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PubMed1989

Effect of in-vitro heat stress on prostaglandin and protein secretion by endometrium from pregnant and cyclic gilts at day 14 after oestrus.

Endometrium from cyclic (N = 4) and pregnant (N = 4) gilts at Day 14 after oestrus was placed into three bilateral perifusion devices which allow separate perifusion of luminal and myometrial sides. Perifused endometrium was subjected to 39 or 42 degrees C. Incorporation of [3H]leucine into secreted and tissue proteins by endometrial explants following incubation at 39 or 42 degrees C was examined using trichloroacetic acid (TCA) precipitation and one-dimensional SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Secretion of PGF was greater from the myometrial side for cyclic gilts (endocrine orientation), but greater from the luminal side for pregnant gilts (exocrine orientation). Regardless of reproductive status or endometrial side, heat stress induced a rapid increase (P less than 0.01) in PGF secretion rates. However, PGF secretion in response to heat stress was greater (P less than 0.01) from the myometrial side and greater (P less than 0.01) for pregnant gilts. PGF secretion rates increased by 63% and 42% from the luminal side, and 40% and 156% from the myometrial side in response to heat stress for cyclic and pregnant gilts, respectively (status x treatment x side interaction; P less than 0.01). Heat stress did not alter incorporation of [3H]leucine into secreted proteins regardless of reproductive status, while incorporation into tissue proteins was decreased (P less than 0.05) by heat stress for pregnant gilts, but not altered for cyclic gilts. Heat stress, in vitro, redirects PGF secretion for endometria of pregnant gilts from an exocrine to an endocrine orientation where it would be available to effect luteolysis and compromise the establishment of pregnancy.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Factors influencing the outcome of vasectomy reversal.

Fifty-six vasectomy reversals performed during the period 1976 to 1978 have been reviewed with reference to factors which might influence the outcome. Spermatozoa appeared in the ejaculate in 51 (91%) and remained in numbers greater than 10 million per ejaculate in 35 (63%). The wives of 14 men conceived. The following factors have been shown to be associated with a favourable result: a short delay between vasectomy and its reversal, a short previously resected segment, opalescent fluid from the cut lower end of the vas and the absence of circulating antisperm antibodies. A substantially higher conception rate was achieved when the husband had remained with his original partner. Sixty-two testicular biopsies obtained at the time of vasectomy reversal were examined by light microscopy and showed no gross impairment of spermatogenesis. Immunofluorescent techniques failed to show the presence of antigen antibody complexes in 36 testicular biopsies and in 12 vasal stumps.

Adult↗
PubMed2007

Pelvic growth: ontogeny of size and shape sexual dimorphism in rat pelves.

The mammalian pelvis is sexually dimorphic with respect to both size and shape. Yet little is known about the differences in postnatal growth and bone remodeling that generate adult sexual dimorphism in pelvic bones. We used Sprague-Dawley laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus), a species that exhibits gross pelvic size and shape dimorphism, as a model to quantify pelvic morphology throughout ontogeny. We employed landmark-based geometric morphometrics methodology on digitized landmarks from radiographs to test for sexual dimorphism in size and shape, and to examine differences in the rates, magnitudes, and directional patterns of shape change during growth. On the basis of statistical significance testing, the sexes became different with respect to pelvic shape by 36 days of age, earlier than the onset of size dimorphism (45 days), although visible shape differences were observed as early as at 22 days. Males achieved larger pelvic sizes by growing faster throughout ontogeny. However, the rates of shape change in the pelvis were greater in females for nearly all time intervals scrutinized. We found that trajectories of shape change were parallel in the two sexes until age of 45 days, suggesting that both sexes underwent similar bone remodeling until puberty. After 45 days, but before reproductive maturity, shape change trajectories diverged because of specific changes in the female pelvic shape, possibly due to the influence of estrogens. Pattern of male pelvic bone remodeling remained the same throughout ontogeny, suggesting that androgen effects on male pelvic morphology were constant and did not contribute to specific shape changes at puberty. These results could be used to direct additional research on the mechanisms that generate skeletal dimorphisms at different levels of biological organization.

Aging↗
PubMed2000

Pathogenesis of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus-induced increase in susceptibility to Streptococcus suis infection.

