Standard Fertility Research Articles

Standardization of fertility preservation discussion amongst pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant patients.

10051 Background: As treatment for pediatric malignancies improves long term survival, physicians are shifting focus to late effects of therapy such as infertility. Currently, options for fertility preservation include cryopreservation of mature oocytes, sperm, and gonadal tissue, although barriers remain present. Within our division, we lacked a standard approach to discussing fertility preservation options. Methods: Records from 474 pediatric patients with new oncologic diagnoses at CMH from 2014-2020 were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated the frequency that reproductive health discussions were documented in pubertal males and females requiring chemotherapy or radiation treatment. We implemented a standard fertility preservation note and patient handouts, then surveyed our department to identify diagnoses that place patients at risk for infertility and barriers to formalized fertility consultations. We then provided educational sessions to address these barriers with pre- and post-evaluation to measure efficacy. Our longitudinal assessment, encompassing multiple points of intervention, was compared to results from previous chart review (2010-2013). Results: Of 474 patients diagnosed between 2014-2020, 175 (90 females, 85 males) warranted a fertility discussion per inclusion criteria. 61 (67.8%) females received a fertility discussion and of those 8 (8.9%) completed oocyte or gonadal tissue preservation, all between 2017-2020. 52 (61.2%) males received a fertility discussion and 20 (23.5%) completed sperm cryopreservation, with even distribution pattern between 2014-2020. Following implementation of an electronic fertility consult process and standardized fertility preservation documentation, there was an increase in documented fertility discussions from 30% in 2014 to 63.6% in 2020. Internal department survey responses identified a lack of comfort with knowing fertility preservation options available and diagnoses that should prompt this conversation. Education sessions with pre- and post-provider assessment demonstrated more comfort discussing fertility preservation (average score increase from 3.44 to 4.33) and knowledge regarding diagnoses at higher risk of infertility (average score increase from 3.67 to 4.33). Conclusions: Integration of a standardized fertility preservation process and addressing barriers identified within our division have led to a 33.6% increase in fertility discussions over the last 6 years. While the data shows a promising increase in oocyte and ovarian tissue preservation, sperm banking completion rates remained unchanged. Further steps include incorporation of an automated fertility consultation order into electronic chemotherapy orders, hospital-wide identification of other high-risk patient populations, and continued education of patient, families, and the health care team.

Importance of real-time measurement of sperm head morphology in intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is an important technique in male infertility treatment. Currently, sperm selection for ICSI in human assisted reproductive technology (ART) is subjective, based on a visual assessment by the operator. Therefore, it is desirable to develop methods that can objectively provide an accurate assessment of the shape and size of sperm heads that use low-magnification microscopy available in most standard fertility clinics. Recent studies have shown a correlation between sperm head size and shape and chromosomal abnormalities, and fertilization rate, and various attempts have been made to establish automated computer-based measurement of the sperm head itself. For example, a dictionary-learning technique and a deep-learning-based method have both been developed. Recently, an automatic algorithm was reported that detects sperm head malformations in real time for selection of the best sperm for ICSI. These data suggest that a real-time sperm selection system for use in ICSI is necessary. Moreover, these systems should incorporate inverted microscopes (×400-600 magnification) but not the fluorescence microscopy techniques often used for a dictionary-learning technique and a deep-learning-based method. These advances are expected to improve future success rates of ARTs. In this review, we summarize recent reports on the assessment of sperm head shape, size, and acrosome status in relation to fertility, and propose further improvements that can be made to the ARTs used in infertility treatments.

Can Some Anticancer Treatments Preserve the Ovarian Reserve?

