Reproductive Implications Research Articles

Exploring routinization and reflexivity in change and reproduction of consumption towards lower climate impact

A change to less carbon-intensive everyday practices is needed to address climate change. Based on existing literature, we discuss which relations between dynamics of routinization and reflexivity that potentially constitute reproduction and change of practices related to food, mobility and housing. Looking across different consumption fields can help clarify more general insights on the importance of routinization and reflexivity in reproduction and change of consumption. Our analysis is informed by practice theories, which emphasize how reproduction and change are intermingled in the performance of practices. We suggest three analytical themes for exploring the relations between routinization and reflexivity in consumption: Variation in performances of practices, visibility of practice performances and resource use, and social interaction involved in performances of practices. We explore the usefulness of variation, visibility and social interaction by applying them in a systematic discussion of food, housing and mobility consumption in order to shed light upon the relations between routinization and reflexivity and the implications for reproduction and change towards lower carbon intensity.

Paternal Obesity Induced by High-Fat Diet Impairs the Metabolic and Reproductive Health of Progeny in Rats.

Due to the increased incidence of obesity, it is of great importance to identify all the possible consequences in those who suffer from it and their descendants. This study aimed to investigate how paternal obesity, resulting from an 18-week high-fat diet (HFD), affects the metabolic and reproductive health of offspring. In the fathers (F0 generation), the HFD led to significant weight gain, primarily due to increased visceral fat. It also resulted in impaired glucose control and reduced insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, F0 males from the HFD group had reduced sperm concentration and lower sperm viability but were still able to sire litters. F1 offspring were monitored during 18 weeks; F1 offspring from obese fathers displayed increased body weight during the experimental window, especially in males, without significant metabolic disturbances. Additionally, F1 males showed reduced sperm viability, indicating potential reproductive implications. On the other hand, F1 females showed normal estrous cycle patterns but had a reduced number of primordial follicles, suggesting a decrease in their follicular reserve and reproductive potential. This study highlights that metabolic and reproductive issues may be passed down to future generations through the paternal line.

Receiving de novo genetic diagnoses for autism with intellectual disability: parents' views of impacts on families' reproductive decisions.

Parents of children with autism who receive genetic diagnoses of de novo variants face challenges in understanding the implications for reproductive decision-making. We interviewed 28 parents who received de novo genetic diagnoses for their child's autism and intellectual disability (ID). These genetic variants proved to have reproductive implications for not only the child's parents, but the child and his/her neurotypical siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Parents had often already finished building their families but varied, overall, in whether the results had affected, or might have influenced, their reproductive decisions. Parents' views were shaped by factors related to not only genetics, but also parental age, financial considerations, competing hopes and visions for their family's future, perceived abilities to care for an additional child with similar symptoms, and the extent of the child's symptoms. Members of a couple sometimes disagreed about whether to have more children. Parents pondered, too, the possibility of preimplantation genetic testing, though misunderstandings about it arose. Children with autism vary widely in their abilities to understand the reproductive implications of genetic diagnoses for themselves. Neurotypical offspring were much relieved to understand that their own children would not be affected. While some autism self-advocates have been concerned that genetic testing related to autism could lead to eugenics, the present data, concerning de novo genetic findings, raise other perspectives. These data, the first to explore several key aspects of the reproductive implications of genetic diagnoses for this group, have important implications for future practice, education, and research-e.g., concerning various family members.

Genetic Counseling and Family Screening Recommendations in Patients with Telomere Biology Disorders.

Telomere biology disorders (TBDs) encompass a spectrum of genetic diseases with a common pathogenesis of defects in telomerase function and telomere maintenance causing extremely short telomere lengths. Here, we review the current literature surrounding genetic testing strategies, cascade testing, reproductive implications, and the role of genetic counseling. The understanding of the genetic causes and clinical symptoms of TBDs continues to expand while genetic testing and telomere length testing are nuanced tools utilized in the diagnosis of this condition. Access to genetic counseling is becoming more abundant and is valuable in supporting patients and their families in making informed decisions. Patient resources and support groups are valuable to this community. Defining which populations should be offered genetic counseling and testing is imperative to provide proper diagnoses and medical management for not only the primary patient, but also their biological relatives.

