Bisexual Men Living with HIV: Wellbeing, Connectedness and the Impact of Stigma.

Social research with people living with HIV (PLHIV) rarely distinguishes between gay men and bisexual men. However, bisexual men may have unique experiences of HIV-related stigma and distinct support needs. In this paper, findings are presented from a cross-sectional survey of Australian PLHIV, which included the Berger (HIV) stigma scale. A total of 872 PLHIV completed the survey, of which 48 (6.0%) were bisexual men. Bisexual men reported higher levels of internalised HIV-related stigma, greater negative self-image and poorer emotional wellbeing than gay men. Bisexual men also reported less social support, less connection with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) communities, and less connection with other PLHIV. Analysis of data from an open-text question revealed feelings of social isolation and fear of rejection was associated with participant's HIV diagnosis. Study findings suggest that existing social supports for PLHIV may not adequately address the unique support needs of bisexual men.

Normal mammary gland growth and lactation capacity in pregnant relaxin-deficient mice.

Pups born to mice with a targeted deletion of relaxin or its receptor (Rxfp1) die within 24 h postpartum. This has been attributed, in part, to abnormal mammary gland development in relaxin-mutant mice (Rln-/-). However, mammary development is normal in relaxin receptor-mutant (Rxfp1-/-) mice. The present study aimed to verify the mammary phenotypes in late pregnant and early lactating Rln-/- mice and to test the hypothesis that relaxin is involved in milk protein synthesis. Comparisons between late pregnant and early lactating wildtype (Rln+/+) and Rln-/- mice showed no differences in lobuloalveolar structure or ductal branching in the mammary gland. Mammary explants from Rln-/- mice also expressed beta-casein and alpha-lactalbumin in response to lactogenic hormones at a similar level to Rln+/+ mice, implying normal milk protein synthesis. Pregnant Rln-/- mice infused with relaxin for 6 days gave birth to live pups without difficulty, and 96% of pups survived beyond 7 days. This is in contrast with the 100% pup mortality in saline-treated Rln-/- mice or 3-day relaxin-treated Rln-/- mice. Pups born to relaxin-treated Rln-/- dams weighed significantly less than Rln+/+ pups but had similar growth rates as their wildtype counterparts. In summary, relaxin is not critical for mammary gland development or beta-casein and alpha-lactalbumin expression in late pregnant mice. In addition, Rln-/- dams did not need to be treated with relaxin postpartum for the pups to survive, suggesting that relaxin has no role in the maintenance of lactation in mice.