Reproductive Behavior Research Articles

Dexmedetomidine Promotes NREM Sleep by Depressing Oxytocin Neurons in the Paraventricular Nucleus in Mice.

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a highly selective α2-adrenoceptor agonist with sedative effects on sleep homeostasis. Oxytocin-expressing (OXT) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus (PVNOXT) regulate sexual reproduction, drinking, sleep-wakefulness, and other instinctive behaviors. To investigate the effect of DEX on the activity and signal transmission of PVNOXT in regulating the sleep-wakefulness cycle. Here, we employed OXT-cre mice to selectively target and express the designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD)-based chemogenetic tool hM3D(Gq) in PVNOXT neurons. Combining chemogenetic methods with electroencephalogram (EEG) /electromyogram (EMG) recordings, we found that cannula injection of DEX in PVN significantly increased the duration of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep in mice. Furthermore, the chemogenetic activation of PVNOXT neurons using i.p. injection of clozapine N-oxide (CNO) after cannula injection of DEX to PVN led to a substantial increase in wakefulness. Electrophysiological results showed that DEX decreased the frequency of action potential (AP) and the spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (sEPSC) of PVNOXT neurons through α2-adrenoceptors. Therefore, these results identify that DEX promotes sleep and maintains sleep homeostasis by inhibiting PVNOXT neurons through the α2-adrenoceptor.

Reproductive health care seeking behavior in Bangladesh: Asystematic literature review.

Maternal health, in terms of pregnancy and childbirth, is an important aspect of women's reproductive health and remains a public health concern in underdeveloped countries of the world. Reproductive health care seeking behavior (RHSB), in both men and women in society, is influenced by a variety of social and environmental factors that needs to be summarized. This review aims to enhance understanding and perception of services in relation to RHSBs in several domains such as antenatal care (ANC), delivery care, postnatal care (PNC), and family planning (FP) services, for married women of reproductive age in Bangladesh. In major databases, for example, Medline, Ovid, PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest and Google Scholar following keywords, timeline set as 2010 up to December 30, 2022. Articles that included discussion on married women of reproductive age, and their type of care seeking behavior for reproductive health. A systematic literature search was carried out and expected outcome was health care seeking behavior in the aspects of ANC, delivery care, PNC, and FP services. A data extraction form and quality appraisal form were used for data on RHSB of married women of the reproductive age group in Bangladesh and associated factors. A total of 245 articles were retrieved from databases; stepwise screening was done and finally 23 full-text articles were included for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used based on the included articles for narrative synthesis. In the selected articles, 17 (73.91%) were cross-sectional studies and more than half discussed both urban and rural women. Ante- and postnatal visits have proven to have positively influenced overall RHSB, as seen in Bangladesh. Grass root level workers play a major role in upgrading RHSB in women. Many factors limit rural access to mother and child health services including distance of the health facility and cost of the health service. In particular, education level, women's autonomy in family decision making and distance from health service can be considered as factors influencing RHSBs in Bangladesh. Exposure to mass media and TV watching are likely to positively impact RHSB patterns for women in Bangladesh.

Trauma, PTSD, and Self-Efficacy: Predictors of Cervical Cancer Screening in Sexual Violence Survivors.

Sexual violence is highly prevalent in the United States and is associated with a host of negative physical and mental health outcomes. Specifically, sexual violence is associated with increased rates of cervical cancer, one of the most common cancers found in women. Furthermore, sexual violence survivors report reduced participation in preventive healthcare behaviors (e.g., Pap tests) which may reduce individuals' risk of developing reproductive health conditions such as cancer. Sexual violence exposure is also associated with increased symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and reduced trauma-coping self-efficacy (TCSE), two factors that may impact trauma-exposed individuals' level of avoidance of cervical cancer screens. Current research on the connection between sexual violence and reproductive healthcare often fails to examine potential underlying mechanisms behind this association, nor does it account for confounding factors such as healthcare accessibility and need. Accordingly, the present study tested a proposed moderated mediation model to explore the association between sexual violence and cervical cancer screening participation, including analysis of the indirect effect of TCSE and potential moderation of this effect by PTSD symptoms. Participants were 554 participants who reported experiences of sexual violence on Amazon's Mechanical Turk. Severity of sexual violence was significantly associated with reduced likelihood of participation in recommended cervical cancer screening. TCSE did not mediate nor did PTSD moderate this association. Findings of this study suggest that individuals' reproductive healthcare behaviors are influenced by their experiences of sexual trauma, as well as by structural factors such as insurance and income. Limitations, directions for future research, and clinical implications of study findings are discussed.