Indirect exposure to insect growth disruptors affects honey bee (Apis mellifera) reproductive behaviors and ovarian protein expression.

Pesticide exposure and queen loss are considered to be major causes of honey bee colony mortality, yet little is known regarding the effects of regularly encountered agrochemicals on honey bee reproduction. Here, we present the results of a two-generational study using specialized cages to expose queens to commonly used insect growth disrupting pesticides (IGDs) via their retinue of worker bees. Under IGD exposure, we tracked queen performance and worker responses to queens, then the performance of the exposed queens' offspring was assessed to identify patterns that may contribute to the long-term health and stability of a social insect colony. The positive control, novaluron, resulted in deformed larvae hatching from eggs laid by exposed queens, and methoxyfenozide, diflubenzuron, and novaluron caused a slight decrease in daily egg laying rates, but this was not reflected in the total egg production over the course of the experiment. Curiously, eggs laid by queens exposed to pyriproxyfen exhibited increased hatching rates, and those larvae developed into worker progeny with increased responsiveness to their queens. Additionally, pyriproxyfen and novaluron exposure affected the queen ovarian protein expression, with the overwhelming majority of differentially expressed proteins coming from the pyriproxyfen exposure. We discuss these results and the potential implications for honey bee reproduction and colony health.

Reproductive and sexual health implications of illegal migration among young adults in Benin Metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria.

Reproductive and sexual health implications of illegal migration among young adults encompass a range of complex and interconnected challenges that demand attention and comprehensive solutions. This study is aimed at determining the reproductive and sexual health implications of illegal migration among young adults in Benin metropolis. Analytical cross-sectional study design was adopted. A purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample size of three hundred and forty-four participants. A one-time-survey method was adopted for the study as the questionnaire was administered on a face-to-face basis. Simple frequencies, percentage, charts, and graph were used to analyze the data, with the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 22. The results showed that majority of the respondents were sexually abused which resulted in unwanted pregnancies, when travelling through an illegal route. Majority of irregular migrants were doing so for socio-economic reasons in search of greener pastures. It was concluded that most of the respondents were faced by unethical challenges while travelling through the route like sexual harassment and robbery.. Most returnees are likely to contact STD/STIs including HIV/AIDs, as well as engage in abortion especially among the young adults, which may have some adverse effects on their reproductive and sexual health later in the future. It is recommended that there is a need to enlighten the young adults who want to migrate illegally on the implication of the illegal migration on their reproductive and sexual health. Campaigns against illegal migration/trafficking should be conducted regularly, stressing the negative effects such as the risks to which victims are exposed along the routes.

Mercury causes degradation of spatial cognition in a model songbird species

Mercury is a widespread pollutant of increasing global concern that exhibits a broad range of deleterious effects on organisms, including birds. Because the developing brain is well-known to be particularly vulnerable to the neurotoxic insults of mercury, many studies have focused on developmental effects such as on the embryonic brain and resulting behavioral impairment in adults. It is not well understood how the timing of exposure, for example exclusively in ovo versus throughout life, influences the impact of mercury. Using dietary exposure to environmentally relevant methylmercury concentrations, we examined the role that timing and duration of exposure play on spatial learning and memory in a model songbird species, the domesticated zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata castanotis). We hypothesized that developmental exposure was both necessary and sufficient to disrupt spatial memory in adult finches. We documented profound disruption of memory for locations of hidden food at two spatial scales, cage- and room-sized enclosures, but found that both developmental and ongoing adult exposure were required to exhibit this behavioral impairment. Methylmercury-exposed birds made more mistakes before mastering the spatial task, because they revisited unrewarded locations repeatedly even after discovering the rewarded location. Contrary to our prediction, hippocampal volume was not affected in birds exposed to methylmercury over their lifetimes. The disruption of spatial cognition that we detected is severe and would likely have implications for survival and reproduction in wild birds; however, it appears that individuals that disperse or migrate from a contaminated site might recover later in life if no longer exposed to the toxicant.

