Reproductive behaviour and fertilized spawns in cultured Solea senegalensis broodstock co-housed with wild breeders during their juvenile stages.

The reproductive failure of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) cultured males (reared entirely in captivity from egg through to adult) that do not participate in reproductive behaviours to fertilise spawns, results in a problem to achieve reproductive control in captivity. However, cohabitation with wild males has led to an increase in the involvement of cultured males in reproductive behaviour, although their contribution to fertilised spawning is still lower than that of wild breeders. This study aimed to examine the effect of different social conditions, on the reproductive behaviour and spawning success of cultured breeders over three reproductive seasons. Before starting this study, different social learning opportunities were provided to the breeders from the juvenile to the pubertal stages of the individuals. Behaviour and spawning were evaluated in four experimental groups of cultured breeders: two groups (W1 and W2) that prior to this study were reared during the juvenile stage with wild breeders that fertilized spawns, a Culture breeder group (CB) that was previously reared with cultured breeders that spawned unfertile eggs, and a negative control group (CN) that was reared in isolation from adult fish. During the three reproductive seasons, spawning was obtained from all groups. Generally, the first year had the highest egg production and the third year the lowest. However, fertilised eggs were only obtained from W1 in the first year. A total of eight fertilised spawns were collected with a fertilisation rate of 28.02 ± 13.80 % and a hatching rate of 15.04 ± 10.40 %. The mean number of larvae obtained per spawn was 7,683 ± 5,947 and the total number of larvae from all eight spawns was 61,468. The paternity analysis assigned 64.3 % of larvae to a single couple of breeders, while 34.3 % of larvae were not assigned to any single family, but inconclusively to more than three parents. The highest locomotor activity was observed in W1, while no significant differences were observed in the number of movements within W2, CB and CN. In all groups, during the peak of locomotor activity (19h00-20h00), the main reproductive behaviours observed were Rest the Head and Follow, while the Guardian behaviour was low and Coupled behaviour was only observed in W1. Over time, the reproductive behaviours decreased, except for Follow. The social learning opportunities provided by cohabitation with wild fish during juvenile stages prior to spawning in W1, increased activity and fertilised spawning. However, the number of successful spawns was low and over time stopped in association with a decrease in reproductive behaviour. This suggests that other mechanisms of behavioural learning could be involved in reproductive success, such as reproductive dominance, environmental conditions or hormonal interactions that could affect physiological processes in the reproduction of captive breeders.

Women's involvement in decision-making and association with reproductive health behaviors: findings from a cross-sectional survey in Niger.

BACKGROUND: Though women in Niger are largely responsible for the familial health and caretaking, prior research shows limited female autonomy in healthcare decisions. This study extends current understanding of women's participation in decision-making and its influence on reproductive health behaviors. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey with married women (15-49 years, N = 2,672) in Maradi and Zinder Niger assessed women's participation in household decision-making in health and non-health issues. Analyses examined [1] if participation in household decision-making was associated with modern contraceptive use, antenatal care (ANC) attendance, and skilled birth attendance at last delivery and [2] what individual, interpersonal, and community-level factors were associated with women's participation in decision-making. RESULTS: Only 16% of the respondents were involved-either autonomously or jointly with their spouse-in all three types of household decisions: (1) large purchase, (2) visiting family/parents, and (3) decisions about own healthcare. Involvement in decision making was significantly associated with increased odds of current modern contraceptive use [aOR:1.36 (95% CI: 1.06-1.75)] and four or more ANC visits during their recent pregnancy [aOR:1.34 (95% CI: 1.00-1.79)], when adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics. There was no significant association between involvement in decision-making and skilled birth attendance at recent delivery. Odds of involvement in decision-making was significantly associated with increasing age and household wealth status, listening to radio, and involvement in decision-making about their own marriage. CONCLUSION: Women's engagement in decision-making positively influences their reproductive health. Social and behavior change strategies to shift social norms and increase opportunities for women's involvement in household decision making are needed. For example, radio programs can be used to inform specific target groups on how women's decision-making can positively influence reproductive health while also providing specific actions to achieve change. Opportunities exist to enhance women's voice either before women enter marital partnerships or after (for instance, using health and social programming).

'Do I want children later in life?' Reproductive intentions of 1700 adolescents.

