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The Indian Journal of Medical Research Dec 2018Infertility has always been considered as a social stigma and has often been treated as socially, mentally and physically damaging experience for the childless women... (Review)
Review
Infertility has always been considered as a social stigma and has often been treated as socially, mentally and physically damaging experience for the childless women rather than man. Fatherhood was more a social rather than biological concept, thereby making childlessness a legitimate ground for divorce and a matter of disgrace for women. Every country has its own set of customs and traditional beliefs for the relief of childlessness. While introducing a second wife was one way to overcome the predicament of childlessness, divorce was also an available choice. There were several myths that contemplated the human concerns and their needs during ancient times. It is evident that types of the infertility and their treatment in the modern era have some historical background and different representations in the ancient civilizations. The present review discusses the historical and modern perspectives of infertility and assisted reproduction and their importance in different cultures.
Topics: Female; Humans; India; Infertility; Male; Reproduction; Reproductive Behavior; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Spouses
PubMed: 30964077
DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_636_18 -
American Family Physician Apr 2015Acute abdominal pain is a common presentation in the outpatient setting and can represent conditions ranging from benign to life-threatening. If the patient history,... (Review)
Review
Acute abdominal pain is a common presentation in the outpatient setting and can represent conditions ranging from benign to life-threatening. If the patient history, physical examination, and laboratory testing do not identify an underlying cause of pain and if serious pathology remains a clinical concern, diagnostic imaging is indicated. The American College of Radiology has developed clinical guidelines, the Appropriateness Criteria, based on the location of abdominal pain to help physicians choose the most appropriate imaging study. Ultrasonography is the initial imaging test of choice for patients presenting with right upper quadrant pain. Computed tomography (CT) is recommended for evaluating right or left lower quadrant pain. Conventional radiography has limited diagnostic value in the assessment of most patients with abdominal pain. The widespread use of CT raises concerns about patient exposure to ionizing radiation. Strategies to reduce exposure are currently being studied, such as using ultrasonography as an initial study for suspected appendicitis before obtaining CT and using low-dose CT rather than standard-dose CT. Magnetic resonance imaging is another emerging technique for the evaluation of abdominal pain that avoids ionizing radiation.
Topics: Abdomen, Acute; Age Factors; Contrast Media; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Reproductive Behavior; Sex Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 25884745
DOI: No ID Found -
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal... Sep 2017This paper traces the development of our understanding of the development of different approaches to estimating the strength of reproductive competition and sexual... (Review)
Review
This paper traces the development of our understanding of the development of different approaches to estimating the strength of reproductive competition and sexual selection in the two sexes, based on measures of the operational sex ratio, the opportunity for sexual selection and contrasts in selection gradients between the sexes. It argues that different approaches provide complementary insights into the causes of sex differences in reproductive competition, the operation of sexual selection and the evolution of secondary sexual characters and that improvements in our understanding of the evolution of secondary sexual characters will require a more comprehensive understanding of the ways in which social and ecological conditions modify reproductive competition and development in females and males.This article is part of the themed issue 'Adult sex ratios and reproductive decisions: a critical re-examination of sex differences in human and animal societies'.
Topics: Animals; Competitive Behavior; Female; Humans; Male; Mating Preference, Animal; Reproduction; Reproductive Behavior; Sex Ratio; Sexual Behavior, Animal
PubMed: 28760754
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0310 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2022The purpose of this concept analysis is to explore childlessness and provide understanding to professionals involved in the field of infertility. Walker and Avant's...
The purpose of this concept analysis is to explore childlessness and provide understanding to professionals involved in the field of infertility. Walker and Avant's method was used to identify descriptions, antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents of the concept. A model with related and contrary cases was developed. The analysis was based on the definition of the term in major dictionaries in the Greek, Lithuanian, Finnish, Maltese, and Turkish languages, while further literature searches utilized the Web of Science, PubMed, PsychInfo, Medline, Google Scholar, and National Thesis Databases. The literature search was limited to papers/books published in the authors' national languages and English. As a result, childlessness is defined as the absence of children in the life of an individual, and this can be voluntary or involuntary. However, the deeper analysis of the concept may be preceded and amplified through cultural, psychological, biological, philosophical, theological, sociological, anthropological, and linguistic aspects throughout history. These elements presented challenges for childless individuals, ultimately influencing their choices to resort to alternative ways of becoming parents, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), surrogacy, adoption, or other forms of childbearing. Historically, childlessness has been viewed with negative connotations due to its potential impact on the survival of the human species. This negativity can be directed even to individuals who may decide to opt to voluntarily remain childfree. The long-term impact of the experience, both on an individual and collective level, continues to cause pain to those who are involuntarily childless. In conclusion, health professionals and other stakeholders who have a deep understanding of childlessness, including the antecedents and attributes, can minimize the potential negative consequences of those factors contributing to childlessness, whether voluntary or involuntary. In fact, they can capitalize on a powerful impact of change adaptation by providing support to those in their practice to recover the lost homeostasis.
