Maternal Attendance Research Articles

1191-P: GDM in Twin Pregnancies—Maternal Characteristics and Pregnancy Outcomes

The incidence of both gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and twin pregnancies have increased over the past two decades. While the same GDM diagnostic criteria and treatment targets are used for singleton and twin pregnancies, data on outcomes for twin pregnancies with GDM are limited. The aim of this retrospective cohort study is to present comprehensive data on maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes for individuals with a twin pregnancy who were diagnosed with GDM and attended our center for prenatal care from 2002-22. In total 185 individuals were identified with a mean age of 32 (± 5) years and a mean prepregnancy body mass index of 31.3 (± 7) kg/m2. The majority were dichorionic diamniotic (n=146, 79%), 32 (17%) had a prior diagnosis of GDM and 63 (34%) had prepregnancy fertility treatment. Women underwent universal screening with a 50g glucose challenge test (normal <140mg/dL) and Carpenter and Coustan Criteria were used to diagnose GDM. Pharmacological therapy was required to treat GDM in 68 (37%) cases. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were common (n=55, 30%), as was Cesarean delivery (n= 133, 72%). Assessment of pregnancy outcomes (n=370) revealed 360 (97%) livebirths, 8 (2%) stillbirths and 2 (0.6%) neonatal deaths. Among livebirths and neonatal deaths, premature delivery < 37 weeks was recorded in 225 (62.2%) and <34 weeks in 57 (15.7%). Neonatal macrosomia (birthweight >4.0kg) was rare (n=4, 1%), but low birthweight (<2.5kg) occurred in 168 (46%). Neonatal hypoglycemia was documented in 89 (25%) infants. Maternal attendance at the postpartum glucose tolerance test was low (n=47, 25.5%) individuals, and 38 had a subsequent pregnancy with GDM diagnosed in 18 (47%). In summary, the standard GDM diagnostic criteria applied to twin pregnancies identify a maternal cohort at high risk of pregnancy complications and future GDM. Future work should address the optimal nutritional and glycemic goals for this population, particularly considering the high risk of low birthweight and premature neonates. Disclosure D.M.Das: None. A.Vella: Advisory Panel; Rezolute, Inc., Consultant; Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Hanmi Pharm. Co., Ltd., Zealand Pharma A/S, Other Relationship; Novo Nordisk. A.M.Egan: None. Funding National Institutes of Health (DK092721, HD065987)

Maternal depressive symptoms, attendance of sessions and reduction of home safety problems in a randomized toddler safety promotion intervention trial: A latent class analysis.

ObjectiveLittle is known about the association between maternal depressive symptoms and attendance at safety promotion interventions. This study used latent class analysis (LCA) to identify the profile of attendance within a toddler safety intervention and assessed its relation with maternal depressive symptoms at baseline and reduction of home safety problems over time, separately.MethodsThe analytic sample included 91 mothers of toddlers (mean maternal age 28.16 years) who were assigned to the safety promotion intervention group as part of a randomized trial and assessed at baseline, 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. Using LCA, we classified mothers into low and high attendance classes based on their attendance at 8 intervention sessions. We assessed maternal depressive symptoms with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and home safety problems with a 9-item home safety problem observation.ResultsThe mothers were classified into low attendance (45%) and high attendance classes (55%). The posterior probability of attending each session ranged from 0–0.29 for the low attendance class and 0.68–0.92 for the high attendance class. Each one unit increase of BDI sum score at baseline was associated with an 8% reduced odds of being in the high attendance class (aOR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86, 1.00, p = 0.037). The home safety problem score reduction was greater among high attendance class participants than low attendance class participants at the 6-month follow-up (b = -1.15, 95% CI:-2.09, -0.20, p = 0.018).ConclusionMaternal depressive symptoms were associated with the reduced probability of maternal attendance at toddler safety promotion sessions; high session attendance was related to greater reduction of toddler home safety problems. Identifying risk factors for maternal low attendance to interventions and developing strategies to promote attendance should lead to reductions in home safety problems and reductions in unintentional injuries among young children.