PURPOSE: In the past decades, a positive attitude towards having children has been reported in young people. The current generation of adolescents is increasingly concerned about environmental cataclysm which may have an impact on their desire for children. The purpose of this study is to depict the current attitudes in Flemish adolescents towards having children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All secondary schools in Flanders (Belgium) were invited to distribute an anonymous online survey among their pupils in the last two years of secondary education. In total, 1700 adolescents participated and provided quantitative and qualitative data on their reproductive intentions. RESULTS: Most pupils expressed a desire for children (60.2%), 24.7% were undecided and 10.8% were not willing to have children. Significantly more boys than girls would like to have children (67.0% versus 61.7%, p < 0.01). Adolescents who were uncertain about having children or not interested, reported financial reasons and loss of freedom as most important reasons. CONCLUSIONS: While most adolescents would like to have children in the future, one in four adolescents is undecided and one in ten indicates a wish to remain childless; reasons for wanting children are rather personal, reasons for not wanting children are rather pragmatic.

A desire for parenthood is no longer the norm: 60% of Flemish adolescents would like to build a family, but many are considering a future without children.

[The social hygienic aspects of reproductive behavior of women aged 40-45 years].

In the context of forecasted decreasing of natality, actuality of studying its causes for organizational decision-making increases. The purpose of the study was to determine factors affecting reproductive behavior of women aged 40-45 years residing in areas with different natality levels in 2020-2021. The cohort, analytical, sociological methods were applied. The results of study demonstrated that in areas with high natality level most of urban women with higher education and high income resides in conditions of dormitory or mortgage flat and working in profile of their specialty. They are characterized by belated marriage that results in postponed child-bearing. The areas with low natality are characterized by dwelling of rural women with secondary or secondary specialized education. They reside in their own homes and work in other occupations than their specialty. The analysis of social status of women of different age groups will permit more selective approach in developing measures of increasing natality in modern conditions.

Patients' and providers' perspectives on the decision to undergo non-urgent egg freezing: a needs assessment.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has demonstrated that patients have difficulty with the decision to undergo non-urgent egg freezing (EF). This study aimed to investigate the decisional difficulties and possible decisional support mechanisms for patients considering EF, and for their providers. METHODS: This qualitative study involved a needs assessment via individual interviews. Participants included patients considering EF at one academic fertility clinic and providers from across Canada who counsel patients considering EF. 25 participants were included (13 providers and 12 patients). The interview guide was developed according to the Ottawa Decision Support Framework. Interviews were transcribed, and transcripts analyzed for themes and concepts using NVIVO 12. FINDINGS: Multiple factors contributing to decisional difficulty were identified, including: (1) multiple reproductive options available with differing views from patients/providers regarding their importance; (2) a decision typically made under the pressure of reproductive aging; (3) uncertainty surrounding the technology/inadequate outcome data; (4) the financial burden of EF; (5) inherent uncertainty relating to potential decision regret; and (6) differing perceptions between patients/providers regarding the role providers should play in the decision. Additionally, potential sources of decisional support were identified, including provision of basic information before and/or during initial consultation, followed by an opportunity during or after initial consultation for clarifying information and helping with value judgements. Individualized counselling based on patient values, adequate follow-up, psychosocial counselling, and peer support were also emphasized. CONCLUSIONS: More decisional support for women considering EF is needed. Suggestions include a patient decision aid in conjunction with modified healthcare provider counselling, support and follow up.

Determinants of high-risk fertility behavior among women of reproductive age in Kenya: a multilevel analysis based on 2022 Kenyan demographic and health survey.

BACKGROUND: Women's high-risk fertility behavior (HRFB), which is characterized by narrow birth intervals, high birth order, and younger maternal age at birth, have been scientifically reported to have detrimental effects on the mother and child's health. To date, there has been limited research into the underlying factors contributing to high-risk fertility behavior in Kenya. Thus, the aim of this study is to identify the factors associated with high-risk fertility behavior among women of reproductive age in Kenya. METHOD: The 2022 Kenyan Demography and Health Survey data was used for the current study. This study included 15,483 women of reproductive age. To account for the clustering effects of DHS data and the binary nature of the outcome variable, a multilevel binary logistic regression model was applied. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was reported to declare the statistical significance. In addition, the model that had the lowest deviance was the one that best fit the data. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of HRFB among Kenyan women were 70.86% (95%CI = 69.96, 71.40). Women with primary, secondary, and higher educational levels, Protestant and Muslim religion followers, women whose husbands/partners had secondary and higher educational levels, a high household wealth index, ever had a terminated pregnancy, and rural residence, all of these factors were found to be strongly associated with high-risk fertility behavior. CONCLUSION: As per the findings of our study, in Kenya a significant proportion of women has experienced HRFB. This is a matter of concern as it poses a significant challenge to the healthcare system. The high prevalence of HRFB indicates that there is an urgent need to take appropriate measures in order to mitigate its impact. The situation calls for a comprehensive and coordinated approach involving all stakeholders to address this issue effectively. It would benefit policymakers to create programs that consider factors like education, wealth, and residence that make women more susceptible to HRFB. Targeting women living in high HRFB-prevalence areas could help address the root causes of the issue. This approach can alleviate negative impacts and ensure effective and sustainable solutions.

