PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy and maternal complication rates of induction of labor, and to identify a concrete point in time for induction with the lowest possible risk for adverse events. METHODS: We designed a retrospective data analysis of all births at the general hospital of Vienna from 2003 to ...

This article reviews one of the less common but most dreaded complications of labor and delivery, shoulder dystocia, an infrequent but potentially devastating event that results from impaction of the fetal shoulders in the maternal pelvis. Shoulder dystocia occurs most commonly in patients without identified risk factors, and can result ...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of vibroacoustic stimulation (VAS) on computerized cardiotocography short-term variability (STV) and approximate entropy (ApEn) in both low- and high-risk pregnancies. VAS was performed on 121 high- and 95 low-risk pregnancies after 10 minutes of continuous quiet, while their FHR parameters ...

The article below summarizes a roundtable discussion of a study published in this issue of the Journal in light of its methodology, relevance to practice, and implications for future research. Article discussed: Chen Y-H, Kang J-H, Lin C-C, et al. Obstructive sleep apnea and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. ...

In the roundtable that follows, clinicians discuss a study published in this issue of the Journal in light of its methodology, relevance to practice, and implications for future research. Article discussed: Chen Y-H, Kang J-H, Lin C-C, et al. Obstructive sleep apnea and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Am ...

A 42-year-old pregnant woman was referred with massive fetal bilateral pleural effusions. Observation with serial ultrasound was made. The documented spontaneous resolution of fetal pleural effusion was recorded. Neonatal examination revealed a completely healthy infant with normal respiration. Fetal pleural effusion can cause fetal lung compression, abnormal neonatal respiration and ...

CSF leak after epidural anaesthesia should be suspected after persistent headaches, which are worse on standing, suggestive of low pressure and CSF overdrainage. Subdural haemorrhage after CSF leak is a recognised complication; if suspected a CT Brain should be performed. An epidural blood-patch, and if necessary haematoma evacuation, can help ...

: Odontogenic infections are quite common and, in unusual cases, can extend beyond the oral cavity with potentially life-threatening complications. : A 35-year-old woman, G3P0020, underwent extraction of an infected left maxillary third molar tooth at 19 3/7 weeks of gestation and later presented with mental status changes. Computed tomography ...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the current role of tubal reconstructive surgery in the era of assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs). RECENT FINDINGS: After tubal reconstructive surgery, couples may have unlimited attempts to conceive naturally. Operative risks are low; the risk for ectopic pregnancy after surgery is 4-10%. ART is associated ...

Pregnancy associated pyogenic granuloma of the oral cavity especially the gingivae is not uncommon. However, pyogenic granuloma of the lip associated with pregnancy is a very rare clinical condition. A case of a 29 year-old pregnant woman (35 weeks gestation) who presented with a pregnancy associated pyogenic granuloma of the ...

We construct a verbal and graphical theory (the "fecundity-limitation hypothesis") about how constraints on the brooding space for embryos probably truncate individual fecundity in male-pregnant and female-pregnant species in ways that should differentially influence selection pressures for multiple mating by males or by females. We then review the empirical literature ...

Female ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) are Malagasy primates that are size monomorphic with males, socially dominate males, and exhibit a long, pendulous clitoris, channeled by the urethra. These masculine traits evoke certain attributes of female spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) and draw attention to the potential role of androgens in lemur ...

Trace exposures to metals may affect female reproductive health. To assess the relation between trace concentrations of blood metals and female fecundity, 99 non-pregnant women discontinuing contraception for the purpose of becoming pregnant were prospectively followed. Participants completed a baseline interview and daily diaries until pregnant, or up to 12 ...

To examine the performance of a mass spectrometry-based detection platform using three Y-chromosome sequences for fetal sex determination from circulating cell-free fetal DNA (ccffDNA) in maternal blood in the first trimester of pregnancy. We extracted ccffDNA for the determination of fetal sex from stored maternal plasma obtained at 11 to ...

Because the maternal environment can affect several physiological functions of the newborn, the aim of the present study was to examine the impact of sleep restriction during pregnancy on renal morphology and function in young offspring. Female 3-month-old Wistar rats were divided in 2 experimental groups: C (control) and SR ...

Canada lynx face some unique breeding restrictions, which may have implications for population viability and captive management. The goal of this study was to improve our understanding of basic reproductive physiology in Canada lynx. Using fecal hormone metabolite analysis, we established normative patterns of fecal estrogen (fE) and progestagen (fP) ...

The concept of superfetation, a second conception during pregnancy, has been controversial for a long time. In this paper we use an experimental approach to demonstrate that female European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) frequently develop a second pregnancy while already pregnant and thereby increase their reproductive success. After a new, ...