Maternal behavior and early behavioral ontogeny of the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus in Greece

Understanding behavioral ontogeny is important for the successful conservation of endangered marine mammals. This is particularly the case for phocid seals, as during the early stages of their life they must acquire, largely independently, essential survival skills. We studied the maternal behavior and early behavioral ontogeny of the Mediterranean monk seal, one of the most endangered marine mammals on Earth, by installing a remote-controlled, infrared, video system in a pupping cave in Greece and recording the behavior of 2 adult females and their newborn pups (September 2007 to March 2008). Behavioral observations focused on the monitoring of individual attendance (i.e. percentage of time spent in attendance and attendance time) and the description of interactions. Following parturition, the percentage of time spent in attendance of both mothers and pups decreased gradually as pups developed towards independence. Overall, the pupping cave was used almost continuously by the 4 individuals for 3 to 4 mo. Similarly, attendance times also decreased after parturition. During the first 10 d postpartum, maternal attendance was followed by a 0.5 to 13.8 h absence, during which we presume that the adult females went out foraging. We also detail various in-cave interactions for the first time in Mediterranean monk seals in Greece, including lactations, interactions between mothers and pups, interactions between pups and general seal interactions. Our study increases our understanding of the in-cave behavior of the Mediterranean monk seal, while highlighting the vital role of suitable caves in the reproduction and survival of the species and the necessity to effectively protect this type of habitat.

Factors associated with maternal readmission to hospital, attendance at emergency rooms or visits to general practitioners within three months postpartum

While most women remain healthy after giving birth to their baby, others experience complications that require medical attention or readmission to hospital. However, data on maternal attendance for medical care postpartum or readmission to hospital are not collected or reported routinely in many countries so the extent of health problems experienced remain unknown. Collecting data on the proportion of women who seek medical care in the early postpartum period may deepen understanding of risk factors, the consequences for women, their families and the maternity care system and, ultimately, help identify preventative strategies and processes. ObjectiveTo identify the factors associated with maternal rehospitalisation, attendance at emergency rooms or visits to general practitioners, the three main sources of medical services postpartum in Ireland, within the first three months postpartum. Study DesignA prospective cohort study, embedded in a larger maternal health and morbidity study, with 1668 nulliparous women recruited from two maternity hospitals in Ireland. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to explore associations with postpartum rehospitalisation, emergency room attendance and general practitioner visits within the first three months postpartum, for maternal health-related reasons. ResultsFour percent (n = 66) of women were rehospitalised, 10% (n = 166) attended an emergency room, and 13.6% (n = 223) attended their general practitioner three or more times, regarding their own health. Women aged 24 years or less were more likely to attend their doctor (p = 0.02, AOR 2.13, 95% CI 1.08-4.21) compared to women aged 25-29 years, the reference category. Women who were obese or very obese were also more likely to attend their doctor three or more times (p = 0.01, AOR 1.79, 95% CI 1.15-2.79) and also more likely to attend an emergency room (p = 0.04, AOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.02-2.80) within three months postpartum, for their own health reasons. ConclusionFindings indicate that considerable proportions of women seek medical care from various healthcare sources postpartum. These medical visits are not routinely reported and point to the need for interventions regarding the care, management and services available to first-time mothers birthing in Ireland, with specific attention on preventative postpartum health.

