Modern Reproductive Technologies Research Articles

Health as a Factor in Implementing the Reproductive Intentions of the Russian Population

Health status is one of the important factors influencing the implementation of reproductive intentions, the ability to have the desired number of children. Along with medical statistics, an important source of information in this case is people's self-assessment of their health. Questions aimed at clarifying this self-assessment are contained in the results of sociological studies. The research results presented in the article are based on data from the Federal State Statistics Service and the socio-demographic survey “Sample observation of reproductive plans of the population” conducted by Rosstat in 2022. Self-assessments of women and men regarding their health status are analyzed from the point of view of its perception as an obstacle to having the desired number of children and the reason for postponing the birth of a child. Particular attention is paid to issues of reproductive health and attitudes towards modern reproductive technologies among those who cannot have a child. Another aspect considered in the article is the prevalence of abortions, which sometimes result in the impossibility of having a child in the future. It is also important to keep in mind that the problem of health as a factor in the implementation of reproductive intentions is becoming more relevant in connection with later childbearing.

Genetic Quality Improvement of Beef Cattle in Indonesia: Overview and Prospects

Technology for Improving the genetic quality of beef cattle is a key factor in the development of the livestock industry in Indonesia. In recent decades, efforts have been made to improve beef cattle’s genetic quality through breeding and modern reproductive technologies. The journal aims to present an in-depth understanding of the efforts made to improve the genetic quality of beef cattle in Indonesia and to explain prospects in terms of breeding and reproductive technology. This article is based on reflections on recent literature and research in this field..

What has embryo recovery and transfer taught us about equine reproductive physiology?

Equine embryo transfer has been the foundation stone on which modern reproductive technologies and novel research in this species has been built. Nonsurgical embryo recovery and transfer methods developed from the original surgical methods, and the ease with which these procedures can be undertaken has enabled these techniques to play a continuing role in original research. We document how embryo recovery and/or transfer have increased our knowledge about many of the events involved in equine reproductive physiology. These include, when the equine embryo enters the uterus, the importance and development of the blastocyst capsule, secretory products of early embryos, early maternal-embryo interactions, effects of uterine asynchrony on early embryo development, the role of endometrial cups and maternal immunological tolerance of extraspecies embryo transfers, and the influence of uterine environmental on fetal growth and development.

Comparative effectiveness of different methods of using the analogue of gonadotropin-releasing hormone for ovulation stimulation in rabbit does

Modern reproductive technologies require artificial insemination (AI) protocols that are safe for the health of animals and do not violate their welfare. Stress factors arising in the reproduction process of industrial rabbit breeding negatively affect the sexual function and reproductive performance of rabbits and their offspring. In recent years, researchers have focused on alternative methods of ovulation stimulation, including intravaginal introduction of hormonal means of its induction. Therefore, the aim of our study was a comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of the intramuscular method of administration of the gonadotropin-releasing control (GnRH) analogue and its addition to the sperm dose for AI on Hyplus rabbit (n = 30), which were randomly divided into three groups. For this, buserelin acetate was administered intramuscularly at a dose of 1 μg per rabbit immediately after artificial insemination (control group). Experimental animals were inseminated with sperm doses with the addition of a GnRH analogue in the amount of 25 μg (experimental group 1) and 15 μg (experimental group 2). The influence of the method of administration of GnRH analogue on reproductive function was evaluated by indicators of the effectiveness of AI, fertility, and the dynamics of the progesterone level during pregnancy. A decrease in fecundity was observed in females; for example, in experimental group 1, the effectiveness of AI in terms of the number of rabbits was 64.3 %; in animals of experimental group 2 – 41.2 %, and the number of inseminations in this group of rabbits was 41.7% higher compared to control data. The fertility of rabbits of all groups was high, reaching the maximum value in the control group (10.42 ± 0.52 heads/female). Fertility according to live newborns in experimental group 1 was the highest among all groups of rabbits and was 9.67 ± 0.49 heads/female, which showed an increasing trend compared to the control. Also, in the animals of experimental group 1, an increase in the level of progesterone in blood serum was observed (on the 7th day of pregnancy by 13.2 %, on the 14th day by 14.3 %, on the 21st day by 16.4 %). In contrast, in experimental group 2, a significant decrease in the progesterone level was noted. Thus, 25 μg of GnRH analogue added to the extender is optimal. It is worth noting that there were no advantages of intravaginal administration over intramuscular administration in terms of reproductive performance. However, the number of live births and progesterone levels were improved.

