Fertility History Research Articles

Environmental and grazing management drivers of soil condition

Domestic livestock grazing is one of the dominant forms of land use globally. However, there are variable findings concerning the impacts of different grazing regimes on soil condition. We quantified the impacts of contrasting livestock grazing regimes on soil properties within nationally endangered temperate box-gum woodlands in south-eastern Australia. We sampled total soil nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon and bulk density at 65 woodland sites with a history of either continuous, strategic or rotational livestock grazing, as well as livestock grazing exclusion. We evaluated the influence of both historical and current management practices upon soil properties in the context of broad-scale soil forming factors such as climate, geology and topography.We found evidence of a strong relationship between total soil phosphorus and nitrogen, while phosphorus also was influenced by site-scale native tree cover. Total soil phosphorus and nitrogen were related to the combined effects of pasture type and long-term fertilizer history (>10 years prior to sampling). No significant differences in soil nutrients or bulk density were detected between different grazing treatments, likely due to the importance of total grazing pressure (i.e. from all exotic and native herbivores) and the level of environmental variation between sites. However, total soil phosphorus was significantly higher in soils sampled in the season following a grazing event, irrespective of grazing intensity or duration. Total soil nitrogen and carbon exhibited a similar pattern. This is likely a result of multiple processes such as direct input of organic matter to the soil and stimulation of soil microbial communities. These findings have important implications for the strategic management of woodland understorey vegetation as soil nutrients have been identified as important drivers of native plant diversity.

Nutritional Infertility and Ameliorative Measures in Dairy Animals of Middle Gujarat

Fertility improvement camps were organized in different villages of middle Gujarat covering 1481 breedable cattle and buffaloes with the history of impaired fertility. The reproductive status of animals was ascertained through gynaeco-clinical examination per rectum. Blood sampling (n=305) was done from representative groups of animals to know the nutritional status. All non-infectious infertile animals were dewormed using either Inj. Ivermectin 100 mg s/c or bolus Fenbendazole + Ivermectin 3.0 g orally. Anestrus animals (n=265) were then nutritionally supplemented either with chelated area specific mineral mixture (ASMM, 50-60 g/d/h) or multi-minerals boli - one on alternate day, with and without bypass fat (75-80 g/d/h) for one month along with an advice to improve feeding level, estrus detection and timely breeding. Revisits were made after 2.5-3.0 months to check the reproductive status. The mean blood glucose concentrations were significantly lower (p less than 0.05), while total cholesterol and zinc levels were higher (p less than 0.05) in anestrus than in subestrus and/or repeat breeding cows and buffaloes. Moreover, the plasma total cholesterol levels in buffaloes were just one half to those of cows. Further, the plasma total protein, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper and cobalt concentrations were found to be nonsignificantly higher in repeat breeders than in anestrus or subestrus cows and buffaloes. Calcium was deficient in some 20% animals and calcium: phosphorus ratio varied from 1:1 to 1.8:1 in animals under different areas of study indicating its role in causing infertility in dairy animals. Supplementation of ASMM, multi-mineral boli alone or in combination with bypass fat in pubertal /postpartum anestrus animals resulted in 34-56% estrus induction response and 33-50% conception rate, both being better with mineral plus bypass fat supplementation than minerals alone.

Fertility histories and chronic conditions later in life in Europe

Understanding the association between fertility histories and health later in life is necessary in the context of ageing societies. Past literature has generally found a U-shaped relationship between parity, age at first birth, and several health-related outcomes. However, these findings differed to some extent depending on the country under analysis and on the measures of health considered. As such, using wave 3 (2008–2009) and 5 (2013) of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), this work aimed to answer the question: “Are fertility histories associated with the presence of chronic conditions later in life in Europe?” The analysis included 11 European countries and compared results using two different measures of chronic conditions: self-reported chronic or long-term illness and chronic diseases diagnosed by a doctor. Results showed that age at first birth is more relevant than parity for health outcomes at older ages. Moreover, in socio-democratic and continental countries, the association between fertility and chronic conditions—in particular between age at first birth and long-term illnesses—is statistically significant among women, but not among men. Finally, the association between fertility history and health was similar when using self-reported measures and chronic diseases diagnosed by a doctor.