Determinants of normal haemoglobin concentration among children in Ghana: a positive deviance analysis of nationally representative cross-sectional survey data

Anaemia among children under 5, is a public health problem of serious concern. In Ghana, an estimated 8 out of every 10 children are anaemic. This study employed a novel approach to investigate the determinants of normal haemoglobin (Hb) concentration among children aged 6 to 59 months, using data from the Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys. The results showed that maternal schooling was positively associated with normal Hb concentration among children. Children of non-anaemic mothers were 1.67 (CI = 1.32, 2.10; P < 0.001) times more likely to have normal Hb concentration relative to children of anaemic mothers. Compared to mothers who had less than 4 antenatal care (ANC) visits, mothers who had at least 4 ANC visits increased the odds of their children having a normal Hb concentration by 1.62 (CI = 1.09, 2.40; P < 0.018). Children living in middle and rich households had respectively 1.48 (CI = 1.06, 2.07; p < 0.021) and 1.59 (CI = 1.08, 2.33; p < 0.018) increased odds of having a normal Hb concentration relative to those living in poor households. Maternal education, anaemia, ANC attendance, and household wealth index are strong determinants of normal Hb concentration among children in Ghana. Strategies aimed at addressing childhood anaemia should take into account maternal anaemia, education, poverty and ANC attendance.

Prevalence and factors associated with HIV and syphilis infection among children aged 0\u201336\xa0months in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: a community-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundChildhood mortality is high in sub-Saharan Africa. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV and congenital syphilis are among significant causes. Dual elimination of these two infections is one of the international goals. Community-based studies on the burden of HIV and syphilis among children will contribute to fine-tuning the interventions to achieve the elimination goal. This study aims to describe the prevalence of HIV and syphilis among children aged 0–36 months and associated factors in northern Tanzania.MethodsThis was a community-based cross-sectional study, which was conducted in all the seven districts of Kilimanjaro region. Multistage sampling was used, and a total of 2452 children aged 0 to 36 months and their primary caretakers were enrolled. Interviews were conducted with the mother/caretaker, and dried blood samples were collected from the children and processed for laboratory diagnosis of HIV and syphilis. HIV ELISA was first performed on all the samples. Positive samples of children < 18 months were confirmed using PCR.ResultsThe prevalence of HIV among 2452 children aged 0–36 months was 1.7% (n = 42). There was a significant difference in the distribution of HIV by age of the child, maternal antenatal attendance, and breastfeeding history.The prevalence of syphilis was 0.4% (n = 10). Five of the children were more than 1 year old. All children with a positive test for syphilis were from Moshi rural district, and their mothers consumed alcohol. No child was co-infected with HIV and syphilis.ConclusionsThough the prevalence of the two infections was low, detecting syphilis in children suggests a missed opportunity in screening women during pregnancy. The region may be on track with the goal to achieve dual elimination of mother-to-child transmitted HIV and syphilis. However, efforts are needed to reduce missed opportunities for screening women for syphilis and HIV early in pregnancy and retesting at 3rd trimester/delivery. Strategies to improve testing for HIV-exposed children are needed.

The contrasting hidden consequences of parasitism: Effects of a hematophagous nematode (Uncinaria sp.) in the development of a marine mammal swimming behavior.

Parasites are an important part of ecosystems, playing a critical role in their equilibrium. However, the consequences of parasitism beyond the direct effects associated with disease and mortality are not completely understood. This gap in knowledge is in part due to the difficulties to isolate the effect of single parasite species on physiological and behavioral traits in natural systems.The South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis)–hookworm (Uncinaria sp.) interaction offers an ideal system to overcome these difficulties and study the behavioral and physiological effects of parasites in their hosts.Hookworms cause stunted growth and anemia in pinniped pups, which could affect early life active behaviors such as swimming. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of hookworms (Uncinaria sp.) on the development of swimming capabilities in A. australis through physiological and ethological analyses.Higher parasite burden was associated with reduced growth rates and lower blood hemoglobin concentrations, whereas scaled body mass and blood hemoglobin levels had an important positive effect on the water activity of the pups. However, antihookworm treatment did not affect the level of water activity of the pups, and pups with high hookworm burden increased their time budget in water. This was probably related to lower maternal attendance in heavily parasitized pups, leaving these pups more time to perform water activities. Therefore, pups with heavy hookworm burden, despite having decreased growth rates and blood hemoglobin concentrations, compensated for their handicap in physiological traits related to swimming by spending more time in the water.This work offers new insights to understand the contrasting effects of parasites on aquatic organisms, and the compensatory mechanisms employed by infected animals to avoid the worst consequences of parasitism.