INFERTILITY AND USE OF MODERN REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES: ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

The Islamic concept of birth and death is very clear and make the foundation of Islamic society along with the Quran also provides concept about infertility. It is permitted to seek medication for infertility. Islamic law permits the use of all assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) as long as the sperm, egg, and uterus are derived from a legally married couple during their marriage. The current study aims at reviewing the concept of infertility and Modern Reproductive Technologies as a treatment in Muslim society. The concept of children bearing a trial for believers is further expanded with the concept of infertility in Quran. Infertility is regarded as a test for believers. We have examples of Prophets such as Ibrahim and Zachariya (A.S) who bore children in old age. We also have examples of many companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and even among Ummahat-ul-Momineen who faced fertility issues. 20th century was the century of great scientific advancements. Now it is possible to treat infertility in many ways. Assisted reproductive technology is a group of infertility treatments. All modern reproductive technologies are acceptable in Islamic law, as long as the sperm, ovum, and uterus come from a legally and currently married couple. Surrogacy in any form is forbidden. Donation of sperm, ovum and uterus from a third party is not allowed. Islamic law makers have provided ways for the cure of infertility keeping in lawful bounds of Islamic jurisprudence. Many Muslim countries including Pakistan lack the advanced IVF technologies. Where available these facilities are very expensive. Moreover, there is a great misconception about the legality and religious stance on various ART techniques. For this purpose, religious beliefs, knowledge and attitudes of Pakistani population regarding Modern Reproductive Technologies and infertility should be assessed. Islamic religious scholars need to play their part in this regard through their expertise, assessment of religious beliefs, knowledge and attitude would be a first step towards process of law making or ruling out fatwa regarding Modern Reproductive Technologies. Keywords: Islamic Law, infertility, Modern Reproductive Technologies, Pakistan, Scientific advancements.

PECULIARITIES OF TEACHING ELECTIVE DISCIPLINES AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTOLOGY, CYTOLOGY AND EMBRYOLOGY, IVANO FRANKIVSK NATIONAL MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

The reformation of medical education and the introduction of new educational and professional programs presuppose a transition towards a competence-oriented approach in the training doctors that will result in the integration of the concepts of knowledge-understanding-skills and the development of proper competencies, defined as the ability and readiness for professional activity. Today, a qualified medical specialist is characterized not only by having a deep knowledge, but also by the ability to solve complex problems independently. The implementation of elective disciplines of natural science into the educational process of training specialists at the Master's level in the specialty 222 "Medicine" is aimed at fostering the necessary spectrum of general and professional competencies in the future doctor, developing clinical thinking, and enhancing motivation for self-improvement. The teaching staff of the Department of Histology, Cytology and Embryology, Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University has developed working curricula for two selected disciplines related to medicine and natural scienes: "Theoretical Foundations of Modern Reproductive Technologies" and "Morphological Foundations of Cell Therapy" for first-year students of the Faculty of Medicine. These disciplines are of great theoretical and applied importance for fundamental and clinical medicine because they provide an in-depth mastery of knowledge from the basics of regenerative medicine and cell therapy, the principles of the doctrine of stem cells, the theoretical foundations of the principles of reproductive technologies, and provide answers to a number of ethical questions the doctor have to encounter in the clinics. Practical classes are conducted on the basis of a specialized consultative and treatment department of assisted reproductive technologies of the State Institution "Precarpathian Centre for Human Reproduction" of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, educational and scientific-practical centre "Microscopy". The centre is equipped with personal computers, an interactive multimedia projector, laboratory-grade light microscopes, a CCD video camera, a digital camera, and image analysis software. The study rooms of the department are equipped with television panels, personal computers with cable access to "cloud" databases of histological images using digital microscopy technologies. The collection of micropreparations in the educational laboratory totals about 4 thousand copies. The proposed elective disciplines contributes to the formation of a clear understanding of the modern possibilities of assisted reproductive technologies and the possibilities of regenerative medicine and cell therapy, their limitations and the prospects for further progress in order to solve the problems of depopulation, increasing the efficiency of treatment of diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems, diseases of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems. The knowledge and skills gained thought elective disciplines can create a basis for a conscious choice of a future medical specialty or directions of further scientific research.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ОТНОШЕНИЯ К ВСПОМОГАТЕЛЬНЫМ РЕПРОДУКТИВНЫМ ТЕХНОЛОГИЯМ В МОСКВЕ: АНАЛИЗ ВСЕРОССИЙСКОГО СОЦИОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ

