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OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between the steroid concentration in the endometrium, in serum, and the gene expression level of steroid-metabolizing enzymes in the context of endometrial receptivity in in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients.DESIGN: Case-control study of 40 IVF patients recruited in the SCRaTCH study (NTR5342), a randomized controlled trial investigating pregnancy outcome after "endometrial scratching." Endometrial biopsies and serum were obtained from patients with a first failed IVF cycle randomized to the endometrial scratch in the midluteal phase of the natural cycle before the next fresh embryo transfer during the second IVF cycle.SETTING: University hopsital.PATIENTS: Twenty women with clinical pregnancy were compared with 20 women who did not conceive after fresh embryo transfer. Cases and controls were matched for primary vs. secondary infertility, embryo quality, and age.INTERVENTION: None.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Steroid concentrations in endometrial tissue homogenates and serum were measured with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The endometrial transcriptome was profiled by RNA-sequencing, followed by principal component analysis and differential expression analysis. False discovery rate-adjusted and log-fold change >|0.5| were selected as the threshold for differentially expressed genes.RESULT(S): Estrogen levels were comparable in both serum (n = 16) and endometrium (n = 40). Androgens and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were higher in serum than that in endometrium. Although steroid levels did not vary between pregnant and nonpregnant groups, subgroup analysis of primary women with infertility showed a significantly lower estrone concentration and estrone:androstenedione ratio in serum of the pregnant group (n = 5) compared with the nonpregnant group (n = 2). Expression of 34 out of 46 genes encoding the enzymes controlling the local steroid metabolism was detected, and estrogen receptor β gene was differentially expressed between pregnant and nonpregnant women. When only the primary infertile group was considered, 28 genes were differentially expressed between pregnant and nonpregnant women, including HSD11B2, that catalyzes the conversion of cortisol into cortisone.CONCLUSION(S): Steroidomic and transcriptomic analyses show that steroid concentrations are regulated by the local metabolism in the endometrium. Although no differences were found in endometrial steroid concentration in the pregnant and nonpregnant IVF patients, primary women with infertility showed deviations in steroid levels and gene expression, indicating that a more homogeneous patient group is required to uncover the exact role of steroid metabolism in endometrial receptivity.CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: The study was registered in the Dutch trial registry (www.trialregister.nl), registration number NL5193/NTR5342, available at https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NTR6687. The date of registration is July 31, 2015. The first enrollment is on January 1, 2016.

Infertility is a growing worldwide public health problem, and stress is a main factor exerting detrimental effects on female reproduction. However, knowledge regarding the neuroendocrine changes caused by chronic stress in females is limited. Therefore, this study assessed the effects of stress on hormones that control female reproduction during the proestrus and diestrus stages of the estrous cycle, as well as its effects on fertility. Adult females were assigned to either a control or a stress group. Stress consisted of exposure, for 15 min, to cold-water immersion daily for 30 days. Estrous cyclicity, female sexual behavior, as well as hypothalamic kisspeptin, gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) content, serum luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), corticosterone (CORT) and fertility were assessed after chronic stress. The results show that chronically stressed females exhibited disrupted estrous cyclicity, decreased receptivity, low pregnancy rates and lower numbers of fetuses. The content of Kisspeptin and GnRH in the Anteroventral Periventricular/medial Preoptic Area decreased during proestrus, while Kisspeptin increased in the Arcuate nucleus in proestrus and diestrus. Serum LH decreased only during proestrus, whereas E2 and P4 concentrations decreased during proestrus and diestrus, with a concomitant increase in CORT levels in both stages. As a whole, these results indicate that chronic stress decreases Kisspeptin content in AVPV nucleus and GnRH in POA in females, and might induce disruption of the LH surge, consequently disrupting estrous cyclicity and fertility, leading to lower rates of pregnancy and number of fetuses.

Hosting special events can be a unique opportunity for boosting the touristic development resulting in loyalty and attachment toward the destination and its assets. Understanding the variables that influence event tourism behaviours within the context of recurring special events has not been widely observed in the event and tourism literature. The study extends this research area investing whether destination beliefs, event satisfaction and tourist motivation can predict revisit intentions and receptivity of products made in the territory hosting a special event in Italy. The findings contribute to advancing the theory and empirical studies on event-related experiences. Moreover, the importance of collaborations between tourism sector and productive system is discussed along with the significance of satisfaction and motivation as drivers of behavioural intentions.

The study of the functional anatomy of the female reproductive organs of Brachyura is often used in the classification and establishment of phylogenetic relationships. Besides, it allows us to draw inferences about the reproductive strategies and mating systems of crabs. Using histology and scanning electron microscopy we assessed the reproductive biology of Cyrtograpsus angulatus females by studying: the vulvae morphology, the receptive period duration, the spawning capacity and its relation to the seminal receptacle weight or carapace width, and the anatomy of the seminal receptacle. The vagina was of the concave type with an operculate vulva whose hinge became mobile when the female was receptive. The presence of striae in the vulvae hinge were related to the carapace width and maturity stage. Receptivity occurred during the intermolt period and lasted from 5 to 7 days. The duration of receptivity was independent of the seminal receptacle weight. Large females had seminal receptacles full of sperm and more frequently spawned a brood of eggs compared to small females. The seminal receptacle showed a threshold filling capacity. The histological anatomy of the seminal receptacle corresponds to the general pattern described for other Brachyura. A ventral connection of the ovary to the seminal receptacle was found. The presence of an oviduct valve at the junction of the ovary and the seminal receptacle was evident in non receptive females, but not evident in receptive ones. The seminal receptacle contained an unstructured mass of sperm with no evidence of separate ejaculates. As a result, a female centered competitive mating system is suggested in this species.

Mating generally occurs with adult females, which undergo a suite of changes in morphology, physiology and behaviour during maturation. In the brown widow spider, Latrodectus geometricus, however, males can mate with immature females during a short period before they moult to the adult stage. Mating with immature females seems beneficial for males, because they are not at risk of being cannibalized, whereas cannibalism inevitably occurs in matings with adult females. We conducted choice experiments to elucidate male preference, courtship and mating behaviour with immature and adult females of different ages. We controlled for age of the females’ webs to provide males with potential web-borne attractants of similar age. We tested whether males distinguish immature females that are ready to mate (late subadult stage) from adult females and from immature females that do not mate (early subadults), and we examined male response to young versus old adult females. Males approached and mated with adult females more frequently than late subadult females, but there were no differences in the frequencies of approach to early and late subadults or to adult females of different ages. Once on the web, however, males attempted to mate with the late subadults. We suggest that web-borne volatile cues, typical of adult females, may be reduced or lacking in late subadult females, yet less volatile cues may indicate receptivity.