Genetic services survey—experience of people with rare diseases and their families accessing genetic services in the Irish Republic

Irish Health Service objectives state that patients with rare diseases should have timely access to genomic diagnostics with appropriate pre and post-test counselling. However, waiting times for clinical genetics outpatient appointments, during the study period, were up to two years as staffing levels remain low. A targeted public online survey was conducted in January 2022 to capture the experiences of Rare Disease families trying to access genetic testing and clinical genetic clinics in the Irish Republic. Irish patients experience significant waiting times to access clinical genetic services and self-report anxiety and stress, related to delayed access to diagnosis, clarity around recurrence risk and follow-up management. This negatively impacts personal decisions around family planning, education and employment and has a significant impact on family members seeking clarity on their own risk. Mainstream genetic testing activity is significant. Families report concern over the competency of health care professionals arranging and delivering genetic results and delays in accessing clinical genetics expertise to take them through the clinical implications. Timely access to clinical genetics expertise is important to ensure families with rare diseases have an appropriate understanding of the medical and reproductive implications of a genetic diagnosis and access to relevant care pathways. A national framework to develop competency in genomic literacy for health-care professionals including a national genetic test directory may be beneficial. Clinical genetics teams require ongoing support and investment to ensure the delivery of a safe and effective service for Irish families with rare diseases.

Hyperadrenocorticism in Dogs: Impact on Reproduction and Diagnostic Insights from Ultrasonography

Canine Cushing's syndrome, also known as hyperadrenocorticism (HAC), is one of the most prevalent endocrinopathies observed in dogs, characterized by elevated cortisol levels. The majority of cases are associated with pituitary tumors, leading to excessive production of corticotrophin (ACTH), thereby stimulating the adrenal glands to secrete cortisol. Clinical manifestations arise from the rise in cortisol concentration and encompass diabetes mellitus, polyuria, and polydipsia. Additionally, prolonged administration of glucocorticoids (iatrogenic) can also contribute to the development of Cushing's syndrome. The surplus cortisol resulting from this condition not only impacts the affected dog's health but also exerts adverse effects on various endocrine systems, leading to anestrus, infertility, premature labor, and high fetal mortality in canines. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of these reproductive implications is essential to manage this syndrome effectively. The diagnosis of canine hyperadrenocorticism can be done by patient history, clinical signs, specific endocrine tests, and ultrasonography. Despite its significance, knowledge regarding the reproductive implications associated with Cushing's syndrome remains limited. Hence, this review aims to provide a thorough examination of the changes and challenges related to hyperadrenocorticism in canines, with a particular focus on its impact on the reproductive system. By shedding light on this aspect, the review intends to contribute valuable insights to the existing scientific literature and promote better management of this complex syndrome in dogs.

Ploidy Variation and Its Implications for Reproduction and Population Dynamics in Two Sympatric Hawaiian Coral Species.

Standing genetic variation is a major driver of fitness and resilience and therefore of fundamental importance for threatened species such as stony corals. We analyzed RNA-seq data generated from 132 Montipora capitata and 119 Pocillopora acuta coral colonies collected from Kāne'ohe Bay, O'ahu, Hawai'i. Our goals were to determine the extent of colony genetic variation and to study reproductive strategies in these two sympatric species. Surprisingly, we found that 63% of the P. acuta colonies were triploid, with putative independent origins of the different triploid clades. These corals have spread primarily via asexual reproduction and are descended from a small number of genotypes, whose diploid ancestor invaded the bay. In contrast, all M. capitata colonies are diploid and outbreeding, with almost all colonies genetically distinct. Only two cases of asexual reproduction, likely via fragmentation, were identified in this species. We report two distinct strategies in sympatric coral species that inhabit the largest sheltered body of water in the main Hawaiian Islands. These data highlight divergence in reproductive behavior and genome biology, both of which contribute to coral resilience and persistence.

The Production of Human Reproduction: Impacts of Transhumanism’s Inconsistent Reproductive Policy on Classical Ethical Principles