Variation of reproductive behavior lines and reproductive cycle types

The article analyzes the reproductive behavior lines, traced on the basis of pregnancy history, and proposes a classification of the reproductive cycle types. The article is based on both theoretical constructs of typologization and an assessment of the prevalence of various reproductive behavior lines obtained based on the data from a representative sociological study SeDOZH-2019. A pregnancy history study of 1005 participants shows a fairly high homogeneity of reproductive behavior lines; patterns of repetition of the same reproductive cycles types (more often corresponding to the natural course without the use of contraception and induced abortions) can be traced. An analysis of behavior after the birth of the last child was carried out and after the second child birth a statistically significant predominance of the strategy consisting of avoiding new pregnancies was shown. There is also a correlation between the preference for this strategy and the degree of satisfying of the need for children: if the need is fully satisfied, in most cases (more than 80%), a new pregnancy does not occur, which indicates the leading role of the value component in the regulation of reproductive behavior. A comparison of the behavior of various socio-demographic groups of respondents showed only slight differences: younger and more educated women more often choose strategies that include the use of contraception and avoidance of abortion. The results obtained were analyzed from the point of view of recommendations for designing demographic policy measures.

How reproductive health information-seeking behaviors changed post-Dobbs: A Wikipedia page views analysis (Preprint)

How reproductive health information-seeking behaviors changed post-Dobbs: A Wikipedia page views analysis (Preprint)

Exploring Fertility Dynamics and Factors Shaping Russia’s Demographic Prospects

The research examines fertility patterns in Russia by using current calendar birth rates and their implications for actual generations. Birth rates for these generations are derived from the 2020 Census data and are further refined through calculations employing one-year age-specific rates. This methodology allows us to estimate parameters for age-specific fertility models in real generations, offering a different approach compared to traditional population census methods. Given the variance in fertility rates by birth order, the analysis favors a segmented approach, separately considering trends for first, second, third, and subsequent births. Factors influencing fertility are examined both statistically, with a focus on the impact of population age–sex structure transformations on overall fertility rates, and through insights from Vyborochnoe nabliudenie reproduktivnykh planov naseleniia [Sample Observation of Population Reproductive Plans] performed by Rosstat [Federal State Statistics Service] in 2022. Value orientations are the primary determinant in reproductive behavior, which means that a key goal of demographic policy is to influence these orientations. However, it is also possible to influence fertility rates through social and demographic policies creating favorable conditions for families to fulfill their desire for children.

Sex Differences in the Brain Transcriptomes of Adult Blue Gourami Fish (Trichogaster trichopterus)