Topics: Humans; Family Relations; Infertility; Reproductive Behavior
PubMed: 35162484
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031464 -
Seminars in Reproductive Medicine Mar 2019The hypothalamic hormone kisspeptin (encoded by the KISS1/kiss1 gene) is the master regulator of the reproductive axis with its role in controlling gonadotrophin hormone... (Review)
Review
The hypothalamic hormone kisspeptin (encoded by the KISS1/kiss1 gene) is the master regulator of the reproductive axis with its role in controlling gonadotrophin hormone secretion now well characterized. However, identification of kisspeptin and its cognate receptor expression within the amygdala, a key limbic brain region whose functions contribute to a broad range of physiological and behavioral processes, has heightened interest concerning kisspeptins' role in the broader aspects of reproductive physiology. In this review, we detail the important developments and key studies examining the emerging functions of this kisspeptin population. These studies provide novel advances in our understanding of the mechanisms controlling reproductive neuroendocrinology by defining the crucial role of the amygdala kisspeptin system in modulating pubertal timing, reproductive hormone secretion, and pulsatility, as well as its influence in governing-related behaviors. To this end, the role of the amygdala kisspeptin system in integrating reproductive hormone secretion with behavior sheds new light onto the potential use of kisspeptin-based therapeutics for reproductive and related psychosexual disorders.
Topics: Amygdala; Animals; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Kisspeptins; Male; Puberty; Reproductive Behavior; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 31847026
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-3400462 -
BMC Biology Feb 2022Sex allocation is the distribution of resources to male or female reproduction. In hermaphrodites, this concerns an individual's resource allocation to, for example, the...
BACKGROUND
Sex allocation is the distribution of resources to male or female reproduction. In hermaphrodites, this concerns an individual's resource allocation to, for example, the production of male or female gametes. Macroevolutionary studies across hermaphroditic plants have revealed that the self-pollination rate and the pollination mode are strong predictors of sex allocation. Consequently, we expect similar factors such as the selfing rate and aspects of the reproductive biology, like the mating behaviour and the intensity of postcopulatory sexual selection, to predict sex allocation in hermaphroditic animals. However, comparative work on hermaphroditic animals is limited. Here, we study sex allocation in 120 species of the hermaphroditic free-living flatworm genus Macrostomum. We ask how hypodermic insemination, a convergently evolved mating behaviour where sperm are traumatically injected through the partner's epidermis, affects the evolution of sex allocation. We also test the commonly-made assumption that investment into male and female reproduction should trade-off. Finally, we ask if morphological indicators of the intensity of postcopulatory sexual selection (female genital complexity, male copulatory organ length, and sperm length) can predict sex allocation.
RESULTS
We find that the repeated evolution of hypodermic insemination predicts a more female-biased sex allocation (i.e., a relative shift towards female allocation). Moreover, transcriptome-based estimates of heterozygosity reveal reduced heterozygosity in hypodermically mating species, indicating that this mating behavior is linked to increased selfing or biparental inbreeding. Therefore, hypodermic insemination could represent a selfing syndrome. Furthermore, across the genus, allocation to male and female gametes is negatively related, and larger species have a more female-biased sex allocation. Finally, increased female genital complexity, longer sperm, and a longer male copulatory organ predict a more male-biased sex allocation.