The article deals with the analysis of the specifics of attitudes towards assisted reproductive technologies, assessment of the scale and need for the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in Moscow based on the data of the author’s study “Demographic well-being of Russia” conducted in late 2019 – early 2020. The analysis shows that Muscovites stand out against the background of Russians by their attitude to the use of methods of abortion and contraceptive behavior, assisted reproductive technologies, assessment of their reproductive health. The need for ART in Moscow is lower than in many regions of the country. That is caused by the assessment of their state of health, which may affect the need for the use of ART and by a model of reproductive behavior of metropolitan residents, characterized by lower reproductive attitudes against the background of all-Russian indicators. The leading role among the obstacles to the use of modern reproductive technologies in the capital, in contrast to the situation in the regions, is played by psychological motives and doubts about the safety of ART. Muscovites – Women are more favorable than Muscovites – Men to the use of modern reproductive technologies. The existing trends suggest that in the future the need for ART may decrease. Voluntary childlessness becomes a socially approved strategy. Such a trend is still most pronounced in large megacities, an example of which is Moscow.

THE PECULIARITIES OF PSYCHO-EMOTIONAL CONDITION OF WOMEN WITH INFERTILITY AND INTRAHEPATIC CHOLESTASIS

The adverse impact of the difficult socio-economic situation on the processes of birth and early neonatal morbidity and mortality requires focusing greater attention on the study of the role of psychological factors in solving demographic problems. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of women with infertility in anamnesis, who received modern reproductive technologies, and in these patients, pregnancy is not only an obstetric but also a psychological issue. These women present a complex of symptoms of vasomotor and nervous/psychic disorders already at the preconceptive stage.
 In the modern society, pregnancy often goes with chronic stress related to reproductive disorders in anamnesis, which is intensified by social conflicts, environmental and technological disasters. The search for ways to control the body’s reactivity, which are based on the understanding of the mechanisms of development of adaptation and deadaptation processes, opens prospects of working out ways of targeted correction of pathological conditions during gestation. Women with infertility, especially those with a long unfavorable experience of treating it and/or with perinatal losses in anamnesis, present significant psycho-emotional disorders. The aim of this research is to assess the psycho-emotional condition of women with intrahepatic cholestasis who got pregnant owing to assisted reproductive technologies.
 We have conducted a complex research of 80 women ,who got pregnant owing to assisted reproductive technologies: 40 women with manifestations of intrahepatic cholestasis (basic group) and 40 women without such manifestations (comparison group), 50 women with spontaneous pregnancy and its physiological course made up the reference group. We used questionnaires, tests and projective methods (to identify the type of the psychological component of the gestational dominant, the type of self-perception of pregnancy, to measure the level of reactive (situational) and personal anxiety, depression); the SF-36 Health Survey; the calculation of the Kerdo index and
 A.M. Wein’s questionnaire (to assess vegetative homeostasis). The Spielberg-Hanin scale of reactive and personal anxiety (1976) is the only method that makes it possible to measure anxiety in a differentiated way: as a personal quality and a condition.
 Taking into consideration the symptoms of intrahepatic cholestasis, which significantly influence the pregnant women’s general condition, as well as the established vegetative disorders, sleep disorders, high or extremely high anxiety, signs of depressive conditions, one can presume a decrease in the quality of life of these patients.
 Women with intrahepatic cholestasis who got pregnant owing to assisted reproductive technologies, require the assessment of their vegetative and psycho-emotional condition and the correction of the established disorders, in order to normalize the quality of their life and achieve favorable perinatal results.
 The pregnant women’s psycho-emotional condition is a great extent of the result of interaction of two components: the extragenital one, which includes somatic diseases and individual typological peculiarities of a woman’s physical status, and the genital one, i.e. the physiological peculiarities of the reproductive system. The optimization of a woman’s psychic condition contributes to a more favorable course of pregnancy and the birth of a healthy child.

Репродуктивная функция у лиц, излеченных от онкологических заболеваний

Modern cancer therapy programs allow an increasing number of patients to be cured, and therefore the quality of their subsequent life is an important task of clinical oncology. The ability to realize reproductive potential is one of the main criteria for the quality of life. Nevertheless, chemoradiation therapy used in the treatment of malignant tumors can cause temporary or permanent infertility. Currently, there are options to protect the reproductive system from chemoradiation treatment (administration of ethinylestradiol drugs, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists) or harvesting seminal fluid/oocytes, and cryopreservation of ovarian tissue. However, the low awareness of doctors about modern reproductive technologies in the treatment of persons cured from cancer leads to the fact that these methods are not used actively enough. The article presents the main chemotherapy drugs used in the treatment of malignant tumors that can cause an impairment of reproductive function; describes their pathological effects on oocytes and spermatozoa; provides methods of protecting the reproductive function in persons who take chemoradiation therapy or have completed antitumor therapy.