Eighty 3-week-old crossbred pigs were randomly assigned to six groups (13-14 pigs/group). Group 1 pigs served as uninoculated controls, group 2 pigs were inoculated intranasally (i.n.) with Streptococcus suis serotype 2, group 3 pigs were inoculated i.n. with a modified live porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) vaccine, group 4 pigs were inoculated i.n. with the same vaccine and with S. suis, group 5 pigs were inoculated i.n. with VR-2385 (a high-virulence strain of PRRSV), and group 6 pigs were inoculated i.n. with VR-2385 and S. suis. Pigs exposed to both PRRSV and S. suis were inoculated with PRRSV 7 days prior to S. suis inoculation. The pigs were 26 days old when inoculated with S. suis. Respiratory disease was significantly more severe in groups 5 and 6. Mortality rate was the highest in group 6 (87.5%). This rate was significantly higher than that observed in all other groups except group 4 (37.5%). The mortality rate in group 2, inoculated with S. suis alone, was 14.3%. No pigs from groups 1, 3, or 5 died prior to the scheduled necropsies at 10 and 28 days postinoculation with PRRSV (DPI). To study the effect of PRRSV and/or S. suis on pulmonary clearance by pulmonary intravascular macrophages, six pigs from each group were intravenously infused with 3% copper phthalocyanine tetrasulfonic acid in saline prior to necropsy at 10 DPI. Mean copper levels in the lungs of pigs in groups 2, 5, and 6 were significantly lower than those in control pigs. The mean percentage of lung tissue grossly affected by pneumonia at 10 DPI was 0%, 1%, 0%, 3%, 64%, and 62% for groups 1-6, respectively. Both gross and microscopic interstitial pneumonia lesions were significantly more severe in the VR2385-inoculated groups (5 and 6). PRRSV was isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid collected at necropsy from 100% of the pigs in groups 5 and 6, 71.4% of pigs in group 4, 38.5% of pigs in group 3, and none of the pigs in groups 1 or 2. Streptococcus suis serotype 2 was cultured from the internal tissues of 7.7%, 28.6%, and 78.6% of the pigs in groups 2, 4, and 6, respectively. Streptococcus suis serotype 2 was isolated from whole blood at necropsy from 7.7%, 35.7%, and 78.6% of pigs in groups 2, 4, and 6, respectively. Significantly more pigs in group 6 had S. suis isolated from whole blood and internal tissues. In summary, both high-virulence PRRSV and S. suis decreased copper clearance, and the incidence of isolation of S. suis and PRRSV was higher in dually inoculated pigs. PRRSV-induced suppression of pulmonary intravascular macrophage function may in part explain PRRSV-associated increased susceptibility to S. suis infection.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1995

Analysis of caesarean delivery in Jimma Hospital, south-western Ethiopia.

In this prospective study, 100 mothers who have undergone caesarean section in Jimma Hospital from 23rd June 1992 to 24th September 1993 were analysed to determine the incidence, indications and post operative complications of caesarean delivery. During the study period, there were 1236 deliveries, of whom 100 mothers were delivered by caesarean section; giving a caesarean birth rate of 8%. The leading indications for caesarean section were cephalopelvic disproportion (44%), malpresentations and malpositions (21%), repeat caesarean section (16%), antepartum haemorrhage (8%) and foetal distress (6%), accounting for 95% of the indications for caesarean section. There was no maternal death, but the overall morbidity rate was 20%. The causes of morbidity were wound infection (27.1%), sepsis (21.4%), endometritis (33.3%), haemorrhage (8%) and wound dehiscence (10%). The gross perinatal mortality rate of 120 per 1000 live births was not significantly higher than the rate for all deliveries, which was 92.5% per 1000 live births (P < 0.5). The single most important cause of perinatal death was prolonged and obstructed labour. In order to reduce the high perinatal mortality and maternal morbidity, there is a strong and urgent need to prevent prolonged and obstructed labour through effective antenatal care and referral system.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Long-term experience with Norplant implants in international clinical trials.

Norplant subdermal implants containing levonorgestrel were used for contraception and compared with the Copper T, Model T Cu 200, during 42 months of use in an open study in Chile, the Dominican Republic, and Finland. Among 324 women enrolled for the implant regimen, there were no pregnancies in the 1st 2.5 years, and 2 by the end of 42 months. 1st segment net and gross cumulative pregnancy rates were 0.7 and 1.2/100 respectively, at 3.5 years. Cumulative pregnancy rates for the T Cu 200 group were 2.9, net and 3.5/100, gross at 42 months. More than 1/2 of the implant acceptors, 51.6/100 were continuing use at 3.5 years, somewhat above the continuation rate of the T Cu acceptors, 43.5/100, but not significantly so.

