Reproductive Sphere Research Articles

Maternità surrogata: la biopolitica del corpo Una lettura della convergenza tra patriarcato e ideologia neoliberale

This essay will focus on the question of surrogate motherhood as a problem that reveals considerable ethical dilemmas and this element seems to be linked to influences of a neoliberal economic and patriarchal ideology. The conceptual perspective is that of a discussion on modernity and the technology processes relating to the female reproductive sphere, identifiable as the new horizon of a material androcentric mechanism of the body – and in a post-colonial perspective – that sees the feminine potentiality of ‘giving life’ as a resource that can be exploited, a problem which highlights the concept of self-determination on the body.

Differential Mueller matrix imaging of partially depolarizing optically anisotropic biological tissues

Since recently, a number of innovative polarization-based optical imaging modalities have been introduced and extensively used in various biomedical applications, with an ultimate aim to attain the practical tool for the optical biopsy and functional characterization of biological tissues. The techniques utilize polarization properties of light and Mueller matrix mapping of microscopic images of histological sections of biological tissues or polycrystalline films of biological fluids. The main drawback of currently developed laser polarimetry approaches and Mueller matrix mapping techniques is poor reproducibility of experimental data. This is due to azimuthal dependence of polarization and ellipticity values of most matrix elements to sample orientation in respect to incidence light polarization. Current study aims to generalize the methods of laser polarimetry for diagnosis of partially depolarizing optically anisotropic biological tissues. A method of differential Mueller matrix mapping for reconstruction of linear and circular birefringence and dichroism parameter distributions of partially depolarizing layers of biological tissues of different morphological structure is introduced and practically implemented. The coordinate distributions of the value of the first-order differential matrix elements of histological sections of brain tissue with spatially structured, optically anisotropic fibrillar network, as well as of parenchymatous tissue of the rectum wall with an “islet” polycrystalline structure are determined. Within the statistical analysis of polarization reproduced distributions of the averaged parameters of phase and amplitude anisotropy, the significant sensitivity of the statistical moments of the third and fourth orders to changes in the polycrystalline structure of partially depolarizing layers of biological tissue is observed. The differentiation of female reproductive sphere connective tissue is realized with excellent accuracy. The differential Mueller matrix mapping method for reconstruction of distributions of linear and circular birefringence and dichroism parameters of partially depolarizing layers of biological tissues of different morphological structures is proposed and substantiated. Differential diagnostics of changes in the phase (good balanced accuracy) and amplitude (excellent balanced accuracy) of the anisotropy of the partially depolarizing layers of the vagina wall tissue with prolapse of the genitals is realized. The maximum diagnostic efficiency of the first-order differential matrix method was demonstrated in comparison with the traditional methods of polarization and Mueller matrix mapping of histological sections of light-scattering biological tissues.

Cytological characteristics of birch and alder pollen (different breeding forms) used in hybridization

Hybrids of some species of birch trees form completely sterile seeds (laboratory germination is zero in some hybrids, such as Karelian birch × Chinese white birch of inbred and outbred origin). It was noted analyzing the size distribution of birch pollen. Six size classes of pollen grains were identified, the modal values of which are arranged in increasing order as follows: 17 µm, 22 µm, 28 µm, 33 µm, 39 µm and 44 µm. The process of development of the male generative sphere proceeds without significant deviations in the studied black and gray alder trees. It ends with the formation of high-quality, aligned pollen. The obtained data indicate that one group of trees show normal formation of the reproductive sphere. It indicates the reasonableness of including them in the breeding process

Increased accessibility of semantic concepts after (more or less) subtle activation of related concepts: support for the basic tenet of priming research

Increasingly remote concepts and behaviors have been primed, which have come under increasing criticism. In this present experiment, we take a step back and try to strengthen the roots of priming research. In this experiment, we systematically varied the activation or priming of a concept in six experiments (N = 1285). We then measured accessibility for semantic concepts using a word stem completion task. Across the six experiments, our investigations showed that the activation of semantic concepts is possible through greater accessibility of semantically congruent words (with only one experiment failing to reach a conventional level of significance). These results provide a prerequisite for further investigation into behavioral priming. The present experiment showed that the basal priming mechanisms are robust effects. The meta-analytic integration showed that women reliably had access to more baby-related words. A possible explanation is that social role stereotypes associate women more with the reproductive sphere than men and that women, to a certain extent, internalize these societal views. Other explanations and potential future applications are discussed.