Identifying reproductively viable partners may be the most important aspect of searching for a mate. When females vary in their reproductive receptivity, it is incumbent upon males to discriminate among females based on the likelihood of successful copulation and fertilization. We have observed that female African giant pouched rats (Cricetomys ansorgei) demonstrate profoundly delayed sexual development, with some adults exhibiting a highly neotenous, fully fused vagina. To say that the lack of vaginal patency presents a barrier to mating is a tremendous understatement. Based on this unique observation, we tested male preferences towards urine collected from patent and nonpatent females. We found that males with longer anogenital distances (AGD; a proximate measure of developmental masculinization) show differential interest towards patent and nonpatent females, preferring patent females. Strikingly, males with short AGDs did not show any differential interest between female odours. Correspondingly, only patent females demonstrated reduced interest in odour from short AGD males; nonpatent females did not demonstrate a preference. Our study demonstrates that pouched rats show differential interest in odours closely associated with mate quality. We are the first, to our knowledge, to show that the AGD of the evaluator enhances mate preferences and influences their interest in potential mating partners.

High concentration of blood ammonia can affect the uterus receptivity and decrease fecundity in dairy cow. Melatonin can reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, it is not clear whether melatonin can alleviate ammonia-induced apoptosis of endometrial epithelial cell (EEC) and reduced uterus receptivity. The bovine EEC were treated with ammonium chloride and/or melatonin. Cell viability, apoptosis, oxidative stress and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured and the expression of apoptosis-related genes (p53, Cyt-c, Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-8, caspase-9 and caspase-3), uterus receptivity related genes (VEGF, LIF and EGF) and inflammatory factors (TLR-4, IL-6 and NF-κB) were detected. In addition, the expression of VEGF was detected after adding NF-κB inhibitor (40 μM) and IL-6 (1 ng/mL and 50 ng/mL). The results showed that ammonia significantly increased intracellular ROS level, mRNA and protein expression of Bax, p53, Cyt-c, caspase-9, caspase-8, caspase-3, TLR-4, NF-κB and IL-6, promoted cell apoptosis, while decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, the mRNA and protein expression of VEGF and EGF. Interestingly, melatonin significantly mitigated ammonia-induced changes. However, melatonin could not alleviate ammonia-induced changes of IL-6 and VEGF when NF-κB signal pathway was inhibited. The addition of IL-6 significantly reduced mRNA and protein expression of VEGF. In conclusion, ammonia induced EEC apoptosis through ROS production and activation of mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, and induced inflammatory response through TLR4/NF-κB/IL-6 pathway. Melatonin alleviated EEC apoptosis by inhibiting ROS pathway, and reduced IL-6 expression by inhibiting TLR-4/NF-κB signal pathway, which eventually improved VEGF expression and uterus receptivity in dairy cows.

Sexually naive female mice do not display high levels of sexual receptivity in their first sexual experience; they require around 4-5 sexual encounters to display the full receptive response, assessed by the lordosis reflex. In this study, we evaluated if repeated sexual stimulation with the same male is associated with changes in synaptic remodeling evaluated by synaptophysin (SYP) in brain structures involved in the control of sexual behavior such as the main and accessory olfactory bulbs (MOB and AOB, respectively), medial preoptic area (MPOA), ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), and amygdala (AMG). Female mice were ovariectomized and hormonally primed to induce sexual receptivity. They were randomly distributed into three groups: a) sexually naive (SN), with no prior sexual stimulation; b) sexually inexperienced (SI), with one prior mating session; and c) sexually experienced (SE), with six mating sessions. The SI group showed a significant decrease in SYP in the glomerular, mitral and granular layers of the AOB in comparison to SN and SE females. SYP expression increased in the SE group in comparison to SN and SI females in the glomerular and mitral cell layers of the AOB. No significant differences between groups were found in the other brain regions (MOB, MPOA, VMH or AMG). These changes in SYP expression in the AOB suggest that plastic modifications in this brain region can be associated with receptivity increase in sexual experience in female mice.

It is widely accepted that receptivity to mating may be asymmetrical between the sexes. While reproductive benefits for males are cumulative, females may not benefit equally from polyandry, especially in species where females can store sperm. Female psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) are reportedly polyandrous. However, the adaptive significance of this mating strategy has not been thoroughly investigated. Studies involving other insect species indicate that polyandry may be driven by benefits (direct or indirect) or by the need to minimize costs associated with male harassment. Drooping she-oak psyllids, Aacanthocnema dobsoni (Triozidae), use substrate-borne vibrations for mate attraction but they are not a prerequisite for mating. We suspected that polyandry in this species could be driven by male harassment because males exhibit indiscriminate mating behaviour (consistent with a scramble competition mating strategy), often mating with unresponsive (mated) females. We investigated relationships between calling, feeding and mating status to test whether females mate to minimize harassment by males and whether they gain any direct benefits from polyandry. We found that lone calls were commonly, but reciprocal calls were rarely followed by mating. As reciprocal calls should reflect female receptivity, copulations without them highlight the existence of sexual conflict over mating. Observations revealed that feeding females were less likely to resist mating than nonfeeding females. We did not find that females obtained any direct benefits from polyandry. Our results suggest that polyandry in this species may be a consequence of male harassment and that mated females, while feeding, may remate for convenience to minimize costs associated with stylet retraction/penetration and location of new feeding sites.

The endometrium lines a women's uterus becoming receptive, and allowing embryo implantation to occur, for just a few days during the post-ovulatory mid-secretory phase of each menstrual cycle. We investigated whether concentrations of proposed receptivity biomarkers (VEGF, IL8, FGF2, CSF3 sFlt-1, sGP130 and PlGF) secreted by the endometrium into the uterine cavity and forming the microenvironment for embryo implantation is altered among a population of age-matched women with unexplained (idiopathic) infertility compared to fertile women during the receptive mid-secretory phase (n = 16 fertile, 18 infertile) and the prior pre-receptive early secretory phase (n = 19 fertile, 18 infertile) of their cycle. In the mid-secretory cohort significantly elevated concentrations of five biomarkers; PlGF (p = 0.001), IL8 (p = 0.004), sGP130 (p = 0.009), sFlt-1 (p = 0.021), and CSF3 (p = 0.029) was present in uterine fluid of infertile women during the mid-secretory phase, but only CSF3 was significantly elevated in the pre-receptive early secretory phase (p = 0.006). In vitro studies of glycosylated and non-glycosylated forms of CSF3 at representative fertile (20 ng/mL) and infertile (70 ng/mL) effects on endometrium and embryo behaviour were performed. Non-glycosylated CSF3 at fertile concentrations significantly (p 0.001) elevated endometrial epithelial cell proliferation however chronic treatment or elevated (infertile) concentrations of CSF3 in glycosylated form abrogated the positive effects. Both forms of CSF3 increased trophoblast cell invasion (p 0.001) regardless of concentration. Mouse embryo outgrowth was significantly (p 0.01) increased at fertile but not at infertile concentrations. The study confirmed potential utility of five biomarkers of endometrial receptivity for future application in the mid-secretory phase while highlighting CSF3 is elevated in the earlier pre-receptive phase. Our data provides evidence that CSF3 acts on both human endometrium and embryo in a manner that is concentration and glycosylation dependent.