Blue gourami (gourami, Trichogaster trichopterus) is a model for labyrinth fishes (Anabantoidei) adapted to partial air breathing. Its reproductive endocrinology has been extensively studied, and transcriptomic sex differences in the gonads were described. Nevertheless, sex differences in gene expression in non-gonadal tissues ostensibly affected by the sex-specific hormonal balance, e.g., the brain, are unknown. To assess such differences, we used bulk RNA-seq to assemble and compare polyA+ transcriptomes between whole brains of four adult male and five adult female gourami, in addition to other tissues (three dorsal fin and five ovary samples) from the same female group. While all nine brain transcriptomes clustered together relative to the other tissues, they showed separation according to sex. A total of 3568 genes were differentially expressed between male and female brains; of these, 1962 and 1606 showed lower and higher expression in males, respectively. Male brains showed stronger down-regulation of specific genes, which included hormone receptors, e.g., pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptor (pacap-r1). Among the genes with lower expression in male brains, multiple pathways essential to brain function were over-represented, including GABA, acetylcholine and glutamate receptor signaling, calcium and potassium transmembrane transport, and neurogenesis. In contrast, genes with higher expression in male brains showed no significant over-representation of brain-specific functions. To measure the mRNA levels of specific hormone receptors known from prior studies to regulate reproductive function and behavior in gourami and to validate RNA-seq results for these specific genes, we performed RT-qPCR for five receptors, pacap-r1, gonadotropin-releasing hormone 2 receptor (gnrh2r), kisspeptin receptor 1 (gpαr1/kiss1), insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (igf1r), and membrane progesterone receptor 1 (mpr1), in the brain RNA sample groups. Of these, pacap-r1 showed a significant, three-fold down-regulation, while gpαr1/kiss1 showed a significant two-fold down-regulation in male vs. female gourami brains. Our results are novel in describing the suppression of brain function-related gene expression in male, as compared to female, gourami brains. Further research is needed to assess the behavioral significance of this effect and its prevalence in other vertebrate groups.

Relationship between peer conformity and reproductive health maintenance behaviours among early adolescent girls in Islamic boarding schools

Reproductive health problems are often experienced by early adolescents who live in Islamic boarding schools because Islamic boarding schools have a higher population density and interpersonal contact than other schools. In the early adolescent years, there is a tendency in terms of a solid urge to behave like peers, so conformity quickly occurs when adolescents adopt reproductive health care behaviours. This study aimed to determine the relationship between peer conformity and reproductive health maintenance behaviour of early adolescent girls at Islamic boarding schools. This study used a correlational research design with a cross-sectional approach and a purposive sampling technique conducted on 165 early adolescents. The analytical method used for this study was univariate and bivariate analysis tests, in bivariate tests using the Pearson test processed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program. The analysis showed that all early adolescents (100%) had a history of vaginal discharge. The results of the bivariate test showed a value of p=0.0001. The level of reproductive health maintenance behaviour is determined by the extent to which conformity occurs in adolescents. Conformity that occurs can affect and change one's perceptions and behaviour.

First evidences in the Gulf of Cádiz (northeastern Atlantic Ocean) as a spawning area of bullet tuna species (Auxis rochei)

The bullet tuna, Auxis rochei, is a commercially significant scombrid in small-scale inshore fisheries in the northeastern Atlantic and western Mediterranean. We hypothesized that the Gulf of Cádiz could serve as a spawning area of bullet tuna. We analysed the gonads and GSI of 428 individuals (23.9–48.7 cm SFL) caught by Portuguese and Spanish traps along the south Atlantic Iberian Peninsula, as well as by Spanish recreational fishery between 2004 and 2021. Larvae of bullet tuna were collected during surveys conducted on the northern shelf of the Gulf of Cádiz in June and August. Bullet tuna landings exhibited high seasonality in the Gulf of Cádiz, peaking during the warmest months, notably from August to October. Analysis of maturity data, monthly GSI variations, larvae distribution, and landings indicate that bullet tuna is reproductively active in the Gulf of Cádiz, particularly in July and August. A more comprehensive understanding of the reproductive behaviour of bullet tuna in this region is essential to confirm its reproductive success and to study recruitment mechanisms further.

