Period Of Cohabitation Research Articles

Review: immunobiology of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia has been recognized clinically since the time of Hippocrates: however its etiology and pathophysiology remain enigmatic. This pregnancy-specific syndrome typically presents in late pregnancy as hypertension, edema, and proteinuria. Investigations over the past 15 years have revealed that preeclampsia is associated with abnormal placentation, reduced placental perfusion, endothelial cell dysfunction, and systemic vasospasm. Since it occurs more commonly in primigravidae and in women with underlying collagen-vascular diseases, an immunological component has long been suspected. Increased prevalence in high-order and molar pregnancies and those associated with increased placental mass suggests that trophoblastic volume and fetal antigen load are correlated with the syndrome. Epidemiological reports indicate that the prevalence of preeclampsia is decreased in women who received heterologous blood transfusions, practiced oral sex, or when a long period of cohabitation preceded an established pregnancy. Conversely, the use of condoms as a primary mode of contraception is associated with a higher risk of preeclampsia. These studies suggest that prior exposure to foreign or paternal antigens imparts a protection against the likelihood of developing preeclampsia. Clinical evidence of cellular and humoral immune dysfunction is associated with the syndrome. Fibrin and complement deposition and "foam" cells in atherosis lesions resemble the histopathology of renal allograft rejection. Relative T-cell, natural killer cell, and neutrophil activation have been reported in preeclampsia and circulating cytokines and antiphospholipid antibodies are more prevalent in preeclampsia than in normal pregnant women. These abnormalities are consistent with the systemic endothelial cell dysfunction that has been postulated as a pathophysiological feature of preeclampsia. While such associations do not prove causality, they suggest testable hypotheses for continued basic and clinical investigation of this major complication of human pregnancy.

Regulation of the chemical signatures of two termite species, Reticulitermes santonensis and Reticulitermes lucifugus grassei, living in mixed experimental colonies

Each of the two termite species Reticulitermes santonensis and Reticulitermes lucifugus grassei has its own distinct chemical signature, on which the intra- and inter-species recognition processes are based. When the 2 species were kept together in artificially mixed colonies, changes in their chemical signatures were observed after only 2 h of cohabitation: each species acquired all the hydrocarbons specific to the other species, but R. lucifugus grassei acquired larger amounts of the R. santonensis hydrocarbons than vice versa. After a 24 h period of cohabitation, both the homospecific and allospecific signatures carried by all the individuals were in the same proportions as those characterizing the individuals of the 2 species prior to cohabitation. The other species' signature was therefore acquired additively, probably via physical contacts between the cohabiting individuals. After 14 days of cohabitation, however, changes in the amounts of some of the components synthesized by each species were observed, and the allospecific signature also differed from that acquired at the beginning of the experiment: a regulatory process involving quantitative changes in only some of the cuticular components was therefore at work. The results obtained with this artificially mixed colony model show that the hypotheses put forward up to now by previous authors about regulatory mechanisms of this kind are not in fact mutually exclusive, but may be applicable to various successive periods of cohabitation.

Distribution of time of first birth in presence of social customs regulating physical separation and coital frequency

The interval between marriage and the first birth in India, particularly in rural areas, is much longer than what is observed in western countries. In eastern Uttar Pradesh, the mean interval is observed to be even longer, possibly due to traditional customs such as the female partner's visits to her parents in the early years of marriage and the smaller chance of coition because of the observance of rigid intercourse taboos. Thus the models to explain the length of the interval of marriage to first birth proposed by Western demographers, which assume that the period of cohabitation between marriage and first birth is uninterrupted, often do not describe the data satisfactorily when applied to rural India. In this paper a model to describe data on first birth interval is proposed that takes account of the distributions of timing and periods of physical separation and variation in fecundity with effective marriage duration.