Иммунные и метаболические нарушения на системном и локальном уровне при бесплодии трубно-перитонеального генеза

Objective. The establishment of immune and metabolic disorders at the systemic and local level in patients with infertility of tubal peritoneal genesis against the background of a chronic infectious-inflammatory process of the reproductive sphere in the stage of clinical remission before and after the basic pharmocotherapy. Material and methods. A total of 96 patients with verified diagnosis of secondary infertility of tubal peritoneal genesis against the background of a chronic infectious and inflammatory process of bacterial viral etiology in the remission stage were under observation. The parameters of the immune status, the intensity of lipid peroxidation processes and the state of the antioxidant system were detected in peripheral blood and cervicovaginal lavage. Results. Within 24 hours after diagnostic and treatment laparoscopy and basic pharmacotherapy had been conducted, the presence of immune inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, “oxidative stress”, activation of lipid peroxidation processes was established at the systemic and local level, as evidenced by changes in 97.8% of laboratory immunometabolic parameters from the studied data. After conducted basic treatment, this percentage decreased to 90.9%, while 9.1% returned to normal, 75.0% of contravene laboratory parameters were corrected, 15.9% remained unchanged at the same level before the treatment. Conclusion. The obtained results indicate that the conducted basic pharmacotherapy in this category of patients has no adequate corrective effect on the impaired parameters of the immune and metabolic status that requires the additional pharmacological immuno-rehabilitation resources in this category of patients during pharmacological rehabilitation.

The non-native woody species of the flora of Ukraine: Introduction, naturalization and invasion

The process of invasion, naturalization, dispersion and invasive activity of non-native woody species in 5 regional floras, 5 urban floras and over 30 floras of the protected areas is discussed. It has been established that 182 non-native species out of 95 genera and 45 families are currently at different naturalization stages in the spontaneous flora of Ukraine. In terms of life-forms, they may be divided as follows: trees – 41%, shrubs – 35%, trees/shrubs – 15%, lianas – 9%. Most species spread both via seed dispersal and the vegetative way – 56%, using only seed dispersal – 42%, only the vegetative way – 2%. According to the preliminary rating of species-wise invasive activity, 71 species (40%) have naturalized completely, among them 20 invasive species, including 12 transformer species, 29 potentially invasive species, and 22 naturalized species which demonstrate no invasive tendencies. The initial stages of invasion of 111 species are as follows: introduction – 9%, survival – 36%, adaptation of the reproductive sphere – 28%, establishment, formative of local populations – 27%. In terms of dispersion, non-naturalized species are divided as follows: rare – 45%, local – 16%, sporadic – 6%, unique – 12%, spreading under control beyond collections and expositions in botanical gardens and arboretums – 21%. Twelve transformer species, the greatest threat to local diversity, are Acer negundo, Ailanthus altissima, Amorpha fruticosa, Bupleurum fruticosum, Elaeagnus angustifolia, E. rhamnoides, Fraxinus ornus, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, P. vitacea, Robinia pseudoacacia, Rhamnus alaternus, Salix × blanda and 8 invasive proper species: Berberis aquifolia, Colutea orientalis, Daphne laureola, Prunus cerasifera, P. serotina, Quercus ilex, Viburnum tinus, Vitis vinifera. The list of alien species, most widespread in 50 regions of Europe, includes Robinia pseudoacacia (42 regions), Ailanthus altissima (40), Acer negundo (38), Prunus cerasus (34), Quercus rubra (34), Rosa rugosa (34), Prunus domestica (31). The mitigation of the impacts of these species on local biodiversity is possible via the restoration of local native plant communities, land use organization, strict selection of introduced species prior to the introduction, culture of planting management, preventive measures and extending awareness and sharing of information about plant invasions. Therefore, Ukraine’s spontaneous flora is notable for the active process of naturalization of non-native woody species with considerable involvement of invasive alien species. This is the first and preliminary evaluation of the invasive activity of woody species in Ukraine’s flora. The manifestations of the global tendency of increased involvement and invasive activity of alien woody species in domestic flora have been confirmed. These conclusions are also relevant for elaborating the system of preventive, containing and mitigating measures regarding plant invasions in Ukraine.

