Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Polygamy”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

[Sexual receptivity of the female and insemination power of the male Culex pipiens autogenicus (Diptera, Culicidae). The cases of strict monogamy and occasional polygamy].

Females of Culex pipiens autogenicus generally have two refractory periods: post-emergence refractory period (during the first 48 hrs. after emergence) and post-insemination refractory period. Males of Culex pipiens autogenicus can inseminate 2 to 3 females. After the 4th insemination he can no longer completely fulfill his reproductory role. Therefore the female can inseminated by another male.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Selection for hybrid inviability through kin selection.

A model is considered in which a modifier allele that decreases the fitness of partially sterile hybrids is favoured by natural selection. Such genes can be favoured if there is sib competition and hybrid fertility is very low. They can be favoured through a process of kin selection because a reduction of hybrid viability brings about a reduction in the consumption of resources that are therefore available for utilization by non-hybrid siblings who are likely to also carry the gene for hybrid inviability. The present analysis differs from previous studies in that it treats the problem as a specific case of the evolution of altruism and considers the effect of the reduced viability of hybrids on their inclusive fitness. The model is analysed for monogamy and an extreme form of polygamy. In general, hybrid fertility must be lower with polygamy than with monogamy for modifier alleles to be favoured. However, the strength of selection on the modifiers is an order of magnitude greater with polygamy. With polygamy, provided that hybrid fertility is very low, modifier alleles will always be favoured irrespective of the degree of sib competition. However, for monogamy, if the individuals of more than just a few sib-groups compete for resources the modifier cannot be favoured. The effect of sib competition on preventing the spread of genes that increase hybrid viability is also briefly discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

The effect of polygamous marital structure on behavioral, emotional, and academic adjustment in children: a comprehensive review of the literature.

Polygamy represents expanded family structures that are based on marriages involving a husband with 2 or more wives. Interestingly, polygamy is legally and widely practiced in 850 societies across the globe. In the last 2 decades, polygamy has been the focus of a significant growth in public, political, and academic awareness. Indeed, several quantitative and qualitative research articles and theoretical papers have emerged during this period, particularly concerning the effects of this form of marital structure on behavioral, emotional, and academic adjustment of children. However, to date, no researcher has provided a summary of the extant literature. Thus, the purpose of this comprehensive literature review is to summarize findings and to discuss implications of empirical studies that have examined whether polygamous marital structures are beneficial or harmful to children in comparison with children raised in monogamous marital structures. This review includes a summary of the findings from all quantitative and qualitative studies in the extant literature that have examined the effect of polygamy on children's outcomes.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2003

Sexual behaviour of adolescents in Nigeria: cross sectional survey of secondary school students.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether family structure (polygamous or monogamous) is associated with sexual activity among school students in Nigeria. DESIGN: Cross sectional school survey with a two stage, clustered sampling design. PARTICIPANTS: 4218 students aged 12-21 years attending 39 schools in Plateau state, Nigeria. Responses from 2705 students were included in the analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Report of ever having had sexual intercourse. Variables of interest included sexual history, age, sex, religion, family polygamy, educational level of parents, having a dead parent, and sense of connectedness to parents and school. RESULTS: Overall 909 students (34%) reported ever having had sexual intercourse, and 1119 (41%) reported a polygamous family structure. Sexual activity was more common among students from polygamous families (42% of students) than monogamous families (28%) (chi2=64.23; P<0.0001). Variables independently associated with sexual activity were male sex (adjusted odds ratio 2.52 (95% confidence interval 2.05 to 3.12)), older age (1.62 (1.24 to 2.14)), lower sense of connectedness with parents (1.87 (1.48 to 2.38)), having a dead parent (1.59 (1.27 to 2.00)), family polygamy (1.58 (1.29 to 1.92)), lower sense of connectedness with school (1.25 (1.09 to 1.44)), and lower educational level of parents (1.14 (1.05 to 1.24)). Multistep logistic regression analysis showed that the effect of polygamy on sexual activity was reduced by 27% by whether students were married and 22% by a history of forced sex. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary school students in Nigeria from a polygamous family structure are more likely to have engaged in sexual activity than students from a monogamous family structure. This effect is partly explained by a higher likelihood of marriage during adolescence and forced sex. Students' sense of connectedness to their parents and school, regardless of family structure, decreases the likelihood of sexual activity, and fostering this sense may help reduce risky sexual behaviour among Nigerian youth.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Interactions between behavior and plasma steroids within the scramble mating system of the promiscuous green turtle, Chelonia mydas.

