Groups Of Adult Females Research Articles

Need and Reintegration of Infant Orphans into their Biological Extended Family

This study set out to generate data that will facilitate the construction of future methods and strategies of caring for motherless infants. Data was collected using Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and questionnaire. A total of 500 respondents who participated in the survey were randomly selected from groups of child rearing adult males and females between ages 18-91 in Ayeye and Agbeni communities Ibadan. Findings from the survey showed that 44.6% of respondents admitted knowing motherless infants closely. The existence of the belief that motherless infants are evil and killed their mother was revealed. Out of the two hundred and twenty three infants known to respondents one hundred and fifty four i.e. 69.7% were cared for by elderly women such as grandmothers, elderly aunties and other wives. Out of the five hundred respondents, one hundred and four i.e. 20% favoured caring for the motherless infants in extended family unit. Such willing response to being potential substitute mothers is an indicator to possible establishment of family centred motherless-babies care. African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Vol.7(2) 2004: 264-279

Organochlorines in the free-ranging Hawaiian monk seal ( Monachus schauinslandi) from French Frigate Shoals, North Pacific Ocean

The Hawaiian monk seal ( Monachus schauinslandi) is an endangered species found only in the Hawaiian Island chain. The largest subpopulation, at French Frigate Shoals, has been in decline since 1989. In order to assess organochlorine (OC) levels in the Hawaiian monk seals, whole blood and blubber samples were collected in 1999 from 46 free-ranging Hawaiian monk seals at French Frigate Shoals, and were analyzed for eight dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as well as six other PCB congeners, DDT and DDT metabolites. Average levels of the total PCBs in blood samples from adult male, juvenile and reproductive female groups were 4800, 4000 and 3000 ng/g lipid wt., respectively, whereas 3200, 1300 and 1200 ng/g, respectively, in blubber from the three corresponding groups. p, p′-DDE was the only DDT detected in blubber samples, and no DDTs were detected in blood samples. Concentrations of the total PCBs in adult males were significantly higher than the levels measured in either reproductive females or juveniles. There were significant correlations between age and blubber p, p′-DDE, estimated mass and total blood PCBs or blubber p, p′-DDE, and body condition and total blood PCBs. Although it is clear that the Hawaiian monk seal has been exposed to OCs, it is unclear what biological effects, if any, these xenobiotics may have on the animals.

Cortical and striatal μ-opioid receptors are altered by gonadal hormone treatment but not by prenatal morphine exposure in adult male and female rats

The cerebral cortex (CX), cingulate CX (cgCX), and striatum (STR) play an important role in locomotion, cognition, emotion, and reward-motivated behaviors, and are altered by prenatal morphine exposure. We have demonstrated that δ-opioid receptors in the CX and STR of adult male and female rats are altered by prenatal morphine exposure and gonadal hormonal treatment. Because morphine binds with greater affinity to μ- than δ-opioid receptors, the present study examined the effect of prenatal morphine exposure on μ-opioid receptor density in the CX, cgCX, and STR of adult male and female rats using receptor autoradiography. In Experiment 1, three groups of adult male rats were analyzed: intact, gonadally intact; GNX, gonadectomized; and TP, GNX and testosterone propionate (TP)-treated. In Experiment 2, four groups of adult females were analyzed: OVX, ovariectomized; EB, OVX and estradiol benzoate (EB)-treated; P, OVX and progesterone (P)-treated; and EB+P, OVX and EB- and P-treated. In male rats, GNX and TP males had lower μ-opioid receptor densities in all three brain regions than gonadally intact males regardless of prenatal drug exposure. In female rats, OVX, EB+P-treated females had lower μ-opioid receptor density in the STR than OVX only females regardless of prenatal drug exposure. There were no drug or gonadal hormone effects in the CX or in the cgCX of female rats. Thus, the present study demonstrates that gonadal hormones, and not prenatal morphine exposure, alter the density of μ-opioid receptors in the CX, cgCX, and STR of adult male and female rats.