Reproductive Behavior of Adolescent Girls: Analysis of Risk Factors, Prospects of Prevention and Education

INTRODUCTION: Caring of reproductive health of children and adolescents in the society, especially of adolescent girls as a group most vulnerable to risks in the reproductive sphere, continues to be of high importance. The studies confirm that education and awareness about reproductive health can reduce the probability of problems occurring. The existing legal regulations emphasize the importance of providing accurate and timely information of reproductive health. AIM: Scientific justification of the strategy of forming safe reproductive behavior of adolescent girls on the basis of the peculiarities of their current reproductive behavior taking into account the opinion of specialists in the fields of education and healthcare. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To assess the peculiarities of reproductive behavior of adolescent girls, an anonymous questionnaire survey of 400 adolescent girls was conducted. To determine the expectations of the participants of the sex education process, as well as the main directions of preventive work and education, a survey of 400 parents of adolescent girls, 86 pediatricians, 34 obstetricians-gynecologists and 420 teachers was conducted. For all groups of participants, author’s questionnaires were developed. RESULTS: The reproductive behavior of adolescent girls living in the territory of the Novosibirsk region, is characterized by early start of sex life (15.90 ± 0.14 years), promiscuity (1.70 ± 1.10 partners), refusal to use effective means of contraception. Parents of adolescent girls emphasize the leading role of the family in sex education, suggesting participation of doctors and teachers in the process, but remain dissatisfied with the intensity of preventive measures. A similar problem is emphasized by specialists in the healthcare and education systems who indicate the possibility of conducting preventive work with adolescent girls remotely. In the opinion of pediatricians and obstetricians-gynecologists, providing preventive information on the reproductive health and behavior, will not only create safe reproductive behavior for modern adolescents, but is also an effective strategy of improving the system of reproductive health protection. CONCLUSION: The study identified features of the reproductive behavior of adolescent girls that characterize it as risky. The results emphasize the need for an integrated approach to assessing and maintaining the health of adolescent girls, and also focus attention on the importance of educational work in this age group. The study serves as a basis for further preventive strategies in the field of reproductive health and education.

Behavioral and physiological responses of Girardia tigrina exposed to polyethylene microplastics.

Microplastic particles appear in great abundance and variety in freshwater ecosystems across the globe, spanning lakes and rivers, with increasingly frequent exposure of aquatic organisms. Studies on the mechanisms of any effects of plastic particles are still scarce, particularly in relation to the regenerative capacity of biota, for which there is no established model organism; however, planaria have shown sensitivity for assessing these risks to the aquatic environment. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the behavioral and regeneration responses of the freshwater planaria Girardia tigrina exposed to polyethylene (PE) microplastics (MPs) incorporated into their food source. The greatest effect was observed on planarian regeneration, which was manifested at 10μg/mg liver. Planaria reproduction and fertility were affected at 50μg/mg liver; however, planaria locomotion was not affected at the concentrations evaluated. Mid-infrared absorption spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to identify the constituent polymers, and ingestion of the polyethylene microplastic by the planaria was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. The results highlight the potential adverse effects of exposure to polyethylene microplastic and show that the reproductive behavior and regeneration of a freshwater organism can be indicators of toxicity resulting from environmental pollution.

SNMP1 is critical for sensitive detection of the desert locust aromatic courtship inhibition pheromone phenylacetonitrile

BackgroundAccurate detection of pheromones is crucial for chemical communication and reproduction in insects. In holometabolous flies and moths, the sensory neuron membrane protein 1 (SNMP1) is essential for detecting long-chain aliphatic pheromones by olfactory neurons. However, its function in hemimetabolous insects and its role for detecting pheromones of a different chemical nature remain elusive. Therefore, we investigated the relevance of SNMP1 for pheromone detection in a hemimetabolous insect pest of considerable economic importance, the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria, which moreover employs the aromatic pheromone phenylacetonitrile (PAN) to govern reproductive behaviors.ResultsEmploying CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene editing, a mutant locust line lacking functional SNMP1 was established. In electroantennography experiments and single sensillum recordings, we found significantly decreased electrical responses to PAN in SNMP1-deficient (SNMP1−/−) locusts. Moreover, calcium imaging in the antennal lobe of the brain revealed a substantially reduced activation of projection neurons in SNMP1−/− individuals upon exposure to PAN, indicating that the diminished antennal responsiveness to PAN in mutants affects pheromone-evoked neuronal activity in the brain. Furthermore, in behavioral experiments, PAN-induced effects on pairing and mate choice were altered in SNMP1−/− locusts.ConclusionsOur findings emphasize the importance of SNMP1 for chemical communication in a hemimetabolous insect pest. Moreover, they show that SNMP1 plays a crucial role in pheromone detection that goes beyond long-chain aliphatic substances and includes aromatic compounds controlling reproductive behaviors.