Family leadership and environmental sustainability: a case of the single fathers in Russia

Nowadays, the traditional perception of the family is changing. However, understanding children preferences and shaping their views of the world still remain the key prerequisites for the environmental sustainability. The purpose of the article is to analyze models of single fatherhood, to study the motivation and structure of factors that determine the involved fatherhood making, the specifics of mother’s and parent family’s influence on the paternal practices implementation. Our research testifies to the fact that single fathers tend to become family leaders and undertake responsibility related to childcare in the context of transforming marital and family relations as well as facing global environmental issues. The results of the study show that single fatherhood is usually a forced situation caused by death or severe illness of the mother, her deviant behavior and leaving the family, deprivation of parental rights, divorce consequences, long-term separation of spouses, use of modern reproductive technologies of surrogacy. It is concluded that the scenarios of the single fatherhood becoming – planned or casual – are associated with the cause of the child appearance in the family. The significant differences are found in the social and cultural capital of the single fathers which might have different impacts on the level of environmental education they can pass on to their children.

Review on small ruminant conservation status and prospects in India.

Small ruminants always play a major role in the agricultural economy of India. They provide livelihoods to numerous small and marginal farmers. The diversity of small ruminant population is enormous in the country which contributes to agrarian economy. However, the genetic variety is now at risk due to indiscriminate cross-breeding, and change is farmer's preference towards high-producing breeds. The population statistics is showing a declining trend for the past several years. During time of climate change and outbreak of novel diseases, this genetic diversity is important as consumer preferences and climate is bound to change in future. So to ensure fitness and vitality in future populations of food-producing animals, and to keep genetic options open, access to greater diversity of genetic material will always be required. The native breeds of the country also possess several characteristics of disease tolerance, high fecundity and specific products which make them unique in their own aspect. Hence, conservation programmes should be adopted to maintain this large diversity of small ruminants. It may involve tradition practices followed by pastoralists or modern reproductive technologies like MOET. The government has taken several steps towards conservation and national institutes like NBAGR works for evaluation and conservation of native genetic diversity. However, better awareness among famers and improving of conservational approaches will go a long way in sustainable management of sheep and goat genetic resources.

Russian women’s public opinion on state measures to stimulate the birth rate and support families with children (based on the materials of sociological study in Altai krai)

The effectiveness of national projects in solving socially significant problems is largely determined by the approval of the population of Russia. Consequently, public policy measures to overcome the demographic crisis should be subject to public evaluation. A sociological survey in Altai Krai was conducted to find out how women subjectively assess the effectiveness of federal and regional measures aimed at stimulating the birth rate and supporting families with children. The survey involved women of reproductive age. The results showed that further childbearing depends not only on economic factors but also on a number of other socio-demographic and psychological conditions: age, health status, personal motivation for birth and the opinion of the spouse in this matter. The possibility of receiving state support is an incentive to give birth to a child for a small percentage of women. The state measures of financial support are gradually reaching their limit of effectiveness with regard to the impact they have on women’s reproductive behavior. This can lead to negative consequences of financial support for families at the birth of a child. Such measures resonate among low-income groups but do not have a stimulating effect on more affluent families. According to respondents, measures that can overcome the birth rate crisis in Altai Krai include: improving the standard of living and economic independence of families; developing forms of employment that allow combining work and family; state financial support for the birth and upbringing of children; state support for families in need of better housing conditions; development of social infrastructure; promoting family values, supporting and strengthening the prestige of the family; preventative measures aimed at reproductive health; increasing the availability of modern reproductive technologies and improving the pedagogical culture of parents and supporting responsible parenting.

ЗМІНИ СІМЕЙНИХ ВЗАЄМИН В КРАЇНАХ ЗАХОДУ ТА ЇХ ВПЛИВ НА ТРАНСФОРМАЦІЮ СІМ’Ї В УКРАЇНІ

Purpose. The article aims to reveal the study results, designed to identify marital and family relations forms changings, increasing the number of individual relationships types in Western Europe and America, and analyzing the European trends impact on family transformation in Ukraine. Methods. The authors conducted a comparative analysis of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe reports, the United Nations Birth reports, and different countries statistical services data; countries’ family codes and individual laws were analyzed as well. The analysis revealed marital and family relations forms changings, an increase in the number of individual types of relationships in Western Europe and America. In order to establish the level of dissemination of Western modern family relations concepts in Ukraine, the authors analyzed United Nations Economic Commission for Europe data, State Statistics Service of Ukraine data, Family and Children socio-demographic studies results by Ptoukha Institute for Demography and Social Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 2001 census data, 2008–2010 sample studies and individual researchers’ results. Results. It was established that that in Ukraine, as well as in the Western countries, there is a tendency to increase the marriage age and to postpone a paternity, growing number of the one-child and childless families, an increase of the birth rate outside the formal marriage. Marriage occurs at a more mature age, as well as motherhood (if at all); partnerships, both marital and extramarital, become less lasting and stable, even with children. The use of modern reproductive technologies is becoming widespread. At the same time, despite the fact that civil partnerships and same-sex marriages are legal and widespread in Western countries, such types of family relationships are outlawed in Ukraine. Conclusions. The article has identified a pattern and a correlation between family changes in Western countries and in Ukraine. It is established that the cultural environment and social processes also have a significant impact on these changes.