Anthropometrics, Bone Mineral Density, and Dietary Intake in a Group of Young Adult Females

Associations between anthropometric, body composition, and dietary intake and measures of bone mineral density (BMD) in young‐adult females were explored. Positive associations were found between body weight and TB (p < .05), lumbar spine (LS) (L2‐L4, p < .01), and total proximal femur (TPF) BMD (p < .0001); body mass index and LS (p < .05), TPF (p < .0001), and total forearm BMD (p < .01); FFST mass and TB (p < .001), LS (p < .01), and TPF BMD (p <.0001), and fat mass and LS (p < .05) and TPF BMD (p < .01). LS BMD had negative associations with protein, magnesium, and iron intake (all p < .05). Average vitamin D intake had a positive association with ultradistal forearm BMD (p < .01). Findings support the positive influence of body weight and soft‐tissue mass on BMD in young adult females.

Seasonal changes of blood composition in captive bottlenose dolphins.

To determine how blood values in bottlenose dolphins changed during the year, 504 blood samples were taken from 9 dolphins from 1991 to 1999 and clinical blood examinations were undertaken monthly including 3 hematological and 19 serum chemistry tests. In creatinine, significant seasonal changes were found among three groups of adult males, adult females and juveniles, and the average values in summer were 15-38% higher than those in winter. In two out of three groups the average total cholesterol value were highest in winter, and the lowest of all groups were in summer. In two other groups the peaks of average FFA value were recorded in summer, and the lows were in winter.

A preliminary investigation of phonetic diversity in adults with motor speech disorder

A preliminary investigation of the phonetic diversity characterizing the speech of non-impaired and speech-impaired adults was performed. Two measures of phonetic diversity, the ratio of consonants-to-vowels (C:V) and the phonetic product (PP), were applied to the spontaneous speech productions of a group of non-impaired adult females and adult females with a motor speech disorder. The C:V ratio evaluates the ratio of supraglottal-to-glottal articulations occurring within a conversational speech sample. The PP evaluates the frequency of occurrence of consonant and vowel sounds within an utterance according to place of articulation categories. Significant differences in C:V ratio were found between the two groups; however, the PP failed to discriminate the groups. Results are discussed with regard to the general articulatory characteristics of non-impaired and speech-impaired adults, as well as the usefulness of examining phonetic diversity in adults with motor speech disorders.

Diel changes in adipokinetic response and walking activity of Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera) in relation to physiological status and wing dimorphism

Three experimental groups of adult females of Pyrrhocoris apterus (reproductive brachypterous, diapausing brachypterous, and macropterous with non-diapause type of reproductive arrest) were analysed for their dose dependency of adipokinetic response, sensitivity of the fat body to Pya-AKH and locomotor activity during a 24 hour cycle. The greatest adipokinetic response (lipid elevation after hormonal treatment) was observed in macropterous, lower in diapausing brachypterous and the lowest in reproductive brachypterous females. Macropterous females also exhibited the highest activity of walking, while the lowest locomotor activity was found in diapausing brachypters. Diel changes of adipokinetic response were recorded in all three experimental groups, with maximal response occurring during the day at 6-7 h after the onset of light. On the contrary, the minimal adipokinetic response was found in the night and early after the onset of light. No significant differences in diel rhythms were observed between groups exposed to various day lengths. Diel changes in locomotor activity were found only in reproductive brachypterous females and females of macropterous morph, and showed a diurnal rhythm with only one peak of activity during a 24 hour cycle. In the latter, the rhythmic pattern of walking activity was positively correlated with diel changes of adipokinetic response. This indicates an important role of Pya-AKH in dispersal strategy of macropterous females of this heteropteran.

Estrogen receptor-alpha antisense decreases brain estrogen receptor levels and affects ventilation in male and female rats.

We hypothesized that administration of an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) to estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha mRNA decreases the ER protein in the neonatal rat brain, alters the sex-specific ventilatory responses to aspartic acid in rats, and counteracts the effects of testosterone proportionate (TP) in females. One-day-old rat pups were injected intraventricularly with vehicle, antisense ER ODN, or scrambled ODN control. Additional groups of females received TP or vehicle and one of the three treatments. Brain ER protein levels were decreased by 65% at 6 h and 35% at 24 h after antisense ODN. Aspartic acid decreased ventilation in all groups of weanling males and females except ER ODN-treated females and TP-vehicle-treated females. Aspartic acid decreased ventilation in all groups of adult females except those given TP and in males. Weanling ER ODN-treated rats were shorter and weighed less than controls. Only adult ER ODN-treated males exhibited these traits. Thus neonatal ER affects aspartic acid modulation of breathing and body growth in a sex-specific and developmental manner.