The stability of the flow in the vaneless diffuser of a centrifugal compressor is studied with the linear theory. The characteristics of direct and adjoint perturbation modes are investigated, and the receptivity of the instability mode to momentum forcing or mass injection is identified based on the adjoint modes. Analysis shows that the perturbation with the largest amplitude is located at the outlet of the vaneless diffuser, while the highest-receptivity region is located in the middle of the vaneless diffuser along the radial direction. The large difference between the direct and adjoint modes indicates that the instability mechanism cannot be identified from a study of either eigenmode separately. Therefore, the structural sensitivity analysis is adopted to study the feedback of the instability mode. The structural sensitivity of the eigenvalue which is proportional to the perturbation pressure and velocity is used to explain the mechanism of flow control for the vaneless diffuser.

When opportunities to feed and reproduce are limited, females are often unable to recover sufficient energy stores to reproduce in consecutive years. Body condition has been used as a proxy for recent reproductive history in such species. We previously found that glucocorticoid responses to capture stress vary with body condition in female red-sided garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis), a species with limited seasonal breeding opportunities. Because variation in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) protein in the brain could explain these differences, we first assessed GR protein content in females in different body conditions. To investigate if body condition during the spring mating season accurately reflects recent reproductive history, we measured glucocorticoid responses to stress in females with different body conditions, assessed their mating behavior and brought mated females to our lab to determine which females would give birth during the summer (i.e., were parturient). Female red-sided garter snakes reproduce biennially, and therefore mated females that did not give birth were deemed non-parturient. In this study, glucocorticoid stress responses and mating behavior did not vary with body condition, nor was body condition related to brain GR or reproductive condition (parturient vs non-parturient). Only unreceptive females showed a significant stress-induced increase in glucocorticoids, suggesting that reduced stress responsiveness is associated with receptivity. Parturient females mated faster (were more proceptive) than non-parturient females. These data suggest that HPA axis activity modulates receptivity, while proceptivity is related primarily to reproductive condition.

Progesterone elevation during the late follicular phase of ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization negatively impacts the assisted reproductive technology-outcome. The evidence available supports an advanced endometrial maturation and a direct negative effect on its receptivity. On the other hand, some retrospective analysis suggests an impairment of oocyte and embryo quality. Recent publications confirm that enhanced follicle-stimulating hormone-stimulation towards the end of the follicular phase of ovarian stimulation is the main course of progesterone elevation. A key element in preventing this event is the individualization of ovarian stimulation according to the patient's ovarian reserve and the adaption of the stimulation dosage during late follicular phase according to the patient's response. Additional measures as corticosteroid administration, avoidance of prolonged stimulation and cycle segmentation with freeze-all-policy can be discussed.

Pubococcygeus muscle reflex activity has been reported to be driven by specialized neuronal circuitry, including the participation of spinal cord interneurons. Both the reflex and elements of the circuit are known to be sensitive to gonadal hormones, but studies using female rats have not considered the potential effects of estrous phase. Hence, in the present study we used mechanical stimulation of the clitoris to produce reflex activity, and recorded across the different phases of the estrous cycle, including the dark and light periods during each phase. Afterdischarge activity was observed only during the light and dark periods of proestrus, and during the light period of estrus coincident with the receptivity period in the rats reproductive behavior. Moreover, this reflex activity comprises at least five different motor unit groups with different firing patterns that are dependent on gonadal hormones variation.

This study analyzes pedestrian receptivity toward fully autonomous vehicles (FAVs) by developing and validating a pedestrian receptivity questionnaire for FAVs (PRQF). The questionnaire included sixteen survey items based on attitude, social norms, trust, compatibility, and system effectiveness. 482 Participants from the United States (273 males and 209 females, age range: 18–71 years) responded to an online survey. A principal component analysis determined three subscales describing pedestrians’ receptivity toward FAVs: safety, interaction, and compatibility. This factor structure was verified by a confirmatory factor analysis and reliability of each subscale was confirmed (0.7

Phenotypic expressions of insects are strongly dependent on various external and internal factors, like diet or density and age or sex. However, environmental effects on the behavioural phenotype and repeatability are rather unexplored for holometabolous insects in their larval stage. We examined the effects of the food environment (young versus old cabbage leaves) and previous test experience on growth and behaviour of Phaedon cochleariae larvae. A more nutritious diet, i.e., young leaves, had beneficial consequences on larval growth. Contrary to findings on adults, the behaviour of larvae was neither consistent over time nor across contexts, thus larvae did not show personality. Furthermore, larval behaviour was shaped independent of the diet, pointing to a stage-dependent receptivity towards diet conditions in this species. Besides, larval activity was significantly influenced by former test experience, with naïve larvae being more active than previously tested larvae. In general, in insects memories in an olfactory or sexual behaviour context can lead to behavioural responses later in life. Mechanisms of memory-learning should be further explored in different contexts in insects. Overall, the present study reveals that growth-related traits are diet-dependent and that the activity of a holometabolous larva is shaped in dependence of its previous test experience.

The aim of the current paper was to investigate the influence of childbirth on parents' attachment orientations. A three-wave longitudinal research program (during the second trimester of pregnancy, at 6 months postpartum, and at 1 year postpartum) using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model with a hierarchical linear modeling was conducted on 150 parental couples (M = 30.38 years old) with parental group (i.e., primiparous/first-time or multiparous/multi-times parents) as a time-invariant predictor and the partner's attachment development as a time-varying covariate. Results showed that parents' attachment orientations were stable. Moreover, the members of a parental couple tended to follow the same attachment developmental trajectory. Variation in the partners' anxiety was positively associated with variation in the parents' anxiety and avoidance, while variation in the partners' avoidance was not associated with variation in the parents' anxiety and avoidance. The discussion underlined the stability of attachment orientations around childbirth and the importance of the dyadic perspective in understanding the childbirth experience, specifically the parents' receptivity to variation in their partners' anxiety levels and the influence of such variation on their own anxiety and avoidance development.

Aim Endometrial exosomes carry bioactive agents to uterine epithelial cells and trophectoderm to promote implantation. On the other hand, intrauterine administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) could improve endometrial receptivity. Therefore, we investigated the delivery of hCG to the endometrial cells by uterine exosomes to increase endometrial receptivity. Main methods Exosomes were isolated from uterine fluid and characterized by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and western blotting. The freeze-thaw cycle and sonication methods were used to load hCG into the exosomes. The drug release pattern and uptake of exosomes into the endometrial cells were evaluated. Finally, the influence of hCG loaded-exosomes on the expression of several endometrial receptivity markers was evaluated. Key findings The isolated uterine fluid exosomes had a cup-shaped or spherical morphology with a mean size of 91.8 nm and zeta potential of −9.75 mV. The average loading capacity of exosomes for hCG was 710.05 ± 73.74 and 245.06 ± 95.66 IU/mg using the sonication and freeze-thaw cycle methods, respectively. The effect of hCG loaded-exosomes on the endometrial receptivity was greater than the hCG or exosomes alone. We found that hCG upregulated LIF and Trophinin and downregulated Muc-16 and IGFBP1 genes. Interestingly, the effect of hCG on the expression of LIF and Muc-16 was significantly intensified when used in the form of hCG loaded-exosomes. Significance These findings strengthen our hope in using uterine fluid-derived exosome as an effective carrier for proteins or other therapeutic agents to effective delivery into endometrial cells.