До характеристики міжнародно-правового забезпечення репродуктивних прав людини

До характеристики міжнародно-правового забезпечення репродуктивних прав людини

Genomic characterization and comparative analysis of Leptospira kirschneri serogroup Grippotyphosa UC5/2011, a strain isolated after mare abortion: Implications for genital animal leptospirosis

The genome of a Brazilian strain of Leptospira kirschneri serogroup Grippotyphosa isolated from a mare post-abortion was sequenced and analyzed. High symmetrical identity and few structural differences were found when compared with a European strain of the same serogroup, L. kirschneri serovar Valbuzzi strain 200702274. Genes associated with virulence and antimicrobial resistance were found. Knowledge of the virulence evolution of Leptospira remains limited, especially in diseases of the reproductive sphere. We highlight the importance of virulence studies in the sphere of genital leptospirosis.

Відповідальне батьківство та репродуктивне здоров’я підлітків як складові статевого виховання

The article shows that an important problem of Ukraine is the preservation of reproductive potential and the birth of healthy posterity. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), today Ukraine occupies one of the last places among the countries of the European Union in terms of natural population growth. This situation is happening due to the peculiarities of reproductive behavior and the population's reproductive motivation, which depends on the economic and socio-psychological state of the population. Essential to the implementation of childbearing function is reproductive health. The author emphasizes that the problem of maternity and paternity has recently become increasingly disciplinary in nature, becoming an important subject of study not only in the sciences traditionally directly related to it (medicine, physiology, behavioral biology), but also in the humanities such as history, cultural studies, sociology, psychology, social work. Reproductive health consists of several components: sexual health, family planning, maternity and paternity. Reproductive health is influenced by many factors: ecological, social, economic, hazardous and harmful production, etc. Reproductive health is a system of measures that are directly related to the emergence of healthy posterity and family planning; protection from sexually transmitted diseases; and treatment of diseases of the reproductive system to prevent infant and maternal mortality. The main factors of negative impact on reproductive health are stress, impaired sleep and nutrition, frequent and chronic diseases (including HIV and STIs), abortion, bad habits such as smoking, alcohol, drug usage, promiscuous sex, gambling and computer games, etc. Reproductive health includes the following components: safe pregnancy and childbirth, the period of childbirth and after them; fertility treatment; treatment of diseases of the reproductive sphere; safe, effective prevention of unplanned pregnancy; accessibility and choice of safe methods of contraception and health; treatment of sexually transmitted infections. A separate problem was the psychological readiness of young people to marry, create a family, give birth to children. There is a change in the prior directions of personal development. More and more young people give paramount importance to the material foundations of life, moral and ethical principles and family values are becoming less and less significant. On the one hand, this leads to a more balanced decision about childbearing, their development and upbringing, and on the other hand, it reduces the relationship with the child to the level of material support for his/her needs. Under such conditions, the problem arises of the quality of parents fulfilling the educational functions and responsibilities for development and parenthood, the need to form a conscious, responsible attitude to the parenthood in the young age. Considering this, responsible paternity, reproductive health as a component of preparing young men and women for their responsibilities for the future marriage is one of the main tasks for society. Key words: responsible parenthood, reproductive health, sexual upbringing

Relaciones de género y arreglos domésticos: Masculinidades cambiantes en Concepción, Chile