Preventing premature ovarian failure (POF) is a major challenge in oncology. With conventional regimens, cytotoxicity-associated POF involves primordial follicles (PF) pool depletion by apoptosis or overactivation mechanisms, notably mediated by the ABL/TAp63 and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways. New anticancer treatments have been designed to target pathways implicated in tumor growth. Although concerns regarding fertility arise with these targeted therapies, we hypothesized that targeted therapies may exert off-tumor effects on PF that might delay POF. We provide an overview of evidence concerning these off-tumor effects on PF. Limitations and future potential implications of these findings are discussed. PubMed was searched by combining Boolean operators with the following keywords: fertility, ovarian, follicle, anti-tumoral, cancer, targeted, cytotoxic, and chemotherapy. Cisplatin-related PF apoptosis via the ABL/TAp63 pathway was targeted with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, imatinib, in mice, but effects were recently challenged by findings on human ovarian xenografts in mice. In cyclophosphamide-treated mice, PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway inhibition with mTOR inhibitors and AS101 preserved the PF pool. Proteasome and GSK3 inhibitors were evaluated for direct and indirect follicle DNA damage prevention. Surprisingly, evidence for cytotoxic drug association with PF pool preservation was found. We also describe selected non-anticancer molecules that may minimize gonadotoxicity. Not all anticancer treatments are associated with POF, particularly since the advent of targeted therapies. The feasibility of associating a protective drug targeting PF exhaustion mechanisms with cytotoxic treatments should be evaluated, as a way of decreasing the need for conventional fertility preservation techniques. Further evaluations are required for transfer into clinical practice. Anticancer therapies are associated with infertility in 10%-70% of patients, which is the result of primordial follicles pool depletion. Alone or associated with gonadotoxic treatments, some targeted therapies may exert favorable off-targets effects on the primordial follicle pool by slowing down their exhaustion. Current evidence of these effects relies on murine models or human in vitro models. Evaluation of these protective strategies in humans is challenging; however, if these results are confirmed with clinical and biological data, it not only could be a new approach to female fertility preservation but also would change standard fertility strategies.

Genome-wide association study for age at puberty and resumption of cyclicity in a crossbred dairy cattle population

Fertility is of primary economic importance in dairy cattle and the most common reason for involuntary culling. However, standard fertility traits have very low heritability that renders genetic selection slow and difficult. In this study, we explored fertility from an endocrine standpoint. A total of 1,163 crossbred Holstein-Normande females in a 3-generation familial design were studied for progesterone level measured every 10 d to determine age at puberty (PUB) and commencement of postpartum luteal activity (CPLA). Genetic parameters were estimated using REML with WOMBAT software. The heritability estimates were 0.38 ± 0.10 and 0.16 ± 0.07 for PUB and CPLA, respectively. Moreover, the 2 traits were genetically correlated (0.45 ± 0.23), suggesting a partially common determinism. Because of the family structure, a linkage disequilibrium and linkage analysis approach was preferred over standard genome-wide association study to map genomic regions associated with these traits. Ten quantitative trait loci (QTL) were detected for PUB on chromosomes 1, 3, 11, 13, 14, 21, and 29, whereas 3 QTL were associated with CPLA on chromosomes 21 and 26. Only the QTL on chromosome 21 was common to both traits. Four functional candidate genes (NCOA2, GAS2, OVOL1, and FOSL1) were identified in the detected regions. These findings will contribute to a clearer understanding of fertility determinism and enhance the value of introducing endocrinological data in fertility studies.

New innovative technologies for obtaining compost using forestry and agriculture waste

The use of organic fertilizers creates optimal conditions for obtaining standard planting material. The technology of obtaining organomineral compost via storing bunker method using sawdust, poultry excreta and waste of mushroom production is presented. It was established that at a 60 -65% humidity of organomineral compost, the degree of its readiness is 3-5 months. The use of agricultural and forestry wastes contributes to their more efficient use in forest nursery production. The rational use of non-traditional organic fertilizers in the form of mushroom waste and sawdust will help reduce the burden on the environmental condition. To grow standard forest species seedlings and increase soil fertility, it is necessary to use both pure organic fertilizers and compost as they contain nutrients in plant-accessible form.

EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING DURING FERTILITY TREATMENT: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL TO EVALUATE THE USE OF AN ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORM AS A RESOURCE

Infertility and associated therapies have been characterized as anxiety-provoking. As emotional states can be triggered by stimuli, we assessed the impact of a visual multimedia electronic (e)-learning and e-consent platform on patients’ anxiety states prior, during, and upon completion of infertility treatment cycles. Prospective randomized controlled trial Patients aged 18-43 years undergoing their first intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle were randomized to two groups receiving either: 1) standard fertility counseling with their physician and nurse team (conventional group); or 2) standard counseling plus access to an interactive multimedia e-learning platform (EngagedMD) before and during their treatment cycle (EMD group). Patients completed surveys including a modified 19-question State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) at three time points to quantitively assess their treatment experience: T1 (prior to treatment), T2 (after the MD/RN teaching session at the start of their cycle), and T3 (after cycle completion). Each STAI item is given a weighted score of 1 to 4, the instrument has a possible score from 19 to 76, and the 50th percentile for an anxious state in women aged 19-39 is 34. Student’s t-test and Chi-squared test were used as appropriate. To date, a total of 77 patients (IUI=35 and IVF=42) with a mean age of 35.2 +/- 4.4 years have been enrolled with no differences in baseline demographics (age, duration of infertility, infertility diagnosis, and education level) for both IUI and IVF and conventional and EMD groups. Overall, STAI scores at T1, T2, and T3 were 37.8 +/- 11.3, 37.0 +/- 10.6, and 37.0 +/- 11.6 respectively, with no difference in IUI and IVF patients at T1 (p=0.51). However, IVF patients scored significantly higher at T2 (40.3 +/- 9.3 vs. 33.7 +/- 11.1, p=0.03) and T3 (41.3 +/- 12.1. vs. 32.7 +/- 9.5, p=0.01) compared to IUI patients at the same timepoints. IUI patients had a significant decrease in their anxiety from T1 to T2 (mean delta -3.1; p=0.05) and T1 to T3 (mean delta -3.9 p=0.01), while patients undergoing IVF treatments had no significant change in their anxiety scores throughout. With respect to conventional and EMD groups, there were no differences in STAI scores in IUI and IVF cycles from T1 to T3. Of the patients undergoing IUI, there was a significant decrease in patients’ anxiety levels from T1 to T2 in the EMD group (35.8 +/- 9.3 vs. 31.6 +/- 10.2; p=0.02), while this difference was not seen in the conventional group (37.4 +/- 11.5 vs. 35.5 +/- 12.0; p=0.46). Anxiety levels were significantly elevated in first-time IVF patients during and after treatments compared to those undergoing IUI. The addition of an e-learning platform did not alter the level of anxiety compared to traditional teaching methods in IVF patients. In contrast to standard counseling, patients undergoing IUI experienced a decrease in their immediate anxiety level after exposure to EngagedMD. Overall, anxiety levels in this cohort of patients were high, indicating that added psychological resources may be beneficial to this population.

Birth Spacing in the Presence of Son Preference and Sex-Selective Abortions: India's Experience over Four Decades

Over the past four decades, the Hindu women in India most likely to use sex-selective abortions—well-educated women with no sons—had the most substantial lengthening of birth intervals and the most biased sex ratios. As a result, we now see cases that reverse the traditional spacing pattern, with some women with no sons having longer birth intervals than those with sons. Those least likely to use sex-selective abortions—less-educated women in rural areas—still follow the traditional pattern of short spacing when they have girls, with only limited evidence of sex selection. Because of the rapid lengthening in spacing, the standard fertility rates substantially overestimated how fast cohort fertility fell. Despite a convergence, cohort fertility is still 10%–20% higher than the fertility rate and above replacement level for all but the best-educated urban women. Infant mortality has declined substantially over time for all groups, with the fastest decline among the less educated. Short birth spacing is still associated with higher mortality, although considerably less so for the best-educated women. There is no evidence that repeated sex-selective abortions are associated with higher infant mortality for the child eventually born. Finally, it does not appear that the use of sex selection is declining.

