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At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Studying health consequences of microchimerism: methodological problems in studying health effects of procreation with multiple partners.

A pregnancy requires a reasonably good health and may have positive as well as negative health consequences for the woman. Part of these health effects may depend on the immune response to the exchange of fetal cells (microchimerism). The number of biological fathers to a woman's children may thus have a health effect beyond the parity effect. A possible design for studying this is to compare health effects for women with or without multiple partners but with the same parity. We compared total and cause specific mortality in these two groups in order to estimate their comparability and thus the problem of confounding. By using population registries we identified all women who had children with at least two different partners from 1973 to 1996 in Denmark (64,704 exposed women). Among all women who had at least two births in the above mentioned time period, we selected a random sample of 100,000 women to obtain information on women having one father for their children. We linked this cohort to a number of registries, including the Cause of Death Registry. We studied cause-specific mortality up to 1997. Altogether 1373 women died during follow-up. Women who had children with more than one partner had a higher relative mortality rate, which was even higher if she had more than two partners. This finding persisted after excluding unnatural deaths and did not depend on time from exposure. Although some of the findings were adjusted for parity, age and social factors, it is highly unlikely that these large differences are entirely related to microchimerism. The study shows that caution is needed when studying health effects of procreation with multiple partners.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The decline of fertility in western europe: I. -- the appraisal (author's transl)].

The sharp decline in the number of births these last ten years is a general phenomenon in Western industrialised countries. As far as methodology is concerned, a clear distinction must be made between two concepts measuring fertility: completed fertility of successive generations, total fertility rate of successive years. The evolution of these two indicators of procreative behaviour is amazingly comparablefrom country to country, in spite of their various difference in termes of economic situation, of legislation (family allowances, contraception, abortion, divorce), predominant religion, etc...

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

The monster within: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and a patient's fears of childbirth and mothering.

This paper explores the fantasy, widespread among women, of giving birth to a monster, particularly a psychological monster. The author hypothesises two central intrapsychic issues underlying these fears: monsters are viewed as 'incest babies' or as reflections of maternal aggression--evil, destructive parts of the mother passed on to the infant. Shame about femaleness is postulated as a third factor in the fear of producing something monstrous. Mary Shelley's novel, 'Frankenstein', is an iconic literary representation of these themes. The author presents and discusses some psychobiographical material about Mary Shelley, speculating on her motives for writing this novel and tracing the intrapsychic concerns about incest and aggression as reflected in the novel itself. Some recent feminist and psychoanalytic critical readings of 'Frankenstein' are referenced as they reflect on the novel's concern with themes of female sexuality and procreation. Clinical material from the author's own practice is presented to illustrate these fears, so similar to those with which Mary Shelley was dealing. A discussion, citing some relevant literature, follows.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Medically-assisted procreation in Italy.

In February 2004, a law was approved in Italy on medically assisted procreation. The authors attempt to discuss the main provisions of the law. In its 18 articles, the law provides access to approved assisted procreation methods for adult couples of different sex, either married or cohabiting, of a potentially fertile age, both living, and establishes that the couple must be offered the chance of reverting to adoption or foster care procedures pursuant to the law in force. The law contains numerous prohibitions and restrictions: heterologous insemination, cloning, the cryo-preservation of embryos and research on human embryos are forbidden; during an assisted reproduction cycle, the methods used must not produce a number of embryos greater than those strictly necessary for a single and simultaneous implant, and in any case never more than three. The law calls for the woman and her husband or partner to be properly informed and for their approval to be given in writing. Fairly severe sanctions have been established for persons who break the law; health workers are however entitled to object on conscientious grounds to performing certain procedures.

Humans↗
PubMed1997

Hyperthyroidism in McCune-Albright syndrome with a review of thyroid abnormalities sixty years after the first report.

We present a patient with hyperthyroidism associated with McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS). MAS is a sporadic genetic disease characterized by polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, cafe au lait cutaneous spots and endocrinopathies (peripheral precocious puberty, thyroidopathies, acromegaly, etc.). It is caused by an activating mutation of the gene for the Gs alpha membrane-associated protein, which mediates the thyrotropin (TSH)-induced and other hormone-induced activation of adenylyl cyclase. A 13-month-old girl was diagnosed with MAS. Precocious puberty was treated initially with testolactone and later with oophorectomy. Subclinical hyperthyroidism was detected biochemically at birth, and 10 months later, it became clinically evident, albeit mild, with absence of goiter. A concomitant liver dysfunction precluded treatment with thionamides and she was sporadically treated with beta-blockers. The combination of increased free thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) with low plasma thyrotropin (TSH) levels in the absence of thyroid-stimulating autoantibodies persisted until the age of 6 years, when she was referred to our unit. Hyperthyroidism was then clinically evident with cardiac hyperactivity, and it was cured with administration of radioiodine (131I). Thyroid disease is the second most common endocrinopathy associated with MAS, and since 1936, 63 cases of thyroidopathies have been described, including 19 nodular (14 with and 5 without hyperthyroidism) and 23 diffuse (20 with and 3 without hyperthyroidism) goiters, and 18 cases of hyperthyroidism without goiter. The previously described somatic activating mutation of the gs alpha gene in the ovaries, the liver and the peripheral blood of our patient, in the absence of stigmata, autoimmunity might be incriminated for the secretory and mitotic activation of the thyroid gland. We suggest the treatment of choice of hyperthyroidism in MAS patients should be 131I administration because: (a) hyperthyroidism is very likely to recur after withdrawal of antithyroid medication; (b) the morbidity of these patients is elevated; (c) oophorectomized patients do not need to be advised to avoid procreation during the months after 131I administration; and (d) finally, even in the usual cases of hyperthyroidism in childhood, 131I treatment is becoming more popular worldwide.