This article deals with the study of gender relations, family arrangements and constructions of masculinity in the context of increasing female participation in the labour market. The current dynamics of families in middle sectors of the urban conception, linked to the organization of domestic work and ways of exercising parentality are presented. The persistent limitations experienced by women to perform in the productive sphere lead to the gradual questioning of the roles occupied by men in the reproductive sphere. This requires the coordination of public policies that promote the reconciliation of work and family life of mothers and fathers. This qualitative research uses semi-structured interviews and focus groups with parents with children aged 0-14. The heterogeneity of existing domestic arrangements is linked to men who not only assume reproductive tasks, but also represent significant ruptures in gender roles.

Адаптация мужской репродуктивной сферы можжевельника обыкновенного к климату

Адаптация мужской репродуктивной сферы можжевельника обыкновенного к климату

The Role of Chlamydial Colonization of the Gastrointestinal Tract in the Development and Persistence of Chronic Chlamydial Infections

Diseases caused by C. trachomatis have an adverse impact on male and female health and the reproductive function and are among the leading causes of infertility. Even though C. trachomatis is a sexually transmitted pathogen adapted to the epithelial cells of the urogenital tract (UGT), it has a fairly wide tropism and can infect blood cells, conjunctival epithelium, synovial cells, hepatocytes, and enteroendocrine cells. The pathogen is detected in various divisions of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in men and women. Studies of the infection in mice showed that chlamydia could spread in the body with lymph or blood flow, colonize various digestive organs, and persist in these organs for a long time without causing a significant pathology, but still inducing chronic pathological inflammation in the reproductive organs. Studies in the C. muridarum model demonstrated the role of the conservative chlamydial protein Pgp3 (encoded by the plasmid sequence) in colonization of the digestive tract. There is accumulating experimental and clinical evidence characterizing the intestine as a favorable niche for the persistence of chlamydia, since the intracellular pathogen сan avoid the competitive impact of the intestinal microflora, and immune homeostasis on the intestinal mucosa weakens the protective action of the immune response. Generalization of the urogenital chlamydial infection and colonization of the digestive tract by chlamydia are probably the main causes for the emergence of a chronic infection and the development of pathology in the reproductive sphere and other organs. If the role of this mechanism in the emergence of a chronic infection is proven, new approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of chlamydiosis will become necessary. The present review addresses these new data.

Relaciones de género y arreglos domésticos: Masculinidades cambiantes en Concepción, Chile

This article deals with the study of gender relations, family arrangements and constructions of masculinity in the context of increasing female participation in the labour market. The current dynamics of families in middle sectors of the urban conception, linked to the organization of domestic work and ways of exercising parentality are presented. The persistent limitations experienced by women to perform in the productive sphere lead to the gradual questioning of the roles occupied by men in the reproductive sphere. This requires the coordination of public policies that promote the reconciliation of work and family life of mothers and fathers. This qualitative research uses semi-structured interviews and focus groups with parents with children aged 0-14. The heterogeneity of existing domestic arrangements is linked to men who not only assume reproductive tasks, but also represent significant ruptures in gender roles.

Мио-инозитол: микронутриент для «тонкой настройки» женской репродуктивной сферы

Мио-инозитол: микронутриент для «тонкой настройки» женской репродуктивной сферы

The International Divisions of the Reproductive Sphere as Constructed by New Power Elites:

The International Divisions of the Reproductive Sphere as Constructed by New Power Elites:

Queer Speciation: Or, Darwin On and Off the Farm

In the debates over futurity that have pervaded queer theory in the early years of this millennium, the species plot has found less prevalence than it might have done. While Foucaultian biopower continues to exert a huge influence in the field, the interest in the speciation argument has ceased to seem particularly exciting. The history of speciation, though, offers a number of useful lenses through which to think about the ecology of queerness as mediated by capital—and vice versa—in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. One of the places in which to start such an investigation is Charles Darwin's understanding of how industrial agriculture inflects the distinction between variation in nature and variation under domestication. Domestication, Darwin insists, produces more queer monstrosities. If there is a link—genealogical or otherwise—between Foucault's "species" and Darwin's "domesticates," then this connection needs to be elaborated through an analysis of how a (queerly conceived) reproductive sphere participates in capitalist agricultural production.