Combining multivariate method and spectral variable selection for soil total nitrogen estimation by Vis–NIR spectroscopy

ABSTRACT Successful estimation of soil total nitrogen (TN) content by visible and near-infrared (Vis-NIR) reflectance spectroscopy depends on selecting appropriate variable selection techniques and multivariate methods for regression analysis. This study aimed to explore the potential of combining multivariate method and spectral variable selection for soil TN estimation by Vis-NIR spectroscopy. 95 soil samples were collected from Jiangsu Province, China, and their TN contents, and reflectance spectra were measured. Four multivariate methods (extreme learning machine, ELM; backpropagation neural network, BPNN; support vector machine regression, SVMR; partial least squares regression, PLSR) combined with three variable selection techniques (competitive adaptive reweighted sampling, CARS; genetic algorithm, GA; successive projections algorithm, SPA) were used for model calibration. Results showed that the ELM model outperformed the BPNN, SVM, and PLSR models. The CARS was superior to GA and SPA techniques in selecting effective variables. The best estimation accuracy (R2 = 0.79) was obtained by the ELM-CARS model. Furthermore, the output of the ELM-CARS model presented the highest similarity to the standard soil TN fertility grades, with a correct classification rate of 82.9%. In conclusion, ELM combined with CARS has great potential to estimate the soil TN content and assess the TN fertility levels using Vis-NIR spectroscopy.

Spatial Analysis of Growing Follicles in the Human Ovary to Inform Tissue Engineering Strategies.

Cancer survivorship has increased considerably, but common cancer treatments may threaten female reproductive health and fertility. In females, standard fertility preservation techniques include egg and embryo banking and ovarian tissue cryopreservation, but these methods are not suitable for all individuals. Emerging fertility preservation technologies include in vitro follicle growth and ovarian bioprosthetics. Although these platforms hold tremendous promise, they remain in the preclinical phase likely because of our inability to adequately phenocopy the complexity of the in vivo ovarian environment. The goal of this study was to use an established research archive of fixed human ovarian tissue established through the Oncofertility Consortium to better understand the dynamics and milieu of growing follicles within the human ovary. We performed a histological analysis of the immediate surroundings of primary and secondary stage follicles. We evaluated oocyte and follicle diameters of these growing follicles, analyzed their growth trajectories, and mapped their precise relationships to other stage follicles within a defined area. We also stratified our findings according to participant age and previous treatment history. Our results serve as in vivo benchmarks for follicles grown in vitro and provide insight into how follicles should be seeded spatially within bioprosthetic ovaries, potentially improving the efficacy and clinical translation of these emerging technologies. Impact statement Life-preserving cancer treatments have greatly increased survivorship. However, treatments often have off-target health consequences that threaten female reproductive health and fertility. Although several standard fertility preservation options exist, there is a constant need to explore and expand options for all populations. In vitro follicle growth and ovarian bioprosthetics are new experimental procedures, which are currently limited to proof of concept. In this study, we analyzed human ovarian tissue from a deidentified biospecimen repository to characterize the growing follicle landscape with the ultimate goal of informing bioengineering practices. This spatial analysis pinpoints the geometry of growing follicles within the human ovary and provides a framework for paralleling this environment in ex vivo platforms.

Does Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy Have a Place in the Diagnosis of Unexplained Infertility?

The standard fertility workup includes assessment of ovulation, semen analysis, and evaluation of tubal patency. If the fertility workup is found to be normal, a diagnosis of unexplained infertility is made. The role of laparoscopy in fertility workup has been a matter of debate. The current review presents the evidence for and against laparoscopy and hysteroscopy during fertility workup and subsequently prior to fertility treatment. After appraising the literature, we found the role of diagnostic laparoscopy in fertility workup is limited and is dependent on factors like prevalence of pelvic infection, setting, and availability of expertise. Moreover, whenever a laparoscopy is planned as a part of the fertility workup, the preparation should include ability to carry out simultaneous therapeutic intervention to maximize the benefit. Similarly, the routine use of hysteroscopy in women with unexplained infertility cannot be recommended. There is a need to investigate the impact of choice of tubal test on chances of spontaneous conception and treatment outcomes in women with unexplained infertility. Our future research agenda should also include high-quality multicenter randomized trials assessing the cost-effectiveness of screening and operative hysteroscopy prior to intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization.

