E–cadherin (CDH1) is a cell–cell adhesion molecule expressed in the epithelium to coordinate key morphogenetic processes, establish cell polarity, and regulate epithelial differentiation and proliferation. CDH1 forms adherens junctions that mediate intercellular adhesion through dynamic interactions with β–catenin (CTNNB1). To determine the role of CDH1 in the mouse uterus, Cdh1 was conditionally ablated by crossing Pgr–Cre and Cdh1–flox mice. Animals with the resulting genotype of Pgrcre/+Cdh1f/f had Cdh1 conditionally ablated in the Pgr expressing tissue, which includes the uterus (referred to as Cdh1d/d). We characterized the phenotype and found that loss of Cdh1 in the neonatal uterus results in a disorganized cellular structure of the epithelium and ablation of endometrial glands. Cdh1d/d mice lost adherens junction (CTNNB1 and CTNNA1) and tight junction (claudin, occludin and ZO–1) in the neonatal uterus leading to loss of epithelial cell–cell interaction. Ablation of Cdh1 induced abnormal epithelial proliferation and massive apoptosis, and disrupted Wnt and Hox gene expression in the neonatal uterus. Although the uteri of Cdh1d/d mice did not show any defect of myometrium, ablation of Cdh1 inhibited stromal (CD10) markers. In addition, a conditional knockout of Ctnnb1 in the uterus and a double conditional knockout of Cdh1&Ctnnb1 in the uterus were created to determine if the uterine defects were caused by an alteration in CDH1, CTNNB1, or a combination of both. Ctnnb1 and Cdh1&Ctnnb1 were conditionally ablated in the uterus by crossing Pgr–Cre and Ctnnb1–flox mice or Cdh1&Ctnnb1–flox mice. The Ctnnb1d/d mice maintained adhesive epithelial characteristics and did not lose adherens junction or tight junction proteins; however ablation of Ctnnb1 induced epithelial hyperplasia and disrupted Wnt and Hox gene expression in the neonatal uterus. The Cdh1d/dCtnnb1d/d mice carried a similar phenotype to the Cdh1d/d mice. Adult Cdh1d/d mice were infertile due to defects during implantation and decidualization. Collectively, these findings suggest that CDH1 has an important role in structural and functional development of the uterus as well as adult uterine function. CDH1 has a capacity to control cell fate by altering directional cell proliferation and apoptosis.

This paper follows the methodologies of a previous study published in the American Economic Journal by Fogli and Fernandez that explores culture’s effect on second-generation American women and their work versus fertility trade-off. The difference between this paper and the previous study – used as a model – is the years of US census data used for the regressions. Fogli and Fernandez use 1970 United States census data while this study uses 2010 United States census data. As in their study, the culture proxy for work is labor force participation rates (LFP) and total fertility rates (TFR) for fertility assigned by the women's country of ancestry. Adjusting for some limitations posed by the data set, the results of this study show that the cultural proxies have significant results, though the sign of these proxies differs from the signs found in the model study. This paper also provides three extensions to the base study: insurance coverage, age at first marriage consideration, and a multiracial sample pool.

The aim of this diploma thesis was to assess the performance achieved at sows of CLW breed and hybrid sows of CLW x CL within 1 year in a selected breeding. As a result of the appearance of heterosis effect, 0.34 of live born piglets more was born at the cross breeds of F1 generation CLW x CL than to the sows of the CLW breeds. The sows with the length of pregnancy up to 114 days (11.34 piglets) delivered by 0.62 live-born piglets more than sows with the length of pregnancy over 115 days (10.72 piglets). The sows with farrowing interval up to 162 days had a higher number of live-born piglets (11.54) than the sows with farrowing interval over 163 days (11.39). The mating of the sows the fifth day after the piglet weaning, had a positive effect on the number of live-born piglets. The effect of age at first mating on the number of live-born piglets was positively reflected in the interval age 256?270 days (10.53 pieces) and 210?225 days (10.47 pieces). The highest number of live-born piglets was demonstrated from 3rd to 5th parity. The most sows of both genotypes were selected because of returning to service. The analysis of an age structure of the herd was performed as well.

It has been observed the breed herd of Texel sheep in the foothills area of Orlické mountains in the year 2005-2008. The base of herd was consisted of 374 ewes, 575 lambs and 6 rams in total. These parametres of reproduction {--} conception, fertility, rearing, empty ewes, abortions, lambing, stillborn, death after born, were monitored at ewes. For the parametres of reproduction at ewes were found significant effects of ewe´s age and ram´s line.

Revegetation is a reclamation method used to stabilize land that has been disturbed (i.e. Uranium contamination) by mining in an effort to establish a sustainable plant community. During 1986-88, large amounts of topsoil were removed at the site adjacent to the Tuba City disposal cell to remove windblown contaminated soil and construct the Uranium disposal cell. Re-establishing a sustainable plant community is critical to minimizing dust emissions, controlling erosion, and improving rangeland condition, and enhancing evapotranspiration. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of revegetation efforts by 1) comparing plant species composition and abundance on the reclaimed area and native rangeland protected from grazing, 2) current rangeland condition by comparing plant communities on grazed and protected native rangeland 3) differences in soil fertility, particle size distribution, and morphology that could be influencing vegetation differences in the three areas, 4) landscape-scale evapotranspiration rates and effects on groundwater recharge in the three plant communities, and 5) the value of using relatively undisturbed Legacy Management parcels as reference areas. Plant cover in the revegetated area was greater in 2014 (24%) than in 1998 (15%); however, plant species composition and diversity in the revegetated area and in the reference area remained markedly different. The effectiveness of revegetation is improving, but given the extended amount of time the improvement is not matching the protected area’s percent cover. The reference area showed highest cover during the early cool-season. However, the grazed area possessed the highest plant species composition and highest foliar cover in the late warm-season. The vegetation relevé estimate and foliar cover statistics show the revegetated area (24%) was significantly less than the surrounding vegetation (35%), even after 26 years since original revegetation. These results are critical in assisting Legacy Management to identify environmentally sustainable methods for the continuous management of this site and others in the area.