We measured plasma androgen (combined testosterone and 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone) (A) and corticosterone (B) in the promiscuous green turtle (Chelonia mydas) during courtship in the southern Great Barrier Reef. This study examined if reproductive behaviors and intermale aggression induced behavioral androgen and adrenocortical responses in reproductively active male and female green turtles. Associations between reproductive behavior and plasma steroids were investigated in green turtles across the population and within individuals. Levels across a range of both asocial and social behaviors were compared including (a) free swimming behavior; (b) initial courtship interactions; (c) mounted behavior (male and female turtles involved in copulatory activities); (d) intermale aggression (rival males that physically competed with another male turtle or mounted males recipient to these aggressive interactions); and (e) extensive courtship damage (male turtles that had accumulated excessive courtship damage from rival males). Behavioral androgen responses were detected in male turtles, in that plasma A was observed to increase with both attendant and mounted behavior. Male turtles who had been subjected to intermale aggression or who had accumulated severe courtship damage exhibited significantly lower plasma A than their respective controls. No pronounced adrenocortical response was observed after either intermale aggression or accumulation of extensive courtship damage. Female turtles exhibited a significant increase in plasma B during swimming versus mounted behavior, but no change in plasma A. We discuss our results in terms of how scramble polygamy might influence behavioral androgen interactions differently from more typical combative and territorial forms of male polygamy.

Aggression↗
PubMed2002

Socio-demographic correlates of psychiatric morbidity among low-income women in Aleppo, Syria.

Interest in mental morbidity as an important component of health is increasing worldwide. Women generally suffer more than men from common mental disorders, and discrimination against women adds to their mental sufferings. Studies looking into the socio-demographic correlates of women's mental morbidity are lacking in most Arab countries. In this study we wanted to determine the spread and socio-demographic correlates of mental distress among low-income women in Aleppo, Syria. A sample of 412 women was recruited from 8 randomly selected primary care centers in Aleppo. Response rate was 97.2%, mean age of participants 28 + 8.4 years, where married women constituted 87.9%. A special questionnaire was prepared for the study purpose, utilizing the SRQ-20 non-psychotic items and questions about background information considered relevant to the mental health of women in the studied population. Interviews were conducted in an anonymous one-to-one fashion. The prevalence of psychiatric distress in our sample was 55.6%. Predictors of women's mental health in the logistic regression analysis were; physical abuse, women's education, polygamy, residence, age and age of marriage. Among these predictors, women's illiteracy, polygamy and physical abuse were the strongest determinants of mental distress leading to the worse outcomes. Our data show that mental distress is common in the studied population and that it is strongly associated with few, possibly modifiable, factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Male nest site fidelity and female serial polyandry in lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus, Hexagrammidae).

Nest site fidelity and serial polyandry were examined in lingcod, Ophiodon elongatus, a teleost fish in which the nest-guarding male parent invests more heavily in parental care than the elusive female parent. Lingcod parental and progeny genotypes were established for fish spawning on a 200 m(2) section of Snake Island reef, British Columbia in two successive years to evaluate male and female mate choice (monogamy or polygamy) and nest site reuse by the same parents (nest site fidelity) and/or different parents (nest site affinity). Thirteen nests (egg masses) guarded by nine males and 14 nests guarded by seven males were observed in 2002 and 2003, respectively. No female laid more than one nest per season or spawned in the study area in both years. In contrast, at least six (86%) and possibly all seven (100%) of the 2003 guardian males had been guardian or auxiliary males in 2002. Both nest site affinity and extreme male nest site fidelity were observed, with at least four males reusing the exact same nest site. Serial polyandry resulting from the high male and low female nest site fidelity is consistent with predictions based on a low female parental investment and high rate of progeny loss to predation and cannibalism. Male polygyny, achieved primarily by cuckoldry within seasons, was enhanced by the lack of female fidelity between seasons. Polygamy in both sexes of nest-tending marine fish may minimize reproductive skew and maximize genetic diversity within populations.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Success and failure among polygamous families: the experience of wives, husbands, and children.

In this study, we interviewed 10 polygamous families, all residing in a Bedouin Arab town in the south of Israel and consisting of 1 husband, 2 wives, and children. Five members were interviewed in each family: first wife, second wife, the oldest child of the first wife, the oldest child of the second wife, and the husband. Five families were considered well-functioning families and five as poorly functioning. Findings suggest that polygamy in both well-functioning and poorly functioning families is painful, particularly for wives. Yet, there are many ways and techniques that enable members of the family to function well. Among them are acceptance of polygamy as God's wish or destiny, equal allocation of resources among both families by the husband, separation between the two households, avoidance of "minor" conflicts and disagreements, maintaining an attitude of respect toward the other wife, and allowing open communication among all siblings, and among children and the other mother. We discuss the need to develop, implement, and evaluate family intervention programs for polygamous families among different communities in the world.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Complementary factors contributing to the rapid spread of HIV-I in sub-Saharan Africa: a review.