Prenatal exposure to the pesticide metam sodium induces sensorimotor and neurobehavioral abnormalities in mice offspring

The present study has investigated developmental neurotoxicity of Metam sodium (MS), from gestational day 6 and throughout the gestation period until delivery. Therefore, mated female mice were orally exposed on a daily basis to 0 (control), 50, 100 or 150 mg of MS/kg of body weight and their standard fertility and reproductive parameters were assessed. The offspring were examined for their sensorimotor development, depression and cognitive performance. Our results showed that MS exposure during pregnancy led to one case of mortality, two cases of abortion and disturbed fertility and reproductive parameters in pregnant dams. In offspring, MS induced an overall delay in innate reflexes and sensorimotor performances. Furthermore, all prenatally treated animals showed an increased level of depression-like behavior as well as a pronounced cognitive impairment in adulthood. These results demonstrated that prenatal exposure to MS causes a long-lasting developmental neurotoxicity and alters a wide range of behavioral functions in mice.

The effect of physical activity on reproductive health outcomes in young women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

In the context of increasing rates of overweight and obesity in young adult women, and the increasing numbers of women seeking help for fertility problems, it is important to understand whether physical activity (PA) could help with management of reproductive health problems, with or without weight loss. The primary aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effects of PA on selected reproductive health outcomes in young adult women, in order to inform best practice advice for women in terms of promoting fertility and reproductive health in young adulthood. An electronic search of PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SportDiscus, and Cochrane was performed for studies published between January 2000 and May 2018. Keywords and Medical Subject Headings terms related to PA, reproductive health, and weight gain were used. Studies were selected if they were intervention studies, if PA was delivered as part of an intervention to pre-menopausal women, and if any reproductive health outcome was reported. Quality analysis was performed using the Tool for the assEssment of Study qualiTy and reporting in EXercise. Eighteen studies, with a mix of four types of study design (4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 11 randomized comparison trials, 2 non-randomized comparison trials, and 1 single-arm clinical trial), were identified. Comparisons included fertility treatment (four studies) and common treatments for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) symptoms (nine studies). Pooled analysis of data from three of the four studies with a control group showed higher pregnancy [risk ratio (RR) 2.10, 95% CI (1.32, 3.35); three studies] and live birth [RR 2.11, 95% CI (1.02, 4.39); two studies] rates in the intervention groups compared with non-therapy controls. Aggregated data from the fertility treatment comparative studies (i.e. those that compared PA with standard fertility treatment such as clomiphene, gonadotrophins, and/or IVF) showed no significant intervention differences: RR 1.46, 95% CI (0.87, 2.45) for clinical pregnancy (four studies) and RR 1.09, 95% CI (0.56, 2.12) for live births (two studies). Pooled analysis from the comparison trials that used pharmaceutical or dietary treatment for PCOS as comparison showed higher pregnancy rates [RR 1.59, 95% CI (1.06, 2.38); five studies] and live birth rates [RR 2.45, 95% CI (1.24, 4.83); two observations] in the PA intervention groups than in the comparison groups. Analysis of other outcomes, such as ovulation rates, menstrual regularity, and conception rates, showed no differences between the PA intervention and comparison groups. There is emerging evidence from RCT that PA may improve pregnancy rates in women with reproductive health problems. Comparative studies indicate that PA intervention may be as effective as other commonly used clinical intervention strategies for improving reproductive health outcomes. While the type, intensity, frequency, and duration of optimal PA intervention, and the role of PA independent of weight loss, remain unclear, these preliminary findings suggest that PA may be an affordable and feasible alternative or complementary therapy to fertility treatments.