Child↗
PubMed2003

Treatment of vaginal atresia at a missionary hospital in Bangladesh: results and followup of 20 cases.

PURPOSE: We report a 9-year experience with successful treatment of patients with vaginal atresia at a missionary hospital with decreased facilities in Bangladesh. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1995 to 2002, 20 patients 10 to 29 years old (average age 18.4) with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome underwent total vaginal replacement. Ten of the 20 females were married and the anomaly was discovered after marriage. In the remaining 10 cases the diagnosis was suspected by the parents because of absent menstruation. In all patients the neovagina was created using a 12 to 14 cm segment of distal sigmoid colon. RESULTS: Short-term morbidity was minimal. At the long-term followup, which was available for 16 patients, the neovagina had a good-appearing introitus. No stenosis, stones or colitis was reported. Six patients already had an active sexual life, which was reported to be satisfactory. Five couples had already adopted 1 or more children. CONCLUSIONS: Good perioperative preparation and assistance, assurance of cyclical followup and a trained surgical team permitted successful treatment of a complex genital malformation at a missionary hospital with modest services. Sigmoid vaginoplasty in a developing country seems to be the best choice because of simple management and followup. Young women unable to procreate because of vaginal atresia seem to have an unexpected normal family and social acceptance in Bangladesh after complete vaginal replacement.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Molecular cues to implantation.

Successful implantation is the result of reciprocal interactions between the implantation-competent blastocyst and receptive uterus. Although various cellular aspects and molecular pathways of this dialogue have been identified, a comprehensive understanding of the implantation process is still missing. The receptive state of the uterus, which lasts for a limited period, is defined as the time when the uterine environment is conducive to blastocyst acceptance and implantation. A better understanding of the molecular signals that regulate uterine receptivity and implantation competency of the blastocyst is of clinical relevance because unraveling the nature of these signals may lead to strategies to correct implantation failure and improve pregnancy rates. Gene expression studies and genetically engineered mouse models have provided valuable clues to the implantation process with respect to specific growth factors, cytokines, lipid mediators, adhesion molecules, and transcription factors. However, a staggering amount of information from microarray experiments is also being generated at a rapid pace. If properly annotated and explored, this information will expand our knowledge regarding yet-to-be-identified unique, complementary, and/or redundant molecular pathways in implantation. It is hoped that the forthcoming information will generate new ideas and concepts for a process that is essential for maintaining procreation and solving major reproductive health issues in women.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[How to set up a family and have healthy children? Plato and Aristotle's formulas for good life].

The article reconstructs and analyses the views of two great philosophers: Plato and Aristotle. Contrary to general opinions, philosophy busies itself not only with abstract issues, but also with the realistic ones. The thinkers introduced here prove this theory. They went into details discussing matters such as: procreation, behaviour of pregnant women, feeding and bringing up babies, children and teenagers' physical and mental education. Both men treated citizens' health as a matter of paramount importance, the matter of national significance.

Family Health↗
PubMed1993

The children of homosexual and heterosexual single mothers.

Children reared in homes headed by homosexual and heterosexual mothers were compared with respect to the mothers' and children's attitudes towards marriage, procreation and homosexuality. The mothers did not prefer their children to be homosexual; they desired them to marry and procreate. This was expressed more unambiguously for their sons. The children mirrored these expectations, boys with greater frequency than the girls. Most of the children expressed reservations about having a homosexual mother.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The effect of alcohol, tobacco, and aspirin consumption on seminal quality among healthy young men.