Reproductive Toxicity Study of Clarified Slurry Oil in the Rat

Clarified slurry oil (CSO, CAS #64741–62-4; also termed carbon black oil), a residual product from the fluidized catalytic cracker in petroleum refining, has the potential to be absorbed through the skin. The reproductive toxicity of CSO in male and female rats was evaluated by the topical route of exposure. CSO was administered dermally to male rats at dosages of 0 (vehicle), 0.1, 1, 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg/day for 70 days before a cohabitation period with untreated female rats. CSO was administered also to female rats at the same dosages for 14 days prior to a 7-day cohabitation period and continuing until Day 0 of gestation (day spermatozoa was present in a smear of the vaginal contents or a copulatory plug was observed in situ). The dosage volume in both experiments was 1 ml/kg, adjusted on each day of dosage based on individual body weights recorded immediately before application of CSO. Under the conditions of these experiments, the paternal no-observable-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) for CSO administered dermally was 1 mg/kg/day. The 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg/day dosages of CSO caused body weight losses and/or decreased body weight gains and reduced feed consumption. The 50- and 250-mg/kg/day dosages also caused adverse clinical effects. No mating, fertility, or testicular end points in male rats were affected by the highest dosages tested; therefore, the reproductive NOAEL for male rats is <250 mg/kg/day. The maternal NOAEL for CSO administered dermally was 10 mg/kg/day. The 50-and 250-mg/kg/day dosages of CSO reduced body weight gains; 250 mg/kg/day also reduced feed consumption. There were no adverse effects on gonadal function, estrous cycles, mating behavior, conception rates, or reproductive organ weights; therefore, the reproductive NOAEL for female rats administered CSO dermally is at least 250 mg/kg/day.

Executive Power and Republican Principles at the Founding of the Fifth Republic

This article examines the understanding of executive power in the debates at the founding of the Fifth Republic in 1958. The examination discovered a concept of executive power quite different from the real executive power revealed in the history of the Fifth Republic. The framers of the constitution intended to place the prime minister at the head of the executive power and to shield him from removal by the President of the Republic. The direct election of the president, brought about by the problematic constitutional amendment of 1962, provided the legitimacy for the de facto dominant role of the president apart from the two cohabitation periods.

Marriage Dissolution in Australia: Models and Explanations

Interest in rising rates of marriage dissolution has been accompanied by curiosity concerning structural as well as temporal predictors of dissolution. Many factors may play a part: characteristics of the bride and groom; the circumstances surrounding the marriage, such as the length of periods of previous cohabitation; and situational factors within the marriage, such as the births of children and wives' employment. We examine the association between these factors and marriage dissolution, and use event-history data from a nationally representative sample survey of Australian women. The risk of marriage dissolution increased dramatically over the lives of our respondents. Year of birth, and age at marriage provide the most parsimonious characterization of the temporal correlates of marriage dissolution. Characteristics that were fixed by the time of marriage provide additional explanatory leverage. However, the most potent predictors of marriage dissolution are related to characteristics of the unfolding...

