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The goal of this project was to determine whether various measures of mammary development differed between gilts and multiparous sows at the end of gestation. During gestation, Yorkshire × Landrace gilts (n = 19) and sows (second and third gestations, n = 17) were fed one daily meal of a conventional corn-based diet, where the amount fed was based on body weight (BW) and backfat thickness (BF) at mating. On day 110 ± 1 of gestation, a jugular blood sample was obtained from all gilts and sows to measure insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), glucose, free fatty acids, and urea. On that same day, BW and BF were measured and animals were euthanized. Mammary glands from one side of the udder were dissected for compositional analyses. The fifth gland of the contralateral row of mammary glands was sampled for histology and immunohistochemical localization of Ki67. There was less total parenchyma (1,437.4 vs. 2,004.7 ± 127.1 g; P  0.10), while extraparenchymal tissue weight tended to be less in gilts than sows (P = 0.07). All components within the parenchyma differed by parity (P

Gestational breast cancer (GBC), defined as breast cancer (BC) diagnosed during pregnancy or the first-year post-partum, accounts for 6–15% of BC cases in women aged 20–44 years. GBC has worse prognosis than non-GBC, but reasons behind are not clear. The GEICAM/2012–03 Study (Molecular Characterization of Gestational Breast Cancer) is a multicenter prospective/retrospective observational registry of patients diagnosed with GBC. From November 2014 to June 2015 seventy patients diagnosed with GBC were included in the study, 30 diagnosed during pregnancy and 40 after delivery. Our current study was aimed to explore differences in epidemiological, clinico-pathological and gene expression features of GBC tumors, from the GEICAM/2012–03 Study, compared to non-GBC tumors from patients of similar age (< 43 years) from six different GEICAM studies, used as non- GBC control population. As per the main objective, the study found multiple differences showing GBC tumors as a different biological entity. GBC showed a more aggressive biology, with higher Ki67 levels, higher incidence of breast and/or ovarian cancer family history, and germline deleterious BRCA1/2 mutations, and are enriched in basal-like intrinsic subtype. GBC patients showed a lower number of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, while specific genetic signatures highlight differences in GBC´s distinctive transcriptome. Our study shows that GBC is potentially a clinically and molecularly different entity, with specific epidemiological, clinical, and histological features, as well as a distinctive altered immune state and genetic signature. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to better understand the biology of GBC and to identify new targets against which develop new, more effective, targeted therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Wilson disease (WD) is a rare disorder of copper metabolism, leading to liver and neurological disease. Existing literature on WD in pregnancy is scarce, limiting preconception and obstetrical counselling. In this systematic review with meta‐analysis, we determine the prevalence of various adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in WD, as well as evaluate the impact of WD treatment on these outcomes. Methods: Scopus, MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched until 12 May 2023, for studies of pregnant individuals with WD and at least one pregnancy or neonatal outcome of interest. Meta‐analysis of single proportions was conducted to pool prevalence data for each outcome. Outcome rates were compared between treated and untreated groups in a meta‐analysis of dichotomous events. Results: Sixteen studies, published from 1975 to 2022, were included in the systematic review. Thirty‐seven percent of pregnancies reported at least one adverse pregnancy outcome. Spontaneous abortions (20%), liver diseases of pregnancy (4.5%) and preterm births (2%) were the most frequent adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with WD. The prevalence of spontaneous abortions was significantly lower in pregnant individuals with WD who received treatment during pregnancy (OR:.47, 95% CI: 35%–63%). The prevalence of any adverse pregnancy outcome was also significantly lower with treatment (OR:.53, 95% CI:.37–.76), which appears to be mostly driven by the reduction of spontaneous abortions. Conclusions: There is low to moderate quality evidence to suggest that preconception and obstetrical counselling for patients with WD should include a discussion on the potentially high frequency of adverse pregnancy outcomes in this population, as well as the importance of continuing WD treatment during pregnancy to ensure satisfactory pregnancy course and potentially minimize the risk of spontaneous abortions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The cytokine profile of cord blood tissue has not been extensively evaluated in the ASD population. • Increased G-CSF and lower IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-4 was found in the cord blood from children later diagnosed with ASD. • Inflammatory cytokines in children later diagnosed with ASD were linked to symptom severity, language, and behavioral assessment scores. In studies investigating the etiology and pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), immune dysregulation is commonly observed, with elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines frequently found in gestational tissues. However, studies investigating the relationship between early immune dysregulation within the umbilical cord blood (CB) compartment and neurodevelopmental outcomes remains limited. In this exploratory study, we utilized data from the prospective Markers for Autism Risk in Babies – Learning Early Signs (MARBLES) study to examine cytokine levels in the plasma fraction of CB in infants later diagnosed with ASD (n = 38) compared to infants typically developing (TD) at age 3 years (n = 103), using multiplex cytokine assays. Our findings reveal altered levels of several inflammatory cytokines in children later diagnosed with ASD, including increased granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and decreased interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, and IL-4 in CB. Furthermore, we identified several associations between behaviors and levels of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. IL-1α, IL-17A, interferon γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were associated with worse scores on Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) assessments. In summary, our study demonstrates dysregulated levels of inflammatory cytokine mediators in the CB of children later diagnosed with ASD and that inflammatory mediators were associated with ASD severity, comorbid behaviors, and neurodevelopmental measures. These findings have important implications for the possible predictive value of early cytokine measures in neurodevelopmental outcomes and subsequent behavioral manifestations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism that synchronizes the timing of parturition remains a mystery. Each mammalian species has a specific duration of gestation that is determined by integrated interactions among the mother, placenta, and fetus. Senescence is primarily driven by DNA damage and is one of the critical factors influencing both parturition and lifespan. In this study, we investigated senescence as a physiological process during pregnancy and observed a gradual physiological increase in senescence in the maternal decidua and placental cells with gestation. This increase in senescence was associated with a gradual physiological increase in DNA damage during gestation. An analysis of the AnAge dataset revealed a positive correlation between the gestation period and maximum lifespan across 740 mammalian species. This finding supports the hypothesis that the rates of DNA damage and senescence may impact both the gestation period and lifespan. We suggest that the relationship between gestation period and lifespan in mammals is mediated by species-specific rates of DNA damage and senescence, necessitating further explorations into their causal roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Heat stress during pregnancy can negatively affect the intrauterine environment, compromising fetal development and resulting in long-term physiological and structural changes that impact the postnatal outcomes of the offspring. The aim of this retrospective longitudinal study was to identify how exposure to summer season at different trimesters of intrauterine development and dam parity affect postpartum disease incidence, milk production, and herd lifespan of the offspring (F1 generation) of Holstein cows. Our preliminary findings confirmed less milk production capacity and greater culling risk in offspring experiencing the summer season during the first trimester of their intrauterine development than those during later stages. Daughters born to nulliparous dams had a lower risk of dystocia and metritis, a higher risk of retained placenta, and were more likely to remain in the herd than those born to parous dams. Minimizing summer heat exposure during the early intrauterine development of offspring through implementing heat-abatement strategies may help alleviate the risk of future production losses. A suboptimal intrauterine environment during gestation may result in the programming of long-lasting structural and physiological alterations in the developing fetus, leading to health and production complications in adulthood. This observational study aimed to identify the impact of exposure to the summer season at different trimesters of gestation, dam parity, and their interaction on the postpartum disease incidence, first-lactation milk production, and herd lifespan of the offspring (F1 generation). Using a dataset collected from two commercial herds, the female offspring were categorized into three groups based on the trimester their dams experienced summer season during pregnancy: (1) first trimester (n = 2345), (2) second trimester (n = 3513), and (3) final trimester (n = 4988). The estimated 305-day milk production was lower in daughters (as a first-lactation cow) born to dams exposed to summer