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Clinical risk factors for preterm birth and evaluating maternal psychology in the postpartum period.World Journal of Psychiatry May 2024Although the specific pathogenesis of preterm birth (PTB) has not been thoroughly clarified, it is known to be related to various factors, such as pregnancy...
BACKGROUND
Although the specific pathogenesis of preterm birth (PTB) has not been thoroughly clarified, it is known to be related to various factors, such as pregnancy complications, maternal socioeconomic factors, lifestyle habits, reproductive history, environmental and psychological factors, prenatal care, and nutritional status. PTB has serious implications for newborns and families and is associated with high mortality and complications. Therefore, the prediction of PTB risk can facilitate early intervention and reduce its resultant adverse consequences.
AIM
To analyze the risk factors for PTB to establish a PTB risk prediction model and to assess postpartum anxiety and depression in mothers.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of 648 consecutive parturients who delivered at Shenzhen Bao'an District Songgang People's Hospital between January 2019 and January 2022 was performed. According to the diagnostic criteria for premature infants, the parturients were divided into a PTB group ( = 60) and a full-term (FT) group ( = 588). Puerperae were assessed by the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), based on which the mothers with anxiety and depression symptoms were screened for further analysis. The factors affecting PTB were analyzed by univariate analysis, and the related risk factors were identified by logistic regression.
RESULTS
According to univariate analysis, the PTB group was older than the FT group, with a smaller weight change and greater proportions of women who underwent artificial insemination and had gestational diabetes mellitus ( < 0.05). In addition, greater proportions of women with reproductive tract infections and greater white blood cell (WBC) counts ( < 0.05), shorter cervical lengths in the second trimester and lower neutrophil percentages ( < 0.001) were detected in the PTB group than in the FT group. The PTB group exhibited higher postpartum SAS and SDS scores than did the FT group ( < 0.0001), with a higher number of mothers experiencing anxiety and depression ( < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a greater maternal weight change, the presence of gestational diabetes mellitus, a shorter cervical length in the second trimester, a greater WBC count, and the presence of maternal anxiety and depression were risk factors for PTB ( < 0.01). Moreover, the risk score of the FT group was lower than that of the PTB group, and the area under the curve of the risk score for predicting PTB was greater than 0.9.
CONCLUSION
This study highlights the complex interplay between postpartum anxiety and PTB, where maternal anxiety may be a potential risk factor for PTB, with PTB potentially increasing the incidence of postpartum anxiety in mothers. In addition, a greater maternal weight change, the presence of gestational diabetes mellitus, a shorter cervical length, a greater WBC count, and postpartum anxiety and depression were identified as risk factors for PTB.
PubMed: 38808088
DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v14.i5.661 -
Theriogenology Sep 2024The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect on reproductive performance of a targeted reproductive management (TRM) program for first postpartum...
Effect of a targeted reproductive management program based on automated detection of estrus during the voluntary waiting period on reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows.
The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect on reproductive performance of a targeted reproductive management (TRM) program for first postpartum insemination (AI) that prioritized AI at detected estrus (AIE) by providing different intervals for estrus detection based on records of automated estrus alerts (AEA) during the voluntary waiting period (VWP). A secondary objective was to evaluate the association between occurrence of AEA during the VWP and reproductive performance. Lactating Holstein cows (n = 1,260) fitted with neck behavior monitoring sensors for detection of estrus were randomly assigned to a program that used all-timed AI (TAI) for first service (ALL-TAI; n = 632) or a TRM program that prioritized AIE and used TAI only for cows not detected in estrus (TP-AIE; n = 628). Cows in the ALL-TAI treatment received TAI at 76 ± 3 days in milk (DIM) after a Double-Ovsynch protocol. Cows in the TP-AIE treatment were eligible for AIE for 30 ± 3 or 16 ± 3 d after a 49 d VWP if at least one (n = 346) or no (n = 233) AEA were recorded from 15 to 49 DIM. Cows not AIE received TAI after an Ovsynch protocol with progesterone supplementation