The Governmental Structure of the Fifth Republic

THE GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE OF THE FIFTH REPUBLIC By Raphael Hadas-Lebel A hirty-five years after the birth of the Fifth Republic, a look back on the evolution ofthe French institutions in this period reveals, above all, an image of exceptional stability.' This phenomenon is all the more remarkable considering that French institutional history since 1789has long been characterized by constant constitutional instability. Whereas the United States has known only one constitution since 1787, updated by less than thirty amendments , France has consumed between fifteen and twenty constitutional texts in two centuries. The longest lasting regime was the Third Republic, from 1875 to 1940. That the Fifth Republic has endured since 1958, althoughwith some constitutional modifications, already constitutes aremarkable achievement . The institutions fashioned by General de Gaulle haveenabled France to facetheseriouscrisesofthe 1960s—theAlgerianWar,terrorism,andthecrisis ofMay 1968. These institutions have outlived theircreator. They have also adapted successfully to the character of successive presidents, the shock of political alternation in 1981, the cohabitation experiment between 1986 and 1988 (resumed once more this year), and the state of uncertainty which confronted the Socialist governments from 1 988 to 1 993, when they suffered both a distinct deterioration ofpower and the absence ofmajority support in parliament. Even more remarkably, the political turn to the Left in 1981 had the unexpected effect ofmaking the institutions ofthe Fifth Republic acceptable tothe very groups—Socialists and evenCommunists—which had so sharply contested them at the beginning. Today, even as the need to modify certain Translated from the French by Randy Arndt, except where noted otherwise. 63 64 SAISREVIEW constitutionalprovisionsbecomesevident,itappearsthat, since 1981,acertain national consensus about the institutional model of the Fifth Republic has emerged. What are the characteristicsofthe French institutional model since 1 958? Whatchanges intheworkingoftheinstitutionalapparatuscanbenotedtoday? Wheredoes the debate overthe reformofthis apparatus figure into all ofthis? Answerstothesethreequestionscan shed lightonthepast,thepresent, andthe possible future ofFrench governmental structures. The Fifth Republic 's institutional Model Theprincipal components ofthe current Frenchconstitutional model are generally well known and therefore require no lengthy analysis here. This unique apparatus can be characterized by five major features. Thecornerstoneofthesystemis,ofcourse,thePresidentoftheRepublic, elected by universal suffrage and, thereby, according to Article 3 of the Constitution, thedirect "representative" ofthe sovereign people. Theelection of the President by universal suffrage, introduced in 1962 by General de Gaulle, has become an irreversible fact, fully incorporated by public opinion, and it is difficult to see how it could possibly be questioned today. The President is in charge of all essential policy areas (the continuity of the Constitution, foreign policy and defense, and the overall aims of domestic policy), and endowed with his own powers (without counter-signature), particularly the power to resort to the arbitration of the people (that is, the referendum) andthepowertodissolve parliament. All theheadsofstateofthe Fifth Republic, from General de Gaulle to François Mitterrand, have conformed to this model, though each according to his own style. This includes, within certain limits, the 1986-88 and the current periods ofcohabitation. The second component of this model is the official recognition, for probably the first time in a constitutional text (Title III: The Government), of a strong government position. The government's position, exercised by a Prime Minister, and endowed with important capacities (especially the statutory power), derives its strength from the Presidentofthe Republic. Itis, however, subjugated to the authority of the other "representative" of the sovereign people, the National Assembly elected by universal suffrage. The third component is that which has been called rationalized parliamentary government (parlementarisme rationalisé). It consists of a set of means allowing the government to govern even in the absence of a clear THE FRENCH GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE 65 majority support in parliament, so long as there does not exist an absolute majority wanting to topple it. An important arsenal of measures was assembled, throughconstitutional provisions, in orderto make up forthe lack of the traditional majority present in France during the Third and Fourth Republics. The most famous ofthese means, Article 49 (specifically Article 49.3), allows the adoption of a legislative text without a vote once the government has "assumed responsibility" for the text—a refusal by the Assembly brings about the dismissal ofthe government. Surely the governments that followed since 1988, like the government...

Reproductive study of acrolein on two generations of rats

Four groups of 30 male and 30 female rats were intubated with 70 daily doses of acrolein at levels of 0, 1, 3, or 6 mg/kg in a dosing volume of 5 ml/kg. Rats within each dosing group ( F 0 generation) were then assigned to a 21-day period of cohabitation and dosing for females continued through cohabitation gestation and lactation. Males were euthanized after cohabitation. F 1 generation rats were chosen from pups, and a similar pretreatment, cohabitation, gestation, and lactation regimen was accomplished resulting in F 2 generation pups. Reproductive parameters, body weights, food consumption, and clinical signs were recorded and necropsies were carried out on all treated animals. Histopathologic exams were accomplished on selected reproductive tissues. In addition, gross lesions, target tissues, stomachs, and lungs were examined. For the most part, reproductive parameters were unaffected by acrolein treatment with the exception of reduced pup weights in the F 1 generation pups at the high-dose level (6 mg/kg/day). Gastric lesions were noted consistently in high-dose animals and some mid-dose (3 mg/kg/day) rats. Erosions of glandular mucosa and hyperplasia/hyperkeratosis of the forestomach were the most frequent stomach lesions observed. Effects on body weight gains were noted frequently for the high-dose animals and achieved statistical significance in the mid-dose animals on several occasions. Mortality in all high-dose animals was elevated relative to control animals. Acrolein, therefore, cannot be considered a selective reproductive toxin in the rat, but does produce toxicological effects down to a dosing level of 3 mg/kg/day.