We present a novel case of pyogenic granuloma occurring within a port-wine stain in two sequential pregnancies at different sites. There was no history of precipitating events such as trauma. We discuss why a pyogenic granuloma may occur within a port-wine stain and how pregnancy may increase the likelihood of ...

Monogamous animals face an interesting dilemma: if and when to terminate a nonproductive relationship. To address this issue, we asked whether reproductive compatibility is a criterion for maintaining a monogamous pair-bond between mates. Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), are small rodents that form long-term, monogamous pair-bonds evidenced by a strong preference ...

Exposure to methyl isocyanate and other toxic gases in Bhopal, India, on December 3, 1984 resulted in thousands of acute deaths, pregnancy loss and long-term effects. From 1985 to 2007, we conducted successive surveys of vital status and health to determine whether the exposure of parents to toxic gases in ...

Recent work indicates that PPARalpha is required for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)-induced postnatal lethality resulting from prenatal exposure. The present study tested the hypothesis that relatively modest activation of PPARalpha during prenatal development will cause postnatal lethality, similar to that observed with PFOA, a relatively low affinity PPARalpha agonist. Female wild-type ...

Although the Tsushima leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) is one of the most endangered mammals in Japan, its reproductive physiology and endocrinology have been not elucidated. The objective was to establish the non-invasive monitoring of reproductive endocrinology in a female Tsushima leopard cat and to identify the types of fecal ...

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates fluoxetine (FLX) exposure as an etiology for altered gestational length and adverse pregnancy outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Two experiments were performed exposing mice to drinking water (H(2)O) or H(2)O+FLX. Primary outcomes included gestational length, litter size, and live birth rate. In experiment 1, time-mated dams were monitored ...

WNT4 signaling pathways represent an important step in the multi-faceted process of mammalian gonadal differentiation and the development of internal genitalia. WNT4 protein controls the cytoplasmatic stability of specific transcriptional coactivator beta catenin during both embriogenesis and adult homeostasis. The biological significance of WNT4 consists in determining the final female ...

A 17-year-old female was treated with botulinum toxin (botulinum toxin type A, Allergan) for a left convergent squint. She returned 1 week after her second injection and informed us that she found out she was pregnant 3 days after the second injection. After a long worrying 9 months, her pregnancy ...

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of procymidone (PCM) on development of male rabbit fetal external genitalia. PCM was administered once daily by gavage at dose levels of 0 (control) and 125mg/kg/day to pregnant rabbits from gestation day 6 through 28 and fetal external genitalia was observed in ...

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of prior treatment with radiation therapy or chemotherapy for unilateral Wilms tumor (WT) diagnosed during childhood on pregnancy complications, birth weight, and the frequency of congenital malformations in live-born offspring. We reviewed pregnancy outcomes among female survivors and partners of male survivors ...

Male pregnancy in seahorses, pipefishes and sea dragons (family Syngnathidae) represents a striking reproductive adaptation that has shaped the evolution of behaviour and morphology in this group of fishes. In many syngnathid species, males brood their offspring in a specialized pouch, which presumably evolved to facilitate male parental care. However, ...

Fenvalerate, a widely used pyrethroid insecticide, has been associated with poor semen quality. As yet, little is known about the effects of prenatal fenvalerate exposure on testicular development. The present study investigated the effects of prenatal fenvalerate exposure on testicular development and spermatogenesis. The pregnant mice were administered fenvalerate (30 ...

The reproductive endocrinological characteristics of beluga, killer whale, spotted seal and bottlenose dolphin were evaluated and used in conjunction with applied reproductive research to enhance captive breeding programs. Results from 8 y of biweekly serum progesterone determination in a female beluga indicated that sexual maturity occured at approximately age 13, ...

Several adverse pregnancy outcomes were reported among female laboratory workers in a North American aluminum smelter. To determine whether these outcomes were associated with any occupational exposure at the plant, a cross-sectional survey was undertaken. Rates of miscarriage, premature singleton birth, and major congenital anomaly occurring during employment were compared ...

BACKGROUND: Pregnancies after organ transplantation and under immunosuppressive treatment are associated with slightly elevated risks for obstetric and post-natal complications but can usually be managed well. However, little is known about the effects of intrauterine exposure (IUE) to immunosuppressants in the growing and adult offspring. One major issue is the ...

In female mammals, reproduction is tightly regulated by energy status and food availability. Although acute energetic challenges inhibit female reproductive behavior and gonadotropin secretion, less attention has been given to the effects of short-term energetic challenge on pregnancy and gestation. Furthermore, species differences in pregnancy physiology necessitate more detailed analyses ...