OR11-2 A Lifestyle Program Targeting Women with Obesity and Infertility Improves Their Fertility: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Obesity reduces fertility and the effectiveness of fertility treatments in women, in addition to increasing pregnancy complications and programming of childhood obesity. Since studies have suggested that weight loss and lifestyle management could improve the fertility of women with obesity, obesity management with lifestyle modification is recommended for these women. Objectives: To evaluate the impacts of a lifestyle program in women with obesity and infertility on: 1) fertility outcomes, and 2) anthropometric and lifestyle measures. Methods: Women with obesity and infertility consulting at the fertility clinic of an academic hospital were randomized to the lifestyle program group (LPG) or control group (CG). Women in the CG began usual fertility care directly. Those in the LPG received the lifestyle intervention alone, without fertility treatments, for the first 6 months, and then in association with fertility treatments, if not pregnant. The lifestyle intervention combined individual and group sessions with a nutritionist and a kinesiologist in order to support progressive and sustainable lifestyle modifications. Per-protocol analyses including women who completed at least 6 months of the trial, or became pregnant, are presented. The maximal duration of follow-up, and intervention in the LPG, was 18 months or the end of pregnancy. Proportions were compared using chi-squared tests and means, using Student’s t tests. Results: Among 130 randomized women, 108 completed at least 6 months of the study or became pregnant (83%, 51 LPG and 57 CG). In these women, the lifestyle program increased by 58% the pregnancy rate as compared to controls (60.8% vs 38.6%, p=0.021) and almost tripled the proportion of women who conceived spontaneously, without fertility treatments (33.3% vs 12.3%, p=0.009). The lifestyle program also increased the live birth rate by 39% (51.0% vs 36.8%), although this was not statistically significant (p=0.139). When comparing participants with measures at 6 months of follow-up or at first pregnancy visit if before 6 months (75%, 46 LPG; 51 CG), women in the LPG lost significantly more % of weight (-3.4 ± 4.5% vs -0.89 ± 3.7, p=0.003), waist circumference (-2.9 ± 4.3 cm vs -0.97 ± 4.4, p=0.036) and % of fat mass (-1.3 ± 2.1% vs -0.47 ± 1.3%, p=0.033) compared to the CG. They also improved significantly more their lifestyle habits than the CG (healthy eating index: +18.2 ± 13.7 points vs +5.3 ± 12.4, p<0.001; total leisure activity’s energy expenditure: +0.77 ± 1.63 kcal/kg/day vs +0.17 ± 1.26 kcal/kg/day, p=0.044). Conclusion: A lifestyle program targeting women with obesity seeking fertility treatments improves not only their anthropometry and lifestyle habits, but most importantly, their chances of conceiving, especially spontaneously, in comparison to standard fertility treatments alone. Such impact could significantly reduce the costs associated with fertility treatments. Unless otherwise noted, all abstracts presented at ENDO are embargoed until the date and time of presentation. For oral presentations, the abstracts are embargoed until the session begins. s presented at a news conference are embargoed until the date and time of the news conference. The Endocrine Society reserves the right to lift the embargo on specific abstracts that are selected for promotion prior to or during ENDO.

Fertility Preservation in Gynecologic Cancer.

To review current conservative fertility-sparing options for patients undergoing surgical and medical management of cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers. Standard and investigational fertility preservation alternatives using assisted reproductive technologies are described. A review of articles dated 2006-2018 from PubMed. While a frequently reported concern among female cancer survivors of childbearing potential, fertility preservation education and procedures continue to be an unmet need for this population. Knowledge of current fertility-sparing options is imperative for nurses to ensure fertility preservation is introduced early, and often, into education for patients from diagnosis, through treatment, and in survivorship.

The Prevalence of Explained and Unexplained Subfertility— A Case Study: Kirkuk City (Iraq)

Infertility refers to the inability of a sexually active non-contracepting to get pregnancy in a one year. The diagnosis of explained infertility is performed via standard fertility investigations, which encompasses: assessment of ovulation, semen analysis and tubal patency test. The infertility is considered as an unexplained when the standard fertility evaluation fails to identify an abnormality. This study aims to determine the prevalence and main causes of subfertility. In this study, a multicentre survey is carried out at the infertility centre at the Azadi teaching hospital in Kirkuk, Iraq during the period January 2016-October 2018. For this aim, 1023 patients are involved in this case-control study: where the females are ranging in age from 18 to 45 years. The results show that (55.35%) have primary subfertility, whereas (44.5%) have secondary subfertility. Additionally, (44.5%) and (75.65%) have primary and secondary subfertility respectively. Furthermore, (75.65%) are explained while unexplained subfertility cases are found in (24.34%). The main causes of female subfertility: 46.64% are ovulation disorders, (21.18%) are primary and (21.18%) are secondary. Besides, out total (774 explained) patients, there is (15.24%) has tubal causes, (6.84%) are primary and (8.39%) are secondary. Moreover, in (20%) the cause is due to male factor, (12.4%) are primary and (7.62%) are secondary. Additionally, in (1.16%) of subfertility is caused by endometriosis, (0.09%) and (0.03%) is primary and secondary subfertility respectively. (16.92%) have multiple disorders found in both partners. Also, in explained subfertility in (63%), the females were responsible for the subfertility, male factor alone is in (20%), (52.66%) are primary and (47.33%) are secondary. Finally, regarding male factor subfertility, the outcomes shows follows: azoospermia in (7.1%), asthenozoospermia in (21.93%), (55.48%) has oligospermia, (8.38%) has oligo-terato-asthenozoospermia and (7.1%) has teratozoospermia.

