Disturbances Of Reproductive Function Research Articles

Medical-social Features of Married Couples with Sterility

The objective: to study modern medico-social features at sterility of married couples.Materials and methods. Object of research about married couples with barrenes, sampling unit – each sterility married couple. 100 married couples with sterility were us study, representative selection on quality and quantity with use of method of a systematic random sample was thus formed.Results. The received results – results of the conducted researches testify that medical-social factors are of great importance for the solution of a question of realization of genesial function at married couples. Major importance has condition of genesial health not only the woman, but also the husband or the partner, and also conservation of staging of carrying out specialized medical care, since women consultation and finishing specialized clinics of auxiliary reproductive technologies.Conclusion. The conclusion – the received results needs to be considered when rendering medical care to married couples with disturbance of reproductive function.

Protective effect of germanium citrate in endotoxin-induced ovarian dysfunction in mice.

Now it is known that endotoxin of gram-negative bacteria – lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is associated with disturbances of reproductive function in women. To simulate an ovarian dysfunction in endotoxemia and to explore a possible protective action of germanium (Ge) citrate obtained via nanotechnology we used LPS administration into female mice (3 mg/kg). Treatment with LPS caused patho­logical changes in mouse ovaries at 24h post-injection: an impairment of oocyte maturation in vitro, DNA damage in granulosa cells (as estimated by DNA-comet assay) and a decrease in their viability by increasing both necrosis and apoptosis. Pretreatment of mice with Ge citrate (i.p. 100 mkg/kg, 2 injections: 24 h and 1 h before LPS) was effective to reduce genotoxic stress and cell death. Ge citrate administration to LPS-treated mice significantly enhanced oocyte quality (as indicated by improvement in oocyte maturation) that may be due to cytoprotective effect of this compound on surrounding follicular cells. Our results support potential therapeutic application of Ge citrate to improve reproductive function in endotoxemia.

Психологические предпосылки бесплодия у здоровых женщин, состоящих в браке

The article discusses the psychological prerequisites of infertility in married healthy women, which have a significant effect on their reproductive function. The main prerequisites are unresolved internal conflicts with one’s own mother and fears of childhood and adolescence. The disturbances of reproductive function in somatically healthy patients are reversible and involving different levels of mental behavior regulation in the form of unwillingness of pregnancy and the subsequent birth of the child.

A 25years experience of group-housed sows-reproduction in animal welfare-friendly systems.

Since January 1 2013, group housing of sows has been compulsory within the European Union (EU) in all pig holdings with more than ten sows. Sows and gilts need to be kept in groups from 4 weeks after service to 1 week before the expected time of farrowing (Article 3(4) of Directive 2008/120/EC on the protection of pigs). The legislation regarding group housing was adopted already in 2001 and a long transitional period was allowed to give member states and producers enough time for adaptation. Even so, group housing of sows still seems to be uncommon in the EU, and is also uncommon in commercial pig farming systems in the rest of the world. In this review we share our experience of the Swedish 25 years of animal welfare legislation stipulating that sows must be loose-housed which de facto means group housed. The two most important concerns related to reproductive function among group-housed sows are the occurrence of lactational oestrus when sows are group-housed during lactation, and the stress that is associated with group housing during mating and gestation. Field and clinical observations in non-lactating, group-housed sows in Sweden suggest that by making basic facts known about the pig reproductive physiology related to mating, we might achieve application of efficient batch-wise breeding without pharmacological interventions. Group housing of lactating sows has some production disadvantages and somewhat lower productivity would likely have to be expected. Recordings of behavioural indicators in different housing systems suggest a lower welfare level in stalled animals compared with group-housed ones. However, there are no consistent effects on the reproductive performance associated with different housing systems. Experimental studies suggest that the most sensitive period, regarding disturbance of reproductive functions by external stressors, is the time around oestrus. We conclude that by keeping sows according to the pig welfare-friendly Directive 2008/120/EC, it is possible to combine group-housing of sows with good reproductive performance and productivity. However, substantially increased research and development is needed to optimize these systems.