Americas↗
PubMed1993

A comparative study of two low-dose combined oral contraceptives: results from a multicenter trial.

A comparative multicenter clinical trial of two low-dose combined oral contraceptives (OCs) was conducted in Malaysia, Egypt, Thailand, and Mexico. Efficacy, safety and acceptability were investigated in women taking either a norgestrel-based (NG) OC or a norethindrone acetate-based (NA) OC. This paper includes analysis of 892 women, all of whom were at least 42 days but within 26 weeks postpartum and randomly allocated to one of the above OCs. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 1, 4, 8 and 12 months after admission. Baseline sociodemographic characteristics were similar for both groups, as well as compliance. There were nine unintended pregnancies reported; eight of these occurring in the NA group. Adverse experiences were minor with headaches and dizziness being the most common complaints; frequency of reports was similar in both groups. The group taking the NG-based OC had significantly (p < .05) fewer menstrual-related complaints. Discontinuations due to menstrual problems were significantly more common among NA users (primarily amenorrhea). Discontinuations in the NG group were primarily for other personal reasons, e.g. unable to return to the clinic. There was also a significant difference between the two groups for the 11-month gross cumulative life table discontinuation rates due to menstrual problems (p < .01); the NA group had the higher rate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Retrospective study on an unusual form of ovario-bursal pathology in the camel (Camelus dromedarius).

A peculiar form of ovarian bursa pathology, called hydrobursitis, is described in the dromedary camel. This malformation is characterized by a collection of fluid within the ovarian bursa with encapsulation of the ovary. Retrospective study of all diagnosed cases in our laboratory shows that this malformation is responsible for reduced reproductive performance due to abortion, infertility and embryonic death. Hydrobursitis was diagnosed in 33 of 355 animals examined. The incidence of this lesion was higher in animals that aborted (9/24) or were barren for more than 2 years (13/37). Diagnosis by palpation per rectum and ultrasonography, is described. Gross pathological and biochemical studies on specimens collected at surgery or in the slaughterhouse showed that the fluid is hemorrhagic and that it could be a mixture of blood and follicular fluid. Bacteriological and cytological studies were inconclusive. The origin of this lesion is discussed in light of genetic, pathological and management factors. Loss of embryos in affected animals could be due to the effect of increased tension on the uterus caused by the accumulation of fluid which ranged in volume from 250 mL to 4240 mL. The condition was treated in several females by surgical ablation. Embryo transfer was used in females that were bilaterally affected and underwent a bilateral ovariectomy. Pregnancy and calving rates were 52.5% and 38.1% for unilaterally ovariectomized females bred after surgery and 33.3% and 22.2% for bilaterally ovariectomized females used as embryo recipients after surgery. These results show that involvement of the uterus in this malformation is very limited and that surgery can be considered for valuable animals if they are unilaterally affected.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed1988

Prostaglandin secretion by perifused porcine endometrium: further evidence for an endocrine versus exocrine secretion of prostaglandins.

Bilateral perifusion devices were utilized for measurement of prostaglandin secretion by luminal and myometrial surfaces of porcine endometrium. Tissues were collected from Days 10, 12 and 14 pregnant, Day 14 cyclic and Day 14 estrogen-induced pseudopregnant gilts. Each tissue was placed into duplicate perifusion devices and perifused with Krebs-Ringer Bicarbonate solution at 3 ml/10 min for 2 h, fractions collected every 10 min and oxytocin (1 IU/ml) perifused during fractions 6-10 to the luminal side of one chamber and to the myometrial side of the other chamber. Secretion rates of PGF were higher (P less than 0.05) than PGE2 for each status. Secretion rates of PGF and PGE2 were higher (P less than 0.01) from the luminal side for Day 12 pregnant, Day 14 pregnant and Day 14 pseudo-pregnant gilts, whereas secretion was higher from the myometrial side for Day 10 pregnant and Day 14 cyclic gilts. Oxytocin increased (P less than 0.01) prostaglandin secretion from the luminal side regardless of reproductive status. Pregnancy at Day 12 and Day 14, as well as estrogen treatment, were associated with prostaglandin secretion in a luminal (exocrine) orientation versus a myometrial (endocrine) orientation for Day 14 cyclic and Day 10 pregnant gilts. These data indicate an estrogen associated switch between Days 10 and 12 of pregnancy from an endocrine to an exocrine secretion of prostaglandins.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Mineral content of colostrum and mature milk of lactating Nigerian women as influenced by stage of lactation.