Converting temperate long‐term arable land into semi‐natural grassland: decadal‐scale changes in topsoil C, N, 13C and 15N contents

SummaryConverting arable land to permanent grassland remains an efficient option for increased carbon (C) storage in agricultural land. We quantified changes in C and nitrogen (N) in topsoil from the Sandmarken experiment (initiated in 1894 in Denmark) before and after its conversion to semi‐natural grassland in 1998. Because of different fertilizer application in the arable phase, the grass was established on soils with different initial fertility. Archived soils sampled during 1942–2012 from plots subjected to different treatments in the arable phase were analysed for C, N, 13C and 15N. With crop yields, topsoil C contents and the C‐TOOL model, we estimated mean C inputs in the arable phase of 0.4, 1.4 and 1.7 Mg C ha−1 year−1 for unmanured, mineral‐fertilized and animal‐manured plots, respectively, and C inputs in the grassland phase of 3.2–3.8 Mg C ha−1 year−1. In the arable phase, topsoil showed mean losses of 0.10 Mg C and 0.012 Mg N ha−1 year−1, whereas δ13C increased by 0.002‰ and δ15N by 0.013‰. Grassland establishment reverted losses of C and N to gains of 0.29 Mg C and 0.017 Mg N ha−1 year−1; δ13C now decreased by 0.065‰ and δ15N by 0.074‰. Fertilizer history did not affect these changes markedly. Converting this low‐yielding sandy soil from arable to grassland use provided an overall annual gain of 0.39 Mg C and 0.029 Mg N ha−1 in the topsoil. Changes in δ13C and δ15N indicated a reduced rate of C turnover and a less leaky N cycle under grassland.HighlightsAssessed change in C and N storage with change in land use from arable to semi‐natural grassland Overall soil C sequestration was 0.39 Mg C ha−1 year−1 because C loss was avoided from continued arable use Soil δ13C and δ15N decreased when arable land was converted into grassland In the grassland phase, the modelled C input was not affected by fertilizer history

Unsual Tubal Twin Ectopic Gestation Report of Three Different Cases

Gestation outside the uterine cavity in which the implantation occurs in any tissue other than the endometrium is referred as ectopic pregnancy. The most places for occurring ectopic pregnancy (97% of cases) are the fallopian tubes including ampulla (55%), isthmus (25%), and fimbria (17%), and in 3% of patient’s ectopic pregnancy occurs in the abdominal cavity, ovary, or cervix. The tubal twin ectopic pregnancy is a rare condition, and the first unilateral tubal twin was reported by De Ott in 1891, and the first live twin tubal ectopic pregnancy was reported in 1944. A live tubal twin ectopic pregnancy is a very rare condition and among >100 reports of tubal twin pregnancies, till now, only 8 cases were live. Early diagnosis and treatment of women with tubal twin ectopic pregnancy is very important and may decrease the risk of tubal rupture. I present three cases of tubal twin ectopic gestation. In the first case, spontaneous unilateral live tubal twin ectopic gestation. The second and third cases spontaneous ruptured twin ectopic gestation. All three cases were successfully managed and there was no history of assisted reproductive techninique fertilization or pelvic inflammatory disease.

Переосмысливая современную историю рождаемости: семья, государство и мир-система

Статья освещает «забытые» теорией движущие силы современной истории рождаемости в развитых странах: фундаментальные изменения мир-системы после Второй мировой войны и на рубеже 1980-х и 1990-х годов; конкурирующие представления о «правильной» семье и семейной и демографической политике; центр-периферийные отношения и их влияние на ресурсные возможности такой политики. Периоды, на протяжении которых ранжирование стран по величине суммарного коэффициента рождаемости оставалось устойчивым, нарушались, как свидетельствует статистический анализ, перерывами постепенности, во время которых это ранжирование существенно менялось. Дважды, после Второй мировой войны и при распаде СССР и советского блока, такие перерывы совпадали с фундаментальными сдвигами в мировой системе. Кроме того, в странах Запада такой перерыв наблюдался на рубеже 1980-х и 1990-х годов при смене обратной зависимости между женской занятостью и рождаемостью напрямую, а затем в России, странах Центральной и Восточной Европы и бывшей Югославии в период «восстановительного» роста рождаемости в 2000-е годы. Современная динамика рождаемости в развитом мире направляется «гравитационными полями» четырех аттракторов. Три первых представляют собой институциональные ловушки, связанные либо с низким уровнем жизни, либо с противоречием между «новой» экономикой и «старой» организацией семейных отношений, либо, в определенных пропорциях, тем и другим. Четвертым аттрактором является идеальное состояние, при котором щедрая семейная политика и участие мужчин в домашних заботах обеспечивают уровень рождаемости, необходимый для простого замещения поколений. Ближе всего к нему находятся в настоящее время Франция и скандинавские страны. Вопрос о том, смогут ли приблизиться к этому состоянию страны полупериферии развитого мира или из-за ресурсных ограничений оно останется привилегией, доступной только странам ядра, остается открытым.