season during the first vs. third trimester. Summer season exposure during the first vs. third trimester resulted in the offspring that were less likely to remain in the herd (hazard ratio = 0.90; 95% CI = 0.84–0.95). Daughters of parous vs. nulliparous dams were more likely to experience dystocia and metritis but less likely to experience retained placenta. The risk of culling was higher in daughters of parous vs. nulliparous dams. Our preliminary findings suggest that the first trimester is a critical determinant of the female progeny's future productive performance and survivability. Dam parity was also identified as an influential factor affecting offspring health, as dystocia and metritis were more prevalent, and the culling risk was greater in daughters born to parous dams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bats inhabiting northern latitudes are faced with short reproductive seasons during which they must produce and rear pups before fattening up in time to survive the winter hibernation. Therefore, the timing of parturition has considerable impacts on future fitness prospects for the mother and pup. However, little is known about individual variation in breeding phenology and its consequences for postnatal development within bat populations. Here, we studied the phenology of breeding in Eptesicus nilssonii across 7 years using data collected by day‐to‐day monitoring of a breeding colony in Norway (60.1° N) for which the identity and age of each mother (N = 8) and pup (N = 28) were known. Using mixed‐effect models, we found that arrival at the colony was influenced by temperature conditions from mid‐April to mid‐May across all females, but that there were strong and consistent individual differences in arrival‐ and parturition time across years. Females generally arrived ~32.1 days before giving birth, but the gestation duration was reduced if females arrived late and prolonged if females left the colony when faced with cold weather conditions. Pups born later in the season were born smaller but had higher growth rates during the most rapid growth period (<10 days old). The within‐individual effects suggest that the higher growth rates could be due to mothers compensating (e.g. through increased food intake) for late parturition rather than by improved food availability. Date of parturition did not influence adult body size in pups. Pups became volant at the earliest only 13.1 days after birth and approached adult flight patterns during their first flight week. Our results suggest that E. nilssonii is highly adapted to a short breeding season by producing large, fast developing and early volant pups, despite the environmental pressures bats face at northern latitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study was conducted to ascertain the net energy requirements for maintenance in gestating sows utilizing indirect calorimetry, and to evaluate the potential of daily heart rate monitoring as a predictive method for these energy needs. In the first experiment, six sows were subjected to varying energy intake levels, and their heat production was measured to determine energy requirements. In the second experiment, heart rate data were collected to explore its predictive value. The results indicated that the net energy requirements for maintenance averaged 410 kJ/BW0.75·d−1 during late gestation, and it was also found that heart rate monitoring could accurately predict energy requirements, offering a practical tool for managing sow nutrition. These insights are instrumental for refining feeding strategies within pig production, leading to enhanced animal welfare and improved economic efficiency. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the net energy requirements for the maintenance of gestating sows based on indirect calorimetry, and (2) to explore the feasibility of predicting the net energy requirements for the maintenance of gestating sows based on daily heart rate monitoring. In Exp. 1, six Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred reproductive sows with an initial body weight of 229.5 ± 14.9 kg at d 56 of gestation were randomly assigned to six diverse energy feeding levels using a 6 × 6 Latin square design. The experimental diet was formulated using corn, soybean meal, and wheat bran as major ingredients, and the six feeding levels were set as 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0, and 2.2 times metabolizable energy for maintenance (100 kcal ME/kg BW0.75·d−1), respectively. The animal trial lasted for six periods with 9 days per period, encompassing 5 days of adaptation, 3 days of calorimetry in fed state, and 1 day of calorimetry in fasting state. In Exp. 2, six Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred pregnant sows with an initial body weight of 232.5 ± 12.5 kg at d 64 were fed a corn–soybean meal diet. All sows were tested in a respiratory calorimetry chamber for a 4 day calorimetry test. The heat production of the gestation sows was measured every 5 min using indirect calorimetry, and the heart rate of the gestating sows was recorded every minute using a belt-shape monitor. The results showed that the net energy requirements for the maintenance of gestating sows significant increased as the gestational stage progressed (p < 0.05), and a linear regression model revealed the average net energy requirement for the maintenance of gestating sows was 410 kJ/BW0.75 d−1 during late gestation (days 70–110). Moreover, the average heart rate of the gestating sows was 84 bpm, and the mathematical model developed to predict the net energy requirements for the maintenance of gestating sows was N E m (k c a l / h) = 1990 1 + e x p ⁡ [ 136 − H R (b p m) 43 ] . In conclusion, the average net energy requirement for the maintenance of sows during late gestation was 410 kJ/BW0.75 d−1, and the utilization of the heart rate monitoring method was found to provide a relevant, accurate prediction for the net energy requirements of sows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of fibroids during reproductive age is 20–25%. The presence of fibroids during pregnancy can impact perinatal outcomes. Objective: To determine whether fibroids affect perinatal outcomes and whether women who undergo fibroid surgery before pregnancy have better perinatal outcomes than those who have fibroids during pregnancy. The study also analyzes the optimal time interval between myomectomy and pregnancy and the characteristics of fibroids during pregnancy that affect perinatal outcomes. In both groups, fibroids' size, number, and location were analyzed to determine their influence on perinatal outcomes. The perinatal outcome is determined by gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, intrauterine growth retardation, placental complications, and delivery method. Methods: A study was conducted on the perinatal outcomes of 338 women who had uterine fibroids during pregnancy and those who had undergone fibroid surgery before pregnancy. The medical records of women who gave birth at a tertiary university hospital were analyzed in this retrospective study. Results: Women with submucosal fibroids have a lower gestational age of delivery (P = 0.0371), and those who operated on a higher number of fibroids before pregnancy had newborns with lower birth weights (P < 0.0001). Submucosal fibroids during pregnancy increase the chances of cesarean delivery (P = 0.0354). 14% of newborns have an Apgar score of less than seven within the first minute of birth in fibroids larger than 7 cm (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: There is a statistically significant difference in the perinatal outcome of newborns depending on the number, size and placement of uterine fibroids in both observed groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gestational surrogacy is ethically complex, generating very different responses in law and policy worldwide. This paper argues that contemporary surrogacy law and policy, across many jurisdictions, fail to give sufficient attention to the significance of the relationship between the child and the gestational surrogate. This failure risks repeating the mistakes of historical, discredited approaches to adoption and donor‐assisted conception. This paper argues that proper recognition of the significance of gestation must be an organising principle in surrogacy law and policy. The paper begins by pointing to examples of surrogacy law and practice where the role of the gestator is unacceptably minimised, most notably the framing of the surrogate as a mere 'carrier'. It goes on to examine the nature of gestation, including consideration of contemporary scholarship on the metaphysics of pregnancy and emerging work in epigenetics, and argues that current evidence supports the view that the gestational relationship must be taken more seriously than it currently is. The paper then draws analogies with parenthood in donor‐assisted conception and adoption to argue that approaches to parental status in novel family formations that fail to promote transparency and seek to deny the truth of familial relationships are doomed to fail. The paper concludes by suggesting some implications for law and policy that flow from placing sufficient emphasis on the gestational role. The overarching thesis of this paper is that gestational surrogacy is ethically permissible when these fundamental requirements are adhered to, and that surrogacy law should proceed on this basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenols, parabens, and phthalates (PPPs) are suspected or known endocrine disruptors. They are used in consumer products that pregnant women and their progeny are exposed to daily through the placenta, which could affect offspring health. This review aims to compile data from cohort studies and in vitro and in vivo models to provide a summary regarding placental transfer, fetoplacental development, and the predisposition to adult diseases resulting from maternal exposure to PPPs during the gestational period. In humans, using the concentration of pollutants in maternal urine, and taking the offspring sex into account, positive or negative associations have been observed concerning placental or newborn weight, children's BMI, blood pressure, gonadal function, or age at puberty. In animal models, without taking sex into account, alterations of placental structure and gene expression linked to hormones