Immune-mediated hookworm clearance and survival of a marine mammal decrease with warmer ocean temperatures.

Increases in ocean temperature are associated with changes in the distribution of fish stocks, and the foraging regimes and maternal attendance patterns of marine mammals. However, it is not well understood how these changes affect offspring health and survival. The maternal attendance patterns and immunity of South American fur seals were assessed in a rookery where hookworm disease is the main cause of pup mortality. Pups receiving higher levels of maternal attendance had a positive energy balance and a more reactive immune system. These pups were able to expel hookworms through a specific immune mediated mechanism and survived the infection. Maternal attendance was higher in years with low sea surface temperature, therefore, the mean hookworm burden and mortality increased with sea surface temperature over a 10-year period. We provide a mechanistic explanation regarding how changes in ocean temperature and maternal care affect infectious diseases dynamics in a marine mammal.

Mother–baby dyads enrolled in PMTCT care in western Kenya: characteristics and implications for ART programmes

The objective of the study was to establish the mother–baby pair characteristics that contribute to vertical transmission of HIV and elucidate on remediation. We assessed for factors increasing the odds of HIV transmission in children born to HIV-infected mothers in western Kenya. We used a retrospective study which reviewed routinely collected data of 1 028 mother–baby pairs enrolled in a prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme in western Kenya from January to December 2015. We compared the transmission rates amongst mothers known to have a positive HIV status before conception (known positives/KPs) versus the transmission amongst those who were newly diagnosed during maternal and child health (MCH) clinic attendance (new positives/NPs). We compared the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the mothers using chi square and Kruskal–Wallis tests at 95% confidence interval (CI). We assessed for factors associated with the infants’ HIV status using a logistic regression model. The results revealed that 60% (622) of the mothers were KPs, and that KPs and NPs had mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) rates of 5.5% and 20.7% respectively. Close to 90% of the NP Mothers were at an early HIV clinical stage at enrolment and 40% were enrolled after delivery. The infants of NPs were enrolled at a mean age of 18.3 weeks compared to 6.6 weeks for the infants of the KPs. On adjusted multivariable analysis, child's age at enrolment (AOR = 1.05, 95%CI = 1.036–1.064) and mother's status at conception (AOR = 1.96, 95%CI = 1.042–3.664) were significantly associated with the infant's HIV status. None of the HIV infected infants had received nevirapine prophylaxis. Most of the mothers enrolling into the PMTCT programme have a known HIV-positive status, however, NPs are the largest contributors to continued MTCT.

"A cross-language study of decontextualized vocabulary comprehension in toddlerhood and kindergarten readiness": Correction to Friend et al. (2018).