Group pattern and social segregation in Przewalski's gazelle (Procapra przewalskii) around Qinghai Lake, China

AbstractGroup pattern and social segregation of the sexually size dimorphic Przewalski's gazelle Procapra przewalskii were studied for 7 years in the Qinghai Province, China. The main social units were: female groups; male groups; mixed groups. Mixed groups were the largest and most visible, whereas adult male groups were small and of similar size. The group size of the gazelle varied during different seasons (P < 0.002) and the type of social groups (P < 0.001). Mixed‐sex groups were larger than female groups or male groups across all the seasons (P < 0.008). Adult males and females were mainly in separate groups except during the rut. Groups of adult females were the most common social unit in Przewalski's gazelle, followed in frequency by adult male groups and mixed groups. From late June to late August, social separation was most pronounced. From late October to mid‐September, social segregation was not pronounced. Social segregation showed significant seasonal differences in Przewalski's gazelle (P < 0.004), especially between the rut and other seasons (P < 0.008). The pattern of social segregation of groups and behaviours observed imply that social factors play important roles in social segregation and group formation.

Identification of children's and adults' vowels: intrinsic fundamental frequency, fundamental frequency dynamics, and presence of voicing

Three experiments investigated the role of fundamental frequency (F0) in the perception of vowels produced by children and adults. The stimuli were based on a set of American English vowels recorded in /hVd/ syllables by three groups of children (ages 3, 5, and 7 yr) and adult males and females. Experiment 1 presented natural and synthesized vowels to adult listeners for identification. To determine whether vowel-specific differences inF0 (intrinsic F0) contribute to the accuracy of vowel identification, listeners identified stimuli in which F0was held constant at the mean value across the entire vowel set for a given talker. These manipulations had no effect on identification accuracy, either when F0conditions varied from trial to trial (Experiment 1) or were blocked within a set of trials (Experiment 2). Holding F0constant over the duration of the vowel did not lower accuracy, suggesting that time-varying changes in F0make little contribution to vowel identification. Experiment 3 assessed whether the presence of F0per se provides benefits for vowel identification. This was achieved by replacing the pulsed excitation source of the synthesized voiced vowels with white noise to simulate whispered speech. Identification accuracy was lower for noise-excited than pulse-excited vowels for all talker groups. Differences between noise-excited and voiced vowels were larger for adult males than for children, suggesting that the benefits ofF0 are not due simply to improved specification of the spectrum envelope. Taken together, the results suggest that (1) F0plays a small but complex role in vowel identification in isolated words; (2) the periodicity or harmonicity contributed by F0carries more perceptual weight than either vowel-inherentF0 dynamics or a vowel's intrinsic F0, and (3) F0characteristics (dynamic patterns and intrinsic F0) provide a relatively small contribution to the reduced intelligibility commonly noted for children's vowels.