380 milk samples (96 colostrum and 284 mature milk samples) collected from 240 lactating Nigerian women within the first 9 months of lactation were analyzed for zinc, copper, iron, calcium, and magnesium concentrations by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Mean levels of zinc, copper, iron, calcium, and magnesium in colostrum were 5.83, 0.52, 0.55, 400, and 33 mcg/ml, respectively; the levels for the same minerals in mature milk collected in the 8th and 12th week of lactation were 3.08, 0.29, 0.38, 300, and 31 mcg/ml, respectively. While milk levels of all minerals decreased with increase in lactation age, zinc levels showed the fastest rate of decrease. Milk zinc levels at the 9th month were only 13% of that in colostrum. Similar percentages for copper, iron, calcium, and magnesium were 49, 60, 34, and 74%, respectively. Estimates of intake by solely breastfed infants during the first 6 months showed gross inadequacies when compared with Recommended Daily Allowances. Results suggest the need for early supplementation, especially as zinc deficiencies as well as a high incicdence of iron deficiency anemia has been reported in Nigerian infants.

Africa↗
PubMed2006

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in pregnancy: current status and implications for the future.

Drug use during pregnancy is sometimes unavoidable, especially in chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) often starts in the early stage of RA; therefore, women of reproductive age are at risk for exposure to a DMARD at time of conception as well as during pregnancy. The aim of this paper was to review recent literature about DMARDs used for rheumatic diseases in pregnancy and to describe the type of study designs and results reported.Twenty-nine studies; eight on hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine, thirteen on methotrexate, three on sulfasalazine and six on azathioprine were identified. With respect to hydroxychloroquine, most studies concluded that it could be safely used in systemic lupus erythematosus or RA. The same conclusions were drawn from the azathioprine studies, but the available evidence is scarce. Although the evidence regarding the safety of methotrexate during pregnancy is conflicting, a high rate of pregnancy losses indicates a risk to the fetus. For each individual case it must be decided whether the benefits outweigh the potential risks. No major teratogenic effects of sulfasalazine were seen although teratogenic effects still can not be excluded. For all other DMARDs, the information on their use in pregnancy was limited. This review underscores the gross absence of data on safety and risks of DMARD use during conception and pregnancy. While young women use these drugs in pregnancy, this review stresses the importance of good monitoring and further research.

Antirheumatic Agents↗
PubMed2003

Quinacrine sterilization (QS) in Iran and the use of HSG as a measure of success.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the safety, effectiveness and acceptability of quinacrine sterilization (QS) in Iran. To determine whether the hysterosalpingogram (HSG) performed under low pressure can be used to demonstrate success of the QS procedure rather than waiting for a pregnancy to occur in order to demonstrate failure. METHODS: This study was initiated in September 1990 in a private family planning clinic in Tehran, Iran. Patient intake for this analysis was completed 31 December 1998 and the cut-off date for follow-up data to be included in this analysis was 30 July 2002. During this period, 268 women received QS. From inception until April 1994, 160 women entered the study. The first 62 women received 3 insertions and the remainder received 2. Short-term side effects were closely followed in these 160 women. From 18 February 1994 until the patient intake cut-off date, 131 women entered the study and 46 of them received an HSG. RESULTS: With 4 to 12 years of follow-up there have been 7 pregnancies for a gross pregnancy rate of 2.6%. However, the use of the HSG tripled the risk of pregnancy for women who underwent the procedure. Furthermore, HSG, even when performed under minimal pressure, indicated failure of the QS procedure about 6% of the time when in fact both tubes would have closed had there been no intervention. Side effects were minor when compared to the complications of surgical sterilization. CONCLUSIONS: QS was found to be safe, effective and preferred over surgical sterilization by Iranian women. HSG understated the number of patients with bilateral tubal closure, or with tubes that would have closed given a little more time.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Results of a pilot study of the time to azoospermia after vasectomy in Mexico City.