Reports an error in "A cross-language study of decontextualized vocabulary comprehension in toddlerhood and kindergarten readiness" by Margaret Friend, Erin Smolak, Yushuang Liu, Diane Poulin-Dubois and Pascal Zesiger (Developmental Psychology, Advanced Online Publication, Apr 05, 2018, np). In the article, the reference for Legacy, Zesiger, Friend, & Poulin-Dubois (2016) should be Legacy, Zesiger, Friend, & Poulin-Dubois (2018). The correct reference for the article is listed below: Legacy, J., Zesiger, P., Friend, M., & Poulin-Dubois, D. (2018). Vocabulary size and speed of word recognition in very young French-English bilinguals: A longitudinal study. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 21, 137-149. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1366728916000833. All versions of this article have been corrected. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2018-13949-001.) Recent studies demonstrate that emerging literacy depends on earlier language achievement. Importantly, most extant work focuses on parent-reported production prior to 30 months of age. Of interest is whether and how directly assessed vocabulary comprehension in the 2nd year of life supports vocabulary and kindergarten readiness in the 4th year. We first contrasted orthogonal indices of parent-reported production and directly assessed vocabulary comprehension and found that comprehension was a stronger predictor of child outcomes. We then assessed prediction from vocabulary comprehension controlling for maternal education, preschool attendance, and child sex. In 3 studies early, decontextualized vocabulary comprehension emerged as a significant predictor of 4th year language and kindergarten readiness accounting for unique variance above demographic control variables. Further we found that the effect of early vocabulary on 4th year kindergarten readiness was not mediated by 4th year vocabulary. This pattern of results emerged in English monolingual children (N = 48) and replicated in French monolingual (N = 58) and French-English bilingual children (N = 34). Our findings suggest that early, decontextualized vocabulary may provide a platform for the establishment of a conceptual system that supports both later vocabulary and kindergarten readiness, including the acquisition of a wide range of concepts including print and number. Differences between parent-reported and directly assessed vocabulary and the mechanisms by which decontextualized vocabulary may contribute to conceptual development are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

Factors associated with optimal antenatal care use in Northern region, Ghana

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to investigate the factors associated with the optimal use of antenatal care (ANC) during pregnancy. A facility-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between February and August 2014 among nursing mothers (n = 578) attending postnatal and child welfare clinics in three districts in Northern Ghana, representing urban, peri-urban, and rural zones. The developed questionnaire aided the collection of information on maternal demographic characteristics, health status, household assets, and ANC attendance. Binary logistic regression was modeled to estimate the association between optimal ANC use and mothers’ characteristics. Approximately 81% of the respondents had ≥4 ANC visits during pregnancy, and coverage was over 99%. Mothers who had any formal education (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0–2.8, P = 0.040) lived in middle class socioeconomic households (AOR = 2.6, 95%CI = 1.4–4.8, P = 0.003) and resided in urban areas (AOR = 2.0, 95%CI = 1.2–3.3, P = 0.006) were significantly more likely to report the optimal ANC use. Mothers’ education, socioeconomic status, and proximity to a health facility were positively associated with the optimal ANC use. Education of females and policy initiatives aimed at improving the rural–urban divide are essential to optimize the use of ANC.

Mobile Phone Communication for Improving Uptake of Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-infected Pregnant Women: Review

Background About 1.4 million pregnant women are living with HIV in low and middle income countries with about 91% of these women residing in sub-Saharan Africa. HIV-infected pregnant women face several challenges that could decrease antiretroviral therapy adherence. Studies reported challenges such as poor mental health, lack of social support, fears of infecting children, medication side effects, cultural factors, economic instability, nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. This review investigated whether mobile phone text messaging could improve antiretroviral therapy in during and after pregnancy. Objectives To assess the effectiveness mobile phone text messaging for improving adherence to antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected pregnant women. To investigate whether mobile phone text messaging could improve follow up in HIV-exposed infants. Search methods We searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Scopus, MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL (EBSCO). Furthermore, we searched studies through HIV/AIDS conferences websites: International AIDS conferences, The European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) conferences, International AIDS Society conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment (IAS). Two authors extracted data in the study eligibility form. Selection criteria We selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing mobile phone text messaging as reminders for antiretroviral therapy uptake in HIV-infected pregnant women. Data collection and analysis Two authors independently identified and assessed all studies that met inclusion criteria. Study design, characteristics of study populations, interventions and controls and study results were extracted by two review authors. In addition, the risk of bias of included studies was assessed independently by two reviewers. We reported the results narratively as meta-analysis was not feasible because of differences in the study design. We reported the odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals for the different outcomes. Main results We identified five eligible studies; three ongoing and two completed studies. Findings from the included studies showed that mobile phone text messaging did not increase antiretroviral therapy initiation (OR 1.79 95%CI 1.09 to 2.94, 307 participants, 1 study). However, there was an increase in maternal clinic attendance and HIV tested infants; (RR 1.66 95%CI 1.02 to 2.70, 381 participants, 1 study) and (OR 2.01 95%CI 1.03 to 3.92, 325 participants, 1 study), respectively. The overall quality of evidence was assessed as moderate. None of the included studies reported on adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Authors' conclusions The review revealed that mobile phone text messaging may improve maternal clinic attendance and number infants tested for HIV compared to the standard care. Mobile phone communication did not improve ART initiation compared to standard care. Further studies are needed to evaluate the value of mobile phone communication in promoting adherence to antiretroviral drugs among pregnant women and reduction of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Desert Massasauga Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii) in Southeastern Colorado: Life History, Reproduction, and Communal Hibernation