at 90 ± 3 or 76 ± 3 DIM if the cow had or did not have AEA during the VWP, respectively. Data were analyzed by logistic and Cox's proportional hazard regression. In the TP-AIE treatment, 69.3 % of cows received AIE and more cows with (83.3 %) than without (45.0 %) AEA during the VWP received AIE. Cows in the TP-AIE (69.0 ± 0.7 d) treatment had fewer days from calving to first AI than cows in the ALL-TAI (75.7 ± 0.8 d) treatment. The proportion of cows pregnant by 150 DIM (ALL-TAI = 59.1 % and TP-AIE = 56.0 %) and the hazard ratio (HR) for time to pregnancy (1.0 [95 % confidence interval: 0.9, 1.2]) did not differ between treatments and median days to pregnancy were 102 and 107 for the ALL-TAI and TP-AIE treatments, respectively. Overall, the ALL-TAI (42.3 %) treatment had more first service pregnancies per AI (P/AI) than the TP-AIE (29.0 %) treatment. Cows with AEA during the VWP had greater P/AI (42.5 % vs. 28.9 %), proportion of cows pregnant by 150 DIM (67.4 % vs. 47.0 %), and HR for time to pregnancy (1.6 [1.4, 1.9]) than cows without AEA during the VWP. We conclude that a TRM program that prioritized AIE based on AEA during the VWP led to a similar pregnancy rate and proportion of cows pregnant by mid-lactation than a program that used all-TAI with extended VWP despite fewer P/AI to first service. Also, expression of estrus during the VWP was associated with improved reproductive performance. Thus, AEA during the VWP could be used as a predictor of reproductive potential for TRM of lactating dairy cows.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Female; Lactation; Insemination, Artificial; Pregnancy; Estrus Detection; Dairying; Reproduction; Estrus Synchronization; Estrus
PubMed: 38805995
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.05.030 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024This study investigated the antioxidant effect of quercetin-treated semen on frozen-thawed spermatozoa quality and fertility in crossbred Kamori goats. In total, 32...
This study investigated the antioxidant effect of quercetin-treated semen on frozen-thawed spermatozoa quality and fertility in crossbred Kamori goats. In total, 32 ejaculates from four fertile bucks were diluted in Tris-based egg yolk extender with varying levels of quercetin (0, 1, 5, 10, and 15 μM). Qualified semen samples were pooled and frozen in French straws. The results revealed that the addition of quercetin in the semen extender increased ( < 0.05) frozen-thawed sperm total motility (TM), progressive motility (PM), rapid velocity (RV), average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), and amplitude of lateral head (ALH) displacement in contrast to the control group. Quercetin supplementation had no effect on beat cross frequency (BCF), straightness (STR), and linearity (LIN) ( > 0.05). Quercetin showed significantly higher ( < 0.05) plasma membrane and acrosome integrity and viability ( < 0.05) of spermatozoa in contrast to the control group. Quercetin in the semen extender significantly increased ( < 0.05) superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels while reduced ( < 0.05) the contents of total oxidant status (TOS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), which were in contrast to the control group. Ultrasound results revealed that 24 out of 30 (80%) goats were found pregnant when semen was treated with 5 μM quercetin while the control group showed 18 out of 30 (60%) animals were pregnant. Thus, the study concluded that 5 μM quercetin-treated semen was found to be efficient, showed increased antioxidant status, and reduced oxidant production, leading to improved spermatozoa quality and fertility in goats.
PubMed: 38803803
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1385642 -
Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao. Yi Xue Ban =... May 2024To analyze the pregnant outcomes in patients with positive anti-centromere antibody (ACA) receiving fertilization (IVF) -embryo transfer (ET) and natural conception.
OBJECTIVES
To analyze the pregnant outcomes in patients with positive anti-centromere antibody (ACA) receiving fertilization (IVF) -embryo transfer (ET) and natural conception.
METHODS
A case-control study was used to retrospectively analyze the clinical data of 3955 patients who received in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer therapy and had the results of antinuclear antibody (ANA) spectrum at Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital from June 2016 to June 2023. Patients with positive ACA and negative ACA were matched at a ratio of 1∶3 using propensity score matching. Embryo outcomes of IVF were compared between the two groups, and the impact of different fertilization methods and the use of immunosuppressants on pregnant outcomes were analyzed using self-matching analysis. The natural conception and disease progress were followed up for ACA-positive patients after IVF failure.