Effects of fertilizer regimes on greenhouse gas emissions in a Gray Luvisol from central Alberta, Canada

This study investigated how different fertilizer regimes with a long-term repeated N application experiment affected on the soil Greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions in a Gray Luvisolic from central Alberta, Canada. The results showed fertilizer regimes significantly influenced on GHGs emissions. The higher emissions of N2O and CH4 induced by NPKS soils were due to the superior utilization rate of mineral N and organic N. The CO2 emission rates indicated that soil organic carbon (SOC) was upper after Manure application than that after NPKS and Lime applications. The lowest Global Warming Potential (GWP) and highest pH of Lime soils suggested that liming application cause a significant decrease of GHGs by changing soil properties, such as pH. As for CH4 emissions during the incubation period, NPKS soil acted as sources, whereas the Lime and Manure soils acted as CH4 sinks. In addition, the fertilization history with higher SOC stocks in the Manure soils did not affect higher N2O emissions. In conclusion, this research showed liming application could be a better policy for improving soil properties in the acid Gray Luvisol from central Alberta, but liming may result in lower emissions of N2O and CO2 than the treatment of mineral fertilizer or farmyard manure.

Genetic variation in gonadal impairment in female survivors of childhood cancer: a PanCareLIFE study protocol

BackgroundImproved risk stratification, more effective therapy and better supportive care have resulted in survival rates after childhood cancer of around 80% in developed countries. Treatment however can be harsh, and three in every four childhood cancer survivors (CCS) develop at least one late effect, such as gonadal impairment. Gonadal impairment can cause involuntary childlessness, with serious consequences for the well-being of CCS. In addition, early menopause increases the risk of comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Inter-individual variability in susceptibility to therapy related gonadal impairment suggests a role for genetic variation.Currently, only one candidate gene study investigated genetic determinants in relation to gonadal impairment in female CCS; it yielded one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that was previously linked with the predicted age at menopause in the general population of women, now associated with gonadal impairment in CCS. Additionally, one genome wide association study (GWAS) evaluated an association with premature menopause, but no GWAS has been performed using endocrine measurements for gonadal impairment as the primary outcome in CCS.MethodsAs part of the PanCareLIFE study, the genetic variability of chemotherapy induced gonadal impairment among CCS will be addressed. Gonadal impairment will be determined by anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels or alternatively by fertility and reproductive medical history retrieved by questionnaire. Clinical and genetic data from 837 non-brain or non-bilateral gonadal irradiated long-term CCS will result in the largest clinical European cohort assembled for this late-effect study to date. A candidate gene study will examine SNPs that have already been associated with age at natural menopause and DNA maintenance in the general population. In addition, a GWAS will be performed to identify novel allelic variants. The results will be validated in an independent CCS cohort.DiscussionThis international collaboration aims to enhance knowledge of genetic variation which may be included in risk prediction models for gonadal impairment in CCS.