CONCLUSIONS
Selfing syndromes have repeatedly originated in plants. Remarkably, this macroevolutionary pattern is replicated in Macrostomum flatworms and linked to repeated shifts in reproductive behavior. We also find a trade-off between male and female reproduction, a fundamental assumption of most theories of sex allocation. Beyond that, no theory predicts a more female-biased allocation in larger species, suggesting avenues for future work. Finally, morphological indicators of more intense postcopulatory sexual selection appear to predict more intense sperm competition.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Female; Male; Platyhelminths; Reproduction; Reproductive Behavior; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 35130880
DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01234-1 -
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... Sep 2016
Topics: Contraception Behavior; Female; Fertility; Humans; Male; Periodicals as Topic; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Reproductive Health
PubMed: 27528564
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.12945 -
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... May 2019The aim of this review is to provide current knowledge on fertility preservation for non-medical reasons in women willing to postpone childbearing. The topic is highly... (Review)
Review
The aim of this review is to provide current knowledge on fertility preservation for non-medical reasons in women willing to postpone childbearing. The topic is highly debatable, starting from disagreement about its terminology, the number of eggs necessary to predict chances of success, and the safety and socio/ethical point of view. Cost analysis and discrepancies among countries' recommendations and regulations are described to confirm the controversies and unsolved issues around this very interesting topic. Finally, an overview on the returning rate of women among "egg bankers" and reasons behind their decisions are illustrated.
Topics: Cryopreservation; Female; Fertility Preservation; Humans; Oocytes; Reproductive Behavior
PubMed: 30758059
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13573 -
PloS One 2021Reproductive coercion and abuse is a major public health issue, with significant effects on the health and well-being of women. Reproductive coercion and abuse includes...
BACKGROUND
Reproductive coercion and abuse is a major public health issue, with significant effects on the health and well-being of women. Reproductive coercion and abuse includes any form of behaviour that intentionally controls another person's reproductive choices. The aim of this qualitative evidence synthesis is to explore women's experiences of reproductive coercion and abuse globally, to broaden understanding of the different ways reproductive coercion and abuse is perpetrated, perceived and experienced across settings and socio-cultural contexts.
METHOD
We searched Medline, CINAHL and Embase for eligible studies from inception to 25th February 2021. Primary studies with a qualitative study design that focused on the experiences and perceptions of women who have encountered reproductive coercion and abuse were eligible for inclusion. Titles and abstracts, and full texts were screened by independent reviewers. We extracted data from included studies using a form designed for this synthesis and assessed methodological limitations using CASP. We used Thomas and Harden's thematic analysis approach to analyse and synthesise the evidence, and the GRADE-CERQual approach to assess confidence in review findings.
RESULTS
We included 33 studies from twelve countries in South Asia, the Asia Pacific, North America, South America, Africa and Europe. Most studies used in-depth interviews and focus group discussions to discuss women's experiences of reproductive coercion and abuse. Reproductive coercion and abuse manifested in a range of behaviours including control of pregnancy outcome, pregnancy pressure or contraceptive sabotage. There were a range of reasons cited for reproductive coercion and abuse, including control of women, rigid gender roles, social inequalities and family pressure. Women's different responses to reproductive coercion and abuse included using covert contraception and feelings of distress, anger and trauma. Across contexts, perpetration and experiences of reproductive coercion and abuse were influenced by different factors including son preferences and social exclusion.
CONCLUSIONS
We reflect on the importance of socio-cultural factors in understanding the phenomenon of reproductive coercion and abuse and how it affects women, as well as how the mechanisms of power and control at both individual and societal levels work to perpetuate the incidence of reproductive coercion and abuse against women.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Coercion; Culture; Female; Humans; Psychology; Qualitative Research; Reproductive Behavior; Spouse Abuse; Young Adult
PubMed: 34932570
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261551 -
The Indian Journal of Medical Research Dec 2018This review highlights the challenges, priority areas of research and planning, strategies for regulation of services and the need to develop guidelines and laws for... (Review)
Review
This review highlights the challenges, priority areas of research and planning, strategies for regulation of services and the need to develop guidelines and laws for fertility treatments during mid-life. The success rate of all treatments is poor in advanced age women because of declining ovarian reserve and natural fertility. There is often a need of third-party involvement which has its own ethical, legal and medical issues. Welfare of children born to older women and early death of parents are important concerns. Most of the new techniques such as the pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, oocyte augmentation, use of stem cells or artificial gametes, ovarian tissue preservation and ovarian transplantation are directed to improve, preserve or replace the declining ovarian reserve. These techniques are costly and have limited availability, safety and efficacy data. Continued research and policies are required to keep pace with these techniques. The other important issues include the patients' personal autonomy and right of self-determination, welfare of offspring, public vs. private funding for research and development of new technologies vs. indiscriminate use of unproven technology. It is important that mid-life fertility is recognized as a distinct area of human reproduction requiring special considerations.
Topics: Egg Hypersensitivity; Family Planning Services; Female; Fertility; Fertility Preservation; Humans; Male; Ovarian Reserve; Reproductive Behavior
PubMed: 30964078
DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_647_18