or DNA methylation were related to phenol exposure. At the postnatal stage, pollutants affect the bodyweight, the carbohydrate metabolism, the cardiovascular system, gonadal development, the age of puberty, sex/thyroid hormones, and gamete quality, but these effects depend on the age and sex. Future challenges will be to explore the effects of pollutants in mixtures using models and to identify the early signatures of in utero exposure capable of predicting the health trajectory of the offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disease treatment and prevention have improved the human lifespan. Current studies on aging, such as the biological clock and senolytic drugs have focused on the medical treatments of various disorders and health maintenance. However, to efficiently extend the human lifespan to its theoretical maximum, medicine can take a further proactive approach and identify the inapparent disorders that affect the gestation, body growth, and reproductive stages of the so‐called "healthy" population. The goal is to upgrade the standard health status to a new level by targeting the inapparent disorders. Thus, future research can shift from reaction, response, and prevention to proactive, quality promotion and vigor prolonging; from single disease‐oriented to multiple dimension protocol for a healthy body; from treatment of symptom onset to keep away from disorders; and from the healthy aging management to a healthy promotion design beginning at the birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increase in morbidity during times of relatively high functional load on the body such as during pregnancy, confirms the role of metabolic overload in the occurrence of metabolic failures. It is better to take preventive measures such as adjusting metabolic regulation mechanisms in light of the ideal dietary composition. However, this direction is constrained by the lack of information about neurohumoral regulation. The goal of the present study was to learn more about the dynamics of changes in insulin and glucose levels in pregnant cow's blood. Research on the levels of glucose and insulin in lactating cows demonstrated that ruminants had distinct characteristics in the metabolism of carbohydrates, most notably a lessened reliance of blood glucose on insulin levels. A rise in blood glucose and insulin levels was observed as the gestational stage increased during the third trimester of pregnancy. The intensity of this insulin tolerance was contingent upon the level of productivity and glucose levels during the preceding stages of gestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tiger sharks are apex predators with a circumglobal tropical and warm-temperate distribution, with a general lack of population data for the central Indian Ocean. In Fuvahmulah, Maldives, tiger sharks display frequent use of the harbour area, attracted by discarded fish waste. Here, we document the population structure, residency, and reproductive characteristics of the world's largest known tiger shark aggregation in a geographically-restricted area. Using non-invasive methods, photo identification and laser photogrammetry, we identified 239 individual tiger sharks over a 7-year study period. The aggregation was female-dominated (84.5%), with both large juveniles and adults present. Adult females were resighted over the entire study period displaying strong inter- and intra-annual site fidelity. Modelled residency using maximum likelihood methods suggests they spent 60.7 ± S.E. 7.5 days in Fuvahmulah, with a larger aggregation size, shorter residence periods and longer absence periods compared to juvenile females. Prolonged abdominal distensions of adult females indicate they likely stay near Fuvahmulah during gestation and reproduce biennially. Fuvahmulah seems to provide suitable conditions for gestation given the year-round provision of food and warm waters, exhibited by strong site fidelity and temporal residency. Our results show indications of a thriving population within the confines of protected waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to determine whether exposure to low-dose endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) during gestation can enhance immunity to a subsequent LPS challenge in piglets after weaning. Pregnant sows (parity: 2.6 ± 1.4) were assigned to prenatal immune stimulation (PIS; n = 7; administered 2.5 µg/kg BW LPS, i.m.) or saline treatment groups (CON; n = 7) administered at day 78 ± 1.8 of gestation. From the two prenatal treatment groups, barrows (n = 17 PIS, 17 CON) were identified at weaning (21 ± 1.3 day of age) to subsequently receive a postweaning LPS challenge. On day --1, the pigs were fitted with indwelling jugular catheters and subcutaneous temperature loggers. On day 0, the pigs were challenged i.v. with LPS (10 µg/kg BW), and blood samples were collected at --2, 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 h relative to LPS challenge. There was a treatment x time interaction for subcutaneous temperature (P < 0.01), where the temperature increased more quickly at 1 and 2 h post-challenge in PIS compared to CON pigs. There was a tendency (P = 0.08) for less change in white blood cells, relative to baseline values, in PIS compared to CON pigs. There was a treatment x time interaction (P = 0.01) for lymphocyte concentrations where the concentrations were reduced in PIS compared to CON pigs at 8 h post-challenge. There was also a treatment x time interaction (P = 0.01) for the change in eosinophil concentrations, where there was less change in eosinophil concentrations from 1 to 12 h in PIS compared to CON pigs. There was a tendency (P ≤ 0.06) for a treatment x time interaction for serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor tended to be greater, and tumor necrosis factor-a tended to be reduced in PIS compared to CON pigs (P ≤ 0.08). These data suggest that exposure to endotoxin in utero may influence the postnatal innate immune response to endotoxin. More research is necessary to further understand the mechanism behind the differences observed and the potential long-term influence of prenatal immune stimulation on pig offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] The paper aimed to investigate the effects of heat stress in late gestation on differentiation, development and apoptosis of piglet skeletal muscle. [Methods] Twelve sows (Dabai × Changbai) with similar due dates were selected, in the late gestation (84 days of gestation), the sows were randomly divided into heat stress group (HS, 28-32 ℃) and control group (CON, 18-22 ℃) . After farrowing, longissimus dorsi (LD) was collected from one weaning piglet per litter. Western blot was used to detect the expression of related proteins in the samples. [Results]Heat stress of sows during late gestation significantly increased the contents of INF-γ and COR in colostrum (P<0.05); heat stress in late gestation of sows significantly decreased MyoD protein expression level of LD (P<0.05), and increased Myogenin protein expression level of LD (P<0.05); and heat stress in late pregnancy of sows, the protein expression level of MyHCⅡb in LD of weaning piglets significantly increased (P<0.05), but MyHCⅡx protein expression level had no significant changes (P>0.05); the glucose metabolism-related protein expression showed that heat stress in late gestation of sows significantly reduced PCK1 and GLUT4 expression levels in LD of weaning piglets (P<0.05); the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-2 in LD of weaning piglets significantly increased by heat stress during late gestation (P<0.05) . [Conclusions] Heat stress in sows during late gestation could significantly reduce the body weight and LD weight of weaning piglets, it might be related to the decreased expression level of MyoD and glucose metabolism in LD of weaning piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Perinatal twin lamb mortality reduces productivity and reproductive efficiency in Australian sheep meat and wool enterprises. This study investigated whether supplementing 4 g of betaine into the diets of twin-bearing Merino ewes during late pregnancy would improve lamb viability measures and survival to weaning under field conditions. The results indicated that dietary supplementation with betaine increased plasma creatine concentrations in ewes at day 130 of gestation and lamb rectal temperature within 4–24 h following birth. While the findings of this study provide some new, promising results, more research in the field is required before supplementation with betaine during late gestation can be used as an on-farm strategy to improve lamb viability and survival. Twin lamb mortality is a significant economic problem impacting the Australian sheep industry. Maternal betaine supplementation improved lamb vigour and early post-natal survival when ewes and lambs were housed indoors, suggesting that betaine may be beneficial to feed under extensive pasture systems. This study investigated whether maternal betaine supplementation during late gestation would improve Merino twin lamb live weight, thermoregulation, vigour and survival to weaning under field conditions. Ewes received dietary betaine at either 0 g/day (CTL; n = 115) or 4 g/day from day 110 of gestation (dG 110) until ~49 days post-partum (pp) (BET; n = 115). Measures indicative of lamb viability and survival were collected within 4–24 h of birth and at ~49 days pp and ~93 days pp. BET ewes had higher creatine and creatinine concentrations at dG 130 than CTL ewes (p < 0.05). BET lambs had a higher rectal temperature within 4–24 h following birth than CTL lambs (p < 0.05). CTL lambs were heavier at ~49 days pp and grew faster from birth to ~49 days pp than BET lambs (both p < 0.05). The time taken after release from the researcher to first suckling was quicker in the CTL lambs than BET lambs (p < 0.05). This study demonstrated that supplementing betaine increased creatine concentration in twin-bearing ewes and thermoregulatory capacity in neonatal lambs under extensive grazing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) among pregnant women, their clustering and their association with body image disturbance (BID) up to 1 year postpartum. Design: Monocentric prospective cohort study. Setting: University Hospitals Leuven. Population: Pregnant women attending for pregnancy care, first assessed prior to 14 