Focusing on the sub-domain of intellectual humility, this study tested a path model and hypothesised that intellectual humility enhanced academic performance via stronger intrinsic motivation and greater receptivity to feedback. A sample of 217 post-secondary students enrolled in sub-degree programmes in Hong Kong participated in an online survey and reported their semester grade point averages (GPAs) three months later. Results showed a small, positive indirect effect of intellectual humility on academic performance through receptivity to feedback, where more intellectually humble students were more receptive to coursework feedback in that they perceived it as constructive and engaged with it more, and had subsequently higher GPAs. While intellectual humility positively predicted intrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation was not significantly predictive of academic performance. By conducting a path analysis on variables previously identified as correlates of intellectual humility, this study suggested that intellectual humility may facilitate academic performance via active engagement and learning behaviour underpinning effective self-regulation.

Females often benefit from the ability to assess courting males using multiple signal modalities. Differences in the transmission properties of each signal modality, however, may hinder a female's ability to detect signals, and result in variation in individual sensory experience. Such variation in sensory experience would include, for example, variation in courtship modality experience. It is unknown, however, whether differences in courtship modality experience affect preferences for unimodal and multimodal signals. We tested the effects of juvenile courtship modality experience on adult mate preferences in the wolf spider, Schizocosa ocreata (Hentz). Male S. ocreata use a combination of visual and vibratory signals as a multimodal signal, and female S. ocreata (without previous experience) have been shown to weigh unimodal vibratory and unimodal visual signals equally. Whether individual variation in courtship modality experience affects the relative weight of unimodal signals is unknown not only in S. ocreata, but is poorly understood across animal taxa. We used playback techniques to manipulate the courtship modality experience (unimodal visual signals, unimodal vibratory signals, multimodal signals, or no signals) of penultimate females. Upon maturation, we counted the number of receptivity displays towards each unimodal signal and a multimodal signal on three consecutive days of single presentation studies. In no-choice adult trials, courtship modality experience affected unimodal, but not multimodal, preferences. Female S. ocreata preferred the familiar unimodal signal in no-choice presentations (e.g. females exposed to vibratory signals were more receptive toward those signals). However, females preferred multimodal signals over unimodal signals, regardless of their juvenile courtship modality experience. In two-choice trials, female S. ocreata significantly preferred visual signals, regardless of their experience. Taken together, an individual's courtship modality experience has the ability to affect unimodal courtship preferences, but may be limited based on whether adult females are presented unimodal signals in no-choice or two-choice trials.

PurposeUse of other tobacco products (smokeless tobacco, hookah, cigarillo, and e-cigarettes) is increasing, particularly among young adults, and there are few regulations on marketing for these products. We examined the associations between tobacco marketing receptivity and other tobacco product (OTP) use among young adult bar patrons (aged 18-26years).MethodsTime-location sampling was used to collect cross-sectional surveys from 7,540 young adult bar patrons from January 2012 through March of 2014. Multivariable logistic regression analyses in 2015 examined if tobacco marketing receptivity was associated (1) with current (past 30day) OTP use controlling for demographic factors and (2) with dual/poly use among current cigarette smokers (n= 3,045), controlling for demographics and nicotine dependence.ResultsAmong the entire sample of young adult bar patrons (Meanage= 23.7, standard deviation= 1.8; 48.1% female), marketing receptivity was consistently associated with current use of all OTP including smokeless tobacco (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]= 2.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.08-3.16, p < .001), hookah (AOR= 1.97, 95% CI 1.58-2.43, p < .001), cigarillos (AOR=3.00, 95% CI 2.21-4.08, p < .001), electronic cigarettes (AOR= 2.43, 95% CI 1.93-3.04, p&nbsp

Objectives We wanted to explore the effects of two different low doses (0.5μM and 0.05μM) of mifepristone, exposed during the receptive period, on the human embryo implantation process, using a well-established three-dimensional in vitro cell culture model, specifically developed to study this process. Methods An in vitro three-dimensional cell culture model was constructed using human endometrial cells isolated from the endometrium of proven fertile women, collected on cycle day LH+4. After 5 days of culture, supernumerary human embryos were added and cultured for another 5 days with mifepristone 0.5μM ( n =8) or 0.05μM ( n =10) or vehicle as control ( n =10). The cultures were checked for embryo attachment and terminated. We studied the expression of 16 reported endometrial receptivity markers in the endometrial constructs using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results None of the embryos in 0.5μM of mifepristone attached to the endometrial constructs (p=.004), whereas 4 out of 10 in 0.05μM (p=.3698) and 7 out of 10 embryos in the control group attached to the cultures. We found that most of the studied receptivity markers were significantly altered with mifepristone exposure in a similar direction in both treatment groups. Only IL6 was significantly differentially expressed between the treatment groups (p=.017). Conclusion We report for the first time that exposure to a low concentration (0.5μM) of mifepristone during the receptive period successfully inhibits human embryo implantation process in vitro. Further, we observed a dose-dependent effect of mifepristone on endometrial receptivity at the functional level. Implication This study contributes new knowledge that low dose of mifepristone during the short period of receptive phase can inhibit endometrial receptivity, which further promotes mifepristone as a contraceptive agent. This could give women a treatment choice to avoid unwanted pregnancy with high efficacy and minimal side effects.

Although aromatase is expressed in both male and female brains, its functional significance in females remains poorly understood. In female quail, sexual receptivity is activated by estrogens. However it is not known whether sexual motivation is similarly estrogen-dependent and whether estrogens locally produced in the brain contribute to these behavioral responses. Four main experiments were designed to address these questions. In Experiment 1 chronic treatment of females with the anti-estrogen tamoxifen decreased their receptivity, confirming that this response is under the control of estrogens. In Experiment 2 chronic treatment with tamoxifen significantly decreased sexual motivation as treated females no longer approached a sexual partner. In Experiment 3 (a) ovariectomy (OVX) induced a significant decrease of time spent near the male and a significantly decreased receptivity compared to gonadally intact females, (b) treatment with testosterone (OVX + T) partially restored these responses and (c) this effect of T was prevented when estradiol synthesis was inhibited by the potent aromatase inhibitor Vorozole (OVX + T + VOR). Serum estradiol concentration was significantly higher in OVX + T than in OVX or OVX + T + VOR females. Together these data demonstrate that treatment of OVX females with T increases sexual motivation and that these effects are mediated at least in part by non-gonadal aromatization of the androgen. Finally, assays of aromatase activity on brain and peripheral tissues (Experiment 4) strongly suggest that brain aromatization contributes to behavioral effects observed here following T treatment but alternative sources of estrogens (e.g. liver) should also be considered.