In a joint pilot study by Family Health International (FHI), AVSC International, and the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), information was gathered on the determinants of azoospermia following vasectomy on 38 healthy men who chose vasectomy for contraception. The time and number of ejaculations associated with loss of sperm motility and loss of sperm eosin vital staining were also evaluated. "Azoospermia" was defined on the basis of two consecutive azoospermic semen samples collected at least 3 days apart. The single decrement life table method was used to calculate weekly gross cumulative life table rates for the time to azoospermia, zero motility, and zero viability. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the product-limit estimates of the cumulative rates for the total number of ejaculations to azoospermia, 0% motility and 0% viability. The median time to azoospermia was 10 weeks and at the end of week 20, the life table rate (+/- standard error) was 93.0 (+/- 6.30) weeks/100 men. The median number of ejaculations to azoospermia was between 25 and 30, and the cumulative rate (+/- standard error) at 60 ejaculations reached 94.5 (+/- 5.16)/100 men.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Effects of rapid weight gain to puberty on reproduction, mammary development and lactation in ewe lambs.

The effects of rapid weight gain to puberty on reproduction, mammary development and milk production in ewes lambing at 13 mo of age were investigated on three trials. A total of 64 Dorset and 93 Suffolk ewe lambs were weaned at 42 d of age and their mean weight was 16 kg. These ewes were assigned, within breed groups, to either a finishing diet or a growing diet. Onset of puberty was determined by daily checks for estrus and ewes were bred beginning at 7 mo of age. In Trial 2, mammary gland development was determined in eight Suffolk ewes from each diet. Ewes on the finishing diet were younger at puberty than those on the growing diet (199 vs 206 d, P<0.05) but required more services per conception (1.3 vs 1.1, P<0.05). Dietary conception rate and lambing rate means were similar. Mean 4-h milk yield was lower (P<0.10) for ewes on the finishing diet (283 g) than for those on the growing diet (310 g). Mammary gland fat pad area was higher (P<0.05) for ewes on the finishing diet compared with those fed for growth. Gross and adjusted duct areas were higher in ewes on the growing diet, but differences were not significant. At puberty, negative correlation coefficients for milk yield with performance traits were as follows: daily weight gain, -0.184 (P<0.08); weight-to-height ratio -0.262 (P<0.01); body condition score, -0.189 (P<0.07); and body weight, -0.212 (P<0.05). Results of this study indicate that rapid weight gain to puberty impairs mammary gland development and milk production in ewe lambs.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

NTP Toxicity Studies of 60-Hz Magnetic Fields Administered by Whole Body Exposure to F344/N Rats, Sprague-Dawley Rats, and B6C3F1 Mice.

Electric and magnetic fields are associated with the production, transmission, and use of electricity; thus the potential for human exposure is high. These electric and magnetic fields are predominantly of low frequency (60 Hz) and generally of low intensity. The prevailing view among physicists is that exposure to these low-frequency, low-intensity fields does not pose a health hazard. However, this view has been challenged by reports linking magnetic field exposure to the development of leukemia and other cancers. Because multiple epidemiologic studies suggested a potential for increased cancer rates with increasing exposure, and because of public concern, the effects of 60-Hz magnetic field exposure were examined in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice in 8-week full-body-exposure studies. Animals were evaluated for hematology and clinical chemistry (rats only) parameters, pineal gland hormone concentrations, and histopathology. Additional studies were performed in Sprague-Dawley rats to examine teratologic and reproductive effects of magnetic field exposure. In the 8-week toxicity studies, groups of male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice were exposed for 18.5 hours per day to 60-Hz magnetic fields at intensities of 0 (control), 0.02, 2, and 10 gauss (G). Additional groups of rats and mice were exposed to intermittent 10 G fields (1 hour on/1 hour off) for 18.5 hours per day. No evidence of toxicity associated with exposure to magnetic fields was observed in rats or mice. Clinical observations provided no evidence of adverse effects associated with magnetic field exposure. Compared to control rats and mice, there were no biologically significant differences in hematology or clinical chemistry parameters of rats exposed to magnetic fields. No gross lesions or histopathologic findings in rats or mice were attributed to exposure to 60-Hz magnetic fields. In addition, magnetic field exposure was not associated with a significant reduction in serum melatonin or pineal gland melatonin concentration, or pineal gland activity of N-acetyltransferase in either species. One female rat in the 2 G exposure group died during the 8-week toxicity study from causes unrelated to magnetic field exposure; all other male and female rats and mice in the study survived until the end of the study. Final mean body weights and mean organ weights of a few groups of exposed animals differed from those of the control groups; however, no clear pattern of magnetic field effects was observed, and these differences are not considered to be biologically significant. For the teratology study, groups of 55 pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to the same magnetic fields as in the toxicity study on gestation days 6 through 19. Fifteen pregnant females exposed to 85 mg ethylenethiourea/kg body weight served as positive controls. Except for the positive controls, there were no changes in maternal or fetal weights, nor were fetal abnormalities found. The number of pregnant females was significantly lower in groups exposed to magnetic fields than in the control group; however, all breeding in the teratology study was completed prior to the first day of magnetic field or sham exposure. On this basis, this finding is unrelated to magnetic field exposure. In addition, there were no differences between control and exposed groups in the number of pregnant females in the continuous breeding study, in which breeding took place within the magnetic fields. Groups of 40 breeding pairs of Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to the same magnetic fields as in the toxicity study during the breeding and lactation of five litters in a continuous breeding study. The fifth litter was exposed during gestation and lactation; one male and one female from each litter were raised to sexual maturity receiving the same exposures as the parents; rats were mated to nonsibling rats and allowed to deliver the third-generation offspring. The results of the continuous breeding study demonstrated no effects of magnetic field exposure on reproductive performance in either male or female rats.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