RESULTS
The ACA-positive patients accounted for 0.86% of all IVF patients (34/3955) and 2.51% of total ANA-positive IVF patients. Regardless of whether patients received conventional IVF (c-IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), the ACA-positive group exhibited significant differences in oocyte maturity and fertilization compared to the ACA-negative group (both <0.01). Moreover, the ACA-positive group had a decreased number of D3 suboptimal embryos and D3 optimal embryos (both <0.05). In 5 cases of ACA-positive patients who underwent ICSI cycles, the double pronuclei rate did not increase compared to c-IVF cycles (>0.05), and there was a decrease in the number of D3 high-quality embryos and D3 suboptimal embryos (both <0.05). After 1-2 months of immunosuppressant treatment, 12 ACA-positive patients underwent c-IVF/ICSI again, and there were no changes in egg retrieval and fertilization before and after medication (both >0.05), but there was an improvement in the 2PN embryo cleavage rate (<0.05). The number of embryos transferred was similar between the ACA-positive and negative groups, but the ACA-positive group had significantly lower embryo implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate compared to the ACA-negative group (both <0.05), with no significant difference in miscarriage rate between the two groups (>0.05). Twenty-seven ACA-positive patients attempted natural conception or artificial insemination after IVF failure, resulting in a total of 7 cases of clinical pregnancy.
CONCLUSIONS
Serum ACA positivity may disrupt oocyte maturation and normal fertilization processes, with no improvement observed with ICSI and immunosuppressant use. However, ACA-positive patients may still achieve natural pregnancy.
PubMed: 38803288
DOI: 10.3724/zdxbyxb-2023-0559 -
Veterinary World Apr 2024The quality of canine sperm can be influenced by many factors, such as breed, body weight, age, ejaculatory frequency, nutrition, and environment. In the UK, it is...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
The quality of canine sperm can be influenced by many factors, such as breed, body weight, age, ejaculatory frequency, nutrition, and environment. In the UK, it is common practice for standard Bull Terriers (SBT) and miniature Bull Terriers (MBT) to require male donors during a short breeding period. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of semen collection frequency on ejaculate volume and nine sperm parameters in SBT and MBT males, considering age and body condition score (BCS).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Ejaculates from six adult SBTs and four MBTs were collected 5 times at two consecutive intervals (Time Series [TS]1, 24 h . TS2, 48 h), 1 week apart. Ejaculate volume, concentration, total output, viability (live sperm), subjective total motility, vigor, and total morphological defects, including head, midpiece, and tail defects of sperm, were evaluated. A multivariable mixed linear model for repeated measures was used to analyze the effects of semen collection frequency, age, breed, and BCS on ejaculate volume and sperm parameters.
RESULTS
Semen collection frequency, age, and, to a lesser extent, breed, and BCS significantly affected sperm parameters. Semen collection frequency affected all sperm parameters (p < 0.05) but not ejaculate volume (p > 0.05). Total sperm output, sperm vigor, total motility, and tail defects decreased (p < 0.05) at the end of TS1. However, sperm parameters remained relatively constant (p > 0.05) in TS2 between semen collection sessions. Overall, poorer sperm parameters were observed in older dogs (aged 5-8 years) than in younger dogs (aged 4 years). MBT produced less (p < 0.001) ejaculate volume (3.2 ± 0.2 mL . 4.3 ± 0.2 mL: Least Squares Mean ± Standard Error of Mean), lower total sperm output (221.8 ± 19.2 × 10 vs. 348.6 ± 19.2 × 10) and lower total morphological defects (25.0 ± 1.1% . 31.3 ± 0.9%), and a higher percentage of live sperm (77.0 ± 1.4% . 71.7 ± 1.1%) than SBT. In addition, a BCS of 4 positively influenced (p < 0.05) viability, vigor, and total sperm motility.
CONCLUSION
Despite differences in age, breed, and BCS, better sperm parameter values were observed in all semen collection sessions. However, intensive semen collection (TS1) appears to be less effective in maintaining good sperm quality. For breeding or artificial insemination purposes, a 48-h interval between collection sessions is recommended for both breeds. The results of this study could be used to further optimize assisted reproductive technologies in both breeds.
PubMed: 38798297
DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.820-828 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... May 2024Dogs are the most popular pets worldwide. Close contact between dogs and people increases the risk of transmission of various zoonotic parasitic infections. Given the...