Embryonic implantation requires synchrony between the endometrium and the embryo. When analyzed in isolation, competent embryos may be unsuccessful when placed on a nonreceptive endometrium or vice versa, contributing to the "black box" of implantation failure. It is when the two are assessed together that dyssynchrony becomes evident, due to premature progesterone stimulus on the endometrium, physiologic displacement of the window of implantation or late blastulation of the embryo, or all combined. From the embryonic component, detailed assessment of the timing of blastulation is essential. The molecular diagnosis of endometrial receptivity based on its transcriptomic signature could be superior to other techniques used in the past for defining the endometrial window of implantation.

Female remating in target pest species can affect the efficacy of control methods such as the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) but very little is known about the postcopulatory mating behavior of these pests. In this study, we investigated the remating behavior of female Anastrepha serpentina (Diptera: Tephritidae), an oligophagous pest of Sapotaceae. First, we tested how long the sexual refractory period of females lasted after an initial mating. Second, we tested the effect of male and female sterility, female ovipositing opportunities and male density on female propensity to remate. Lastly, we tested if the amount of sperm stored by females was correlated to the likelihood of females to remate. We found that receptivity of mass-reared A. serpentina females had a bimodal response, with up to 16% of mass-reared A. serpentina females remating five days after the initial copulation, decreasing to 2% at 10 and 15 days and increasing to 13% after 20 days. Compared to fertile males, sterile males were less likely to mate and less likely to inhibit females from remating. Copula duration of sterile males was shorter compared to fertile males. Remating females were less likely to mate with a sterile male as a second mate. Sterile females were less likely to mate or remate compared to fertile females. Opportunity to oviposit and male density had no effect on female remating probability. Sperm numbers were not correlated with female likelihood to remate. Information on the post-copulatory behavior of mass-reared A. serpentina will aid fruit fly managers in improving the quality of sterile males. We discuss our results in terms of the differences this species presents in female remating behavior compared to other tephritids.

In naturally cycling women, Roney and Simmons (2013) examined hormonal correlates of their desire for sexual contact. Estradiol was positively associated, and progesterone negatively associated, with self-reported desire. The current study extended these findings by examining, within a sample of 33 naturally cycling women involved in romantic relationships, hormonal correlates of sexual attraction to or interests in specific targets: women's own primary partner or men other than women's primary partner. Women's sexual interests and hormone (estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone) levels were assessed at two different time points. Whereas estradiol levels were associated with relatively greater extra-pair sexual interests than in-pair sexual interests, progesterone levels were associated with relatively greater in-pair sexual interests. Both hormones specifically predicted in-pair sexual desire, estradiol negatively and progesterone positively. These findings have implications for understanding the function of women's extended sexuality - their sexual proceptivity and receptivity outside the fertile phase, especially during the luteal phase.

Sensory fusion is used by the males of several animal species to discriminate the mating status of females by evaluating their phenotypic traits. The predominant trait used is olfactory cues, and the role of visual cues is not yet fully understood. The ability of Poecilia reticulata males to evaluate females' receptivity based on visual cues was investigated. Guppy males adopt two different mating strategies, courtship displays and forced copulation, towards receptive and pregnant females, respectively. Robotic counterparts mimicking receptive and pregnant females were developed to test whether males relied only on visual information to determine a females' mating status. Exposure to the robotic receptive females evoked courtship behaviours, while forced copulation attempts were more frequent towards the robotic pregnant females. When the robotic fish were simultaneously exposed, regardless of the presence or absence of receptive-female olfactory cues, males expressed their preference for the receptive female. Visual processing showed that fish social interactions played a strategic role in their collection of information, especially when other stimuli were not available. The proposed ethorobotic approach allowed for assessing the role of visual cues in the mating choice of P. reticulata males and highlighting the information processing methods and cognition in aquatic animals.

The mating decisions of Drosophila melanogaster females are primarily revealed through either of two discrete actions: opening of the vaginal plates to allow copulation, or extrusion of the ovipositor to reject the male. Both actions are triggered by the male courtship song, and both are dependent upon the female's mating status. Virgin females are more likely to open their vaginal plates in response to song; mated females are more likely to extrude their ovipositor. Here, we examine the neural cause and behavioral consequence of ovipositor extrusion. We show that the DNp13 descending neurons act as command-type neurons for ovipositor extrusion, and that ovipositor extrusion is an effective deterrent only when performed by females that have previously mated. The DNp13 neurons respond to male song via direct synaptic input from the pC2l auditory neurons. Mating status does not modulate the song responses of DNp13 neurons, but rather how effectively they can engage the motor circuits for ovipositor extrusion. We present evidence that mating status information is mediated by ppk+ sensory neurons in the uterus, which are activated upon ovulation. Vaginal plate opening and ovipositor extrusion are thus controlled by anatomically and functionally distinct circuits, highlighting the diversity of neural decision-making circuits even in the context of closely related behaviors with shared exteroceptive and interoceptive inputs.

Background Malaria is one of the most life-threatening vector-borne diseases globally. Recent autochthonous cases registered in several European countries have raised awareness regarding the threat of malaria reintroduction to Europe. An increasing number of imported malaria cases today occur due to international travel and migrant flows from malaria-endemic countries. The cumulative factors of the presence of competent vectors, favourable climatic conditions and evidence of increasing temperatures might lead to the re-emergence of malaria in countries where the infection was previously eliminated. Methods We performed a systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines. We searched for original articles focusing on rising temperature and the receptivity to malaria transmission in Europe. We evaluated the quality of the selected studies using a standardised tool. Results The search resulted in 1′999 articles of possible relevance and after screening we included 10 original research papers in the quantitative analysis for the systematic review. With further increasing temperatures studies predicted a northward spread of the occurrence of Anopheles mosquitoes and an extension of seasonality, enabling malaria transmission for annual periods up to 6 months in the years 2051–2080. Highest vector stability and receptivity were predicted in Southern and South-Eastern European areas. Anopheles atroparvus, the main potential malaria vector in Europe, might play an important role under changing conditions favouring malaria transmission. Conclusion The receptivity of Europe for malaria transmission will increase as a result of rising temperature unless socioeconomic factors remain favourable and appropriate public health measures are implemented. Our systematic review serves as an evidence base for future preventive measures.