Preterm delivery occurs in approximately 10% of all pregnancies. Prenatal exposure to synthetic glucocorticoids (sGCs) reduces the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in these babies. Therefore, administration of multiple courses of sGCs became common practice. Animal and human studies have demonstrated that multiple courses of sGCs can have long-term ...

We studied two mating systems for a large-scale breeding colony of cynomolgus monkeys: (i) a 3-day timed system that keeps one female and one male together in a cage for 3 days beginning 11 days after menstruation, and (ii) a 7-day timed system beginning 9 days after menstruation. Regardless of ...

Non-invasive fetal sex determination is required for biomedical studies, in which some sexual difference would be expected in fetal events, in order to make a choice of male or female fetus. To detect male fetal DNA of the sex-determining region Y gene (SRY) in maternal macaque plasma, nested real-time PCR ...

In recent years, numerous studies showed that exposure to environmental air pollutants affected reproductive functions and, in particular, produced adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes, fertility, and fetal health. Epidemiological studies demonstrated that exposure to ambient levels of air pollutants are associated with low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, prematurity, neonatal ...

Multiple studies have suggested that prenatal exposure to either allergens or air pollution may increase the risk for the development of allergic immune responses in young offspring. However, the effects of prenatal environmental exposures on adult offspring have not been well-studied. We hypothesized that combined prenatal exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus ...

Despite the importance of the western white-bearded wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus mearnsi) to the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, surprisingly little is known about the reproductive physiology of this keystone species. A longitudinal, non-invasive endocrine study was conducted on female wildebeest captured from the Serengeti-Mara migration and maintained for approximately 16 months in large ...

Endocrine Disruptor Compounds (EDCs) have been largely studied concerning their effects on vertebrates. Nevertheless, invertebrates as targets for these chemicals have been neglected and few studies are available. Specifically for edaphic invertebrates, data concerning the effects of EDCs is residual. Influences of EDCs on the reproduction systems of these organisms, ...

This study characterizes the seasonal reproductive cycle of female round stingrays (Urobatis halleri) in an open coastal site at Seal Beach, CA and a protected estuary at the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge (SBNWR). Female round stingrays were sampled from August 2004 to July 2006, and assessed for reproductive parameters ...

The T-helper 2 (T(H)2) bias associated with pregnancy may predispose the pregnant mother to the development or exacerbation of allergic disease. To determine the effects of pregnancy on pre-existing maternal sensitization, we sensitized BALB/c mice before breeding by two intratracheal aspiration (IA) exposures to the fungal allergen, Metarhizium anisopliae crude ...

The steroid environment encountered by a foetus can strongly affect its post-natal physiology and behaviour. It has been proposed that steroid concentrations experienced in utero could be estimated from adults by measuring their second-to-fourth digit length ratio (2D:4D). However, there is still little direct evidence that intra-uterine steroid levels affect ...

The study was conducted to determine whether a phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3 inhibitor has potential as a novel contraceptive in primates. Regularly cycling adult female cynomolgus macaques of proven fertility (n=16) were treated for 7 months with placebo (controls) or the PDE3 inhibitor ORG 9935 as a daily food treat (150 ...

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association between fetal sex and pregnancy outcome in dichorionic twin pregnancies and the effect of male and female fetuses on their opposite-sex co-twin. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of all dichorionic twin pregnancies at a tertiary hospital from 1995 to 2006. Pregnancies were classified into ...

This paper reports a summary of our comparative analysis of the uterine expression of interleukin-23 (IL-23), IL-27 and TWEAK in the CBA/J femalexDBA/2 male mouse mating combination, a model of immune-mediated early pregnancy loss. Compared with the MHC-identical CBA/JxBALB/c mating combination, which yields successful pregnancies, immunohistochemistry and qPCR in uterine ...

The objective of this study is to evaluate pregnancy's action on glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) profile in bladder and urethra of female adult rats. Twenty adult female rats were divided into four groups: control, day 10 pregnancy, day 20 pregnancy, and day 5 after delivery. Sulfated GAGs content were determined by densitometry. ...

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exposure period and dose of diethylstilbestrol (DES), which has strong estrogenic activity, on pregnancy in rats. All rats with observed vaginal plugs or sperm in vaginal smear tests after mating were divided into 3 groups: those fed a normal ...

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the administration of a hydroalcohol extract of Calendula officinalis L. flowers (HAE) on the reproductive function of Wistar rats. Four groups of adult male rats were treated orally with HAE at doses of 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg for ...

We have hypothesized that variation in imprinted growth-promoting fetal genes may affect maternal glucose concentrations in pregnancy. To test this hypothesis we evaluated the effects of fetal disruption of murine H19(Delta13) on maternal glucose concentrations in pregnancy. Experimental mice were pregnant females that had inherited the disrupted H19(Delta13) from their ...