Intraspecific variation in litter palatability to macroarthropods in response to grazing and soil fertility

Abstract Clarifying the functional consequences of intraspecific trait variability in response to interacting trophic levels would provide a significant improvement in our understanding of above‐ground–below‐ground linkages. In particular, the effects of grazing on plant traits may translate into altered litter quality, with potentially important consequences for litter‐feeding decomposers. Plant and litter variability in response to grazing is expected to depend on soil fertility levels, with tolerance and defensive strategies more commonly expressed on fertile and poorer soils, respectively. However, how grazing and fertility interactively alter litter quality and palatability to detritivores has not been explored yet. We conducted a cafeteria experiment with three common millipede (Diplopoda) species feeding on leaf litter from two plant species, the grass Bromopsis erecta and the forb Potentilla verna. Each millipede was offered a binary choice between litter types produced by the same plant species, but sampled in plots with distinct herbivory and fertilization status: litter originating from grazed areas or from 1‐year sheep exclosures, both in native areas and in adjacent paddocks that received chemical N and P fertilization, as well as litter from a 25‐year sheep exclosures in the native area. We found that fertilization and herbivore exclusion interactively affected Bromopsis litter quality and palatability, whereas Potentilla was much less affected. Bromopsis litter palatability was not affected by grazing when litter was collected in native plots, except for the long‐term exclosure which led to low palatability. In contrast, and in line with our expectations, herbivory was associated with much higher palatability in fertilized plots. The changes in palatability were associated with important alterations of litter quality. Overall, our study demonstrates that intraspecific variation in litter can have profound consequences for soil functioning. It emphasizes the role of grazing as a key, but plant species‐specific factor controlling litter intraspecific variability, and its complex interaction with soil fertility level. Moreover, our results advocate for a better understanding of the response of the different organisms involved in the decomposition process, in particular litter‐feeding macro‐detritivores. We encourage future studies aiming at disentangling the various and complex relationships between above‐ground processes such as herbivory and soil functioning.

Titanite major and trace element compositions as petrogenetic and metallogenic indicators of Mo ore deposits: Examples from four granite plutons in the southern Yidun arc, SW China

Major, minor, and trace element abundances in titanite crystals from four granitic plutons in southern Yidun arc, SW China, have been determined using electron microprobe and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The selected plutons are the Cretaceous Xiuwacu (CXWC) pluton, with quartz vein-type Mo mineralization (economic-Mo), the Tongchanggou (TCG) pluton, with porphyry-type Mo mineralization (economic-Mo), the Triassic Pulang (PL) pluton, with porphyry-type Cu mineralization (subeconomic-Mo), and the Triassic Xiuwacu (TXWC) pluton, without any Mo mineralization (Mo-barren). Our study reveals that the chemical compositions of titanite crystals from these plutons such as REE, Sr, Ga, delta Eu, delta Ce, Fe2O3/Al2O3, halogens, and Mo can be used to track magma compositions, oxidation states, metal fertility, and crystallization history. The data from this study also show that titanite crystals from these plutons with different potential of Mo mineralization have similar Mo contents and exhibit an irregular variation between Mo and Sr abundances (indicating non-Mo enrichment in the residual melt during the progressive crystallization) for some Mo-mineralized plutons. Our new observations support the recent hypothesis that high initial Mo contents in magma and the enrichment of Mo in residual melts formed by fractional crystallization are not the only requirements to form a granite-related Mo ore deposit. Efficient extraction of the residual melts, possibly facilitated by high concentrations of magmatic F is also critical to the ore formation. Evidence for high-F concentration in felsic magma, which facilitates melt and fluid separation and economic Mo mineralization during magma evolution, may be traced by the presence of F-rich titanite crystals in the two Mo-mineralized granite plutons (CXWC and TCG). These new findings from this study confirm that titanite is indeed a good petrogenetic and metallogenic indicator. However, in light of the limited contribution of metal fertility to Mo mineralization, we suggest that titanite Mo concentrations should be used along with other crucial proxies, such as titanite F contents and Fe2O3/Al2O3 ratios to better evaluate the Mo-mineralized potential of granites.

Fertilization strategy can affect the estimation of soil nitrogen mineralization potential with chemical methods

Our objective was to evaluate if the relationship between quick indices of mineralizable N and soil N mineralization potential (No) is affected by long-term fertilization with inorganic fertilizers (IF) and/or poultry litter (PL). Samples from four long-term research sites that were fertilized with IF, IF+PL, or PL (>10 years) were aerobically incubated for 24 weeks to determine No. Soil No was then related to the results from the Illinois soil test analysis (ISNT), extractions with hot KCl, NaOH, or phosphate-borate (PB), and an anaerobic incubation (Nan). All evaluated chemical methods were correlated with No (R2 > 0.59). However, the models to describe the association between the chemical methods and No differed depending on the fertilizer treatment, due to the inability of chemical indices to estimate the No increase observed in some PL-amended soils. In contrast, the relationship between Nan and No was not affected by fertilization strategy. Chemical indices can lead to the underestimation of soil N mineralization potential in PL-treated soils when the indices are calibrated in IF-amended soils, whereas the biological method Nan predicted No independently from the field’s fertilization history.