Delegation of childcare in immigrant families and its consequences

ABSTRACTThis article focuses on the role of social reproduction tasks (motherhood and childcare) in the reproduction of cultures and the social incorporation of first-generation and second-generation immigrants. It draws upon a very particular case study of Vietnamese immigrant families that hire Czech nannies for their second-generation children. The article presents an analysis of 15 interviews with Vietnamese mothers who delegate(d) childcare and 20 interviews with second-generation Vietnamese children who have had a Czech nanny. It is based on the assumption that the social reproductive sphere includes not only the embodied work of childcare but also the work of reproducing cultures and social incorporation. Many scholars argue that the activities connected with childcare (usually called ‘bridging’ activities, including communication with public authorities and schools and participation in the local neighbourhood) that are traditionally performed by women take on a new dimension after migration. They become the means by which immigrant mothers are integrated and develop the social capital and skills that help them adapt to the new country. What happens in an immigrant family when caregiving (including the bridging activities) is delegated to another person? How does the role of the mother – with its limited content – shape the women’s position in the new country? The aim of this study is to examine how both mothers and children make sense of the delegation of care and its consequences for the social incorporation of first-generation mothers who delegate care and for second-generation children who are cared for by nannies. Addressing this particular case of migrant mothers who perform a limited form of mothering, the paper illuminates the key role of motherhood in women’s post-migratory integration and contributes to the scholarly discussion on the meanings of (migrant) motherhood.

Особливості гормонального гомеостазу та його роль у реалізації проліферативних процесів екзо- та ендоцервіксу при фонових захворюваннях шийки матки, асоційованих із функціональними кістами яєчників

It is known that the cervix is a hormone-dependent organ, indicating a certain unity of pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the development of the background cervical lesions. The objective: to evaluate the peculiarities of the hormonal status of the background cervical lesions in women of reproductive age with benign ovarian tumours. Patients and methods. It has been performed an assessment of the hormonal homeostasis state by studying the steroid and gonadotropic hormones in the blood of women with the background cervical lesions (BCL) and functional ovarian cysts (the main group (60 patients) and women with surgical interventions on the ovaries with tumours (comparative group (60 patients). The control group consisted of 20 healthy women. Results. The bacteriological and bacterioscopic examination revealed high rates of contamination with urogenital infection in women of both groups (94.2%); special attention should be paid to the high degree of infection of the urogenital mucous membrane in the patients of the first group under study. The extended colposcopy showed that patients of the first group had ectopy of cylindrical epithelium 2.9 times more often, endometriosis of the cervix and polyps – twice as often, 13.3% of women had condylomatous cervicitis as a manifestation of papillomavirus infection. While in patients of the second group endocervicitis was diagnosed 2.5 times more often, and erosive uterine cervical ectropion – 1,8 times more often (p<0.05). It should be noted that in 94 cases (78.9%), cytological smears were classified according to type II cytograms – inflammatory type of smear, in 32.5% of which the proliferative epithelial changes were detected. In both groups patients tended to increase the prolactin concentration in their blood by 1,8 times and testosterone by 1,6 times, indicating functional hyperprolactinemia and hyperandrogenemia in this category of women. Conclusion. Patients with endocrine dysfunction on the background of ovarian tumour formations and BCL suffer more often from ectopy of the cylindrical epithelium, proliferating endocervicosis and endometriosis of the cervix, which is obviously associated with a significant percentage of infections in this group, including viral aetiology, and also with prolonged dyshormonal changes in the reproductive sphere of the female body. Key words: benign tumours of ovaries, background cervical lesions, hormonal state, vaginal microbiocenosis.