Social dimensions of fertility behavior and consumption patterns in the Anthropocene.

We consider two aspects of the human enterprise that profoundly affect the global environment: population and consumption. We show that fertility and consumption behavior harbor a class of externalities that have not been much noted in the literature. Both are driven in part by attitudes and preferences that are not egoistic but socially embedded; that is, each household's decisions are influenced by the decisions made by others. In a famous paper, Garrett Hardin [G. Hardin, Science 162, 1243-1248 (1968)] drew attention to overpopulation and concluded that the solution lay in people "abandoning the freedom to breed." That human attitudes and practices are socially embedded suggests that it is possible for people to reduce their fertility rates and consumption demands without experiencing a loss in wellbeing. We focus on fertility in sub-Saharan Africa and consumption in the rich world and argue that bottom-up social mechanisms rather than top-down government interventions are better placed to bring about those ecologically desirable changes.

Family orientation, working years and childbearing age: evidence from the China Family Panel Study 2014.

This article reports the results of a study investigating the impact of family orientation, the number of years spent working, and their interaction on childbearing age among women who have recently completed their childbearing.We find that a traditional family orientation and a higher number of working years contribute to delaying the childbearing age. People with a traditional family orientation can delay childbearing because they want to make elaborate material preparations for raising their children. Women who have worked many years are more aware of gender inequality in the domestic sphere (having been exposed to gender equality in the workplace). This is especially the case for women with a modern family orientation. However, this does not necessarily lead people with a modern family orientation to delay childbearing. They may advance their childbearing in an effort to escape an oppressive domestic environment in their families of origin.

Caesarean deliveries, subsequent reproductive behaviour and children ever born in India.

Against the backdrop of the alarming rise in Caesarean section (C-section) births in India, this study aimed to examine the association between C-section births, fertility decline and female sterilization in the country. A cross-sectional design was used to investigate the association between C-section delivery and subsequent reproductive behaviour in women in India. Data were from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4). The study sample comprised 255,726 currently married women in the age group of 15-49 years. The results showed a strong positive relationship between C-section births and female sterilization. The predicted probabilities (PP) from the multivariate regression model indicated a higher chance of female sterilization in women with C-section births (PP = 0.39, p<0.01) compared with those with non-C-section births (PP = 0.20, p<0.01). Both state-level correlation plots and Poisson regression estimates showed a strong negative relationship between C-section births and mean children ever born (CEB). Based on the results, it may be concluded that the use of C-sections and sterilization were strongly correlated in India at the time of the NFHS-4, thus together contributing to fertility decline. A strong negative association was found between the occurrence of C-sections and CEB. The increased and undesired use of C-section births and consequent female sterilization is a regressive socio-demographic process that often violates women's rights. Fertility decline should happen through informed choice of family planning and must protect the reproductive rights of women.

Mating behavior and reproductive morphology predict macroevolution of sex allocation in hermaphroditic flatworms.

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.

Reproductive behavior of Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) interpreted from electronic tags.