BEHAVIORAL SYNCHRONY IN IBEX GROUPS: EFFECTS OF AGE, SEX AND HABITAT

AbstractSynchrony of activities is usually high in foraging groups, possibly to maintain group cohesion. Individuals with different levels of activity budgets, however, may have a hard time synchronizing their behavior to each other without incurring a cost. We predicted that the age and sex structure of a group would affect synchronization levels within a group because of differing individual activity budgets. Individuals in same-sex-age groups were hypothesized to show higher levels of activity synchrony than individuals in mixed sex-age groups. We investigated activity synchrony in adult male, adult female, subadult, and mixed sex-age groups of Alpine ibex - one of the most sexually dimorphic ruminant species. Activity budgets and movement rates were measured to calculate synchrony of activities between group members in June and July 1999. Adult males were more synchronized with group peers than either females or subadults of both sexes. However, while adult males were synchronized in 81% when in bachelor (adult male) groups, they were only synchronized in 65% of the time when in mixed sex-age groups. Adult females were synchronized 61% of their time when in mixed sex-age groups and 69% when in female groups. Individual subadult males displayed higher synchrony when in bachelor or female groups than when in mixed sex-age or subadult mixed-sex groups. Subadult groups and mixed sex-age groups showed the lowest degree of synchrony of all group types. In general, animals in groups of same body-sized individuals were more synchronized with their group members than animals in mixed body-size groups. Two and three year-old males did not adjust their time spent lying to the group but their time spent walking. They also tended to change their time spent grazing and standing according to group type. Among subadults, females spent more time foraging than males but less time lying and standing. There was no difference in time spent walking. Bachelor and subadult groups had the greatest movement rates while female groups were relatively sedentary within escape terrain. Individuals in escape terrain did only marginally synchronize their behavior to each other likely because groups did not move much and synchrony was presumably less important. We conclude that habitat type, group movement rates, and a group's sex-age composition may affect the extent to which an individual will synchronize its activities to the other group members.

Age‐specific harvest mortality in a Norwegian mooseAlces alcespopulation

The annual age‐ and sex‐specific patterns of harvest mortality in a Norwegian mooseAlces alcespopulation during a period of 17 years for females and 24 years for males were estimated using cohort analysis. In males the harvest mortality increased with age, whereas in females the pattern was U‐shaped with higher harvest mortality of less fecund young (1–3 year) and old (≥ 10 years) age classes, and lower harvest mortality of prime age (4–9 years old) females. In both sexes, the calf harvest mortality was low, although it increased with increasing calf quotas following a change from an indiscriminate to a sex‐ and age‐specific hunting system during the study period. In adult males, the mortality pattern was opposite of what was expected based on the previously reported higher susceptibility to hunting of young than old males, indicating that hunter selectivity for large (old) males affected the pattern. Moreover, the selectivity of the hunters decreased as the hunting pressure increased, suggesting that the hunters became less selective when the mean time available per moose in the quota decreased. Among adult female age groups, the variation in harvest mortality increased with the proportion of calves per female in the population prior to hunting. This was mainly because of relatively higher mortality of post‐prime females, supporting our expectation that hunters avoid shooting females with calves and thus increase the harvest of less fecund age groups during high recruitment years. The observed selectivity led to harvest mortality that differed significantly from patterns of natural mortality, even where the mortality is mainly due to wolvesCanis lupusand bearsUrsus arctos.This may have consequences for the life history evolution of both male and female moose. The potential ecological, evolutionary and management implications of the results are discussed.

Differences in adipokinetic response of Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera) in relation to wing dimorphism and diapause

SummaryThree experimental groups of adult females (reproductive and diapausing brachypters, and macropters with reproductive arrest) of Pyrrhocoris apterus (Linnaeus) (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae) from a temperate population were analysed for their adipokinetic responses. The adipokinetic response, expressed as an increase of haemolymph lipids after injection of adipokinetic hormone from Locusta migratoria (Lom‐AKH‐I), was assessed in relation to age, wing dimorphism and type of reproductive arrest. Two pmols of Lom‐AKH‐I were used for determination of adipokinetic responses. The increase of haemolymph lipids in all experimental groups of females induced by this dose of the hormone was comparable with that induced by crude extract of the bug’s own corpora cardiaca. The level of adipokinetic response after injection of 2 pmol of Lom‐AKH‐I was significantly higher in macropterous and diapausing brachypterous females than in reproductive brachypterous females. However, significantly higher contents of haemolymph lipids in control macropterous females than those found in the control reproductive and diapausing brachypterous females of the corresponding age revealed wing‐morph‐related differences in lipid metabolism. The observed wing morph‐ and diapause‐related differences in the content of haemolymph lipids and adipokinetic response, respectively, are discussed in relation to the different roles of two wing morphs in the life history of this heteropteran.

The Influence of a Glucose Drink on a Demanding Working Memory Task

A group of young adult females, who had or had not eaten breakfast, drank either a glucose drink or a placebo. Fasting was associated with poorer performance on the Brown–Petersen task, a test of memory. A glucose drink improved the memory of those who had fasted, although it did not influence those who had eaten breakfast. In those who had fasted, the glucose drink resulted in memory comparable to those who had consumed breakfast. Those with higher levels of blood glucose upon arrival in the laboratory had better memories. In those taking a glucose drink, after an initial rise, rapidly falling levels of blood glucose were associated with better memory.