THE SEX SYSTEM OF THE POPULATION OF SAGITTARIA SAITTIFOLIA AS AN INDICATOR OF THE ECOLOGICAL STATUS OF A RIVER

The ecological state of small rivers that define the water regime of the territory, as well as the water supply of larger rivers, the quality of their waters is a matter of a serious concern. The ecosystems of watercourses in urban areas exposed to pollution by industrial and domestic wastes are under the maximum anthropogenic load. Bioindicative methods, which let to assess directly the status of aquatic ecosystems and their individual components, occupy an important place in the system of ecological monitoring of water bodies. Plants respond to toxicants in an aquatic habitat by the abnormality of biosynthesis of chlorophyll, carotenoids and other pigments, change of mineral balance, phytohormones, which leads to a change in their reproductive differentiation.
 In this regard, water quality assessment was carried out on the basis of chemical analysis and bioindication concerning Sagittaria sagittifolia populations in the upper and middle stream ways of the river Tyosha flowing through the Nizhny Novgorod region.
 The article presents the results of some organoleptic and chemical parameters such as pH level of overall hardness, concentration of nitrates and nitrites, ions of ammonium, phosphates, mercury, concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the water. It was detected that there were exceeding quantities of ammonium ions, nitrite ions, phosphates in the water of all ranges of the river Tyosha, and also high content of iron in the downstreams of the river. The findings suggest that the reproductive structure of arrowhead inflorescences can serve as a bio-indicator of the degree of water pollution. The harder the environmental conditions of the plant habitat in the water body, the more intensive is a shift in the ratio of flowers to the feminine side. It has been shown that due to the deterioration of environmental conditions, the number of compound inflorescences of the arrowhead and the numbers of whorls in them decrease and, on the other hand, there is an increase in the percentage of plants with simple typical inflorescences. A credible shift in the reproductive ratio of arrowhead inflorescences to the female side is spotted on the downstream river station near Lukoyanov and industrial community Shatky, where the complex of environmental factors for its growth is the least favorable. It was established that anthropogenic pollution of the river has a negative effect on the reproductive sphere of Sagittaria sagittifolia, causing a reduction in pollen fertility, which is confirmed by the chemical analysis of water.
 On the basis of the studies the assessment of the ecological status of the water in the Tyosha river was given.

Premature ovarian insufficiency: a syndrome or diagnosis

The article presents modern views on the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) – syndrome which is heterogeneous in the etiology and pathogenesis and has a significant negative impact not only on the reproductive sphere, but also on the quality of life, the overall morbidity and mortality of women.The term “premature ovarian insufficiency” is used today by leading professional societies in the US and Europe and is recommended for use in clinical practice. In the clinical recommendations of 2016, the European Society for Human Reproductology and Embryology provides the following definition of the POI – the clinical syndrome whose main manifestation is the cessation of ovarian function before the age of 40, which is characterized by a disruption of menstrual function, an increase in gonadotropins and a decrease in the concentration of estradiol.Given the already well-formed trend in developed countries for the late realization of reproductive function, a higher frequency of POI in a group of women of late reproductive age is an actual problem of modern reproductive technology.The clinical significance of the POI goes beyond gynecology: prolonged hypoestrogenia is accompanied by a decrease in bone density, the disease also has negatively affects the incidence of cardiovascular and neurological diseases, cognitive function, sex life and the social realization of women.Hormone replacement therapy is an obligatory and essential component of correction of symptoms and prevention of long-term consequences of estrogen deficiency. With this in mind, the article discusses in detail the effects and safety issues of the application of various types and ways of hormone replacement therapy available today for the elimination of symptoms of estrogen deficiency and the prevention of its consequences in women with POI and various concomitant conditions. The pharmacological effects of natural transdermal estrogens and micronized progesterone make it possible to treat this combination as the most optimal variant of hormone replacement therapy for women with POI due to the flexible dosage regimen that allows to provide individual needs for compensation of estrogen deficiency.