Reprint of: Donor eggs: their application in modern reproductive technologies

Reprint of: Donor eggs: their application in modern reproductive technologies

Challenge to the assumed rarity of heteropaternal superfecundation: findings from a case report

ABSTRACT Heteropaternal superfecundation (HP) is the fertilization, within the same cycle, of simultaneously released ova by sperm from separate males. The twin offspring resulting from HP are genetically equivalent to half-siblings, sharing an average of 25% of their genetic complement, by descent. The frequency of such twins is unknown and assumed to be rare, but is likely to be underestimated. Reasons for underestimation include inadequate detection, absence of confirmation, links between illegitimate births and dizygotic twinning, modern reproductive technologies and public unawareness of such pairs. A recently identified case of heteropaternal female twins is illustrative in this regard. HP twins pose significant implications for paternity suits, organ donation and other forensic inquiries. Recognizing the importance of this special class of non-identical twins is further emphasized, given that their inclusion in modest size twin samples might spuriously inflate estimates of genetic influence underlying measured traits.

Childless Women in Georgia

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is gradually becoming available in Georgia, but while the medical technologies are being developed, the Georgian Orthodox Church opposes the idea of having a child through what it declares to be unnatural ways. Despite the authority of the Church, the Orthodox discourse about IVF is not directly incorporated into the everyday lives of people. Ethnographical observation has allowed an exploration of how childless women in Georgia reconcile modern reproductive technologies with their religion. In order to explain the hybridity in women’s attempts to make official religiosity better adapted to everyday life, I use the concept of bricolage as applied to the social practices of women who assemble different, seemingly disjointed, resources in coping with problematic situations.

Comparison of the Modern Reproductive Technologies for Amphibians and Reptiles

Comparison of the Modern Reproductive Technologies for Amphibians and Reptiles

Comparison of the Modern Reproductive Technologies for Amphibians and Reptiles

The use of reproductive technologies for amphibians and reptiles in laboratory conditions and prospects of their development are discussed. Fundamental reproduction technologies and experimental methods to produce offspring in amphibians (in vitro fertilization and the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone) are reported. There is a review of the basic reproductive technologies in reptiles including mainly modeling the regimes occurring in natural environment and leading ultimately to the synchronization of behavioral activity and the physiological state of animals of different genders, maturation of gametes and start of the reproductive cycle.

Reproductive biology and a genome resource bank of Felidae

The main achievements in applying modern reproductive technologies to the banking of the genetic resources of the Felidae family are reviewed. The classification of felids at the level of species and subspecies is revised in the light of recent molecular data. Special emphasis is made on such mainstream technologies as semen collection and cryopreservation followed by artificial insemination, as well as on in vitro maturation and fertilization of oocytes combined with the culture of in vitro-derived felid embryos.

Modern Reproductive Technologies to Improve Cattle Production

Cattle contribute significantly to the global supply of animal-derived proteins which are an important part of a well-balanced human diet. With the human population increasing by 1 billion people every 13 years, there will be an estimated 9.6 billion people on planet Earth by the year 2050. To attain global food security the amount of available food will need to double between now and then. Enhancing reproductive efficiency is a prerequisite for boosting production of meat and milk from cattle, and, fortunately, an arsenal of modern reproductive technologies is available to assist with that effort. The objective of this manuscript is to provide an overview of reproductive biotechnologies that can bolster the efficient production of meat and milk from cattle. Protocols for synchronization of estrus and synchronization of ovulation facilitate more efficient artificial insemination using conventional or sex-sorted semen. In vivo and in vitro production of preimplantation embryos from genetically superior females enable creation of multiple offspring with high production potential. Biochemical and ultrasonographic methods for pregnancy testing identify non-pregnant females that can be re-mated or sold to prevent wastage of valuable feed resources. Somatic cell nuclear transfer is used to create copies of highly productive animals, and genome editing of zygotes provides a novel opportunity to selectively enhance the genetic makeup of cattle for the benefit of animal and human health. Wise use of these reproductive technologies will increase food production from cattle and will help alleviate world hunger.