Abstract We studied Desert Massasauga Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii) in southeastern Colorado in 1998 and 2005–2007. Mark–recapture data for 770 snakes indicated a population size of >3,500 snakes in an area of approximately 4,800 ha. Field growth rates and size class frequency distributions showed that average snake age was 3 yr; 4 yr old snakes were frequently encountered, but less than 4% were 5 yr or older, suggesting low survivorship beyond this age. Conversely, initial growth was rapid; snakes grew an average of 0.57 mm/day in their first full year. Desert Massasaugas mated in fall and spring, producing 2–7 (mean 3.3) young in late August to early September, and reproduction appeared to be biennial. Desert Massasaugas showed maternal attendance for at least 5 days postparturition, and neonate dispersal corresponded with the first shed. Radioed Desert Massasaugas (N = 15) used rodent burrows as hibernacula, and within 50 m of Desert Massasauga hibernacula, eight snake, five anuran, and ...

Timely Initiation of First Antenatal Care Visit of Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Service

Background: Before delivery, the pregnant mother should get the recommended antenatal care for prevention, early diagnosis and management of complications both related to pregnancy and medical conditions of mother and fetus. But, in money developing countries the effectiveness of providing antenatal care is low due to late attendance of the antenatal care. Therefore, this study planned to assess the prevalence of maternal attendance to initiate early the antenatal care visit and factors that could affect it at selected health institution. Objective: To assess the prevalence of timely initiation of first antenatal care visit and associated factors among pregnant women attending ante natal care visit at Wollaita Soddo town health institution. Method and materials: In selected health institutions of Wollaita Soddo town cross sectional study was conducted among 255 pregnant mothers. Systematic Sampling was used. Data was collected using pre tested and interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Result: Out of 255 study participant, 99(39%) pregnant mothers initiated the ANC visit early and 156(61%) pregnant mothers initiated ANC late. According to the Multivariate analysis result, pregnant mothers with the educational level of secondary school (AOR=6.25, 95% CI; 2.16, 18.06), who had knowledge on the importance of antenatal care (AOR=5.51, 95% CI, 1.28-23.67), early recognition of pregnancy (AOR=3.53, 95% CI; 1.22, 10.21) and those with no previous history of parity (AOR=2.5, 95% CI; 1.6-4.8) were significantly associated with timely initiation of first antenatal care visit. Conclusion: According to this study, substantial proportion of pregnant women’s was booked timely. The factors like the status women’s education, the levels of women’s knowledge on timely initiation of ANC, early recognition of pregnancy and those with parity zero were found to be associated with timely initiation of first antenatal care visit.