Reproductive timing, location, and behavior are important characteristics that determine marine population dynamics, structure, and resilience to threats, including fishing and climate change. It is challenging to evaluate factors driving variability in these reproductive traits in wild fishes because of the difficulty observing individuals in their natural environments. In the present study, we used high-resolution depth, temperature, and acceleration time series recorded by pop-up satellite archival tags to (1) identify and characterize patterns in depth and acceleration that may be indicative of spawning events in large Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), and (2) estimate the effects of individual traits (body size and sex) and environmental factors (location and temperature) on spawning time and frequency. Unique rapid rises observed in the winter depth profiles were interpreted as spawning events. The initiation of the first presumed spawning rise was negatively correlated to water temperature experienced during the prespawning season, suggesting that currently increasing water temperature in the Gulf of St. Lawrence may induce phenological change in halibut spawning time. The number of rises of batch-spawning females was unrelated to female body size. The present study demonstrates how electronic tagging can be used for in-depth characterization of timing, location, and behaviors associated with spawning in a large flatfish species. Such information can inform spatiotemporal management and conservation measures aiming to protect species from directed fishing and by-catch during spawning.

Differences by age group in gender-related attitudes in Oromia, Ethiopia: Findings from a cross-sectional study of women of reproductive age.

Attitudes on gender roles affect decision-making dynamics, resource distribution, and income-generating opportunities. However, little is known about how attitudes on gender roles differ by age group. Cross-sectional data collected from 1,113 households in Oromia, Ethiopia were used to assess differences in gender-related attitudes across female "youth" (ages 15-24), "young adults" (ages 25-34), and "older adults" (ages 35-49). Fifteen survey questions using a Likert scale measured attitudes on sexual and reproductive behaviors, expectations around livelihood activities, and perceived influence in household decision making. Associations between attitudes and age group were assessed using the Chi-squared test. Measures of perceived influence in decision making differed significantly by age group for household decisions about participation in wage employment, and use of revenue generated from wage employment, and crop and livestock production. Response patterns were consistent, with youth least likely to feel they have influence in decision making. The results suggest that policies and programs should continue to support the agency of female youth.

Pre-copulatory reproductive behaviours are preserved in Drosophila melanogaster infected with bacteria.

The activation of the immune system upon infection exerts a huge energetic demand on an individual, likely decreasing available resources for other vital processes, like reproduction. The factors that determine the trade-off between defensive and reproductive traits remain poorly understood. Here, we exploit the experimental tractability of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to systematically assess the impact of immune system activation on pre-copulatory reproductive behaviour. Contrary to expectations, we found that male flies undergoing an immune activation continue to display high levels of courtship and mating success. Similarly, immune-challenged female flies remain highly sexually receptive. By combining behavioural paradigms, a diverse panel of pathogens and genetic strategies to induce the fly immune system, we show that pre-copulatory reproductive behaviours are preserved in infected flies, despite the significant metabolic cost of infection.

Delayed parenthood and its influence on offspring health: what have we learned from the mouse model†.

Delayed parenthood is constantly increasing worldwide due to various socio-economic factors. In the last decade, a growing number of epidemiological studies have suggested a link between advanced parental age and an increased risk of diseases in the offspring. Also, poor reproductive outcome has been described in pregnancies conceived by aged parents. Similarly, animal studies showed that aging negatively affects gametes, early embryonic development, pregnancy progression, and the postnatal phenotype of resulting offspring. However, how and to what extent parental age is a risk factor for the health of future generations is still a subject of debate. Notwithstanding the limitation of an animal model, the mouse model represents a useful tool to understand not only the influence of parental age on offspring phenotype but also the biological mechanisms underlying the poor reproductive outcome and the occurrence of diseases in the descendants. The present review aims at i) providing an overview of the current knowledge from mouse model about the risks associated with conception at advanced age (e.g. neurodevelopmental and metabolic disorders), ii) highlighting the candidate biological mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, and iii) discussing on how murine-derived data can be relevant to humans.

Activational vs. organizational effects of sex steroids and their role in the evolution of reproductive behavior: Looking to foot-flagging frogs and beyond.

Sex steroids play an important role in regulation of the vertebrate reproductive phenotype. This is because sex steroids not only activate sexual behaviors that mediate copulation, courtship, and aggression, but they also help guide the development of neural and muscular systems that underlie these traits. Many biologists have therefore described the effects of sex steroid action on reproductive behavior as both "activational" and "organizational," respectively. Here, we focus on these phenomena from an evolutionary standpoint, highlighting that we know relatively little about the way that organizational effects evolve in the natural world to support the adaptation and diversification of reproductive behavior. We first review the evidence that such effects do in fact evolve to mediate the evolution of sexual behavior. We then introduce an emerging animal model - the foot-flagging frog, Staurois parvus - that will be useful to study how sex hormones shape neuromotor development necessary for sexual displays. The foot flag is nothing more than a waving display that males use to compete for access to female mates, and thus the neural circuits that control its production are likely laid down when limb control systems arise during the developmental transition from tadpole to frog. We provide data that highlights how sex steroids might organize foot-flagging behavior through its putative underlying mechanisms. Overall, we anticipate that future studies of foot-flagging frogs will open a powerful window from which to see how sex steroids influence the neuromotor systems to help germinate circuits that drive signaling behavior. In this way, our aim is to bring attention to the important frontier of endocrinological regulation of evolutionary developmental biology (endo-evo-devo) and its relationship to behavior.