weeks of gestation and agreeing to follow‐up until 1 year postpartum. Methods: Standardised questionnaires reporting on PFD and BID at 12–14 and 28–32 weeks of gestation, and again at 6–8 weeks and 1 year postpartum. We calculated the prevalence of PFD, how the cases clustered and how the cases correlated with BID using a linear mixed‐model analysis. A minimum of 174 women with complete follow‐up were required. Main Outcome Measures: The questionnaires used were the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire – Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ‐UI SF), St. Mark's Incontinence Score (SMIS), Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms (PAC‐SYM), Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory (POPDI), Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire IUGA Revised (PISQ‐IR) and the Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire (BIDQ). Results: Out of 208 women, 92.8% reported one or multiple symptoms of PFD at 28–32 weeks of gestation, dropping to 73.6% by 1 year postpartum. The most common symptoms were constipation (65.3% at 28–32 weeks of gestation and 42.8% at 1 year postpartum) and urinary incontinence (56.8% at 28–32 weeks of gestation and 35.1% at 1 year postpartum). After correcting for body mass index, parity and mode of delivery, the severity of BID was associated with the ICIQ‐UI SF score (β = 0.016, range 0.007–0.024), the PAC‐SYM score (β = 0.006, range 0.002–0.011) and the POPDI score (β = 0.009, range 0.005–0.012), but not with the SMIS score (β = 0.015, range −0.001 to 0.031) or the PISQ‐IR score, in sexually active women. Conclusions: Urinary incontinence, constipation and symptoms of prolapse have a measurable impact on BID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) during pregnancy has numerous benefits, which may be mediated via effects on the immune system. However, supportive evidence is inconsistent and is mainly from studies in high‐risk groups. We estimated the effect of PA during pregnancy on systemic inflammatory markers and cytokines in mothers recruited in the Barwon infant study. Material and Methods: The Barwon infant study is a prebirth cohort of 1064 mothers recruited in the Barwon Region of Victoria, Australia. Participants reported their previous week's PA at their 28‐week antenatal appointment using the International PA Questionnaire. Women were grouped into low, moderate, and high PA categories based on daily duration and weekly frequency of walking, moderate‐ or vigorous‐intensity PA. Women reporting moderate levels of PA, consistent with current recommendations, served as the comparison group. Markers of systemic inflammation, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA), and 17 cytokines were measured at 28 weeks gestation and log transformed as appropriate. Regression analyses adjusted for maternal smoking, gestational diabetes mellitus, prepregnancy BMI, and household size were performed. Results: Compared to women in the moderate group (n = 371, 42%), women reporting low PA (n = 436, 50%) had 10.1% higher hsCRP (95% CI (3.7% to 16.6%), p < 0.01) while women in high PA (n = 76, 9%) had a 14% higher hsCRP (95% CI (3.1% to 24.8%), p = 0.01). Women in the high PA category had higher interleukin (IL)‐4 (q = 0.03) and IL‐9 (q = 0.03) levels compared to those in moderate category. Each vigorous MET minute/week was associated with lower GlycA (β = −0.004, 95% CI (−0.044 to 0.035); p = 0.03). Conclusions: Low and high PA are each associated with higher hsCRP than moderate PA, suggesting that undertaking the recommended moderate PA during pregnancy decreases systemic inflammation. High PA affects T cell‐associated cytokines during pregnancy. Evidence from our study suggests that PA can modulate the immune responses during pregnancy. Studies are now required to assess whether PA during pregnancy impacts maternal and infant clinical outcomes by modifying inflammatory responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It has been known for many decades that radiation exposure of the developing embryo or fetus may cause two fundamentally different types of severe health effects: on the one hand, radiation may interfere with the normal intrauterine development, on the other hand, radiation may induce leukemia and cancer which become manifest in childhood. A large amount of epidemiological and experimental data has recently been presented which might be used to improve our understanding of underlying mechanisms and setting radiation protection standards. Yet, ecological studies in the populations exposed to increased levels of radiation in regions contaminated by radioactivity released from reactor accidents (Chernobyl, Fukushima) do not provide solid evidence which would contribute to this aim. On the other hand, well designed experimental studies demonstrated the multifactorial mechanisms which lead to different health effects after radiation exposure in utero. Conclusion: There is no convincing evidence, neither from epidemiological nor experimental data of the existence of a dose threshold for developmental defects after radiation exposure in utero. This must be taken into account in the revision of rules and regulations of radiation protection in medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ectogenesis technology would make it possible to support the complete gestational development of a human being outside the female body. Proponents argue that this technology offers a welcome opportunity to expand reproductive options for those unable or unwilling to gestate. However, by completely bypassing pregnancy, the use of ectogenesis prevents the formation of gestational family ties. Consequently, it has faced criticism for perpetuating a patriarchal view of the family that undermines the moral significance of gestation. The concern is that the introduction of this technology might result in the loss of reproductive autonomy for those who desire to experience pregnancy, as they face pressures to opt for ectogenesis instead. Existing accounts of family values define parents' rights to rear a child, but they fail to establish a right to gestate that can protect an individual's interest in bearing a child. To provide a more comprehensive account of family values, I argue that pregnancy involves a unique quality of intimacy and can make distinct contributions to one's flourishing. Based on this premise, I defend a fundamental moral right to gestate that can help safeguard the option of pregnancy for those who desire it. In conclusion, I consider how a prospective gestator need not provide optimal conditions for fetal development in the way that ectogenesis promises in order for their choice of pregnancy to be justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Preeclampsia is a common pregnancy complication, posing significant risks to both the mother and fetus. Predicting and determining the risks of this disease is crucial. Aims: This research aims to understand the pathogenetic role of several factors in the development and progression of preeclampsia, particularly in relation to its severity in pregnant patients. Methods: The study included 60 pregnant women diagnosed with either mild or severe preeclampsia and 40 healthy pregnant women for comparison. Blood plasma was analysed using biochemical methods, and blood microcirculation parameters were determined to identify homeostatic abnormalities in early preeclampsia. Key results: A molecular genetic study revealed the frequency of the endothelial nitric oxide gene eNOSC774T. Homeostatic abnormalities were statistically correlated with polymorphic genotypes of the eNOSC774T gene. Conclusions: The research found a correlation between the T774T eNOS genotype mutation and the severity of preeclampsia, alongside significant homeostasis abnormalities in patients. Implications: The T774T mutant genotype of the eNOS gene and higher levels of lipid peroxidation products are strongly linked to the severity and progression of preeclampsia. This highlights a significant connection between genetic predisposition and biochemical abnormalities in the disease's development. Preeclampsia is one of the common complications of pregnancy, posing a significant risk to the life and health of the pregnant woman and fetus, which is why it is so important to achieve predictability and determine the risks of the disease. This research aims to determine the pathogenetic role of several factors in the development of preeclampsia and its progression in association with the severity of pregnant patients. Sixty pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia, both mild and severe, were enrolled. Forty healthy pregnant women were also studied for comparison. Image by Irina Ismailova. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article takes Catherine Malabou’s provocative insistence on an alliance between plasticity and feminism to initiate an exploration of gestation and its representation in the context of the postgenomic age. I argue that Malabou’s attention to epigenetic schemas of life and becoming can inform and, in turn, be enriched by feminist film-philosophy which locates the maternal as an alternative schema of embodied subjectivity – simultaneously displacing essentialising over-reliance on gender/sex binaries without entirely metaphorising or abstracting the material processes which subtend bodies and their openness to difference. Drawing on recent feminist scholarship, including Ann Carruthers’s Fertile Visions and Sophie Lewis’s Full Surrogacy Now, I turn to Lucile Hadžihalilović’s Evolution (2015) in order to approach gestational bodies as a central site for both the violent subjugation of embodied life and a feminist ethics and aesthetics of affective relationality. Part science-fiction, fairy-tale and body horror, Hadžihalilović’s film responds to contemporary bio-genetic innovations: Malabou’s elaboration of the “phylogenetic remains” and “cellular potentials” that epigenetic plasticity reactivates guides my reading of its seething maternal waters, multiply directed gestational bodies and various forms of plastic co-becoming. As well as being exemplary of new epigenetic imaginaries, Hadžihalilović’s complex foetal/fertile visions illuminate how feminist-philosophical-artistic practices may elaborate an epigenet(h)ics of life – informed by past forms, present configurations, and open to future bio-possibilities.