Objective: To study the prostanoid profile of the endometria of patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF), unexplained infertility (UIF), and recurrent miscarriages (RM), and to compare them with the endometria of healthy fertile controls. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: University hospital. Patient(s): Fifteen patients with RIF, 18 patients with UIF, 16 patients with RM, and 23 fertile controls were recruited. Intervention(s): Endometrial samples were taken during the window of implantation. After tissue homogenization and extraction, analysis with ultra-performance liquid chromatography diode array detector electrospray ionisation tandemmass spectrometrywas performed. Main Outcome Measures: Concentrations of prostaglandin (PG) D1, PGE1, PGF1 alpha, 6-ketoPGF1 alpha GD2, PGE2, PGF2 alpha, 15-deoxy-Delta 12,14-PGJ2, PGD3, PGE3, PGF3 alpha, thromboxane B2, 13,14-dihydro-PGE1, 13,14-dihydro-PGF1 alpha, 13,14-dihydro-PGF2 alpha, 13,14dihydro-15-keto-PGE1, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE2, and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha were assessed. Result(s): Comparison of the endometria of patients with UIF and the controls showed no statistically significant differences. When the endometria of patients with RIF were compared with the controls, thromboxane B2 (TXB2) was found significantly higher (843.1 pg/mg vs. 133.5 pg/mg). When the endometria of patients with RM were compared with controls, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF2 alpha and TXB2 were found significantly higher (3907.30 pg/mg vs. 17.80 pg/mg and 858.7 pg/mg vs. 133.5 pg/mg respectively). Conclusion(s): We identified increased endometrial presence of TXB2 in patients with RM and RIF, and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF2 alpha in patients with RM. Although common ground is observed for RM and RIF, prostanoids, on the other hand, might make their own contribution to endometrial receptivity as important as genes and proteins. Attempts to normalize the prostaglandin profile of the endometrium via enzymatic activity can open new therapeutic options. (C) 2019 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Successful embryo implantation is a complex and highly regulated process involving precise synchronization between the fetal-derived trophoblast cells and maternal uterine luminal epithelium. Multiple endocrine-driven factors are important for controlling the timely receptivity of the uterus, and this complexity underscores implantation failure as a major cause of recurrent infertility associated with assisted reproductive technologies. One particular cellular structure often hypothesized to promote receptivity is the pinopode or uterodome - a hormonally regulated, large cellular protrusion on the uterine epithelial surface. Recent clinical studies associate pinopodes with favorable fertility outcomes in women, and because they are directly linked to an increase in progesterone levels, the potential utility of these hormone-regulated cell biological structures in predicting or improving implantation in a clinical setting holds promise. In this review, we aim to generate interest in pinopodes from the broader cell biology and endocrinology communities, re-examine methodologies in pinopode research, and identify priorities for future investigation of pinopode structure and function in women’s reproductive health.

Objective Widespread tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) of children suggests that parents may be unaware of their children's exposure. Biomarkers demonstrate exposure and may motivate behavior change, but their acceptability is not well understood. Methods Sixty-five in-depth interviews were conducted with parents of young children, in smoking families in central Israel. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Consent to testing was associated with desire for information, for reassurance or to motivate change, and with concerns for long-term health, taking responsibility for one's child, and trust in research. Opposition to testing was associated with preference to avoid knowledge, reluctance to cause short-term discomfort, perceived powerlessness, and mistrust of research. Most parents expressed willingness to allow measurement by urine (83%), hair (88%), or saliva (93%), but not blood samples (43%); and believed that test results could motivate behavior change. Conclusions Parents were receptive to non-invasive child biomarker testing. Biomarker information could help persuade parents who smoke that their children need protection. Practice implications Biomarker testing of children in smoking families is an acceptable and promising tool for education, counseling, and motivation of parents to protect their children from TSE. Additionally, biomarker testing allows objective assessment of population-level child TSE.

Competition between males and their sperm over access to females and their eggs has resulted in manifold ways by which males try to secure paternity, ranging from physically guarding the female after mating to reducing her receptivity or her attractiveness to subsequent males by transferring manipulative substances or by mechanically sealing the female reproductive tract with a copulatory plug. Copulations may also result in internal damage of the female genitalia; however, this is not considered as a direct adaptation against sperm competition but as a collateral effect. Here, we present a drastic and direct mechanism for securing paternity: the removal of coupling structures on female genitalia by males. In the orb-weaving spider Larinia jeskovi males remove the scapus, a crucial coupling device on the female external genital region. Reconstruction of the coupling mechanism using micro-CT-scanned mating pairs revealed that several sclerites of the male genitalia interact to break off the scapus. Once it is removed, remating cannot occur due to mechanical coupling difficulties. In the field, male-inflicted genital damage is very prevalent since all female L. jeskovi were found to be mutilated at the end of the mating season. External genital mutilation is an overlooked but widely spread phenomenon since 80 additional spider species were found for which male genital manipulation can be suspected. Interlocking genitalia provide an evolutionary platform for the rapid evolution of this highly effective mechanism to secure paternity, and we suspect that other animal groups with interlocking genital structures might reveal similarly drastic male adaptations.

Endometrial receptivity is still questioned today in women with endometriosis. The aim of this study was to assess the endometrial receptivity gene signature in patients with different stages of endometriosis by investigating transcriptomic modifications of their endometrium using the endometrial receptivity array (ERA) test. A prospective, interventional multicentre pilot trial was designed and implemented in two university-affiliated infertility units from Belgium and Spain. Gene expression microarray was used to diagnose the receptivity status by quantifying the expression of 238 specific genes directly related to human endometrial receptivity. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering showed no clustering of samples based on endometriosis stages. Two subgroups of samples clustered together corresponding on the day of the cycle in which the biopsy was taken (day 18 versus days 19-20). None of the 238 genes present in the ERA array were significantly over- or under- expressed in any of different stages of the disease compared with controls. Minimal differences were found when looking at the functional profile, suggesting that the possible effect from a clinical point of view may be meaningless. Endometrial receptivity gene signature during the implantation window does not vary significantly among patients with endometriosis even considering different stages compared with healthy women.