Dental attendance among low-income women and their children following a brief motivational counseling intervention: A community randomized trial

This study tested a behavioral intervention to increase dental attendance among rural Oregonian low-income women and their children. It utilized a multi-site, single-blind, randomized trial design. Four hundred women were randomized into one of four conditions to receive prenatal or postpartum motivational interviewing/counseling (MI) or prenatal or postpartum health education (HE). Counselors also functioned as patient navigators. Primary outcomes were dental attendance during pregnancy for the mother and for the child by age 18 months. Attendance was obtained from the Oregon Division of Medical Assistance Programs and participant self-report. Statewide self-reported utilization data were obtained from the Oregon Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). Maternal attendance was 92% in the prenatal MI group and 94% in the prenatal HE group (RR = 0.98; 95% CI = 0.93–1.04). Children's attendance was 54% in postpartum MI group and 52% in the postpartum HE group (RR = 1.03; 95% CI = 0.82–1.28). Compared to statewide PRAMS, attendance was higher during pregnancy for study mothers (45% statewide; 95% CI = 40–50%) and for their children by 24 months (36% statewide; 95% CI = 27–44%). MI did not lead to greater attendance when compared to HE alone and cost more to implement. High attendance may be attributable to the counselors' patient navigator function. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01120041.

Post-birth separation affects the affiliative behaviour of kin in a pitviper with maternal attendance

The relatedness of individuals can have pronounced effects on behavioural interactions, as engaging in mutually beneficial behaviours with kin can increase inclusive fitness. Parental care can be particularly important for kin discrimination in birds and mammals, but similar studies have not been conducted on species exhibiting more rudimentary forms of care. Maternal attendance of young is ubiquitous among viviparous temperate pitvipers, but the adaptive value of this behaviour has received little attention. We sought to determine if being deprived of a maternal attendance period as neonates altered how cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus Lacépède), a common North American pitviper, responded to kin vs. non-kin. We measured the affiliative behaviour of related and unrelated juvenile–juvenile and mother–juvenile pairs that had been allowed a maternal attendance period or had been separated since birth. We found that maternal attendance was not required for sibling or mother–offspring recognition, but did enhance female affiliative behaviour overall, and particularly that of sisters. In contrast, related juveniles that were separated at birth showed a reversal of the sex-specific affiliative behaviour observed in maternally attended juveniles. Post-birth separation had only a modest effect on mother–juvenile affiliative behaviour, and no effect on the strong affiliation between mothers and daughters. The patterns of affiliative behaviour observed in maternally attended snakes corresponded to patterns that have emerged from previous captive and field studies of pitvipers; however, the behaviour of juveniles separated at birth was atypical. Thus, it is possible that maternal attendance plays some role in the development of adaptive sex-specific and kin-directed affiliative behaviour in pitvipers.

Fine-scale hormonal patterns associated with birth and maternal care in the cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus), a North American pitviper snake

Steroid hormones regulate many aspects of reproductive physiology and behavior, including parental care. Reptiles display a variety of egg- and neonate-directed parental behaviors, yet few studies have addressed their endocrine correlates. Viviparous female pitvipers remain at the birth site with their young for one to two weeks until neonates complete their first shed cycle (‘ecdysis’). To study possible relationships between steroid hormones and these behaviors, we conducted a captive study on wild-caught pregnant cottonmouths. Females were divided into two treatment groups: Maternal Attendance (MA) – females were allowed a maternal attendance period, where neonates were left with the mother until they completed ecdysis and then were removed; Separated (SE) – females had their neonates removed within 24h of birth. Serial blood samples were collected from MA females at various points during and after attendance; SE females had samples collected on a similar temporal schedule. Plasma levels of progesterone (P), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), and corticosterone (CORT) were measured in all samples. We did not find a difference in the overall pattern of P, E2, or T between MA and SE females; however, MA females exhibited a significant peak in CORT on the day that neonates shed that was not observed in SE females. It is possible that the elevated CORT observed in MA females was stimulated by increased activity and/or changing chemical cues of shedding neonates. Based on evidence that free-ranging pitvipers cease MA when all offspring complete ecdysis, we hypothesize that CORT has a role in signaling mothers to terminate care and disperse.