Abstract Tiger sharks are apex predators with a circumglobal tropical and warm-temperate distribution, with a general lack of population data for the central Indian Ocean. In Fuvahmulah, Maldives, tiger sharks display frequent use of the harbour area, attracted by discarded fish waste. Here, we document the population structure, residency, and reproductive characteristics of the world’s largest known tiger shark aggregation in a geographically-restricted area. Using non-invasive methods, photo identification and laser photogrammetry, we identified 239 individual tiger sharks over a 7-year study period. The aggregation was female-dominated (84.5%), with both large juveniles and adults present. Adult females were resighted over the entire study period displaying strong inter- and intra-annual site fidelity. Modelled residency using maximum likelihood methods suggests they spent 60.7 ± S.E. 7.5 days in Fuvahmulah, with a larger aggregation size, shorter residence periods and longer absence periods compared to juvenile females. Prolonged abdominal distensions of adult females indicate they likely stay near Fuvahmulah during gestation and reproduce biennially. Fuvahmulah seems to provide suitable conditions for gestation given the year-round provision of food and warm waters, exhibited by strong site fidelity and temporal residency. Our results show indications of a thriving population within the confines of protected waters.

Consideration of weather and the environment is becoming increasingly prominent in the field of historical demography. Early studies on infant mortality have paved the way for this type of analysis, shedding light on the significant impact of cold weather conditions on child survival. However, recent research on contemporary populations has drawn attention to the increased risk of adverse birth outcomes due to maternal exposure to heat during pregnancy. The present study aims to validate this finding in a pre-transitional population, specifically focusing on its effects on neonatal mortality. To our knowledge, this analysis is being applied to such populations for the first time, with the goal of exploring whether factors other than cold winters may have also influenced mortality mechanisms during this crucial life stage in historical populations. The results show that heat exposure significantly affected early neonatal mortality, and they also reveal that the susceptibility window was limited to the second trimester of gestation. Temperature-related risks of death were influenced by the tie the family had to the land, with sharecroppers being at the lowest risk. This finding was attributed more to cultural elements associated with the value of children within this social group than to purely economic factors related to living conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Carotenoids, found in vegetables and fruits, act as antioxidants and are a source of vitamin A. Carotenoids may play an important role in maternal and fetal health (e.g., eye health and brain development) and the prevention of pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, small for gestational age babies and/or intrauterine growth restriction. No studies have examined relationships among carotenoid concentrations, intake of vegetables and fruit, and weeks of gestation. Understanding of the stability of carotenoid concentrations across gestation, despite increasing demands placed on the body (e.g., increase in metabolic demands, body mass and volume), may help inform specific guidelines for vegetable and fruit intake during pregnancy. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationships of vegetable and fruit intake, body mass, volume, density and gestation with the carotenoid reflection score. Method: Carotenoid concentration in the fat of women throughout their pregnancy was assessed using a non-invasive Veggie Meter™ device which measures carotenoid reflection spectroscopy from the fingertip. Gestation and vegetable and fruit intake were self-reported. Body mass and body volume were measured via a 3D body scanner and force plate. Correlations between baseline visit measures, differences between visit I and II and repeated measures correlations (up to four visits) were analysed for all measures. Findings: Only nine of the 35 women (25.7%) in this study met the guideline of 7+ a day for vegetable and fruit intake. Carotenoid reflective scores tended to be lower for those with greater body mass (r = -0.48, 95% CI = -0.70, -0.18; p < 0.001) and volume (r = -0.50, 95% CI = -0.71, -0.20; p < 0.001). Although women increased their vegetable and fruit intake with increased gestation (rrm = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.2, 0.83; p = 0.01), their carotenoid reflective score did not increase (rrm = -0.29, 95% CI = -0.66, 0.19; p = 0.22). Conclusion: Supporting previous recommendations for the general population that vegetable and fruit intake should increase relative to body size, the current study findings suggest it may be advisable for women to progressively consume more vegetables and fruit to align with increases in body mass throughout pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperprolactinemia has multiple etiologies and is the most common endocrine manifestation of pathology of the hypo­thalamic-pituitary axis. Hyperprolactinemic hypogonadism is of great scientific interest due to the prevalence of endocrine pathology in the reproductive period and its effect on metabolic processes. Hyperprolactinemia is one of the serious obstacles to the implementation of reproductive function in both women and men. The article discusses current issues of diagnosis and management tactics for patients with hyperprolactinemia of various etiologies within the framework of preconception preparation.

Abstract Zinc is an essential trace element required in the diet of all species. While the effects of zinc have been studied in growing calves, little is known about the effect of zinc on the microbiota of the gestating cow or her neonatal calf. Understanding factors that shape the gut health of neonatal animals and evaluating the effect of dietary supplements in adult gestating animals is important in promoting animal health and informing feeding practices. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of dietary zinc on the microbiota and resistome of the gestating cow and calf. Gestating cows received standard (40 ppm) or high (205 ppm) dietary zinc levels from dry off to calving. Fecal samples were collected from cows upon enrollment and at calving and from neonatal calves. Fecal samples underwent 16S rRNA sequencing and a subset also underwent shotgun metagenomic sequencing. The effect of zinc supplementation on the diversity and composition of the cow and calf microbiome and resistome was assessed. Alpha and beta diversity and composition of the microbiota were significantly altered over time but not by treatment in the cows, with alpha diversity decreasing and 14 genera found at significantly higher relative abundances at calving compared to enrollment. Levels of 27 antimicrobial resistance genes significantly increased over time. Only a small number of taxa were differentially expressed at calving in treatment and control groups, including Faecalibacterium, Bacteroides, Turicibacter, and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum. No effect of the dam’s treatment group was observed on the diversity or composition of the neonatal calf microbiota. The calf resistome, which was relatively rich and diverse compared to the cow, was also unaffected by the dam’s treatment group. The impact of high levels of dietary zinc thus appeared to be minimal, with no observed changes in alpha or beta diversity, and few changes in the relative abundance of a small number of taxa and antimicrobial resistance genes.

Liver diseases have gained increasing attention due to their substantial impact on health, independently as well as in association with cardio-metabolic disorders. Studies have suggested that glutathione and adenosine assist in providing protection against oxidative stress and inflammation while glucocorticoid (GC) therapy has been associated with chronic inflammatory disorders, even in pregnancy. The implications of Glucocorticoid exposure on maternal health and fetal growth is a concern, however, the possible role of glutathione and adenosine has not been thoroughly investigated. The study therefore hypothesize that exposure to glucocorticoids leads to depletion of hepatic glutathione and adenosine levels, contributing to oxidative stress and tissue injury. Additionally, we aim to investigate whether the effects of glucocorticoids on hepatic health are pregnancy dependent in female rats. Twelve Pregnant and twelve age-matched non-pregnant rats were used for this study; an exogenous administration of glucocorticoid (Dex: 0.2 mg/kg) or vehicle (po) was administered to six pregnant and six non-pregnant rats from gestational day 14 to 19 or for a period of 6 days respectively. Data obtained showed that GC exposure led to a decrease in hepatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione peroxidase, GSH/GSSG ratio and adenosine content in both pregnant and non-pregnant rats. In addition, increased activities of adenosine deaminase and xanthine oxidase, along with increased production of uric acid and increased levels of lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase were observed. In summary, the study indicates that GC-induced liver damage is underlined by depleted hepatic adenosine and glutathione levels as well as elevated markers of tissue inflammation and/or injury. Furthermore, the findings suggest that the effects of GC exposure on hepatic health are pregnancy independent.