Foraging behavior of adult female and young-of-the-year Steller sea lions in Alaskan waters

One explanation for recent declines in the Alaskan Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) population is that the availability of preferred prey has changed. Part of our evaluation of this hypothesis involved the use of conventional radio and satellite-linked time–depth recorder transmitters to compare summer and winter foraging of adult female and young-of-the-year Steller sea lions in Alaska waters. Foraging effort was not significantly different seasonally for postpartum adult females, though females with dependent young in winter may increase their foraging effort. In winter, all adult females made longer trips over larger home ranges and dove deeper. Young sea lions exerted less foraging effort, had the shallowest and briefest dives, and had home ranges intermediate in size to the two groups of adult females. Their foraging ability appears to develop throughout the first year. We conclude that adult female sea lions can exploit prey throughout the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea, and are constrained only by their reproductive status and seasonal changes in prey availability. Young sea lions' diving is more limited because their physiological and behavioral development constrains them from diving like an adult. Perhaps most important, dives remain shallow through the first year. Consequently, young sea lions could be more easily food-limited by changes in prey distribution.

Longer term outcome in females with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH): the Cardiff experience.

The outlook for fertility and attaining full adult height is poor in women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Such outcomes have followed treatment regimes with variable ages at onset, compliance rates and monitoring. We review final height, vaginal anatomy, ovulation rates and fertility in a group of adult females with the disease. Sixteen adult females first diagnosed in infancy or early childhood were reviewed (age range 17-33 years; 11 with salt-wasting disease; five with simple virilizing disease). Case note and clinical review were combined with daily saliva progesterone and weekend 17-hydroxyprogesterone estimation in three consecutive menstrual cycles in a subgroup of eight patients in the ovulation study. Daily saliva progesterone concentrations were transformed into a cumulative sum curve using a computer program. T95 (defined as the number of days from the start of the luteal phase saliva progesterone rise, in which 95% of total saliva progesterone for the menstrual cycle was obtained) and log C95 (where C95 was defined as 95% of total saliva progesterone for the same cycle) were plotted for each cycle on a boundary diagram obtained from a normal reference population. Weekend saliva 17-hydroxyprogesterone concentrations were compared with published nomograms. The majority of patients attained a final height below the parental target. Mean standard deviation scores (+/-SEM) and ranges were -1.49 (+/-0.34) and -4.2 to 0.8 for the patients and -0.38 (+/-0.24) and -1.89 to 0.97 for their parents. Of the combined group two-thirds had regular menses and one-third hirsutism; 94% had reconstructive genital surgery with 50% requiring second procedures; 77% had an adequate vaginal introitus (of them 84% in the salt-wasting group and 75% in the simple virilizing group were sexually active). Three of five patients with salt-wasting disease and 2/3 with simple virilizing disease who had both an adequate introitus and were sexually active conceived, resulting in eight pregnancies. In the ovulation study, a 40% ovulation rate was observed with good correlation between plasma testosterone concentrations and degree of control as assessed by weekend 17-hydroxyprogesterone concentrations. Our study highlights the potential for improved fertility in female patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, who are treated early, comply with long-term treatment and have adequately reconstructed external genitalia. Attaining full adult height potential remains a problem.

Failure of chronic ginseng supplementation to affect work performance and energy metabolism in healthy adult females