Reproductive toxicity of triethylene glycol and its diacetate and dimethyl ether derivatives in a continuous breeding protocol in Swiss CD-1 mice

Triethylene glycol and two of its derivatives were evaluated for reproductive toxicity in a continuous breeding protocol with Swiss CD-1 mice. Triethylene glycol (TEG: 0, 0.3, 1.5, and 3%), triethylene glycol diacetate (TGD: 0, 0.75, 1.5, and 3%), and triethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TGDME: 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1%) were administered in drinking water to breeding pairs (20 pairs per treatment group, 40 control pairs) during a 98-day cohabitation period. Reproductive function was assessed by the number of litters per pair, live pups per litter, proportion of pups born alive, and pup weight. There were no apparent effects on reproductive function in the animals receiving TEG or TGD at doses up to 3% in the drinking water (representing 6.78 or 5.45 g/kg, respectively). However, some developmental toxicity was demonstrated for both TEG and TGD. Continuous exposure of dams to 1.5 or 3% TEG significantly reduced live pup weight at birth compared to control and 0.3% TEG, while exposure to 3% TGD during lactation significantly (but reversibly) reduced pup body weights on Postnatal Days 14 and 21. In contrast, TGDME was toxic to the reproductive system as evidenced by decreases at the highest dose (1% TGDME; 1.47 g/kg) in the proportion of pairs that produced at least one litter, live pups per litter, and proportion of pups born alive, with dose-related trends seen in the latter two parameters. A crossover mating trial showed that TGDME was more toxic to the female than the male reproductive system. These data indicate that TGDME (1.47 g/kg) is a reproductive toxicant in Swiss mice while reproductive toxicity was not demonstrated in mice receiving TEG or TGD (at doses up to 6.78 or 5.45 g/kg, respectively).

Assessment of ethylene glycol monobutyl and monophenyl ether reproductive toxicity using a continuous breeding protocol in Swiss CD-1 mice

A continuous breeding reproduction study design was utilized to examine the reproductive toxicity of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE) and ethylene glycol monophenyl ether (EGPE). Swiss CD-1 mice were administered EGBE in drinking water (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0%, i.e., 0.7, 1.3, and 2.1 g/kg body wt/day) and EGPE was administered via the feed (0, 0.25, 1.25, and 2.5%, i.e., 0, 0.4, 2.0, and 4 g/kg body wt/day). Both male and female mice were dosed for 7 days prior to and during a 98-day cohabitation period. EGBE was toxic at the high (2%) and mid dose (1%) to adult F 0 female mice: 13 out of 22 females at the high dose and 6 out of 20 at the mid dose died during the cohabitation period. Both the high- and mid-dose animals produced fewer litters/pair, fewer pups/litter, with decreased pup weight. These effects occurred in the presence of decreased body weight, decreased water consumption, and increased kidney weight. A crossover mating trial indicated that the reproductive effects could be attributed primarily to an effect on the female. This was substantiated at necropsy where testes and epididymis weights were normal as were sperm number and motility. Fertility of the offspring of the 0.5% group was normal in the presence of increased liver weights. With respect to EGPE, there was no change in the ability to produce five litters during the continuous breeding period. There was, however, a significant but small (10–15%) decrease in the number of pups/litter and in pup weight in the high-dose group. A crossover mating trial suggested a female component of the reproductive toxicity of EGPE. While fertility was only minimally compromised, severe neonatal toxicity was observed. By Day 21 there were only 8 out of 40 litters in the mid- and high-dose groups which had at least one male and female/litter. Second generation reproductive performance of the mid-dose group (1.25%) was unaffected except for a small decrease in live pup weight. In summary the reproductive toxicity of EGBE and EGPE was only evident in the female and occurred at doses which elicited general toxicity. EGBE was particularly toxic to adult female mice while EGPE was particularly toxic to immature mice of both sexes.