The transhumanist movement is characterized by a shift from the traditional understanding of the “created” and “born” human to a “produced” and potentially “immortal” human. This article argues that the reproductive policy of transhumanism is inconsistent. Firstly, it underestimates the implications of reproduction, especially those related to women, such as pregnancy, childbirth, and childrearing, which is considered a source of pain at every stage. Additionally, it prioritizes adult enhancement in pursuit of immortality, which is why it discards producing a new life. On the other hand, the movement utilizes new reproductive technologies to enhance human beings, thereby promising and providing unlimited individual reproductive freedom in a wide range of contexts. Furthermore, this article argues that transhumanism, which moves away from the concept of sexual human nature, not only excludes femininity and its associated nature but also converges towards a sexless human nature biologically. It also discharges sexuality from the purpose of reproduction and reduces it to the purpose of pleasure substantially. The overall attitude of the transhumanist context raises significant ethical problems, undermining traditional medical ethics and bioethics principles such as nonmaleficence, beneficence, autonomy, justice, and human dignity. Moreover, it forces ethical principles to be redefined on a new basis with its indifferent attitude that ignores the threat of authoritarian eugenics, neglects reproductive responsibility while emphasizing reproductive freedom, and fails to consider the nature of the contrast-dependency of human values. As a result, new ethical principles must be developed to address the implications of this attitude.

Hematological Parameters as Indicators for Litter size and Pregnancy Stage in Awassi ‎Ewes


 
 
 
 Physiological status and litter size can indeed have a significant impact on ewes' ‎hematological parameters, which are essential indicators of their health. Therefore, this study ‎examined the hematological profiles of ewes during pregnancy with single and twins in the ‎Awassi ewes. The present study involved 232 ewes in good health and at sexual maturity. ‎Among them, 123 ewes had single pregnancies, while 109 ewes had twin pregnancies. The age ‎range of the ewes included in the study was between 3.5 and 4.5 years. Hematological tests ‎were conducted on the sheep's blood samples promptly following collection. The findings ‎demonstrated variations in hematological parameters among pregnant ewes, with differences ‎based on litter size. Ewes carrying twin pregnancies exhibited significantly higher levels of ‎red blood corpuscular, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin ‎concentration during pregnancy. In comparison to single-pregnant ewes, Awassi ewes with ‎twin pregnancies displayed elevated counts of white blood cells, lymphocytes, granulocytes, ‎and granulocyte percentage compared to ewes with single pregnancies. Awassi ewes with twin ‎pregnancies also exhibited a strong positive correlation with the leukocytes and erythrocytes ‎constituents. In conclusion, these findings indicate that litter size significantly influences ‎hematological parameters, highlighting the importance of considering the physiological status ‎and litter size as indicators of ewes' health. The findings have practical implications in sheep ‎breeding and reproduction, as they can be utilized to enhance the diagnosis, prognosis, and ‎treatment of related conditions‎.
 
 
 

Gold nanoparticle intratesticular injections as a potential animal sterilization tool: Long-term reproductive and toxicological implications

This study aimed to evaluate the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) animal sterilizing potential after intratesticular injections and long-term adverse reproductive and systemic effects. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into control and gold nanoparticle (AuNPs) groups. The rats received 200 µL of saline or AuNPs solution (16 µg/mL) on experimental days 1 and 7 (ED1 and ED7). After 150 days, the testicular blood flow was measured, and the rats were mated with females. After mating, male animals were euthanized for histological, cellular, and molecular evaluations. The female fertility indices and fetal development were also recorded. The results indicated increased blood flow in the testes of treated animals. Testes from treated rats had histological abnormalities, shorter seminiferous epithelia, and oxidative stress. Although the sperm concentration was lower in the AuNP-treated rats, there were no alterations in sperm morphology. Animals exposed to AuNPs had decreased male fertility indices, and their offspring had lighter and less efficient placentas. Additionally, the anogenital distance was longer in female fetuses. There were no changes in the histology of the kidney and liver, the lipid profile, and the serum levels of LH, testosterone, AST, ALT, ALP, albumin, and creatinine. The primary systemic effect was an increase in MDA levels in the liver and kidney, with only the liver experiencing an increase in CAT activity. In conclusion, AuNPs have a long-term impact on reproduction with very slight alterations in animal health. The development of reproductive biotechnologies that eliminate germ cells or treat local cancers can benefit from using AuNPs.

Associations between faecal chemical pollutants and hormones in primates inhabiting Kibale National Park, Uganda.