Dogs are the most popular pets worldwide. Close contact between dogs and people increases the risk of transmission of various zoonotic parasitic infections. Given the importance of veterinary medicine in preserving the One Health concept, the aim of this research was to identify intestinal parasites that may have zoonotic potential and to evaluate risk factors (individual and environmental). The research was conducted in Serbia in 2022 and 2023 on 382 owned dogs, using qualitative methods of coprological examination with a concentration on parasitic elements. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 62.6%, with the following detected: protozoa: spp. (9.2%), spp. (4.5%), / spp. (3.7%), (11.8%); nematoda: (11.5%), (4.2%), family Ancylostomatidae (38.0%), (21.5%), spp. (10.5%); trematoda: (1.6%) and cestodes from the Taeniidae family (1.3%). Factors like age, size and coat length, as well as the way of living, attitude and diet were linked to a significantly higher ( < 0.05) prevalence of intestinal parasites. Based on the results of coprological diagnostics, this research indicates the importance of educating dog owners, conducting routine parasitological tests on their pets and regular deworming strategies.
PubMed: 38791680
DOI: 10.3390/ani14101463 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... May 2024Y-27632, as a cytoskeleton protector, is commonly used for low-temperature preservation of cells. Goat sperm are prone to damage to the cytoskeleton under...
Y-27632, as a cytoskeleton protector, is commonly used for low-temperature preservation of cells. Goat sperm are prone to damage to the cytoskeleton under low-temperature conditions, leading to a loss of sperm vitality. However, the Y-27632 small molecule has not yet been used in research on low-temperature preservation of goat semen. This study aims to address the issue of low temperature-induced loss of sperm motility in goats by using Y-27632, and explore the regulation of Y-27632 on goat sperm metabolism. At a low temperature of 4 °C, different concentrations of Y-27632 were added to the sperm diluent. The regulation of Y-27632 on the quality of low temperature-preserved goat semen was evaluated by detecting goat sperm motility, antioxidant capacity, mitochondrial activity, cholesterol levels, and metabolomics analysis. The results indicated that 20 µM Y-27632 significantly increased plasma membrane integrity ( < 0.05), and acrosome integrity ( < 0.05) and sperm motility ( < 0.05), increased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) ( < 0.01), increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) ( < 0.05), decreased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) ( < 0.01), and significantly increased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). The levels of ATP, Ca, and TC in sperm increased ( < 0.01). Twenty metabolites with significant differences were identified, with six metabolic pathways having a significant impact, among which the D-glutamic acid and D-glutamine metabolic pathways had the most significant impact. The artificial insemination effect of goat semen treated with 20 μM Y-27632 was not significantly different from that of fresh semen. This study indicates that Y-27632 improves the quality of low-temperature preservation of sperm by protecting the sperm plasma membrane, enhancing sperm antioxidant capacity, regulating D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism, and promoting the application of low-temperature preservation of semen in artificial insemination technology.
PubMed: 38791659
DOI: 10.3390/ani14101441 -
Journal of Dairy Science May 2024In this study, the main objective was to assess if long luteal phases could have other causes than pregnancy losses. We enrolled Holstein dairy cows ≥50 d in milk...
In this study, the main objective was to assess if long luteal phases could have other causes than pregnancy losses. We enrolled Holstein dairy cows ≥50 d in milk (DIM) from a commercial herd in Brazil from October 2016 to August 2017. All cows received an estradiol-based synchronization protocol, and, on the day of insemination (d 0), were randomly assigned either an artificial insemination (AI) or a placebo insemination (PBO) in a 3:1 ratio. An ultrasound was used to assess the presence of a CL on d17, 24, and 31, which, combined to the information from patches for the detection of estrus, was used to determine the length of the luteal phase following AI or PBO. Pregnancy was assessed by ultrasound on d 31 and cows that were pregnant were excluded from the analyses. The length of the estrous cycles was categorized as short (<17 d), normal (17-23 d), long (24-30 d), and very long (≥31 d). We compared the proportion of cows in each category between the AI and PBO groups using a cumulative ordinal mixed model. We define prolonged luteal phase as estrous cycles ≥24 d and tested its association with potential risk factors (parity, season, DIM, uterine size and position score, milk production, body condition score, and the presence of a corpus luteum (CL) at enrollment to the synchronization protocol) using mixed logistic regression models. Results are presented as odds ratio (OR) and 95% credible intervals (BCI). Data from 876 inseminations (AI: n = 616, PBO: n = 260) was collected. Overall, 12% of estrous cycles were short, 31% were normal, 19% were long, and 38% were very long. There was no difference in the odds of being in longer estrous cycle categories for the AI compared with the PBO group (OR = 0.92, 95% BCI = 0.76-1.10). Season and presence of a CL at enrollment were associated with prolonged luteal phase. In the AI group, there was a possible effect of early pregnancy losses on the lifespan of the CL, but not the PBO group, which led us to conclude that long and very long estrous cycles were not all caused by the embryonic loss. In fact, the high prevalence of cows with an extended CL lifespan in the present study suggests this could be an under- or miss-reported characteristic of high-producing lactating Holstein cows. This finding may have important repercussions in the understanding of the CL function physiology of lactating Holstein cows.