Assessment of Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl and Monophenyl Ether Reproductive Toxicity Using a Continuous Breeding Protocol in Swiss CD-1 Mice

Assessment of Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl and Monophenyl Ether Reproductive Toxicity Using a Continuous Breeding Protocol in Swiss CD-1 Mice. HEINDEL, J. J., GULATI, D. K., RUSSELL, V. S., REEL, J. R., LAWTON, A. D., AND LAMB, J. C., IV. (1990). Fundam. Appl Toxicol. 15,683–696. A continuous breeding reproduction study design was utilized to examine the reproductive toxicity of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE) and ethylene glycol monophenyl ether (EGPE). Swiss CD-1 mice were administered EGBE in drinking water (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0%, i.e., 0.7, 1.3, and 2.1 g/kg body wt/day) and EGPE was administered via the feed (0, 0.25, 1.25, and 2.5%, i.e., 0,0.4,2.0, and 4 g/kg body wt/day). Both male and female mice were dosed for 7 days prior to and during a 98-day cohabitation period. EGBE was toxic at the high (2%) and mid dose (1%) to adult F0 female mice: 13 out of 22 females at the high dose and 6 out of 20 at the mid dose died during the cohabitation period. Both the high- and mid-dose animals produced fewer litters/pair, fewer pups/litter, with decreased pup weight. These effects occurred in the presence of decreased body weight, decreased water consumption, and increased kidney weight. A crossover mating trial indicated that the reproductive effects could be attributed primarily to an effect on the female. This was substantiated at necropsy where testes and epididymis weights were normal as were sperm number and motility. Fertility of the offspring of the 0.5% group was normal in the presence of increased liver weights. With respect to EGPE, there was no change in the ability to produce five litters during the continuous breeding period. There was, however, a significant but small (10–15%) decrease in the number of pups/litter and in pup weight in the high-dose group. A crossover mating trial suggested a female component of the reproductive toxicity of EGPE. While fertility was only minimally compromised, severe neonatal toxicity was observed. By Day 21 there were only 8 out of 40 litters in the mid- and high-dose groups which had at least one male and female/litter. Second generation reproductive performance of the mid-dose group (1.25%) was unaffected except for a small decrease in live pup weight. In summary the reproductive toxicity of EGBE and EGPE was only evident in the female and occurred at doses which elicited general toxicity. EGBE was particularly toxic to adult female mice while EGPE was particularly toxic to immature mice of both sexes.

Pheromonal emission by pregnant rats protects against infanticide by nulliparous conspecifics

The present studies of experiments focuses on infanticide in the nulliparous rat and asks two questions. First, what do infanticidal nulliparae gain from killing unrelated young? And second, does the recently parturient female have an effective strategy to counter female infanticide? With regard to the first question, we show two benefits from killing unrelated young, namely, that the killer utilizes the young as a food resource and that she occupies the nest site of the mother whose young she has destroyed. With regard to the second question, we show that an extended period of cohabitation with a pregnant female reduces the incidence of infanticidal behavior in nulliparae. Additionally, we demonstrate that the mother emits a pheromone during pregnancy which in itself reduces the incidence of infanticide and, in fact, often makes potentially infanticidal females maternal. The possible endocrine basis of this induced maternal behavior is discussed.