Adoption of satellite behavior by small male green treefrogs, Dryophytes cinereus, is not associated with age: Implications for the maintenance of alternative behavioral phenotypes

AbstractBody size is often a critical determinant of competitive ability and reproductive behavior. For example, small males characteristically lose contests with larger males and may be metabolically constrained from sustaining energetically demanding reproductive behaviors. Small males thus often utilize alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) to maximize their reproductive success. How variation in body size among behavioral phenotypes arises can provide important insight into the maintenance of ARTs. For instance, smaller body sizes for males adopting ARTs may simply be a function of age, suggesting that the tactic is maintained by the periodic recruitment of young males into the population. Alternatively, body size differences among behavioral phenotypes that are unrelated to age suggest disparate growth rates that potentially arise as a consequence of variation in environmental conditions during development or genotypic differences between the phenotypes. Here we examine these alternative scenarios in the green treefrog, Dryophytes cinereus, using skeletochronological analysis combined with body size measures. As with many other anuran amphibians, male green treefrogs conditionally adopt a noncalling satellite mating tactic and attempt to intercept females attracted to the vocalizations of calling “host” males. We show that males adopting satellite behavior in natural choruses are smaller than calling males but do not represent a class of younger individuals, indicating that satellite males have lower growth rates than calling males. We also show that satellite males are in poorer condition than larger calling males, implicating energetic constraints in size‐related variation in mating tactic expression. Our work suggests that environmental conditions during development, genetic differences between phenotypes, or both, give rise to size discrepancies in behavioral phenotypes, neither of which have been previously explored in anurans. We discuss body size and condition differences between behavioral phenotypes in the context of energetic constraints and endocrine mediation of tactic expression in this species.

The Response of the Gut Physiological Function and Microbiome of a Wild Freshwater Fish (Megalobrama terminalis) to Alterations in Reproductive Behavior.

The fish gut microbiome is well known for its role in degrading nutrients to improve the host's digestion and absorption efficiency. In this study, we focused on the core physiological adaptability during the various reproductive stages of the black Amur bream (Megalobrama terminalis) to explore the interaction mechanisms among the fish host gut mucosal structure, gut enzyme activity, and gut microbial metabolism in the course of the host's reproductive cycle. Our findings showed that M. terminalis exhibited locomotion metabolic type (aids in sporting) in the reproductive stage, and a change to visceral metabolic type (aids in digestion) during non-reproductive and post-reproductive stage phases. The impact of metabolic type selection and energy demand during various reproductive stages on fish nutrition strategy and digestive function was substantial. Our resulted showed that mitochondria in intestinal epithelial cells of reproductive M. terminalis appeared autophagy phenomenon, and the digestive enzyme activities in the intestines of reproductive M. terminalis were lower than those in the non-reproductive and post-reproductive individuals. Moreover, these differences in nutrition strategy have a prominent impact on the gut microbiome of reproductive M. terminalis, compared to non-reproductive and post-reproductive samples. Our findings showed that reproductive females had lower levels of alpha diversity compared to non-reproductive and post-reproductive females. Our results also showed a greater functional variety and an increase in functional genes related to carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid, cofactors, and vitamin metabolic pathways in the NRS and PRS group. It is noteworthy that an enrichment of genes encoding putative enzymes implicated in the metabolism of taurine and hypotaurine was observed in the RS samples. Our findings illustrated that the stability and resilience of the gut bacterial community could be shaped in the wild fish host-microbiome interactions during reproductive life history.