While anthropogenic pollutants are known to be a threat to primates, our understanding of exposure to pollutants in situ and their sub-lethal effects is still limited. We used non-invasive biomonitoring to examine associations between faecal concentrations of 97 chemical pollutants and faecal hormone metabolites of cortisol and oestradiol in four primate species inhabiting Kibale National Park, Uganda (chimpanzees-Pan troglodytes, olive baboons-Papio anubis, red colobus-Piliocolobus tephrosceles and red-tailed monkeys-Cercopithecus ascanius). Across all species (n = 71 samples), results demonstrated positive associations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) (β = 0.143, p = 0.020) and organophosphate esters (β = 0.112, p = 0.003) with cortisol in adult females. Additionally, we observed positive associations of OCPs (β = 0.192, p = 0.013) and brominated flame retardants (β = 0.176, p = 0.004) with cortisol in juveniles. Results suggest that cumulative pesticides and flame retardants are disruptive to endocrine function in these populations, which could have implications for development, metabolism and reproduction. Our study further demonstrates that faeces can be an important, non-invasive matrix for examining pollutant-hormone associations in wild primates and other critical wildlife populations.

KANNAPHALLUS RAPHIDIUM N. SP. (MONOGENOIDEA: MAZOCRAEIDEA: HETERAXINIDAE) PARASITIC ON THE GILL LAMELLAE OF THE GOLDEN TREVALLY GNATHANODON SPECIOSUS (CARANGIFORMES: CARANGIDAE) OCCURRING IN THE COASTAL WATERS OF QUEENSLAND AND WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

An undescribed species of KannaphallusUnnithan, 1957 (Monogenoidea: Heteraxinidae) was collected from the gills of the golden trevally Gnathanodon speciosus (Forsskål) (Carangidae) from Moreton Bay, Queensland, during January 2016 and from Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia, during December 2021 and June 2022. The diagnosis for Kannaphallus was emended and the new species, Kannaphallus raphidium, was described. Kannaphallus virilis of Young, nec Unnithan was placed in synonymy with K. raphidium. The distal components of the male reproductive system and the arrangement of the clamp rows of the haptor occurred as mirror images among specimens of K. raphidium, suggesting that the respective antipodes of K. raphidium may have reproductive implications and function in the site selection of the parasite on the host's gills. A specimen of K. raphidium from Western Australia was sequenced for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) mtDNA and ITS2 rDNA barcoding markers, and the phylogenetically informative 28S rDNA marker. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses based on a partial 28S rDNA alignment, including all comparable heteraxinid sequence data available, resolved the Heteraxininae and Cemocotylinae as reciprocatively paraphyletic and provided evidence that Kannaphallus may be paraphyletic. No taxonomic changes concerning the subfamilies and genera of the Heteraxinidae were proposed. Finally, Kannaphallus univaginalisRamalingam, 1960 and Cemocotylelloides univaginalis (Ramalingam, 1960) Nitta, Kondo, Ohtsuka, Kamarudin, and Ismail, 2022 are considered nomen nuda sensu the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.

The Role of Serum Anti-Mullerian Hormone Measurement in the Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinological disorder in women with significant reproductive, metabolic, and psychological health implications. The lack of a specific diagnostic test poses challenges in making the diagnosis of PCOS, resulting in underdiagnosis and undertreatment. Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) synthesized by the pre-antral and small antral ovarian follicles appears to play an important role in the pathophysiology of PCOS, and serum AMH levels are often elevated in women with PCOS. The aim of this review is to inform the possibility of utilizing anti-Mullerian hormone either as a diagnostic test for PCOS or as an alternative diagnostic criterion in place of polycystic ovarian morphology, hyperandrogenism, and oligo-anovulation. Increased levels of serum AMH correlate highly with PCOS, polycystic ovarian morphology, hyperandrogenism, and oligo/amenorrhea. Additionally, serum AMH has high diagnostic accuracy as an isolated marker for PCOS or as a replacement for polycystic ovarian morphology.

Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Insect Pathogens: Implications for Plant Reproduction

Despite extensive work on both insect disease and plant reproduction, there is little research on the intersection of the two. Insect-infecting pathogens could disrupt the pollination process by affecting pollinator population density or traits. Pathogens may also infect insect herbivores and change herbivory, potentially altering resource allocation to plant reproduction. We conducted a meta-analysis to (1) summarize the literature on the effects of pathogens on insect pollinators and herbivores and (2) quantify the extent to which pathogens affect insect traits, with potential repercussions for plant reproduction. We found 39 articles that fit our criteria for inclusion, extracting 218 measures of insect traits for 21 different insect species exposed to 25 different pathogens. We detected a negative effect of pathogen exposure on insect traits, which varied by host function: pathogens had a significant negative effect on insects that were herbivores or carried multiple functions but not on insects that solely functioned as pollinators. Particular pathogen types were heavily studied in certain insect orders, with 7 of 11 viral pathogen studies conducted in Lepidoptera and 5 of 9 fungal pathogen studies conducted in Hymenoptera. Our results suggest that most studies have focused on a small set of host-pathogen pairs. To understand the implications for plant reproduction, future work is needed to directly measure the effects of pathogens on pollinator effectiveness.