Reproductive toxicity of 2,2-bis(bromomethyl)-1,3-propanediol in a continuous breeding protocol in Swiss (CD-1) mice

The effect of 2,2-bis(bromomethyl)-1,3-propanediol (BMP) on reproduction in Swiss CD-1 mice was evaluated by use of a continuous breeding protocol. BMP was administered in the feed at 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4% concentrations. Both male and female F 0 mice (20 pairs per treatment group, 40 pairs of control animals) were dosed 7 days prior to and during a 98-day cohabitation period. Although the fertility index was unchanged in the high-dose group, BMP exposure significantly decreased the numbers of litters per pair, pups born alive per litter, and pup weight when adjusted for litter size. Crossover mating between treated and control F 0 animals indicated a specific effect only on female reproductive capacity. At the highest dose, BMP caused a body weight decrease in the F 0 animals of both sexes with no effect on relative organ weights. Sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and estrual cyclicity were unaffected by BMP exposure. Histopathology in the F 0 animals revealed specific kidney lesions in both sexes; males were more sensitive than females. The last litter born in the 98-day breeding phase was reared to age 74 days and then mated to nonsiblings of the same treatment group. The effect of high-dose BMP exposure on F 1 fertility, body and organ weights, sperm parameters, and estrual cyclicity was the same as that for the F 0 animals, with the exception of the lack of renal lesions seen in the F 1 females. These data show that BMP impaired fertility in female mice in both generations in the absence of an effect on reproductive organ weights and estrual cyclicity.

Reproductive toxicity of three phthalic acid esters in a continuous breeding protocol

A continuous breeding protocol was utilized to examine the reproductive toxicity of three phthalate esters. CD-1 mice were given diets with either di- n-propyl phthalate (DPrP: 0.0, 1.25, 2.5, or 5.0%), di- n-pentyl phthalate (DPP: 0.0, 0.5, 1.25, or 2.5%), or di- n-octyl phthalate (DOP: 0.0, 1.25, 2.5, or 5.0%). Both male and female mice (20 pairs per treatment group, 40 pairs of control animals) were dosed for 7 days prior to and during a 98-day cohabitation period. Reproductive function was evaluated during the cohabitation period by measuring number of litters per pair, live pups per litter, and pup weight. There was no apparent effect on reproductive function in the animals exposed to DOP at dose levels sufficient to cause a significant increase in liver weight. Both DPP and DPrP were toxic to the reproductive system as evidenced by a complete inhibition of fertility at 1.25 and 2.5% DPP or 5.0% DPrP, and reduced fertility (litters/pair and live pups/litter, 0.5% DPP; live pups/litter, 2.5% DPrP). Toxicity of DPP had a strong male component and female component, whereas DPrP was more toxic to the female than the male reproductive system. DPP and DPrP treatment was associated with decreased body weight, increased liver weight, decreased testis and epididymis weights, decreased epididymal sperm concentration, and elevated seminiferous tubule atrophy. A comparison of seven phthalate esters tested using this continuous breeding protocol indicates the relative order of reproductive toxicity as diethylhexyl, dihexyl, dipentyl, dibutyl, dipropyl; diethyl and dioctyl are nontoxic.

Effects of feeding endophyte infected tall fescue seed on reproductive performance of female CD-1 mice via competitive breeding

This study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding endophyte-infected ( Acremonium coenophialum ) tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea ) seed on the growth and reproductive performance of female CD-1 mice via competitive breeding. One hundred sixty female mice were randomly allocated to groups of ten and fed one of two diets. Diet 1 consisted of 50% mouse chow and 50% noninfected Ky-31 tall fescue seed (w/w). Diet 2 contained 50% chow and 50% tall fescue seed that was 80% infected with A. coenophialum . After 50 d of preconditioning on their respective diets, a single male was introduced into each group of 10 females and allowed to cohabitate for 96 h. The males were removed after the cohabitation period and the females continued through gestation on their respective diets. Body weight of dams and litter weights were recorded at parturition. There were no differences (P>0.05) in pregnancy rates between dietary Treatments 1 and 2 (50% vs 48.8%, respectively). However, the average number of pups born per litter (11.10 pups) and average total litter weight (17.21 g) was greater for those females consuming Diet 1 than for females consuming Diet 2 (9.33 pups per litter and 13.97 g total litter weight). The incidence of dead and cannibalized pups was more frequent with Diet 2 than Diet 1 (0.13 vs 0.0 dead; 0.21 vs 0.03 cannibalized, respectively). The obtained data suggest that although the pregnancy rate was similar between the two dietary treatments, the reproductive capacity (litter size and litter weight) of female CD-1 mice was affected by the consumption of endophyte infected fescue seed.