Laser atomic emission analysis of airborne pollution of green stands by deicing agents

We present the results of analysis of airborne pollution of green stands along the Minsk Beltway by compo- nents of deicing agents (chlorine). We used laser spectral analysis for rapid determination of chlorine. Com- parison of the analysis results for accumulation of salt components in samples collected from trees along the Minsk Beltway with control samples showed that the chlorine content is 3.7-5.5 times higher than the control values. The degree of pollution depends on the position of the trees on the forest edge relative to the high- way, which is confirmed by reliable correlation coefficients. Introduction. Anthropogenic transformation of the natural environment is one of the most acute environ- mental problems today. The system of transportation routes is one of the major reasons for such transformation. Stands in the vicinity of vehicular roads are affected by pollution directly or indirectly connected with vehicular traffic. We can isolate two major forms of traffic-related pollution: salt associated with the use of deicing agents, and pollution by heavy metals entering the components of the environment with exhausts from vehicular traffic and dust from the high- way. Pollution combined with recreational loads and development of the infrastructure of the roads lead to deteriora- tion in the condition of the trees, disturbance of reproductive functions, alkalizing of the topsoil, change in the ionic composition of soil adsorption complex, increase in the content of heavy metals, chlorine, labile sulfur, decrease in the rate of mineralization of organic matter, depletion of soil mesofauna, and other negative consequences (1-3). Changes in the ecological conditions in stands adjacent to a vehicular road promotes reduced stability of plant populations and plant communities, and loss of stability in the ecosystem. Thus land adjacent to roads is characterized by a high degree of environmental stress. In Belarus, the Minsk Beltway arouses special concern in this regard. Reconstruction of the Minsk Beltway, completed in 2002, led to an in- crease in vehicular traffic (the road capacity was 6000 vehicles per hour, traffic reached 33-35 thousand vehicles per day) and consequently, an increased level of anthropogenic pollution and salting of land adjacent to the road, con- nected with the increase in the amount of deicing agents added. All this negatively affects the condition of green stands immediately adjacent to the Beltway. In recent years, a deterioration has been observed in the condition of all components of plant communities. In the canopy of stands adjacent to the Beltway, a deterioration has been noted in the vital condition, as well as an increased number of weakened and damaged tree stands and increased defoliation of the trees (4). The forest edge zone, immediately adjacent to the Beltway, has aroused special concern: here the plant communities are subjected to extensive digressive processes which in future may manifest themselves in more danger- ous forms: loss of reproductive potential by the forests, the forest environment and appearance, and finally loss of re- sistance in tree stands and an increased risk of massive death of trees (5). In this connection, in 2008-2009 we conducted an analysis of the degree of airborne pollution of green stands along the Minsk Beltway by components of deicing agents (chlorine), with the aim of establishing the reasons for their

Syndrome X-like alterations in adult female rats due to neonatal insulin treatment

Hypothalamic structures are decisively involved in the regulation of body weight and metabolism. In syndrome X, complex metabolic alterations are present, which in women are found to be associated with disturbances of reproductive function and altered androgen levels. In previous experiments in rats, it was shown that a temporary intrahypothalamic hyperinsulinism during early life predisposes to overweight and diabetogenic disturbances later in life, associated with disorganization of hypothalamic regulatory centers. To investigate the possible long-term consequences of elevated peripheral insulin levels during ontogenesis, the following experiment was performed. Newborn female Wistar rats were treated during neonatal life with daily subcutaneous injections of long-acting insulin ([IRI group] 0.3 IU on days 8 and 9 of life and 0.1 IU on days 10 and 11 of life), whereas control animals (CO) received daily NaCl injections. This temporary exposure to increased insulin levels during a critical developmental period resulted in an increased body weight gain including juvenile life and adulthood ( P < .01), accompanied by hyperinsulinemia ( P < .01), impaired glucose tolerance ( P < .05), and increased systolic blood pressure in adulthood ( P < .025). No significant alterations were detected either in cyclicity and fertility or in the levels of testosterone, androstenedione, or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in IRI rats. Morphometric evaluation of hypothalamic nuclei showed a reduced numerical density of neurons ( P < .025) and a decreased neuronal volume density ( P < .025) within the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMN) of the IRI rats, whereas the antagonistic lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) was morphometrically unchanged. Newborn offspring of IRI rats (F1 generation) were overweight ( P < .05) and had an increased pancreatic insulin concentration ( P < .02). In conclusion, perinatal hyperinsulinism seems to predispose to the later development of syndrome X—like changes in female rats, possibly due to impaired organization of hypothalamic regulators of body weight and metabolism.