[Epidemic late abortion in swine--status of research].

This article briefly describes the PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome), which arose in the winter of 1990 in Germany and other European countries. The data are accumulated from the literature and own experiences. The clinical picture of this new disease, which led to important economical losses is dominated by 1. an increased rate of reduced length of pregnancy with late abortion before day 110 or an increased length of pregnancy; 2. an increase of stillborn piglets; 3. a larger scale of preweaning mortality combined with a higher frequency of secondary infections. Pathological findings in piglets are subcutaneous edema, accumulation of fluids in the body cavities and sometimes interstitial pneumonia is observed. In sows originating from affected farms examined before partus a mononuclear placentitis is present. At present a non-classified virus, isolated by Dutch researchers is proposed to be the causative agent and named Lelystad virus.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Achieving environmentally relevant organochlorine pesticide concentrations in eggs through maternal exposure in Alligator mississippiensis.

Alligator mississippiensis eggs from organochlorine pesticide (OCP) contaminated sites in Florida exhibit high rates of embryonic mortality compared to reference sites (P < 0.05). The objective of the present study was to use captive adult alligators to test the hypotheses that maternal exposure to OCPs results in increased OCP concentrations in eggs, and that increased exposure is associated with increased embryonic mortality. A total of 24 adult alligators (8 males and 16 females) were housed in eight pens. Eight females in four pens were dosed with a mixture of p,p'-DDE, toxaphene, dieldrin, and chlordane at a rate of 0.2+/-0.01 mg/kg/day for 274+/-8 days. Treated females produced eggs containing higher OCP concentrations (12,814+/-813 ng/g yolk) than controls (38+/-4 ng/g yolk). Eggs of treated females exhibited decreased viability (13+/-22%) as compared to controls (45+/-20%). Results indicated that 0.6% of administered OCPs were maternally transferred to the eggs of American alligators, and that maternal exposure is associated with decreased egg/embryo viability in this species.

Alligators and Crocodiles↗
PubMed1994

Caesarean section and foetal outcome at Yekatit 12 Hospital, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, 1987-1992.

This retrospective study was carried out to examine indications for Caesarean section (CS), foetal outcome and postoperative complications and to recommend ways of reducing maternal and neonatal deaths. In a five year period (September 1987 to August 1992), among 11,657 consecutive deliveries at Yekatit 12 Hospital, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, there were 645 CSs, an overall CS rate of 5.5%. During this study, the indications for CS were cephalopelvic disproportion (31.2%), foetal distress (21.4%), previous CS (17.5%), placenta praevia (6.6%), cord prolapse (4.2%) and others (19.1%). There were 99 perinatal deaths, a gross perinatal mortality rate of 153.5 per 1,000 live births, which was a significantly higher rate than the total rate for all deliveries (67.5 per 1,000 live births, p < 0.01). There were seven maternal deaths (case fatality rate of 1.1%). The very high perinatal mortality in this study calls for a better and more effective antenatal service to improve foetal and maternal survival. This could be achieved by strengthening the referral system for pregnant women with obstructed and prolonged labour.

Adult↗