Development of a Cajanus cajanifolius-based CMS Hybrid Technology in Pigeonpea

Pigeonpea is an important food legume of the semi-arid tropics grown mainly under subsistence agriculture. As a first step to address the five decades-long yield stagnation, a proof-of-concept for a commercially viable CMS-based hybrid technology with high standard heterosis and fertility restoration has been demonstrated. Six generations of backcrossing and selection for male sterility, and agronomic superiority using a Cajanus cajanifolius- (A4 cytoplasm) based CMS donor (ICPA 2039) and a medium-maturity group recurrent parent ICPL 20176 (ICPB 2043) which resulted in a stable male sterile line (ICPA 2043) with near-perfect male sterility and superior agronomic traits. Following backcrossing and selections, the A-line (ICPA 2043) appeared to be morphologically similar in terms of various qualitative and quantitative traits compared to the B-line (ICPB 2043). However, differences between ICPA 2043 and ICPB 2043 were observed for days to maturity, 100-seed weight, pods plant-1, and seed weight plant-1. These differences may not be genetic but physiological. The best heterotic restorer line selected in a cross (ICPH 2671) combination restored a mean of 96.49% male fertility in 36 environments (12 locations, 3 years). Present investigation did not reveal significant G×E interaction for fertility restoration, indicating the possibility of obtaining high and stable grain yields in the pigeonpea growing areas of South and Central India.

Attempts to rescue yield loss in continuous canola with agronomic inputs

Recent canola acreage and production in western Canada have reached record high levels. Field experiments were conducted from 2014 to 2016 on land previously seeded to continuous canola for 6 yr at three Canadian Prairie sites. We determined that more intensive seed inputs, fertilizer, fungicide, tillage, or chaff removal could increase continuous canola yields compared with a “standard practice” (SP) treatment or match yields compared with canola in rotation. Recommended or 50% higher fertility levels alone or in combination with a higher seeding rate, tillage, chaff removal, or additional fungicide were applied to the same plots in three successive years to determine effects after 1, 2, and 3 yr of treatment imposition. In continuous canola, blackleg incidence and severity were both reduced by fungicide treatment. In rotations where canola was preceded by wheat, blackleg incidence and severity were much lower than in continuous canola. None of the treatments improved continuous canola yields compared with SP after a single year of treatment imposition. In subsequent years, canola yield increases compared with SP usually occurred as a result of additional fertilizer, seed, or fungicide. In the final year, canola yield loss due to continuous canola was largely rescued by additional seed and fertilizer. Without additional inputs, and when preceded by a different crop, canola yields averaged 11% greater than the average of all continuous canola treatments. High fertility regimes generally reduced oil content and increased protein content relative to standard fertility in continuous canola or relative to canola preceded by wheat.