Ginseng has long been used for various medicinal reasons in East Asia and has recently also become a popular nutritional supplement in Western countries. Although commonly alleged to increase work performance by enhancing the body resistance to stress and fatigue, human experimental research evidence to either support or refute these claims is limited and conflicting. Therefore, this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study served to examine a group of healthy adult females who for eight weeks added 200 mg·day −1 of a concentrated extract of Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer (n=10) or placebo (n=9) to their otherwise supplement-free normal diet. Before and after the trial intervention, each subject performed a graded maximal cycle ergometry test to exhaustion and completed a standard habitual physical activity questionnaire. It was observed that chronic ginseng supplementation had no effect on maximal work performance (J) and resting, exercise, and recovery oxygen uptake (V̇O 2, ml·kg −1·min −1), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), minute ventilation (V̇E, L·min −1), heart rate (beats·min −1), and blood lactic acid (mmol·L −1) levels (p>0.05). Habitual physical activity scores of study participants were found to be similar between the placebo and ginseng treatment groups and at the beginning and end of the eight week trial period (p>0.05). The present data in healthy adult females indicate that chronic dietary supplementation with a standardized extract of Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer does not result in an enhancement of work performance or a change in energy metabolism and improvement of the recovery response from maximal physical work.

Length of Estrous Cycle and Gestation in the Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx) and the Importance of the Male Presence for Induction of Postpartum Estrus

The reproduction of the Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) has been studied in a breeding center in Taif (Saudi Arabia). In the first experiment, three groups of females were assigned to groups immediately after calving. In group 1, from the day of calving the females had visual and olfactory but not physical contact with a male. The calves were removed on the day of birth and each female was placed with a male on Day 45. In group 2, females and their calves were placed individually with a male the day after calving. In group 3, females and their calves were kept with neither visual nor olfactory contact with a male and then placed with a male on Day 90. The estrous cycle was deduced from assays of plasma progesterone up to Day 120 after calving. All females exhibited a postpartum estrus a few days after parturition but the occurrence of the estrus was significantly delayed in females of group 3. The length of the estrous cycle was 23.7 ± 1.3 days and the gestation length was 255.2 ± 1.5 days. In the second experiment, a group of adult females was formed in 1987 and the intervals between calving recorded over a period of 5 years. The mean interval between calving was 285 ± 2 days (n= 99 gestations). However, 66.6% of these intervals averaged 276 days whereas 19.2% had averaged 294 and 13% averaged 321 days.

Scaling peak VO2 for differences in body size.

This paper examined the influence of different statistical modeling techniques on the interpretation of peak VO2 data in groups of prepubertal, circumpubertal, and adult males (group 1M, N = 29; group 2M, N = 26; group 3M, N = 8) and females (group 1F, N = 33; group 2F, N = 34; group 3F, N = 16). Conventional comparisons of the simple per-body-mass ratio (ml.kg-1.min-1) revealed no significant differences between the three male groups (P < 0.05). In females, a decline in VO2 between group 2F and 3F was observed (P < 0.05). Both linear and log-linear (allometric) models revealed significant increases across all three male groups for peak VO2 adjusted for body mass (P < 0.05). In females these scaling models identified a significantly lower peak VO2 in group 1F versus groups 2F and 3F (P < 0.05). Based upon the common mass exponent identified (b = 0.80, SE = 0.04), power function ratios (y.mass0.80) were generated and the logarithms of these compared. Again, results indicated a progressive increase in peak VO2 across groups 1M to 3M (P < 0.05) and an increase between groups 1F and 2F (P < 0.05). Incorporating stature into the allometric equation reduced the mass exponent to 0.71 (SE = 0.06) with the contribution of the stature exponent shown to be 0.44 (SE = 0.20). These results indicate that conventional ratio standards do not adequately account for body size differences when investigating functional changes in peak VO2.

Lack of effect of gender and oral contraceptive steroids on the pharmacokinetics of (R)‐ibuprofen in humans.

The effects of gender and oral contraceptive steroids on the pharmacokinetics of (R)-ibuprofen were studied in groups of healthy adult males, females and oral contraceptive steroid (OCS) using females. The values of AUC, CLpo, t1/2 and Vss, app did not differ significantly between the groups. Similarly, the percentage unbound of (R)-ibuprofen in pooled plasma from the three groups was not statistically different. Since chiral inversion is the major determinant of (R)-ibuprofen clearance in humans, it may be inferred from these data that gender and OCS have little or no effect on conversion of (R)-ibuprofen to the pharmacologically active S-enantiomer. Moreover, it is unlikely that hormonal factors influence the activity of the human hepatic long-chain fatty-acid:CoA ligase, the enzyme mediating the rate limiting step of (R)-ibuprofen inversion.