Reproductive Toxicity of 2,2-Bis(bromomethyl)-1,3-propanediol in a Continuous Breeding Protocol in Swiss (CD-1) Mice

The effect of 2,2-bis(bromomethyl)-1,3-propanediol (BMP) on reproduction in Swiss CD-1 mice was evaluated by use of a continuous breeding protocol. BMP was administered in the feed at 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4% concentrations. Both male and female F0 mice (20 pairs per treatment group, 40 pairs of control animals) were dosed 7 days prior to and during a 98-day cohabitation period. Although the fertility index was unchanged in the highdose group, BMP exposure significantly decrased the numbers of litters per pair, pups born alive per litter, and pup weight when adjusted for litter size. Crossover mating between treated and control F0 animals indicated a specific effect only on female reproductive capacity. At the highest dose, BMP caused a body weight decrease in the F0 animals of both sexes with no effect on relative organ weights. Sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and estrual cyclicity were unaffected by BMP exposure. Histopathology in the F0 animals revealed specific kidney lesions in both sexes; males were more sensitive than females. The last litter born in the 98-day breeding phase was reared to age 74 days and then mated to nonsiblings of the same treatment group. The effect of highdose BMP exposure on F1, fertility, body and organ weights, sperm parametem, and estrual cyclicity was the same as that for the F0 animals, with the exception of the lack of renal lesions seen in the F1, females. These data show that BMP impaired fertility in female mice in both generations in the absence of an effect on reproductive organ weights and estrual cyclicity.

Effects of losulazine on rat reproduction and development

Losulazine, a hypotensive agent, was given orally by gastric intubation to Sprague-Dawley rats in doses of 0, 2, 4, or 8 mg/kg/day in a study of fertility and general reproductive performance. Eighteen males per group were treated for 67 days before cohabitation, then daily until killed. Thirty-six females per group were treated for only 14 days because estrous cycles had been disrupted. Females remained untreated for 7 days before cohabitation; treatment was resumed after insemination was confirmed or when the cohabitation period ended. Males were cohabited on a 1:2 basis with females from the same treatment group for up to 14 days, the for 14 days with untreated females. The conception rate of both treated and untreated females was statistically significantly decreased as the dose increased. Mean body weights were statistically significantly greater and mean gestation periods were statistically significantly longer in losulazine-treated females than in females of the vehicle control group. Throughout the preweaning period mean body weights were significantly less in offspring from treated dams than in offspring of dams in the vehicle control group. This adverse effect on weight gain continued in male offspring until at least postpartum day 79. Functional development was significantly delayed in the offspring of losulazine-treated dams tested for pinna detachment, auditory startle, negative geotaxis, eye opening, and learning (swimming M-maze). Delays in development were generally greater in offspring of dams and sires treated with higher doses of losulazine. Fertility of male offspring from dams and sires treated with losulazine at 4 and 8 mg/kg/day was also affected adversely.