A Novel Decision Aid Improves Quality of Reproductive Decision-Making and Pregnancy Knowledge for Women with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: Women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with poor IBD-specific reproductive knowledge experience more childlessness and fear of IBD medications in pregnancy. The Pregnancy in IBD Decision Aid (PIDA), developed by an international multidisciplinary team, offers personalized online decision support regarding pregnancy in IBD. AIMS: Assess the impact of PIDA on quality of reproductive decision-making and pregnancy-related knowledge among preconception (PC) and pregnant patients with IBD, and evaluate acceptability to patients and clinicians. METHODS: PC and pregnant patients with IBD aged 18-45 completed questionnaires pre- and post-PIDA to assess quality of decision-making (Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS); Decision Self-Efficacy Scale (DSES) and IBD-in-pregnancy knowledge (Crohn's and Colitis Pregnancy Knowledge Score (CCPKnow)). Paired t test assessed for differences pre- and post-PIDA. Patients and clinicians completed acceptability surveys. RESULTS: DCS and DSES were completed by 74 patients (42 Crohn's disease, 32 ulcerative colitis); 41 PC and 33 pregnant. DCS improved significantly post-PIDA in PC patients regarding pregnancy planning (t(40) = 4.83, p < 0.0001, Cohen's dz = 0.75) and in pregnant patients regarding medication management (t(32) = 2.37, p = 0.0242, dz = 0.41). DSES for PC patients improved significantly post-PIDA (t(40) = -3.56, p = 0.001, dz = -0.56). CCPKnow improved significantly post-PIDA in PC (t(42) = 4.93, p < 0.0001, dz = -0.75) and pregnant patients (t(32) = 5.1, p < 0.0001, dz = -0.89). PIDA was deemed optimal for length, readability, and content amount and considered highly useful by patients (n = 73) and clinicians (n = 14). CONCLUSIONS: Patients using PIDA developed an improved quality of reproductive decision-making and IBD-in-pregnancy knowledge. PIDA is an accessible tool that can empower women with IBD to make values-congruent, evidence-based decisions regarding pregnancy and may reduce voluntary childlessness.

Reproductive behaviour before and after oestrus and oviposition in the captive short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus).

CONTEXT: Most of our current knowledge regarding echidna reproductive behaviour is based on qualitative measurements; therefore, it is unclear if specific behavioural cues could be utilised in their captive reproductive management. AIMS: This study aimed to identify quantitative changes in general and reproductive behaviour of echidna breeding pairs and pregnant females that might facilitate the detection of oestrus and impending oviposition and provide a summary of reproductive behaviour observed in a captive colony over a three-year observation period. METHODS: Three echidna breeding pairs and two trios were monitored daily for seven reproductive and eight general behaviours during the 2020 breeding season. After confirmed copulation, females were monitored for four egg-laying and eight general behaviours until egg incubation. General observations of reproductive behaviours during the 2018-2020 breeding seasons were recorded as part of routine husbandry. KEY RESULTS: For breeding pairs, there was a significant rate of change over time before and after copulation for the behaviours 'urogenital sniffing', 'rolling' and 'copulation attempt'. For pregnant females, time engaged in 'pacing' significantly increased while 'time eating' and the 'quantity of food eaten' significantly decreased on the day of oviposition. We were not able to identify oestrus from specific behaviours, but our observations suggest that the female echidna's period of receptivity is less than 24h. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency that males express 'urogenital sniffing', 'rolling' and 'copulation attempt' toward the female can be used to alert zookeepers that copulation has likely occurred. Increased pacing, reduced feeding time and quantity of food eaten can aid zookeepers to identify impending oviposition. IMPLICATIONS: This study demonstrates that there are quantifiable changes in specific echidna behaviours that can be incorporated into zoo husbandry practices to improve the reproductive management of this species.