Objectives: To investigate the endometrial effects of letrozole in PCOS women with poor endometrial response (endometrium thickness ⩽7 mm) to clomiphene citrate (CC) despite adequate ovulation, using the ultrasonographic markers of endometrial receptivity. Study design: Ambidirectional cohort study. Patients and methods: Sixty women with anovulatory PCOS having endometrial thickness less than 7 mm despite adequate ovulation with CC underwent ovulation induction with Letrozole (5 mg/day from cycle day 3 to 7) for one treatment cycle. Main outcome measures: Comparison of the endometrial thickness (ET) and pattern, uterine artery and spiral artery, resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) between the current letrozole and previous CC stimulated cycles. Results: In the current letrozole cycle compared with the previous CC cycles, there were significantly greater midcycle endometrial thickness (8.97 ± 1.32 vs. 5.7 ± 1.2, respectively; P

Estradiol-induced plasticity involves changes in dendritic spine density and in the relative proportions of the different dendritic spine types that influence neurons and neural circuits. Such events affect brain structures that control the timing of neuroendocrine and behavioral processes, influencing both reproductive and cognitive functions during the estrous cycle. Accordingly, to investigate the dendritic spine-related plastic changes that may affect the neural processes involved in mating, estradiol-mediated dendritic spine plasticity was studied in type II cells situated in the ventrolateral portion of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMN) of female, adult rats. The rats were assigned to four different groups (n=6) in function of their stage in the estrous cycle: proestrus, estrus, metaestrus, and diestrus. Dendritic spine density and the proportions of the different spine types on type II neurons were analyzed in the ventrolateral region of the VMN of these animals. Dendritic spine density on primary dendrites of VMN type II neurons was significantly lower in metaestrus than in diestrus, proestrus and estrus (with no differences between these latter stages). However, a significant variation in the proportional density of the different spine types was found, with a higher proportion of thin spines in diestrus, proestrus and estrus than in metaestrus. Likewise, a higher proportion of mushroom spines was seen in diestrus and proestrus than in metaestrus, and a higher proportion of stubby spines in estrus than in diestrus and metaestrus. Very few branched spines were found during proestrus and they were not detected during estrus or metaestrus. The different types of dendritic spines in non-projection neurons of the VMN could serve to maintain greater synaptic excitatory activity when receptivity and estradiol levels are maximal. However, they may also fulfill an additional functional role when receptivity and estradiol decline. To date specific roles of the different types of spines in neural hypothalamic activity during the estrous cycle remain unknown and they clearly deserve further study.

The storage of sperm in mated females is important for efficient reproduction. After sperm are transferred to females during mating, they need to reach and enter into the site(s) of storage, be maintained viably within storage, and ultimately be released from storage to fertilize eggs. Perturbation of these events can have drastic consequences on fertility. In Drosophila melanogaster, females store sperm for up to 2 weeks after a single mating. For sperm to be released normally from storage, Drosophila females need to receive the seminal fluid protein (SFP) sex peptide (SP) during mating. SP, which binds to sperm in storage, signals through the sex peptide receptor (SPR) to elicit two other effects on mated females: the persistence of egg laying and a reduction in sexual receptivity. However, it is not known whether SPR is also needed to mediate SP's effect on sperm release. By phenotypic analysis of flies deleted for SPR, and of flies knocked down for SPR, ubiquitously or in specific tissues, we show that SPR is required to mediate SP's effects on sperm release from storage. We show that SPR expression in ppk(+) neurons is needed for proper sperm release; these neurons include those that mediate SP's effect on receptivity and egg laying. However, we find that SPR is also needed in the spermathecal secretory cells of the female reproductive tract for efficient sperm release. Thus, SPR expression is necessary in both the nervous system and in female reproductive tract cells to mediate the release of stored sperm.

Female behavioral estrus is defined as the period between the first lordosis displayed during the estrus cycle to the lordosis that is not followed by another within 60 min. In a seminatural environment, an estrous female consistently displays lordosis in response to every male mount from the start of behavioral estrus until the end of it. This means that the female suddenly changes from a state of complete non-receptivity to full receptivity and then abruptly changes back to non-receptivity. It is unlikely that these abrupt changes are caused by sudden changes in serum concentration of ovarian steroids. Here, we present the results of a detailed study of sociosexual behaviors during the transition from non-receptivity to receptivity and vice versa. The frequency of male mounting was close to zero before and after estrus. It remained at a constant, high level throughout estrus. Female paracopulatory behavior and male pursuit of the female increased drastically from a very low level before estrus to a high level during estrus. They returned to low levels immediately after estrus. None of the many other behavior patterns registered changed during the transitions. It appears that the sudden increase in male pursuit and female paracopulatory behavior can explain the beginning of behavioral estrus, and their equally sudden disappearance causes it to end. The neurochemical mechanisms behind these almost instantaneous behavioral changes are unknown.

Pheromones are a diverse class of biological molecules that play critical roles in mediating social and sexual behaviours. In many systems, pheromones exist in complex mixtures, with the precise composition and ratios of the different components essential for bioactivity. The interactive effects of complex pheromone mixtures, however, have been minimally studied in vertebrates. In the red-legged salamander, male salamanders use nonvolatile proteinaceous pheromones to modify female courtship behaviour and mating receptivity. One component of this pheromone mixture is a hypervariable 7 kDa protein, plethodontid modulating factor (PMF). Within a single population, individual male salamanders express more than 30 variants (isoforms) of PMF. While the complete pheromone secretion increases female mating receptivity, a subset of PMF isoforms was demonstrated to reduce receptivity. In the current study, we demonstrated that a single PMF isoform had no effect on female mating behaviour, while a more complete mixture of PMF variants recapitulated the effect of the whole pheromone mixture and increased female receptivity. From these data, we hypothesize (1) that female preference and sexual selection have promoted the rapid gene duplication of PMF over ∼20 MY, resulting in the complex mixture we observe today and (2) that PMF isoforms act synergistically through complex neurophysiological pathways to modulate female courtship behaviour. These studies help define a framework for further investigations of the complex interactions and molecular mechanisms by which protein pheromones modulate female mating behaviour.

Due to a phenomenon known as the 'backfire effect', intuition-based opinions can be inadvertently strengthened by evidence-based counterarguments. Students' views on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) may be subject to this effect. We explored the impact of an empathetically accessible topic, world hunger, on receptivity to GMO technology as an alternative to direct evidence-based approaches.

China leads the world’s wind energy market, but little has been written about public receptivity towards wind energy generators in China. To fill this gap, we pursue a survey experimental approach to examine explanations for receptivity based on evidence from OECD countries as well as the importance of public knowledge in augmenting public acceptance of wind energy generators in China. We find that Chinese respondents are sensitive to siting near their residences, to cost considerations when imposed on them directly, to wildlife externalities, and to noise from turbines. Interestingly, Chinese respondents seem to be concerned about radiation, a finding unprecedented in the literature, and are less assured by scientific assurances that radiation is not a problem. Instead, the Chinese central government is best suited to address concerns about this topic. Targeted information provision to the public can improve public knowledge about aspects of wind energy of concern. Hence, the Chinese central government can promote wind energy deployment not just because it is an authoritarian government determined to get things done, but also because it can provide relevant information to reduce potential public resistance.

Issues related to prediction of laminar-turbulent transition on hypersonic configurations in high-altitude flight are discussed. The laminar flow control strategy and appropriate laminarization methods for high-speed vehicles are reviewed. The paper is aimed to motivate the transition study groups to integrate their knowledge and tools in the rational framework of the amplitude method. This may help to coordinate efforts focused on different aspects of the transition problem and improve our transition-prediction and laminar-flow-control capabilities on a solid physics-based foundation.