Regulative systems in disturbances of reproductive function in women in unfavourable environment

Regulative systems in disturbances of reproductive function in women in unfavourable environment

Impaired reproductive function in women treated for growth hormone deficiency during childhood.

There are limited data which suggest that disturbance of reproductive function may occur in GH-deficient women. We have evaluated the consequences of growth hormone (GH) deficiency on reproductive function in women treated for GH deficiency during childhood. Questionnaires were sent to 73 GH-deficient women who had been treated for GH deficiency during childhood. The response rate was 82%. These 60 women were then visited to obtain further information concerning their reproductive status. During these visits, blood samples were obtained from 39 women, to evaluate their hormonal status, and 29 of them had a standard insulin tolerance test (ITT), as part of an adult GH substitution trial. Paediatric and gynaecological records were evaluated in all 60 women. Sixty GH-deficient women treated in childhood for this deficiency were included in the study. The median age at follow up was 27 years (range 20-43). GH treatment had been discontinued for 9 years (range 2-26). In the questionnaire and during the visit, attention was paid to GH treatment, pubertal development, menstrual cycle disturbances and fertility. In the 39 blood samples IGF-1, IGFBP-3, TSH, T4 and T3 were measured. GH responses were measured by a standard ITT. Thirty-four women showed no spontaneous pubertal development. Of the 26 women who did, menarche occurred in 39% at the age of 16 years or older. At the time of the study, menstrual cycles in these 26 women were as follows: 12 had regular menstrual cycles, three had developed secondary amenorrhoea after discontinuation of GH treatment, five had irregular menstrual cycles and six had oligomenorrhoea. The 34 women with disturbed pubertal development and the three with secondary amenorrhoea were infertile because of hypogonadotrophism. Only 13 out of 60 women desired pregnancy or had been pregnant. Three with regular menstrual cycles had primary infertility. Ten had ovulation induced or IVF. Six of these became pregnant after 1-7 cycles. Three were still under treatment, the duration of their treatment varying from 3 to 7 years. One woman discontinued treatment. At the time of the study, nine women had actually conceived. Five out of ten completed pregnancies resulted in Caesarian sections because of cephalo-pelvic disproportion or arrest of labour. During the ITT three of 29 women showed GH responses exceeding 5 micrograms/l (10 mU/l), ruling out complete GH deficiency. Higher GH peaks (NS), IGF-1 (P , 0.01) and IGFBP-3 (P < 0.01) levels were found in women with regular menstrual cycles, compared to women using sex-steroid substitution and amenorrhoeic women. From this study, it can be concluded that disturbances in reproductive function can be expected in women treated for GH deficiency during childhood, so it is advisable to inform these women of this possibility and to maintain follow-up after discontinuation of GH treatment. Whether the somatotrophic axis exerts a direct effect on ovarian function or whether more severe GH deficiency is more frequently accompanied by disturbances in gonadotrophin secretion still has to be elucidated.

Delayed damaging effects of anthracycline antibiotics on the reproductive system of rats

Destructive changes and disturbances of spermatogenesis are found to occur in the testes of Wistar rats 1 and 3 months after a single injection of the anthracycline antibiotic pharmorubicin in the maximum permissible dose. The morphological picture normalizes 6 months postinjection. Disturbances in reproductive function are observed as early as 3 months after treatment. The number of dominant lethal mutations rises one month postinjection.

Recent Developments in the Toxicology of Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids are extensively abused as ergogenic aids by athletes (and others). A number of features of anabolic steroid use and toxicology have been recently reviewed in the Journal, and a large body of data has accumulated concerning their toxic nature. The lipoprotein profile induced by anabolic steroids carries a markedly adverse cardiovascular risk. Glucose metabolism is significantly altered and includes peripheral insulin resistance, hyperinsulinaemia and attenuated responses to glucagon. Hypertension has been noted. Psychiatric and psychological alterations are major toxicities of anabolic steroids, and probably constitute the major mechanism of their action. Hepatic neoplasia occurs in the setting of abuse of this class of drugs, and may be related to their use, although there is no convincing evidence that other malignancies are induced in athletes who abuse them. Gross disturbance of reproductive function occurs in both sexes: hypogonadal states are common and prolonged. The anabolic steroids are toxic drugs with both long and short term effects. Their abuse by athletes is to be decried, particularly in view of the frequent and prolonged use by the young.