Reproductive effects of four phthalic acid esters in the mouse

These studies compared the reproductive toxicity of four phthalates by a continuous breeding protocol. Mice were given diets with diethyl phthalate (DEP) (0.0, 0.25, 1.25, or 2.5%), di- n-butyl phthalate (DBP) (0.0, 0.03, 0.3, or 1.0%), di- n-hexyl phthalate (DHP) (0.0, 0.3, 0.6, or 1.2%), or di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (0.0, 0.01, or 0.3%). Both male and female CD-1 mice were dosed for 7 days prior to and during a 98-day cohabitation period. Reproductive function was evaluated during the cohabitation period by measuring the numbers of litters per pair and of live pups per litter, pup weight, and offspring survival. There was no apparent effect on reproductive function in the animals exposed to DEP, despite significant effects on body weight gain and liver weight. DBP exposure resulted in a reduction in the numbers of litters per pair and of live pups per litter and in the proportion of pups born alive at the 1.0% amount, but not at lower dose levels. A crossover mating trial demonstrated that female mice, but not males, were affected by DBP, as shown by significant decreases in the percentage of fertile pairs, the number of live pups per litter, the proportion of pups born alive, and live pup weight. DHP in the diet resulted in dose-related adverse effects on the numbers of litters per pair and of live pups per litter and proportion of pups born alive at 0.3, 0.6, and 1.2% DHP in the diet. A crossover mating study demonstrated that both sexes were affected. DEHP (at 0.1 and 0.3%) caused dose-dependent decreases in fertility and in the number and the proportion of pups born alive. A crossover mating trial showed that both sexes were affected by exposure to DEHP. These data demonstrate the ability of the continuous breeding protocol to discriminate the qualitative and quantitative reproductive effects of the more and less active congeners as well as the large differences in reproductive toxicity attributable to subtle changes in the alkyl substitution of phthalate esters.

Effect of feeding fungal endophyte ( [formula omitted][formula omitted])-infected tall fescue seed on reproductive performance in CD-1 mice through continuous breeding

This study was designed to assess the effect of endophyte-infected ( Acremonium coenophialum ) tall fescue (KY-31) seed (80% infected) on reproductive performance in CD-1 mice by continuous breeding. Twenty-four pairs of 70-d-old CD-1 mice were randomly allocated to four diets: 1) mouse chow ad libitum; 2) 40% infected fescue seed and 60% chow (w/w); 3) reduced intake (100% chow) similar to the intake, adjusted daily, in Diet 2; and 4) 60% infected fescue seed and 40% chow. Males and females were randomly paired (six pairs/treatment) and placed on the above diets. The mice were fed the corresponding diets for 80 d, although the pairs were separated on Day 60 (prior to the birth of the 3rd litter) and the females were monitored for one additional gestation period (20 d). The pregnancy data (litters produced) among the four treatments were 100.0 (18), 77.8 (14), 100.0 (18) and 80.0% (12) respectively. Similarly, the average number of pups born per litter among the four treatments was 11.8, 9.3, 10.1, and 9.8. When the chow treatment (1 and 3) and the fescue treatments (2 and 4) were pooled and compared, the percent pregnancy was 100.0 (n = 36) and 78.8 (n = 26), and the pups born per litter (means ± SEM) were 11.0 ± 0.5 and 9.5 ± 0.6, respectively. Also the intervals between the three litters born during the 60-d cohabitation period were 21.6 ± 1.1 and 24.5 ± 0.9 d for the chow and fescue treatments, respectively. The results point out that 40 and 60% infected fescue seed in the diet of mice does influence (P < 0.05) their reproductive capacity as measured by percent pregnancy and litter size.

‘Le caprice du prince’ — The problem of the Bastille Opéra

July 1982 saw the launching of a project to build a vast new popular opera house at the Place de la Bastille in eastern Paris. It is one of the Grand Projets, a 15.3 billion francs (about 15 million pounds) urban renewal scheme which includes expanding and renovating the Louvre, two new museums (the Musée d'Orsay and Musée de la Villette), an international communication centre at La Défense, relocating the French Ministry of Finance, an Arab Institute, and at least eleven urban regional projects (see Fig. 1). The defeat of the Socialists at the March 1986 election, to be replaced by a period of cohabitation, has jeopardized the future of the Grands Projets. This article is not a comprehensive appraisal of the Bastille Opéra scheme but has two limited aims. Firstly to discuss how the last government intended to create the new Opéra as the supreme symbol of the Socialist era. This involves an examination of the project's reception by the press and by those responsible for implementing the scheme. Secondly, to suggest that the former government's declared wish to democratize opera may not have been the most important concern and to ask whether opera can ever really become a ‘popular’ art form. The conclusion is that far from being revolutionary, Mitterrand's objectives are not so dissimilar to those of his predecessors. The latest in a series of grand architectural gestures, the Opéra was initiated primarily to commemorate a period of government and, more specifically, an individual ruler.