EVIDENCE OF COMMUNAL OVIPOSITION AND NEST ABANDONMENT IN THE NORTHERN TWO-LINED SALAMANDER (EURYCEA BISLINEATA, (GREEN, 1818)) IN NORTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT

Most plethodontid salamanders oviposit their eggs in an individual nest and attend the clutch until hatching. Here, we describe aspects of the reproduction of Eurycea bislineata (Northern Two-lined Salamander) from three field sites in northeastern Connecticut that contrast with the typical plethodontid reproductive behavior. Rocks used as oviposition sites contained up to 296 eggs, with an average of more than 100. These numbers exceed the maximum ovarian egg counts for this species, indicating that communal oviposition is common. The lack of correlation between rock size and number of eggs, as well as the lack of discrete clutches when eggs are laid in large clusters, suggests that communal oviposition may be caused by something other than nest site limitation. Additionally, the rate of maternal attendance at nests was low. Thus, communal oviposition with high rates of nest abandonment is the dominant reproductive strategy in E. bislineata at these sites.

Brain size in neonatal and adult Weddell seals: Costs and consequences of having a large brain

AbstractLittle is known about the ontogeny of brain size in pinnipeds despite potential functional implications of brain substrate (glucose, oxygen) requirements for diving, fasting, growth, and lactation strategies. We measured brain mass (brM) and cranial capacity (CC) in newborn and adult Weddell seals. Neonatal Weddell seals had brM that represented ~70% of adult brM. Weddell seals have the largest neonatal brain, proportional to adult brain, reported for any mammal to date, which is remarkable considering the relatively small size of Weddell seal pups at birth (6%–7% of maternal body mass) compared to neonates of other highly precocial mammals. Provision of sufficient glucose to maintain the large, well‐developed brain of the neonatal Weddell seal has a nontrivial metabolic cost to both pup and mother. We therefore hypothesize that this phenomenon must have functional significance, such as allowing pups to acquire complex under‐ice navigation skills during the period of maternal attendance.

The consequences of alternative parental care tactics in free‐ranging pythons in tropical Australia

Summary1.Life‐history theory attributes the evolution of parental care to the benefits to offspring viability outweighing any costs to parental viability. However, the consequences of parental care tactics to parent(s) and the developmental environment have seldom been measured under field conditions.2.Laboratory research on pythons shows that maternal nest‐site selection and egg brooding benefit embryos, but prolonged nest attendance may impose fitness costs to free‐ranging females. A population of water pythons (Liasis fuscus) in tropical Australia provides an excellent opportunity to examine this parent–offspring trade‐off because females exhibit parental care polymorphism wherein some individuals brood their eggs only briefly (&lt;10 days) post‐oviposition (‘short brooders’) while others remain with their eggs throughout the incubation period (&gt;50 days; ‘long brooders’).3.We used radiotelemetry, temperature and humidity data loggers, ultrasonography, haematological techniques, and habitat analyses to examine the correlates and consequences of maternal nesting decisions in 14 free‐ranging female pythons over the 4‐month reproductive season.4.Nest‐site selection and maternal attendance enhanced thermal and hydric regimes within the nest. Egg production by reproducing female pythons resulted in high energetic costs (loss of 60% of maternal body mass) and increased parasite load. However, the estimated mass loss because of brooding was (i) low (&lt;5%), (ii) inversely related to fecundity (females that produced relatively large clutches tended to select lower temperatures and thus lost less mass during brooding) and (iii) surprisingly unrelated to brooding duration. Phenotypic traits of short and long brooders were similar, but long brooders had higher haemoparasite burdens prior to oviposition. Clutches of long brooders were laid in more open sites (less canopy cover) and experienced warmer and more humid conditions than did those of short brooders.5.Together with previous research, we suggest several explanations for the maintenance of maternal care polymorphism within this population, such as a trade‐off between offspring number and quality (long brooders may produce fewer clutches during their lifespan but enhance offspring quality). Our study provides detailed measurements of the correlates and consequences of parental care in a free‐ranging reptile, and it clarifies the trade‐offs mediated by taxonomically widespread maternal decisions (e.g. nest‐ or oviposition‐site selection and nest attendance).