Detecting month and year of birth effects on reproduction and marriage patterns in two long-term data sets

This study examines the effects of birth month on reproduction and mating behavior using historical and contemporary census data from 1820 to 1970. The research examines the effect of birth month on the number of children for women and their male spouses, finding a monthly cycle for both men and women. In addition, the study examines whether birth month influences whether a person has ever been married. In support of previous research, we find clear birth month effects on the number of children for both women and their spouses, while the time series of ever being married shows a 60-month and a 10-year cycle, the latter possibly related to the solar cycle. Although the effects are small, both results, based on a large and representative dataset, indicate the importance of early life factors on mating and reproduction.

Comparing Energetics and Physiological Trait Patterns of North American Birds to Support Ecological Risk Assessment

The environmental risk assessment (ERA) of plant protection products (PPPs) is commonly conducted for a number of standard laboratory species, though its scope includes all species, especially those that are vulnerable or endangered. This begs the question of how the eco-physiological and life history traits of those data-rich species compare to those of less documented species. This paper investigates the utility of a database of such traits, the Add-my-Pet collection of Dynamic Energy Budget theory, for the ERA of North American birds. We identified 72 bird species in the collection that have a federal listing status or are otherwise of interest for the ERA of PPPs and compared their eco-physiological and life history traits in relation to body size, feeding guild, and taxonomic identity to those of 446 terrestrial Holarctic birds, as well as those of standard lab species, notably the northern bobwhite, mallard, and zebra finch. The properties of standard lab species generally align with those of a similar taxonomy and size, with the notable exception of the relatively high reproductive capacity of the northern bobwhite and mallard due to the unique properties of laboratory study data. In addition, taxonomy appears to be a better predictor of eco-physiological traits than feeding guild. We conclude that, to identify representative species for the ERA of PPPs, more traits need to be included, such as those directly linked to the likelihood of exposure and those related to reproductive behavior.

O-103

Abstract In the mid-1970s, when women born immediately after the Second World War were at full reproductive age, the demographic transition in Europe could be considered concluded. Birth and death rates were around 10 per thousand (a quarter compared to a century earlier), fertility was around two children per woman, and the differences in fertility between countries were modest. It seemed like the end of a path towards a new demographic stability. In reality, for subsequent cohorts, things continue to change: fertility in many countries declines, while differences between countries grow. The fertility of women born around 1980 in Europe is not far from two children for France and Northern Europe, around 1.6 children in Central and Eastern Europe, around 1.4 children in Southern Europe. Although these differences may seem minimal, the medium-long term consequences on age distributions are enormous. It would be wrong, however, to say that no similar patterns of fertility exist after the end of the demographic transition. First of all, as already mentioned, there are strong similarities between countries and regions of the same geographical area: Italian fertility patterns, for example, are similar to those of other countries on the northern shore of the Mediterranean, such as Spain, Portugal, Greece and the Balkan states. Furthermore, all European countries share a progressive increase in the age at birth, both of the first and subsequent children, while late fertility (35+ years of age) increases greatly. The differences between countries are far from irrelevant. However, the variability between countries has been progressively decreasing for thirty years now. These changes in reproductive behaviours are intertwined with other important changes in Europe's natural demography. The most important is undoubtedly aging, determined by the lengthening of the average lifespan, especially by the spectacular increase in survival beyond fifty years of age. This phenomenon has also been very diversified among European states, less accentuated in particular in Eastern Europe and Russia. The imbalances in the age structure of the population generated by the joint effect of low birth rates and high survival of the elderly are attenuated by consistent and growing immigration flows from poor countries, where – contrary to what happened in Europe – the working age population grows. These population movements are accompanied by those within Europe, in particular from Eastern and Balkan countries to the other part of the continent. The future prospects of European demography are traced starting from this global description, underlining in particular what can reasonably be predicted about reproductive behaviour.