Tubal Twin Ectopic Gestation Report of Three Different Cases

Gestation outside the uterine cavity in which the implantation occurs in any tissue other than the endometrium is referred as ectopic pregnancy. The most place for occurring ectopic pregnancy (97% of cases) is the fallopian tubes including ampulla (55%), isthmus (25%), and fimbria (17%), and in 3% of patients ectopic pregnancy occurs in the abdominal cavity, ovary, or cervix.[1]The tubal twin ectopic pregnancy is a rare condition, and the first unilateral tubal twin was reported by De Ott in 1891, and the first live twin tubal ectopic pregnancy was reported in 1944 [2].A live tubal twin ectopic pregnancy is a very rare condition and among >100 reports of tubal twin pregnancies, till now, only 8 cases were live [3]. Early diagnosis and treatment of women with tubal twin ectopic pregnancy is very important and may decrease the risk of tubal rupture.. I present three cases of tubal twin ectopic gestation. In the first case, spontaneous unilateral live tubal twin ectopic gestation .The second and third cases spontaneous ruptured twin ectopic gestation .All three cases were successfully managed and there was no history of assisted reproductive techninique fertilization or pelvic inflammatory disease .

Effects of mitochondrial disease/dysfunction on pregnancy: A retrospective study

A retrospective survey assessed the gynecologic, obstetric and fertility history of 103 women with mitochondrial disease (MD)/dysfunction (Md) aged 16 to 75 who had previously been pregnant. Most participants (34%) had a mitochondrial myopathy and there were 248 combined pregnancies with live deliveries (average 3.6 pregnancies/woman). In general, pregnancy in those with MD/Md appears to exacerbate some constitutional and neurological symptoms and may be more frequently associated with common obstetric complications, but this did not appear to result in worse pregnancy outcomes. Most women carried their pregnancy to term, but their neonates tended to have more congenital anomalies than expected.

Association between leukocytospermia and semen interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in infertile men.

Seminal cytokines were previously reported to adversely affect process of spermatogenesis and ultimately induce poor semen quality. However, association between both IL-6 and TNF-α and leukocytospermia was not yet settled. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between leukocytospermia and levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in semen of infertile men. This cross-sectional study included 100 age-matched (≥18-45years.) men. Participants were divided into four groups with 25 patients in each group: Group (A) - infertile patients with leukocytospermia and normal other semen parameters; Group (B) - infertile patients with leukocytospermia and abnormal semen parameters; Group (C) - infertile patients with oligospermia and/or asthenospermia and/or teratospermia but with no leukocytospermia; Group (D) - fertile patients with normal semen parameters and without leukocytospermia. All patients were assessed by detailed medical, sexual, fertility history, and complete physical examination. Laboratory assessment included hormonal and semen analysis and assessment of IL-6 and TNF-α in semen plasma. There were significant differences among the study groups regarding total sperm count, sperm concentration, and progressive motility (p<0.05 for each). There was significant increase in semen WBC counts in groups A and B vs. groups C and D (p=0.003). There were significant associations between increase levels of WBCs≥5/HPF and decrease levels of total sperm count (p=0.023), sperm concentration (p=0.001), and sperm progressive motility (p=0.02). There were significant upregulations in mean level of IL-6 (p=0.001) and mean level of TNF-α (p=0.003) in groups A and B vs. groups C and D. Overall, leukocytospermia is associated with reduction in sperm count, progressive motility and further upregulation of seminal IL-6 and TNF-α. The effect of treatment of leukocytospermia on the level of seminal cytokines is important point of future research.