PubMed: 38788835
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2024-24792 -
Animal Reproduction Science Jul 2024One of the factors responsible for less pregnancy rates is the use of frozen semen in sheep due to the oxidative stress created by the process. The aim of this...
One of the factors responsible for less pregnancy rates is the use of frozen semen in sheep due to the oxidative stress created by the process. The aim of this experiment was to test the effects of adding coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ10) to the seminal extender on sperm quality and the pregnancy rate of sheep. In this study, ejaculates from eight Dorper rams of reproductive age were used and tested in four treatments: Control (pure BotuBov®), C1 (175 µM of CoQ10), C3 (350 µM of CoQ10), and C7 (700 µM of CoQ10). Samples were collected in triplicate from each animal, and sperm analysis was performed by CASA after thawing at 0 h and 2 h. The samples were also analyzed by flow cytometry for plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity, stability, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial potential, and superoxide anion production. In total, 198 ewes were inseminated by laparoscopy and divided into two groups: control (n=98) and C7 (n=100). Pregnancy diagnosis was performed at 30 days. Coenzyme Q10 proved to be safe for semen cryopreservation, not altering sperm kinetic values between the groups post-thawing. In flow cytometry, the C1 and C7 groups achieved a better index of plasma membrane integrity and membrane stability (P<0.05). A increased pregnancy rate was observed in C7 (52 %) compared to the control (38 %). In conclusion, coenzyme Q10 assists in the cryopreservation process, protecting the sperm cell and improving pregnancy rates in ewes.
Topics: Animals; Ubiquinone; Female; Pregnancy; Sheep; Male; Pregnancy Rate; Semen Preservation; Semen Analysis; Cryopreservation; Spermatozoa; Insemination, Artificial; Cryoprotective Agents
PubMed: 38788536
DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107498 -
Animal Reproduction Science May 2024The optimization of processes associated with artificial insemination (AI) is of great importance for the success of the pig industry. Over the last two decades, great... (Review)
Review
The optimization of processes associated with artificial insemination (AI) is of great importance for the success of the pig industry. Over the last two decades, great reproductive performance has been achieved, making further significant progress limited. Optimizing the AI program, however, is essential to the pig industry's sustainability. Thus, the aim is not only to reduce the number of sperm cells used per estrous sow but also to improve some practical management in sow farms and boar studs to transform the high reproductive performance to a more efficient program. As productivity is mainly influenced by the number of inseminated sows, guaranteeing a constant breeding group and with healthy animals is paramount. In the AI studs, all management must ensure conditions to the health of the boars. Some strategies have been proposed and discussed to achieve these targets. A constant flow of high-quality and well-managed breeding groups, quality control of semen doses produced, more reliable technology in the laboratory routine, removal of less fertile boars, the use of intrauterine AI, the use of a single AI with control of estrus and ovulation (fixed-time AI), estrus detection based on artificial intelligence technologies, and optimization regarding the use of semen doses from high genetic-indexed boars are some strategies in which improvement is sought. In addition to these new approaches, we must revisit the processes used in boar studs, semen delivery network, and sow farm management for a more efficient AI program. This review discusses the challenges and opportunities in adopting some technologies to achieve satisfactory reproductive performance and efficiency.
PubMed: 38782677
DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107501