Introduction: Pregnant women with pre-excitation syndrome are more likely to develop supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) during pregnancy and delivery, leading to an increased risk of adverse events. Method: This was a retrospective study of 309 pregnancies in 280 women (29 women had two pregnancies in this series) with pre-excitation syndrome who delivered at West China Second University Hospital from June 2011 to October 2021. All the 309 pregnant women with pre-excitation syndrome were divided into SVT and non-SVT groups to analyze the cardiac and obstetric complications. Results: Among the included pregnant women in the past 10 years, the prevalence of pre-excitation syndrome was 0.24% (309/127725). There were 309 cases with pre-excitation syndrome in all hospitalized pregnant women. Among them, 62 (20.1%, 62/309) had a history of SVT. In the 62 cases with SVT during pregnancy, 22 (35.5%) cases had a history of SVT. Gestational diabetes mellitus was associated with SVT during pregnancy. The cesarean section rate was 88.7% in the SVT group, which was significantly higher than that in the non-SVT group (64.8%) (P < 0.001). Cases with SVT during pregnancy had more cardiac and obstetric complications. Four fetal deaths were recorded in the SVT group. Additionally, 29 women experienced two pregnancies during the study period, among whom, five received radiofrequency ablation after the first delivery and obtained better outcomes in the second pregnancy. Conclusion: The adverse outcomes such as cardiac complications, maternal and fetal complications (PROM, prematurity, SGA, fetal distress, etc.) in pregnant women with pre-excitation syndrome were closely related to SVT, with possible risk factors including history of SVT before pregnancy, cardiac function, heart organic abnormalities, and gestational diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of artificial womb technology (AWT) is continuing to proceed and raises important ethical and theological questions for Christians. While there has been extensive secular discourse on artificial wombs in recent years, there has been minimal Christian engagement with this topic. There are broadly two primary uses of artificial womb technology: first, ectogestation, which is a form of enhanced neonatal care, where only some of the gestation period takes place in an artificial womb, and second, ectogenesis, where the entire period of gestation occurs in an artificial womb. It is plausible that some form of ectogestation in the latter weeks or months of pregnancy could be possible within a decade or so, while ectogenesis for humans remains far more speculative. Ectogestation is likely to significantly reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, and so there is a strong prima facie case for supporting its development. Ectogenesis, however, may bring several challenges, including the further commodification of children, and the potential pathologizing of pregnancy and childbirth. Its long-term effects on those created through this process are also unknown. If it becomes ubiquitous, we may also find the central theological significance of pregnancy and birth diminished. The dilemma for Christians is that the development of seemingly unproblematic ectogestation is likely to normalize the use of artificial gestation, and, in time, pave the way for ectogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This issue of Christian Bioethics explores theological, metaphysical, and ethical questions surrounding emerging reproductive technologies. Narratives concerning such technologies are often manipulated via "language games." Language games involve toying with language to ensure that one's vision of the good gains or retains political prominence. Such games are common in academic discussions of "artificial womb" technologies. Abortion proponents, for example, are already using language to dehumanize subjects within "artificial wombs." This is unsurprising. Were relevant subjects considered persons, then abortion access (and other forms of "reproductive autonomy") might be curtailed. Here, I show that abortion proponents' language games often depend on dubious metaphysical claims. Second, I argue that Christians should oppose dehumanizing language games, since those games undermine "neighbor-love," which Christians are commanded to show others. I also highlight how discussions of other technologies—such as medication abortion—are affected by confused (or manipulative) language. Ultimately, the language games I critique aim to preserve and expand the "rights" of the powerful to dehumanize, control, and kill vulnerable human beings. Since neighbor-love commands Christians to provide for "the least of these," however, Christians must expose these manipulative language games, refute them, and resist the corrupt ideologies from which they flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual activities changes between partners is a common issue during pregnancy because of physical and psychological transformation. Moreover, couples who have infertility problems have more doubts and uncertainties about sexual life during pregnancy. This longitudinal study sought to understand the differences of sexual activities, information source and health status during gestation between married couples who underwent In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and who conceived without IVF (NI). Within three time points, we mailed questionnaires to 75 couples who conceived without IVF and 70 couples with IVF. The questionnaires were completed separately by the husband and the wife. The proportion of couple's sexual activity in the IVF group was significantly lower than that in the NI group (p < 0.05) during the first trimester. Most couples seek sexual health information from unprofessional resources. For preventing the misunderstanding of the information which may lead to inaccurate interpretations, healthcare professionals should take sexual health–related issues into considerations during the fertility treatment. More than 90% of married couples have sexual activity during pregnancy, hugging is the top activity, and sexual intercourse frequency decreases. The sexual activities are similar between women who conceived with IVF or not in most trimesters. Couples seeking sexual health information from healthcare providers were less than 30%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leading collective movements and arriving first at feeding sites may improve food acquisition. Specifically, the first individual to discover and exploit a feeding site may gain a feeding advantage known as the "finder's advantage." The aim of this research was to verify if the probability of leading group movements to feeding sites in mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) varied by sex and reproductive status, and whether finders had higher foraging success than followers. We studied 18 adult individuals from two groups in La Flor de Catemaco over a year (978 h), and sampled group movements (n = 211) and foraging behavior (n = 215 feeding episodes). Gestating females were leaders and finders of group movements to feeding sites more often than expected but were also replaced in the leading position more frequently than individuals of other sex/reproductive states. Feeding behavior was not influenced by the order of arrival at feeding sites per se, but gestating females had higher food intake rate, bite rate, and feeding time when arriving earlier (i.e., occupying front group positions) than later. Therefore, leadership and the finder's advantage occur in this species and are probably employed by gestating females to maintain their energetic condition. Highlights: Gestating mantled howler monkeys are more likely than expected to lead their groups to feeding sites and find food resources than individuals of other sex/reproductive states.Gestating females have increasing food intake rate, bite rate, and feeding time when arriving early at feeding sites.Leadership during group movements toward feeding sites and the "finder's advantage" are probably used by females to offset the costs of reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gestational outcomes are known to be negatively correlated with hypothyroidism. This study was designed to compare the maternal factors affecting gestational outcomes in women with and without hypothyroidism. Methods: This retrospective analysis was carried out in a tertiary hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, between 2008 and 2016. A standardized form was used to collect information on the age of the mother, gestational duration at the prenatal appointment, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), hypertension, and past records of miscarriages in hypothyroid and healthy pregnant women. Gestational outcomes were recorded as live birth or pregnancy loss. Statistical analysis was performed to examine overt versus sub-clinical hypothyroidism and among those diagnosed before versus during gestation. Results: A collective of 708 women were enlisted in the hypothyroid pregnant group and 759 were recruited in healthy controls. Pregnancy loss was 9.9% (n = 70) in hypothyroid women, whereas it was 14.3% (n = 108) in the control group. The age of the mother, gestational duration at the prenatal appointment, and past records of miscarriages were discovered to be related to a higher chance of pregnancy loss in a multivariable analysis, but GDM (OR 0.04, CI 0.06-0.32, P = 0.002) and hypothyroidism (OR 0.62, CI 0.43-0.89, P = 0.01) exhibited a protective effect. Conclusion: This study found the age of the mother, gestational duration at a prenatal appointment, and past records of miscarriages to be associated with negative outcomes in hypothyroidism. These factors remained significant in overt as well as subclinical hypothyroid women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effects of graded levels of Curcuma longa (turmeric) powder on the kits sired by dosed male and female rabbits. Twenty rabbits (16 does and 4 bucks) 7 months of age were used for this experiment. The does and bucks were assigned to four groups (A - D) of 4 does to 1 buck per group. Groups A, B and C received 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of turmeric powder reconstituted in distilled water. Group D (control) received 1 ml of distilled water. Dosing was done per os daily for 30 days before the buck in each group was allowed to cohabit with the dose of the corresponding group. Gestational length, litter body weights (at birth), litter size and crown-rump lengths were all measured. There were no significant variations (p>0.05) in the gestation length of does and litter body weight in all the groups. The mean litter size in Group B does was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of Group D does. The crown-rump length of pups from does in all the turmeric-treated groups (A, B and C) were however significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of pups from Group D. The results of this study showed that at 500 mg/kg of turmeric powder, the dose had improved reproductive performance than when given at a higher dosage (1000 mg/kg) of turmeric powder per os. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have become so pervasive in our environment and daily lives that it is impossible to avoid contact with such compounds, including pregnant women seeking to minimize exposures to themselves and their unborn children. Developmental exposure of humans and rodent models to bisphenol A (BPA) and other EDCs is linked to increased anxiogenic behaviors, learning and memory deficits, and decreased socio-sexual behaviors. Prenatal exposure to BPA and other EDCs leads to longstanding and harmful effects on gut microbiota with reductions in beneficial bacteria, i.e., gut dysbiosis, and such microbial changes are linked to host changes in fecal metabolites, including those involved in carbohydrate metabolism and synthesis, and neurobehavioral alterations in adulthood, in particular, social and cognitive deficits. Gut dysbiosis is increasingly being recognized as a key driver of a myriad of diseases, ranging from metabolic, cardiovascular, reproductive, and neurobehavioral disorders via the gut-microbiome–brain axis. Thus, EDCs might induce indirect effects on physical and mental health by acting as microbiome-disrupting chemicals. Findings raise the important question as to whether pregnant women should consume a probiotic supplement to mitigate pernicious effects of EDCs, especially BPA, on themselves and their unborn offspring. Current studies investigating the effects of maternal probiotic supplementation on pregnant women's health and that of their unborn offspring will be reviewed. Data will inform on the potential application of probiotic supplementation to reverse harmful effects of EDCs, especially BPA, in pregnant women unwittingly exposed to these compounds and striving to give their offspring the best start in life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN) of the pancreas express estrogen and progesterone receptors. Several case reports describe MCN increasing in size during gestation. The aim of this study is to assess if pregnancy is a risk factor for malignant degeneration of MCN. All female patients who underwent pancreatic resection of a MCN between 2011 and 2021 were included. MCN resected or diagnosed within 12 months of gestation were defined perigestational. MCN with high grade dysplasia or an invasive component were classified in the high grade (HG) group. The primary outcome was defined as the correlation between exposure to gestation and peri-gestational MCN to development of HG-MCN. The study includes 176 patients, 25 (14 %) forming the HG group, and 151 (86 %) forming the low grade (LG) group. LG and HG groups had a similar distribution of systemic contraceptives use (26 % vs. 16 %, p = 0.262), and perigestational MCN (7 % vs 16 %, p = 0.108). At univariate analysis cyst size ≥10 cm (OR 5.3, p < 0.001) was associated to HG degeneration. Peri gestational MCN positively correlated with cyst size (R = 0.18, p = 0.020). In the subgroup of 14 perigestational MCN patients 29 % had HG-MCN and 71 % experienced cyst growth during gestation with an average growth of 55.1 ± 18 mm. Perigestational MCN are associated to increased cyst diameter, and in the subset of patients affected by MCN during gestation a high rate of growth was observed. Patients with a MCN and pregnancy desire should undergo multidisciplinary counselling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnancy is a complex and challenging process associated with physiological changes whose objective is to adapt the maternal organism to the increasing energetic requirements due to embryo and fetal development. A failed adaptation to these demands may lead to pregnancy complications that threaten the health of both mothers and their offspring. Since mitochondria are the main organelle responsible for energy generation in the form of ATP, the adequate state of these organelles seems crucial for proper pregnancy development and healthy pregnancy outcomes. The homeostasis of these organelles depends on several aspects, including their content, biogenesis, energy production, oxidative stress, dynamics, and signaling functions, such as apoptosis, which can be modified in relation to diseases during pregnancy. The etiology of pregnancy disorders like preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and gestational diabetes mellitus is not yet well understood. Nevertheless, insufficient placental perfusion and oxygen transfer are characteristic of many of them, being associated with alterations in the previously cited different aspects of mitochondrial homeostasis. Therefore, and due to the capacity of these multifactorial organelles to respond to physiological and pathophysiological stimuli, it is of great importance to gather the currently available scientific information regarding the relationship between main pregnancy complications and mitochondrial alterations. According to this, the present review is intended to show clear insight into the possible implications of mitochondria in these disorders, thus providing relevant information for further investigation in relation to the investigation and management of pregnancy diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc is an essential trace element required in the diet of all species. While the effects of zinc have been studied in growing calves, little is known about the effect of zinc on the microbiota of the gestating cow or her neonatal calf. Understanding factors that shape the gut health of neonatal animals and evaluating the effect of dietary supplements in adult gestating animals is important in promoting animal health and informing feeding practices. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of dietary zinc on the microbiota and resistome of the gestating cow and calf. Gestating cows received standard (40 ppm) or high (205 ppm) dietary zinc levels from dry off to calving. Fecal samples were collected from cows upon enrollment and at calving and from neonatal calves. Fecal samples underwent 16S rRNA sequencing and a subset also underwent shotgun metagenomic sequencing. The effect of zinc supplementation on the diversity and composition of the cow and calf microbiome and resistome was assessed. Alpha and beta diversity and composition of the microbiota were significantly altered over time but not by treatment in the cows, with alpha diversity decreasing and 14 genera found at significantly higher relative abundances at calving compared to enrollment. Levels of 27 antimicrobial resistance genes significantly increased over time. Only a small number of taxa were differentially expressed at calving in treatment and control groups, including Faecalibacterium, Bacteroides, Turicibacter, and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum. No effect of the dam's treatment group was observed on the diversity or composition of the neonatal calf microbiota. The calf resistome, which was relatively rich and diverse compared to the cow, was also unaffected by the dam's treatment group. The impact of high levels of dietary zinc thus appeared to be minimal, with no observed changes in alpha or beta diversity, and few changes in the relative abundance of a small number of taxa and antimicrobial resistance genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schizophrenia is a psychotic psychiatric disorder that significantly impacts the social life of the patient. A better understanding of pathogenesis of this disorder is of utmost importance to caregivers. Recent studies have shown evidence of inflammatory reactions involving the pathogenesis of Schizophrenia. Biochemical analysis of CSF has reported an increased count of IL-6 and IL-8 along with other inflammatory substances. Histopathological studies of brain of the affected individuals have presented microglial dysfunction along with several other changes, observed by different researchers. Also, mothers suffering from any particular condition that involved inflammation in the gestational period have been observed to lead to the development of Schizophrenia or related disorders in offspring. Gut-Brain Axis has recently acquired a huge interest among medical researchers. A lot of psychiatric conditions are nowadays being attributed to gut microbiota. Gut microbiota analysis among Schizophrenia patients has shown significant alteration of gut microflora, for example, an increased number of Lactobacillus sp. All these studies, when taken into consideration, can give a holistic approach towards the way the pathology of Schizophrenia being viewed, and thus allow professionals to provide better care to the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to estimate the reproductive parameters of porbeagle shark in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean and thus characterize the adult fraction of this population. Therefore, 1012 specimens were measured by scientific observers on board the commercial trawl fleet operating south of 50° S. The size range of the specimens was from 77 to 292 cm fork length (LF). The mean size at maturity was estimated to be 153 cm LF for males and 172 cm LF for females. Porbeagle shark catches were recorded throughout the year, with the highest frequency occurring between November and June. The presence of pregnant females was observed from December to July, along with an increase in the average size of embryos in each litter. The information presented in this study improves the knowledge of the reproductive biology and allows to propose a migratory pattern of adult porbeagle females in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean. The likely seasonal increase in vulnerability of this shark to austral trawl fishery, despite all conservation management measures established in Argentina, underscores the importance of promoting its proper management and conservation given the need to improve understanding of porbeagle population dynamics in the Southern Hemisphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnancy is characterized by longitudinal maternal, physiological adaptations to support the development of a fetus. One of the cardinal maternal adaptations during a healthy pregnancy is a progressive increase in uterine artery blood flow. This facilitates sufficient blood supply for the development of the placenta and the growing fetus. Regional