographers have overlooked data providing 2 independent corroborations of a degeneration theory: the increase in chronic diseases affecting Western populations has been characterized by the same shift in age patterns as the Western fertility decline--both most affect the oldest ages; and the fertility declines experienced by animals subjected to several continuous stresses are accompanied by that same shift in the age pattern. These considerations suggest that James' effect may be a major component of an explanation based on increasing chronic disease, subfecundity, health motivated family limitation, and behavioral disorders affecting fertility.

Seasonal Variation in Reproductive Potential: A Programmed Feature of Aphid Life Cycles

SUMMARY (1) Individuals of six species of aphid from two families were dissected and the number of ovarioles recorded. Variation in ovariole number occurred within and between generations. The spring generation(s) in each species had the highest number. (2) Generations with many ovarioles were more fecund than those with few. In those generations showing variability an individual with a high number of ovarioles was potentially more fecund and reproduced at a greater rate than individuals with few ovarioles. (3) The changes in reproductive potential are programmed and anticipate predictable

Fecundity of the Bloater (Coregonus hoyi) in Lake Michigan

Abstract Using ovaries sampled seasonally from Lake Michigan bloaters in 1968-1969, we determined that one complement or modal group of eggs is produced each year and spawned mainly during January, February, and March. Fecundities estimated for 65 fish taken in October ranged from 3,230 eggs in one medium-size bloater (241 mm long) to 18,768 in the longest (305 mm). We regressed these estimates on lengths and weights of the parental fish to provide a quantitative basis for later evaluating long-term changes in reproductive potential. The resulting rectilinear regression on weight accounted for 75% of the total variation in fecundity.