In this study, the authors examined the effects of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use on plasma testosterone and seminal parameters (in accordance with the World Health Organization's standards) in healthy Argentine medical students (n = 34). Some alterations in seminal parameters were detected in 19 (56%) subjects. Alcohol and tobacco use were correlated significantly, p = 0.005; subjects who used these substances exhibited a nonsignificant reduction in sperm concentration, motility, viability, and normal morphology. There was a significant decrease in sperm motility among students who used moderate amounts of aspirin (i.e., > or = 500 mg/wk). The authors concluded that alcohol, tobacco, and aspirin use could have had detrimental effects on seminal parameters and that men who wish to procreate should be warned of such effects. Doses, exposure time, and interactions with other variables deserve additional study.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[How to assess ovarian reserve in 1999?].

Fertility and results of infertility therapies are submitted to amajor drop in relation with the age of the female patient and her so-called ovarian reserve. Although there is no clear definition of what is exactly the ovarian reserve, the consequence of its decline is a greater difficulty to produce ovocytes with a capacity of becoming living embryos after fertilization. Several tests have been developed to assess the ovarian reserve in order to evaluate the prognosis of spontaneous fertility, the results of infertility therapy and assisted procreation techniques, and to make necessary technical adaptations. Basal determinations of FSH, estradiol and inhibin B at day 3 of the cycle an all reflect the ovarian potential, but only FSH reflects a decline infecundability reliable enough to be used as a screening test. Challenge tests such as the clomiphene citrate, the exogenous FSH or the GnRH challenge tests have the purpose to reveal an exaggerated liberation of FSH or an insufficient secretion of estradiol after stimulation. None of these tests have demonstrated a better sensibility together with a higher specificity and they should be considered as evaluating tools in specific cases only. In conclusion, assessing the ovarian reserve has become a clinical necessity in the following situations: ovulation defect, unexplained infertility, before undergoing ovarian stimulation for assisted procreation, in particular in women above the age of 35. This assessment can be made by determining the basal FSH level on day 3 of a cycle and should be renewed every year.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1999

[Rubella: the problem of women in procreative age].

The only effective method of preventing rubella virus infection is by vaccinating women who lack the antibodies IgG-RUB, which have been proven to prevent rubella. In these study we analyze the natural seroconversion against rubella virus among women in the procreative ages of 23-30 with ELFA assay (enzymimmunofluorescence assay), using a mini-VIDAS instrument. 7.8% of 148 women tested lacked IgG-RUB. Such seronegative women should be vaccinated before pregnancy.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed2003

Toward a pluralistic account of parenthood.

What is it that makes someone a parent? Many writers--call them 'monists'--claim that parenthood is grounded solely in one essential feature that is both necessary and sufficient for someone's being a parent. We reject not only monism but also 'necessity' views, in which some specific feature is necessary but not also sufficient for parenthood. Our argument supports what we call 'pluralism', the view that any one of several kinds of relationship is sufficient for parenthood. We begin by challenging monistic versions of gestationalism, the view that gestation uniquely grounds parenthood. Monistic and necessity gestationalism are implausible. First, we raise the 'paternity problem'--necessity gestationalists lack an adequate account of how men become fathers. Second, the positive arguments that necessity gestationalists give are not compelling. However, although gestation may not be a necessary condition for parenthood, there is not good reason to think that it is sufficient. After further rebutting an 'intentionalist' account of parenthood, in which having and acting on intentions to procreate and rear is necessary for parenthood, we end by sketching a pluralistic picture of the nature of parenthood, rooted in causation, on which gestation, direct genetic derivation, extended custody, and even, sometimes, intentions, may be individually sufficient for parenthood.

Child↗
PubMed1992

[Andrologic expert assessment. Experiences and results of 40 years].

On the basis of 300 andrological expertises made over the last 40 years to answer the question as to procreative capacity and other andrological problems, a position is taken up towards the expertise in general and to a number of characteristic data. In more than 95 percent of the cases, there was agreement between the conclusions of the expert and the subsequent decision taken by the client. It is emphasized that, within the period considered, there has been a general decrease in requests for expert opinions on procreative capacity in paternity suits, which is traced back to the increasing accuracy of the methods of blood group serology. In contrast, expertises in the case of occupational accidents, criminal offences and errors in medical treatment are on the increase.

Expert Testimony↗
PubMed1993

[The multiple interactions between infertility and sexuality].

After investigating into literature and clinical experience, we shall line out in this study 4 types of interactions between sexuality and infertility: sexual causes to feminine (vaginism, with and without heavy dyspareunia) or masculine (impotency, ante-portas ejaculation, anejaculation, dysejaculation), infertility; influence of tests and of treatments for infertility on sexual life; influence of infertility on sexuality focusing on the various ambiguous feelings (of culpability, inferiority, aggressivity, passivity); and last, the psychological and sexual interactions with medical assisted procreation, reinforcing the sexual separation of man and woman if the body is considered a machine. Psychosomatic guidance of the couple during these steps (with reassurance as the being helped conception) will allow maintaining on removing sexual attraction.

Attitude to Health↗