Parenthood and Later Life Health: An International Life Course Analysis of Parents and Childless Adults Aged 50 and Older

Abstract This study investigates how women’s and men’s fertility history affect their health in later life and if this relationship varies across countries and cohorts. We use life history data and current health status of persons aged 50 and over from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) for 13 countries. Country-fixed effects regressions show that parenthood itself and the number of children have little impact on later life health, but fertility timing is important. Moreover, significant country and cohort differences show that the health implications of timing depend upon the socio-historic context.

Associations between intimate partner violence and reproductive and maternal health outcomes in Bihar, India: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundBihar, India has higher rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) and maternal and infant mortality relative to India as a whole. This study assesses whether IPV is associated with poor reproductive and maternal health outcomes, as well as whether poverty exacerbates any observed associations, among women who gave birth in the preceding 23 months in Bihar, India.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis of data from a representative household sample of mothers of children 0–23 months old in Bihar, India (N = 13,803) was conducted. Associations between lifetime IPV (physical and/or sexual violence) and poor reproductive health outcomes ever (miscarriage, stillbirth, and abortion) as well as maternal complications for the index pregnancy (early and/or prolonged labor complications, other complications during pregnancy or delivery) were assessed using multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for demographics and fertility history of the mother. Models were then stratified by wealth index to determine whether observed associations were stronger for poorer versus wealthier women.ResultsIPV was reported by 45% of women in the sample. A history of miscarriage, stillbirth, and abortion was reported by 8.7, 4.6, and 1.3% of the sample, respectively. More than one in 10 women (10.7%) reported labor complications during the last pregnancy, and 16.3% reported other complications during pregnancy or delivery. Adjusted regressions revealed significant associations between IPV and miscarriage (AOR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.11–1.65) and stillbirth (AOR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.02–1.82) ever, as well as with labor complications (AOR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.04–1.54) and other pregnancy/delivery complications (AOR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.42–1.99). Women in the poorest quartile (Quartile 1) saw no associations between IPV and miscarriage (Quartile 1 AOR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.67–1.45) or stillbirth (Quartile 1 AOR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.69–1.98), whereas women in the higher wealth quartile (Quartile 3) did see associations between IPV and miscarriage (Quartile 3 AOR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.07, 2.25) and stillbirth (Quartile 3 AOR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.04, 3.08).DiscussionIPV is highly prevalent in Bihar and is associated with increased risk for miscarriage, stillbirth, and maternal health complications. Associations between IPV and miscarriage and stillbirth do not hold true for the poorest women, possibly because other risks attached to poverty and deprivation may be greater contributors.

Land use and biochar effect on nitrate leaching in a Typic Haplustert of central India

Studies on the effect of biochar on nitrate leaching are few. Hence, a laboratory column experiment was conducted using surface (0–20 cm) soil from three different land uses of a Vertisol, to investigate the effect of biochar amendment on leaching behaviour of nitrate and salts. The three selected land uses were: thick forest, agriculture land use with good soil fertility and good crop production history and agriculture land use with low soil fertility and poor crop production history. Biochar was added at 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% (w/w) to the soil in the upper half of the columns. The treatments were taken with three replications in a factorial completely randomized design. The PVC made columns (40 cm height and 11 cm internal diameter) filled with soil to a bulk density of 1.2 Mg m−3 were leached with deionized water once a week for 15 consecutive weeks. Nitrate in form of KNO3 was added at the rate equivalent to 100 mg N kg−1 soil (220 kg ha−1) at each application in the 1st, 8th and 11th week. The forest soil showed significantly higher salt and NO3−-N leaching. Biochar amendment @ 0.5% or at higher level showed a significant reduction in NO3−-N leaching in the forest and good agriculture soil, whereas, in the poor agriculture soil, no significant effect was observed even at 2.0% biochar amendment level. With the highest level of biochar amendment (2%, w/w), reduction in NO3−-N leaching to the extent of 27% and 23% was observed in the forest and good agriculture soil, respectively. Biochar application significantly reduced salt leaching in the forest soil at 0.5% amendment level, and in the good agriculture soil at 1.0% level. At 2.0% biochar amendment, reduction in salt leaching to the extent of 18% and 16% was observed in the forest and good agriculture soil, respectively.