The effect of an educational peer-based intervention program on sexual and reproductive health behavior.

The fact that adolescent people experience risky sexual behavior and have insufficient knowledge of sexual and reproductive health (SRH)indicates the need for SRH education. This study investigates the impact of peer-educated SRH programs on the knowledge and behaviors of adolescents. This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial on 275 university students. The subjects were randomly assigned to the peer educators (n = 25), intervention (n = 125) and control (n = 125) groups using systematic random sampling. Peer educators provided face-to-face SRH education to the intervention group. The researcher provided the same education to the control group via the online conference method. SRH knowledge and behavior evaluated with scales before, after, and 3 and 6 months after the SRH education. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 through statistical tests and analysis of covariance. The female and male ratio of the participants was almost equal (49.4%, 50.6%). The mean age was found to be 20.42 ± 1.14 years. The mean scores of the students in the intervention group increased from 21.20 ± 0.14 to 35.20 ± 0.07 for sexual health knowledge questionnaire (SHKQ), and from 130.56 ± 0.55 to 147,90 ± 0,25 for reproductive health scale (RHS) after the education. Compared with the control group, these increases in the mean scores of SHKQ and RHS were found to be statistically significant. The findings show the important role of the SRH peer education method on the effect of transferring knowledge about sexual behaviors. Health and education policy-makers are advised to implicate SRH peer education.

Factors influencing male fertility in Uganda

Male fertility is an important component of population research. Against this backdrop, this paper aims to examine the factors explaining male fertility changes in Uganda. The authors applied the own-children method, as described by Schoumaker, to understand the prevailing male total fertility rate trends and to select datasets for inclusion during the multivariate analysis, using the Uganda demographic health surveys conducted from 2006 to 2016. A multivariable Poisson decomposition regression model was used to examine factors associated with male fertility changes. This model analyzed data from the 2006 and 2016 surveys only and included a total sample size of 7839 male respondents. The outcome variable for the regression model was children ever born (CEB). The regression model showed that differences related to changes in the proportional composition of characteristics contributed 113% to the change in CEB, compared with the differences due to reproductive behavior, with other factors being kept constant. The most important proportional changes that led to meaningful variability in CEB were observed among the following characteristics: occupation, number of current wives, total number of lifetime partners, type of residence, education, and age at first childbirth. Thus, interventions to delay the formation of cohabitation and marriage unions and the onset of childbirth or fatherhood among adolescents and young men below the age of 25 should be prioritized as potent fertility regulation measures. In addition, the focus on eliminating the lack of education and primary education as the highest levels attained among boys and men should be prioritized to boost a rapid male fertility transition in Uganda.

Tapping for love: courtship, mating, and behavioral asymmetry in two aphid parasitoids, Aphidius ervi and Aphidius matricariae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae).

Understanding the biology and ecology of parasitoids can have direct implications for their evaluation as biological control agents, as well as for the development and implementation of mass-rearing techniques. Nonetheless, our current knowledge of the possible influence of lateralized displays (i.e., the asymmetric expression of cognitive functions) on their reproductive behavior is scarce. Herein, we characterized the behavioral elements involved in courtship, and quantified the durations of 2 important aphid parasitoids, Aphidius ervi Haliday and Aphidius matricariae Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae). We quantified the main indicators of copulation and examined the occurrence of lateralized traits at population level. Results indicated that A. matricariae exhibited longer durations of wing fanning, antennal tapping, pre-copula and copula phases compared to A. ervi. Postcopulatory behavior was observed only in A. matricariae. Unlike other parasitoid species, the duration of wing fanning, chasing, and antennal tapping did not affect the success of the mating of male A. ervi and A. matricariae. Both species exhibited a right-biased female kicking behavior at the population level during the pre-copula. Our study provides insights into the fundamental biology of aphidiine parasitoids and reports the presence of population-level lateralized mating displays, which can serve as useful benchmarks to evaluate the quality of mass-rearing systems.