OBJECTIVE: To examine and establish complementary factors that contribute to the alarmingly high prevalence of HIV-1 in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in order to create awareness and suggest possible measures to avert the spread of the pandemic. DATA SOURCES: Review of literature via Medline, the Internet, articles in refereed journals, and un-refereed features from the East Africa media houses and personal communications. DATA SELECTION: Most published data from 1981 to September 2004 found to have revealed an impact on the spread of HIV-1 in SSA were included in the review. Therefore, all selected articles were read and critically evaluated. Where possible the number of citations articles which had been received were sought to established the degree of impact. DATA EXTRACTION: Abstracts of all articles identified were accessed, read and analysed to determined possible relevance to the spread of HIV-1. When relevance was established from the abstract the entire paper was read and important points were included in the review. DATA SYNTHESIS: A matrix was drawn to include all subtitles (e.g. polygamy, circumcision, poverty, etc). Below each subtitle all published works were included and prioritised. Published works that were found to have impact were included in the review. Finally a percent composite picture of all factors was drawn in an attempt to prioritise the factors, not withstanding the fact that most factors are interrelated and complementary. CONCLUSIONS: There are many reasons why the spread of HIV-1 in SSA has not been declining over the years. Main risk factors for HIV-1 infection and AIDS disease in SSA were found to include poverty, famine, low status of women in society, corruption, naive risk taking perception, resistance to sexual behaviour change, high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI), internal conflicts and refugee status, antiquated beliefs, lack of recreational facilities, ignorance of individual's HIV status, child and adult prostitution, uncertainty of safety of blood intended for transfusion, widow inheritance, circumcision, illiteracy and female genital cutting and polygamy. It is suggested that control programmes both local and donor-driven seeking to mitigate the spread of HIV-1 in SSA should take into account the apparent multiplicity of sub-Saharan African cultures and beliefs, some of which augment the spread of HIV-1.

Africa South of the Sahara↗
PubMed1993

Sexually transmitted diseases and medico-social factors associated with male infertility in Nigeria.

Medico-social factors such as type of infertility, sexually transmitted diseases (STD), drug abuse, erectile dysfunction, divorce, and polygamy were evaluated among 64 infertile men (i.e. 32 oligo-asthenozoospermic and 32 azoospermic) and 23 men of proven fertility in Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria. Of the 64 infertile men, 27 (42%) and 37 (58%) had primary and secondary infertility respectively. A history of STD, indicated by purulent urethral discharge, was recorded among 40 (63%) with 22 (55%) of this number having had repeated exposures to STD. While 17 (43%) of the infected infertile men were treated by qualified medical doctors, 23 (57%) either had self-medication or received treatment from quacks. Five (8%) of the 64 infertile men used hard drugs, 11 (17%) had erectile dysfunction, 15 (23%) were re-married due to broken marriage relationship or divorce, and 7 (11%) were polygamous. All the fertile men were monogamous with no history of either erectile dysfunction or usage of hard drugs. One (4%) of the fertile men had a history of a broken marriage relationships. Six (26%) had a history of STD with 5 (26%) of them having received treatment from qualified medical doctors. Although the study population is small, the results obtained in this study reveal higher incidences of STD, marital instability, and multiple marriage partnerships (polygamy) among infertile men than the fertile in Jos.

Africa↗
PubMed2005

[The change of microtubule organization influencing cell ability for fusion].

It is well known that plants have ability to avoid polygamy in angiosperm, however, its mechanism is still poorly understood. In our previous work of in vitro fertilization we found that once an egg cell fused with a sperm cell, it could hardly fuse with other sperm within a certain period. Therefore we proposed that fusing egg cell must suffer some intrinsic changes during the fusion, such as the change of microtubule organization, which may prevent the egg cell from another fusion with extra sperm cells. In present work, the dynamic change of microtubule organization during the process of cell fusion in Nicotiana tabacum was observed through the single cell immunofluorescence microscopy. It was found that once cells began to adhere and fuse in Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), the microtubule immediately depolymerized. During this period of fusion and before microtubule polymerized again in the fusion product, the cell was unable to fuse with other cells. The results suggested microtubule organization was likely involved in the mechanisms of controlling cell fusion, and offered a clear indication that similar mechanism might also contribute to plant avoiding polygamy.

Cell Adhesion↗