Parental Uncertainty About a Child’s Health Scale (PUCHS): Development and Validation of a Novel Measure

Importance Understanding perceptions of uncertainty among parents of children with chronic conditions—and health care providers’ opportunities to help parents effectively cope—is limited by existing measures. Objective To develop a novel, outcomes-oriented scale to measure parental perceptions of uncertainties about the health of a child. Design, Setting, and Participants Informed by existing literature and interviews with parents, items were generated to capture disease-centered uncertainties (about diagnosis, prognosis, treatment) and patient-centered uncertainties (about familial, reproductive, social, and existential implications). After pilot testing, the Parental Uncertainty About a Child’s Health Scale (PUCHS) was administered in 3 studies assessing parental uncertainty in the context of caring for a child with an undiagnosed medical condition. Data from 2 studies (n = 149) were used to refine the hypothesized measurement model, and data from a third study (n = 417) were used to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis to determine the fit of the resulting measurement model. Results A 4-factor model (diagnostic, therapeutic, familial, social) satisfied overall model fit statistics and structural validity as indicated by standardized loadings, reliability, and variance extracted for each of the constructs. Additionally, each of the constructs satisfied convergent and discriminant validity. These findings across multiple samples in varying contexts suggest that the model demonstrates configural invariance across applications. Conclusions As a valid, reliable measure of parental uncertainties about children with chronic undiagnosed medical conditions, the PUCHS will advance understanding and thereby inform development of interventions to manage uncertainties. Communication of these uncertainties and their effective management are fundamental components of patient-centered care.

The Folkloric-Festive continuum of an Emerging Elite in La Paz

This article presents the results of the ethnographic research conducted in the period 2015-2017 with the Fraternidad Verdaderos Intocables for the purpose of analyzing reciprocal exchanges through drinking and their impact on the collective sense of community in an urban context. It is proposed that social interactions mediated by alcohol at the space-time of the fiesta signal/impulse chains of reciprocity in present/future overlapping space-time interactions resulting in a folkloric-festive continuum that reinforces the bonds of participants as compadres. This article intends to contribute to the emerging scholarly interest in calendric folkloric festivities in Bolivia by linking that research with the study of alternatives ways to conceive citizenship through public ritual interactions. Contrary to a common assumption that ostentation and big quantities of drunkenness in folkloric events related to a new folklorist elite are “irrational,” ethnographic research found that the dynamics of alcohol distribution/consumption is very carefully structured ritually and has direct implications in social reproduction and collective identity among the participants.

Social reproduction, labour and austerity: Carrying the future

For many young adults in the UK, austerity has restricted capacities to access secure housing, employment and social welfare, with sharp implications for reproduction and reproductive futures. Exploring these lived reproductive experiences, this article develops a conceptual framework that brings together social reproduction, emotional labour and relational work in new ways, specifically through the concept of ‘carrying’. Carrying, I argue, beholds a range of embodied, emotional and laborious qualities that are required for contemporary social reproduction. To demonstrate, I draw on research based in the North East of England, as an area that has seen detrimental cuts in the name of austerity and has some of the lowest fertility rates in the UK. Empirical examples come from 12 in-depth Oral History and Future interviews, a technique specifically developed to explore present-day narratives about (not) having any or more children. It is argued that the emotional, embodied and relational labour of carrying is key to understanding the experience of reproduction in this context, particularly regarding (1) carrying possibilities, (2) carrying bodies and (3) carrying instabilities. These forms of labour often go unnoticed and unchecked and yet can shed new light on reproduction. To close, I argue that because the labour of reproduction is carried forward into the life-course, reproductive futures are yet another way in which social inequalities can widen further under austerity.