The trend in delayed childbearing and its potential consequences on pregnancy outcomes: a single center 9-years retrospective cohort study in Hubei, China.

BACKGROUND: Due to the advancement of modern societies, the proportion of women who delay childbearing until or beyond 30 years has dramatically increased in the last three decades and has been linked with adverse maternal-neonatal outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To determine the trend in delayed childbearing and its negative impact on pregnancy outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A tertiary hospital-based retrospective study was conducted in Wuhan University Renmin Hospital, Hubei Province, China, during the years 2011-2019. The joinpoint regression analysis was used to find a trend in the delayed childbearing and the multiple binary logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between maternal age and pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: Between 2011 and 2019, the trend in advanced maternal age (AMA ≥35 years) increased by 75% [AAPC 7.5% (95% CI: - 10.3, 28.9)]. Based on maternal education and occupation, trend in AMA increased by 130% [AAPC 11.8% (95% CI: 1.1, 23.7)] in women of higher education level, and 112.5% [AAPC 10.1% (95% CI: 9.4, 10.9)] in women of professional services. After adjusting for confounding factors, AMA was significantly associated with increased risk of gestational hypertension (aOR 1.5; 95% CI: 1.2, 2.1), preeclampsia (aOR 1.6; 95% CI: 1.4, 1.9), sever preeclampsia (aOR 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.6), placenta previa (aOR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.5, 2.2), gestational diabetes mellitus (aOR 2.5; 95% CI: 2.3, 2.9), preterm births (aOR 1.6; 95% CI: 1.4, 1.7), perinatal mortality (aOR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3, 2.3), and low birth weight (aOR 1.3; 95% CI: 1.2, 1.4) compared with women aged < 30 years. CONCLUSION: Our findings show a marked increase in delayed childbearing and its negative association with pregnancy outcomes.

Behavioral traits and sexual recognition: multiple signaling in the reproductive behavior of Cyclocephala distincta (Melolonthidae, Cyclocephalini).

Night-foraging cyclocephaline scarab beetles rely on floral structures of specific plant hosts for food and shelter, as well as mating sites. Although the role of floral fragrances as long-range attractants in these interactions has been elucidated, the mechanisms that mediate close-range mate discrimination in aggregations are still unclear. We recorded the mating-oriented behavior of male Cyclocephala distincta, focusing on the influence of contact signaling and movement over mate selection in a series of controlled bioassays. Roughly half of the males chose a conspecific female over another male, readily engaging in copulation upon initial contact. The remainder males required more experience, acquired through successive mounts on both females and males. Eventually, all focal males invested in copulation with females. When faced with the choice for a live or an inert conspecific female, male C. distincta preferred the former in 76% of cases, although we also recorded sexual investment on inert females (10% of cases). In paired experiments with an inert female or a male, nonetheless, focal males significantly opted for the opposite sex, and that included mating with the inert females. Innate characteristics of the females of C. distincta are evaluated by males synergistically, and not separately, in discriminating potential sexual partners.

Suppression of reproductive behaviour and gonadal function in female horses-An update.

The behaviour of mares is often detrimental to their performance resulting in frequent demand for methods to suppress gonadal function. In addition, prevention of unintended reproduction especially in feral horse populations may require methods for suppression of gonadal function. Surgical ovariectomy is a safe method but not an acceptable approach in feral mares and undesired in mares where future breeding is considered. There are different approaches for artificial prolongation of the luteal phase resulting in transient inhibition of oestrus and ovulation. Among those, treatment with natural or synthetic progestogens is considered the most common and successful method. Whereas application of intrauterine devices may result in prolongation of luteal function in non-pregnant mares, intrauterine insertion of glass balls is no longer recommended because of complications in individual mares. There are several safer alternatives that may be of interest, especially for population control in free-roaming horses. Treatment with long-acting deslorelin implants inhibited ovulation and oestrus behaviour in mares for limited and variable time intervals in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of GnRH vaccines varies considerably among individual mares, is age dependent, and oestrus-like behaviour may still occur. Contraception via immunization against native porcine or recombinant zona pellucida antigen is successful, but immunocontraception is as much a result of ovarian inactivity as an antibody-based block to sperm-oocyte binding. In conclusion, several treatments for suppression of gonadal function in mares are available, but there are advantages and disadvantages associated that have to be considered. The treatment of choice will thus differ with regard to the demands.