hemodynamic changes in the uterine circulation, such as a vast reduction in uterine artery resistance, are mainly facilitated by changes in uterine artery reactivity and myogenic tone along with remodeling of the uterine arteries. These regional changes in vascular reactivity have been attributed to pregnancy‐induced adaptations of cell‐to‐cell communication mechanisms, with an emphasis on the interaction between endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is considered the fourth layer of the vascular wall and contributes to the regulation of vascular reactivity in most vascular beds and most species. This review focuses on mechanisms of uterine artery reactivity and the role of PVAT in pregnancy‐induced maternal vascular adaptations, with an emphasis on the uterine circulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnancy-related low back pain is a multifactorial problem and its assosiation with pain intensity and biopsycosocial factors can not be fully explained. This study aimed to determine the psychosocial as well as biological/physical risk factors associated with self-reported low back pain (LBP) intensity during different trimesters of pregnancy. This cross-sectional study comprised 107 pregnant women. An introductory information form for physical and medical characteristics, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for low back pain intensity and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for degree of loss of functionality, Short Form-36 (SF-36) for quality of life and Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) for physical activity were applied. Abdominal muscle thicknesses and diastasis recti were measured by ultrasonography. Univariate regression was used to analyse associations between each plausible independent variable and low back pain intensity. Mean LBP intensity during 1st, 2nd ve 3rd trimesters were 26.8 ± 20.9, 27.3 ± 19.8, 21.6 ± 20.1 mm, respectively. ODI scores were associated with LBP intensity, explaining 11%, 13% and 26% of LBP severity during the 1st, 2nd ve 3rd trimesters, respectively. Other biological/physical variables like age, body mass index, muscle thickness and diastasis recti were not associated with pain intensity. SF-36 emotional role limitation (coef = −0.03, R2 = 0.20, p = 0.01) in the 3rd trimester and SF-36 pain score in the 1st (coef = −0.04, R2 = 0.12, p = 0.02) and 3rd (coef = −0.05, R2 = 0.26, p = 0.004) trimesters and PPAQ-sedentary was associated during the 2nd trimester (coef = 0.17, R2 = 0.17, p = 0.02) with pain intensity. ODI scores were associated with LBP intensity in all three trimesters, with SF-36 pain domain in the 1st and 3rd trimesters, with SF-36 emotional role limitation only in the 3rd trimester and with sedentary activity level only in the 2nd trimester. İncreased pain intensity was surprisingly associated with a small number of biopsychosocial factors in all the trimesters. There is need for further large-sample studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study establishes a fetal cannabinoid syndrome model to evaluate the effects of high doses of dronabinol (synthetic THC) during pregnancy and lactation on behavioral and brain changes in male and female progeny and their susceptibility to alcohol consumption. Female C57BL/6J mice received dronabinol (10 mg/kg/12 h, p.o.) from gestational day 5 to postnatal day 21. On the weaning day, the offspring were separated by sex, and on postnatal day 60, behavioral and neurobiological changes were analyzed. Mice exposed to dronabinol exhibited increased anxiogenic and depressive-like behaviors and cognitive impairment. These behaviors were associated with neurodevelopment-related gene and protein expression changes, establishing, for the first time, an association among behavioral changes, cognitive impairment, and neurobiological alterations. Exposure to dronabinol during pregnancy and lactation disrupted the reward system, leading to increased motivation to consume alcohol in the offspring. All these modifications exhibited sex-dependent patterns. These findings reveal the pronounced adverse effects on fetal neurodevelopment resulting from cannabis use during pregnancy and lactation and strongly suggest the need to prevent mothers who use cannabis in this period from the severe and permanent side effects on behavior and brain development that may occur in their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Thyroid function tests are common biochemical analyses, and agreement between the routinely used immunoassays is important for diagnosis and monitoring of thyroid disease. Efforts are continuously made to align the biochemical assays, and we aimed to evaluate the agreement between immunoassays used in a clinical laboratory setting among non‐pregnant and pregnant adults. Design: Cross‐sectional study. Participants: Serum samples were obtained from 192 blood donors (non‐pregnant adults) and from 86 pregnant women in the North Denmark Region with no known thyroid disease. Measurements: Each sample was used for measurement of thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) with the routinely used automatic immunoassays in the regional Departments of Clinical Biochemistry (Alinity, Abbott Laboratories, Cobas, Roche Diagnostics, and Atellica, Siemens Healthineers) and reported as the median with 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: In nonpregnant adults, the level of TSH was higher with Cobas and Atellica than with Alinity as reflected by median (Alinity: 1.39 mIU/L (95% CI: 1.30–1.51 mIU/L); Cobas: 1.57 mIU/L (95% CI: 1.48–1.75 mIU/L); Atellica: 1.74 mIU/L (95% CI: 1.61–1.83 mIU/L)). Similarly, a trend was seen towards higher median TSH with Cobas than with Alinity among pregnant women (Alinity: 1.90 mIU/L (95% CI: 1.37–2.82 mIU/L); Cobas: 2.33 mIU/L (95% CI: 1.69–3.62 mIU/L)). Conclusion: Results of thyroid function tests obtained with different immunoassays were not interchangeable when evaluated among pregnant and non‐pregnant adults. The distinct differences are relevant for clinical decision making and emphasize the necessity of clinical laboratory information when different assays are used for diagnosis and monitoring of patients with thyroid disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research proposes to investigate the psychological reasons that may explain women's addiction to smoking during pregnancy and the perception of combustible cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco cigarettes. The sample included 30 participants who smoke or people who previously smoked who chose to quit or continue smoking during pregnancy. The data was gathered via a semi-structured interview and developed from three research questions: feelings, opinions and perceptions of pregnant women toward e-cigarettes, heated tobacco cigarettes, and combustible cigarettes. The study used thematic qualitative analysis for the methodological formulation of the results. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research Standards (QRRS) checklist was used. In this qualitative research, three psychological reasons for the onset of smoking were found and analyzed: feelings of stress, nervousness, and loneliness. According to the results: 40.91% of the women who smoked combustible cigarettes decided to keep on smoking and 59.09% decided to quit, 16.67% of participants who use heated tobacco cigarette decided to continue during pregnancy and the remaining 83.33% decide to stop; lastly, there is a condition of fairness for adults who use e-cigarette, 50% decided to continue smoking during pregnancy and the other 50% decided to stop smoking. The data indicate that those who continue to smoke during pregnancy are participants who smoke combustible cigarettes, stating that they reduce the amount of smoke inhaled. Meanwhile, participants who use heated tobacco cigarettes or e-cigarettes are certain that they pose less risk than combustible cigarettes; nevertheless, most of them decide to quit smoking during pregnancy. Another important aspect that has been noted is that of formal abandonment treatments, as quite unexpectedly, there has been a unanimous recognition of strong distrust toward the possible risks to the unborn child. There is a lot of distrust and little knowledge of official smoking cessation therapies, and because of this, participants stated that they can quit smoking whenever they want and only with their own willpower. Five categories and related themes emerged from the thematic analysis, such as reasons for starting with themes such as stress, irritation, loneliness, adolescence and integration; reasons for attachment to topics such as habit and carelessness about one's health; perceptions of traditional cigarettes compared to e-cigarettes and heated cigarettes with related topics such as sensory experiences and side effects; feelings and use of official smoking cessation therapies with issues as willpower and knowledge; information on the effects of smoke during pregnancy and breastfeeding, including risk information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: “Scarring in utero” posits that populations exposed to injurious stressors yield birth cohorts that live shorter lives than expected from history. This argument implies a positive historical association between period life expectancy (i.e., average age at death in year t) and cohort life expectancy (i.e., average lifespan of persons born in year t). Tests of the argument have not produced consistent results and appear confounded by autocorrelation, migration, and access to medical care. Here we test whether, as predicted by scarring in utero, sex-specific period and cohort life expectancy appear positively related among Swedes born from 1751 through 1800. If scarring has ever influenced longevity, we should detect signals of its effects in these cohorts because, unlike other populations with known life span, they aged in place and unlikely benefitted from increased access to efficacious medical care. Methods: We use Box–Jenkins methods to control autocorrelation and measure associations. Results: Contrary to the scarring hypothesis, we find an inverse association between period and cohort life expectancy. Our findings imply that, among males, variation in injurious stress on the population predicted changes in cohort life span ranging from a gain of approximately 67 weeks to a loss of about 45 weeks of life and among females from a gain of approximately 68 weeks to a loss of about 38 weeks of life. Conclusion: Epidemiologists trying to understand and explain temporal variation in cohort life expectancy should view the scarring argument with greater skepticism than currently found in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]