An innovative investigative approach to characterize the effects observed in a combined fertility study in male and female rats

This paper describes the characterization of male- and female-mediated effects in a standard ICH rat fertility and early embryonic development study with a discontinued clinical small molecule. In the standard study, the test item had no effect on the number of treated females becoming pregnant, but litter sizes were reduced at the high dose level. In the treated male rats, increased incidences of abnormal sperm, decreases in average sperm path and straight line velocities, and minimal retention of mature sperm in the seminiferous tubules were observed at all dose-levels tested. These findings were unexpected in view of a lack of histopathological changes in the reproductive organs of either gender in 4-week repeat dose studies in rats and monkeys. A follow-up fertility study was conducted using an innovative flexible study design and a single high-dose level. In the first instance, treated male rats were mated with untreated females, followed by necropsy of a subset of males. The intention was then to re-mate the males after an 8-week wash-out period with either treated or untreated females depending on the outcome of the first mating. On this occasion, litter sizes were not affected, but the testicular effects were reproduced. A second mating with treated females reproduced the reduced litter sizes due to increased pre- and post-implantation loss, demonstrating that the effect on fecundity was female-mediated. The testicular changes in males were shown to be reversible after a 12-week recovery period.

Graphical approach to assess the soil fertility evaluation model validity for rice (case study: southern area of Merapi Mountain, Indonesia)

Climate change has been reported to exacerbate land resources degradation including soil fertility decline. The appropriate validity use on soil fertility evaluation could reduce the risk of climate change effect on plant cultivation. This study aims to assess the validity of a Soil Fertility Evaluation Model using a graphical approach. The models evaluated were the Indonesian Soil Research Center (PPT) version model, the FAO Unesco version model, and the Kyuma version model. Each model was then correlated with rice production (dry grain weight/GKP). The goodness of fit of each model can be tested to evaluate the quality and validity of a model, as well as the regression coefficient (R2). This research used the Eviews 9 programme by a graphical approach. The results obtained three curves, namely actual, fitted, and residual curves. If the actual and fitted curves are widely apart or irregular, this means that the quality of the model is not good, or there are many other factors that are still not included in the model (large residual) and conversely. Indeed, if the actual and fitted curves show exactly the same shape, it means that all factors have already been included in the model. Modification of the standard soil fertility evaluation models can improve the quality and validity of a model.

Sire contribution to pregnancy loss and pregnancy-associated glycoprotein production in Nelore cows.

Pregnancy loss is a major contributing factor to reproductive inefficiency in both the beef and dairy industries. Sires can have a significant influence on the amount of pregnancy loss; however, this relationship is still poorly investigated. The primary objective of this study was to identify sires associated with high or low incidence of pregnancy loss (between d 30 and 100 of gestation) and investigate their effect on concentration of circulating pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs). Postpartum multiparous Nelore cows were inseminated artificially at a fixed time (FTAI, d 0) after synchronization of ovulation. A total of 736 cows were assigned randomly to be inseminated with semen from either of 6 Angus sires, whereas a separate subset of 492 cows were inseminated randomly with semen from either of 3 Nelore (n = 235) or either of 2 Angus sires (n = 257). Estrus expression was evaluated on d 0 using Estrotect Heat Detector patches. Blood samples were collected on d 30 of gestation for quantification of PAGs and pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasound on d 30 and 100 after FTAI. Cows diagnosed pregnant at the first examination but not pregnant at the second were defined to have pregnancy loss. Overall pregnancy rate at d 30 was 54% (660/1,228) and pregnancy loss was 6.21% (41/660). Cows receiving semen from Nelore sires had greater (P < 0.001) pregnancy rate, greater (P = 0.014) pregnancy loss, and lesser (P = 0.002) PAG concentrations at d 30 of gestation compared with cows receiving Angus semen. Circulating PAG concentrations were lower (P = 0.008) in cows that had pregnancy loss (9.76 ± 0.25 vs. 7.41 ± 1.02 ng/mL). Angus sires were retrospectively classified according to percentage of pregnancy loss as either high pregnancy loss (mean of 7.25% or 67% of total) or low pregnancy loss (mean of 3.93% or 33% of total). Cows receiving semen from high pregnancy loss sires had 1.9 times greater (P = 0.123) rate of pregnancy loss and had lower (P = 0.059) PAG concentrations at d 30 of gestation compared with cows mated to low pregnancy loss sires. In summary, PAG concentrations reflected probability of pregnancy maintenance and were influenced by both sire and sire breed used at FTAI. Variation in the incidence of pregnancy loss was detected among sires that could not be predicted with standard semen fertility evaluations. Exploring the relationship of sire and PAG production might be promising to improve sire selection with regard to pregnancy loss.