The general public's attitudes, demands, and expectations regarding medical AI could provide guidance for the future development of medical AI to satisfy the increasing needs of doctors and patients. The objective of this study is to investigate public perceptions, receptivity, and demands regarding the implementation of medical AI. An online questionnaire was designed to investigate the perceptions, receptivity, and demands of general public regarding medical AI between October 13 and October 30, 2018. The distributions of the current achievements, public perceptions, receptivity, and demands among individuals in different lines of work (i.e., healthcare vs non-healthcare) and different age groups were assessed by performing descriptive statistics. The factors associated with public receptivity of medical AI were assessed using a linear regression model. In total, 2,780 participants from 22 provinces were enrolled. Healthcare workers accounted for 54.3 % of all participants. There was no significant difference between the healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers in the high proportion (99 %) of participants expressing acceptance of AI (p = 0.8568), but remarkable distributional differences were observed in demands (p < 0.001 for both demands for AI assistance and the desire for AI improvements) and perceptions (p < 0.001 for safety, validity, trust, and expectations). High levels of receptivity (approximately 100 %), demands (approximately 80 %), and expectations (100 %) were expressed among different age groups. The receptivity of medical AI among the non-healthcare workers was associated with gender, educational qualifications, and demands and perceptions of AI. There was a very large gap between current availability of and public demands for intelligence services (p < 0.001). More than 90 % of healthcare workers expressed a willingness to devote time to learning about AI and participating in AI research. The public exhibits a high level of receptivity regarding the implementation of medical AI. To date, the achievements have been rewarding, and further advancements are required to satisfy public demands. There is a strong demand for intelligent assistance in many medical areas, including imaging and pathology departments, outpatient services, and surgery. More contributions are imperative to facilitate integrated and advantageous implementation in medical AI.

Male courtship signals often stimulate the production of sex steroids in both female and male receivers. Such effects benefit signallers by increasing receptivity in females, but impose costs on signallers by promoting sexual behaviour and aggression in male competitors. To resolve this androgen-based conflict, males should use strategies that suppress sex steroid production in rival males. In green treefrogs, Hyla cinerea, chorus sounds (i.e. advertisement calls from aggregates of males) are known to stimulate androgen production in receiver males. Here, I examined whether males of this species counter these effects by eliciting an endocrine stress response in male conspecifics during close-range vocal interactions. I show that corticosterone (CORT) levels were higher in males that lost vocal contests in natural choruses compared to contest winners and nonaggressive males. Testosterone levels were also lower in contest losers compared to nonaggressive males, but not contest winners; dihydrotesterone levels did not differ among the three groups. Aggressive and advertisement calls were then broadcast to males in an experiment that simulated close-range vocal communication. Aggressive calls rapidly (45 min) elicited an increase in CORT and a reduction in androgens in receivers. Advertisement calls did not elicit an increase in CORT, but CORT levels were sustained relative to controls exposed to silence and were accompanied by a reduction in androgens in small males. Endocrine responses to acoustic signals in this species thus vary depending upon context, call type and size of signal receivers. Signallers benefit from eliciting CORT production in competitors because elevated CORT suppresses vocalization.

SummaryDrosophila melanogaster females respond to male courtship by either rejecting the male or allowing copulation. The neural mechanisms underlying these female behaviors likely involve the integration of sensory information in the brain. Because doublesex (dsx) controls other aspects of female differentiation, we asked whether dsx-expressing neurons mediate virgin female receptivity to courting males. Using intersectional techniques to manipulate the activities of defined subsets of dsx-expressing neurons, we found that activation of neurons in either the pCd or pC1 clusters promotes receptivity, while silencing these neurons makes females unreceptive. Furthermore, pCd and pC1 neurons physiologically respond to the male-specific pheromone cis-vaccenyl acetate (cVA), while pC1 neurons also respond to male courtship song. The pCd and pC1 neurons expressing dsx in females do not express transcripts from the fruitless (fru) P1 promoter. Thus, virgin female receptivity is controlled at least in part by neurons that are distinct from those governing male courtship.

SummaryMating induces pronounced changes in female reproductive behavior, typically including a dramatic reduction in sexual receptivity. In Drosophila, postmating behavioral changes are triggered by sex peptide (SP), a male seminal fluid peptide that acts via a receptor (SPR) expressed in sensory neurons (SPSNs) of the female reproductive tract. Here, we identify second-order neurons that mediate the behavioral changes induced by SP. These SAG neurons receive synaptic input from SPSNs in the abdominal ganglion and project to the dorsal protocerebrum. Silencing SAG neurons renders virgin females unreceptive, whereas activating them increases the receptivity of females that have already mated. Physiological experiments demonstrate that SP downregulates the excitability of the SPSNs, and hence their input onto SAG neurons. These data thus provide a physiological correlate of mating status in the female central nervous system and a key entry point into the brain circuits that control sexual receptivity.

Objectives To assess the sexual function of young women with spina bifida and myelomeningocele and to determine the factors influencing their sexual function. Methods A postal cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was performed in 44 women, mean age 27.66 ± 5.89 years, with spina bifida and myelomeningocele. The questionnaire included the Brief Index of Sexual Functioning for Women and questions about voiding mode, urinary symptoms, socioeconomic status, education level, lifestyle, and partnership. In parallel, data were also collected from the paediatric surgery records of patients who returned the questionnaire. Results The response rate was 56.8% (25/44). All domains of female sexual function (thoughts/desires, arousal, frequency of sexual activity, receptivity/initiation, pleasure/orgasm, relationship satisfaction) were altered. Urinary incontinence was likely to be the main factor responsible for altered sexual function and was associated with lower thoughts/desires, arousal, and receptivity/initiation scores. Wearing pads also constituted a limitation to achieving intimacy. Conclusions Young myelomeningocele women report poor sexual functioning. The presence of urinary incontinence is associated with lower thoughts/desire, arousal, and receptivity/initiation.

Female sexual behavior is sensitive to stress and diseases. Some studies have shown that status epilepticus (SE) can affect sexual proceptivity and receptivity in female rats and also increases reject responses towards males. However, epidemiologic studies indicate that SE is more frequent in young individuals. Herein, we assessed the effects of SE in infant females on their sexual behavior during adulthood. Thirteen-day-old (P13) rat pups received intraperitoneal injections of lithium chloride (3 mEq/kg). Twenty hours later, at P14, SE was induced by subcutaneous injection of pilocarpine hydrochloride (100 mg/kg s.c.). Control animals were given an equal volume of saline subcutaneously. The animals were weaned at P21 and, later in adulthood, were ovariectomized and hormone-primed with estradiol + progesterone, and their sexual behavior assessed during 4 separate trials of 30 min each with a stud male. Our results indicate that proceptive behaviors (solicitations and hops and darts) were impaired during the first trial, but no alterations were observed for receptivity and attractivity. By trial 3, all SE females displayed normal proceptivity. These results indicate that SE in infancy readily affects proceptivity in a reversible manner. We discuss the role of sexual experience in recovery.