Personal Growth of New Fathers following Assisted Reproductive Technology or Spontaneous Pregnancy

SYNOPSISObjective: The study aimed at comparing personal growth between fathers whose infants were conceived with the aid of assisted reproductive technology (ART) and those whose infants were conceived spontaneously and to examine associations with personal resources. Design: We examined associations between personal growth on the one hand and optimism, positive and negative emotions, and parenting stress on the other, among fathers whose infants were conceived with the aid of ART and those whose infants were conceived spontaneously. One hundred and seventy-two Israeli first-time fathers (76 following ART and 96 following spontaneous pregnancies) whose infants were 5–18 months old completed a series of self-report questionnaires. Results: No difference was found in personal growth between the two research groups. For all men, lower economic status, older age of the child, higher optimism, higher positive and negative emotions, and parenting stress were all associated with greater growth. Conclusions: Although a certain level of stress and negative affect is a prerequisite for personal growth, it is made possible by positive resources, such as optimism and positive emotions. In addition, the manner in which the pregnancy was achieved appears to have no long-term consequences for men’s experience of personal growth in the transition to fatherhood. Professionals should relate to the present needs and emotional states of new fathers rather than their fertility history.

Fertility History and Physical and Mental Health Changes in European Older Adults

Previous studies have shown that aspects of reproductive history, such as earlier parenthood and high parity, are associated with poorer health in mid and later life. However, it is unclear which dimensions of health are most affected by reproductive history, and whether the pattern of associations varies for measures of physical, psychological and cognitive health. Such variation might provide more insight into possible underlying mechanisms. We use longitudinal data for men and women aged 50–79 years in ten European countries from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe to analyse associations between completed fertility history and self-reported and observed health indicators measured 2–3 years apart (functional limitations, chronic diseases, grip strength, depression and cognition), adjusting for socio-demographic, and health factors at baseline. Using multiple imputation and pattern mixture modelling, we tested the robustness of estimates to missing data mechanisms. The results are partly consistent with previous studies and show that women who became mothers before age 20 had worse functional health at baseline and were more likely to suffer functional health declines. Parents of 4 or more children had worse physical, psychological and cognitive health at baseline and were more likely to develop circulatory disease over the follow-up period. Men who delayed fatherhood until age 35 or later had better health at baseline but did not experience significantly different health declines. This study improves our understanding of linkages between fertility histories and later life health and possible implications of changes in fertility patterns for population health. However, research ideally using prospective life course data is needed to further elucidate possible mechanisms, considering interactions with partnership histories, health behaviour patterns and socio-economic trajectories.

Sperm aneuploidy and DNA fragmentation in unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss: a multicenter case-control study

BackgroundRecurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is defined as the loss of at least three pregnancies in the first trimester. Although the most common cause is embryo aneuploidy, and despite female checkup and couple karyotyping, in about 50% of cases RPL remain unexplained. Male implication has little been investigated and results are discordant. In this context, we conducted a multi-center prospective case-control study to investigate male gamete implication in unexplained RPL.MethodsA total of 33 cases and 27 controls were included from three university hospitals. We investigated environmental and family factors with a detailed questionnaire and andrological examination, sperm characteristics, sperm DNA/chromatin status using the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and sperm aneuploidy using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The Mann-Whitney test and the Wilcoxon or Fisher exact tests were used. A non-parametric Spearman correlation was performed in order to analyze the relationship between various sperm parameters and FISH and sperm DNA fragmentation results.ResultsWe found significant differences between cases and controls in time to conceive, body mass index (BMI), family history of infertility and living environment. In cases, total sperm motility and the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa were significantly decreased. No difference was found between cases and controls in sperm DNA fragmentation or chromatin integrity. In cases, spermatozoa with aneuploidy, hyperhaploidy and chromosome 18 disomy were significantly increased.ConclusionsThis prospective case-control study is one of the largest to examine environmental factors, sperm characteristics, sperm DNA fragmentation and chromatin, and chromosome anomalies in spermatozoa in relation to unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss. The originality of our study lies in the comprehensive andrological examination and search for risk factors and fertility history. Further studies are needed to confirm the links between unexplained RPL and a male family history of infertility or miscarriages. The increased sperm aneuploidy observed in unexplained RPL supports a male etiology. These data pave the way for further studies to demonstrate the value of preimplantation genetic screening in men with increased sperm aneuploidy whose partners experience unexplained RPL.