Discussions about fertility in developed countries refer almost exclusively to the period Total Fertility Rate (TFR). We argue that the use of this indicator frequently leads to incorrect interpretation of period fertility levels and trends, resulting in distorted policy conclusions and, potentially, in misguided policies. We illustrate this with four policy-relevant examples, drawn from contemporary Europe. These illustrations show that the TFR (a) inflates the presumed gap between fertility intentions and realised fertility, (b) erroneously suggests a significant fertility increase in many countries of Europe after the year 2000, (c) often exaggerates the level of immigrants fertility and (d) frequently suggests that family-related policies which led to shorter birth spacing in fact brought an upward swing in fertility level. There seems to be no policy-relevant question for which the period TFR would be the indicator of choice to be preferred over other existing measures.

Environmental pollution and its effect on the living organisms has attracted lots of attention recently. There is a growing body of evidence that we are exposed to environmental pollutants at low concentrations in everyday life. The cells and organisms have tools to identify, neutralize and excrete the majority of the toxic compounds. The most dangerous are those that can escape this process or act at low trace concentrations. Endocrine disruptors (EDs) belong to the latter group. Endocrine disruptors can be of natural and anthropogenic origin. EDs target corresponding hormonal receptors and can act at low concentrations. A wide family of nuclear receptors recognize steroid hormones. The majority of EDs can pass through the cytoplasmic membrane, use the hydrophobic nature of the receptor-ligand binding, trigger hormone response and change the expression of the sensitive genes. By interfering with estrogen and androgen signaling, EDs can have effect on the whole organism, but the reproductive system is influenced most. In the present work, our aim was to develop the methods for ED detection and monitoring, analyze the estrogenic potency of EDs, and evaluate the effects of natural estrogens and EDs on male reproductive functions, including sperm and testicular physiology and endocrine functions. First, we...

Abstract Epilepsy is associated with reproductive disorders and decreased fertility. The role of antiepileptic medication and type of epilepsy in development of these disorders has been widely debated. The effects of oxcarbazepine on reproductive function in women and the effects of antiepileptic medication on male fertility have not been previously studied, and only a few studies have evaluated fertility in subjects with epilepsy in a population based setting. This study aimed to analyze predictors of reproductive disorders and the effects of oxcarbazepine on reproductive function in women. Moreover, the effects of antiepileptic medication on male reproductive health were also evaluated, and finally, the reproductive health of patients with epilepsy and the normal population was compared in a population based setting. The study was conducted in the Departments of Neurology, Gynecology and Obstetrics and Public Health Science and General Practice in the University of Oulu. Studies I–III were cross-sectional studies consisting of 249 subjects with epilepsy and 247 control subjects. Study IV was a retrospective study; the data was based on Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966(NFBC1966), consisting of 12,058 subjects, of which 222 had epilepsy. In studies I–III all subjects were interviewed, clinical examinations were done, blood samples were analyzed and ovarian ultrasound examination or testicular ultrasound examination and sperm samples were studied. In study IV all subjects with epilepsy were identified from NFBC1966 and patient files were reviewed. Fertility analyses were based on information obtained from the Finnish Population Center and Finnish Birth Register. Reproductive disorders were more common in women with idiopathic generalized epilepsy and in women taking valproate. Also young age increased the risk of these disorders. Oxcarbazepine was associated with reproductive disorders in women with epilepsy. In men all antiepileptic drugs studied were associated with sperm abnormalities, and sperm abnormalities in men taking valproate were associated with decreased testicular volume. In a population based setting active epilepsy and antiepileptic medication during adulthood decreased fertility. The reproductive endocrine effects of AEDs should be taken into consideration when prescribed to fertile aged men and women, especially, if the anticipated duration of treatment is long.

Agriculture is facing increasing pressures to produce food that meets specific market and/or nutrition requirements, while using inputs in such a way that can ensure economic and environmental goals more efficiently. Two field experiments were conducted in 2013 and 2014 at the Royal Agricultural University’s Harnhill’ Manor Farm, Cirencester, UK to evaluate the influence of selected cultivation techniques, N fertilisation and undersowing legumes on spring wheat growth and development. To explore, in particular, the yield components contributing to grain yield and quality, as well as weed pressure influences together with changes in soil mineral N (SMN) content. Cultivation techniques included conventional tillage (CT), high intensity non-inversion tillage (HINiT) and low intensity non-inversion tillage (LINiT); mineral N fertilisation rates of 0, 70, 140 and 210 kg N ha-1 and two undersown legume species, black medic and white clover, plus no undersowing treatment. The performance of the management practices was strongly influenced by the weather. In 2013, under dry weather conditions, LINiT seems to be a suitable alternative to CT, while N fertilisation did not encourage greater grain yield. In 2014, CT appears to be a more reliable practice, while the application of up to 140 kg N ha-1 seemed to be enough to increase grain yield. Dry weather conditions at the time of broadcasting did not allow the undersowing species to be fully established, resulting in no effects on weed control and crop growth. In 2013, the initial poor plant establishment and slow crop growth under LINiT was compensated for by the soils ability to retain moisture, and thereby reducing crop water stress during the dry periods. This finally resulted in statistically similar grain yield to CT. In 2014 when water was not a limiting factor, poor plant establishment and crop growth, low SMN content and high weed pressure under LINiT resulted in lower grain yield than CT. In both years, HINiT resulted in low SMN content and high weed pressure resulting in poor grain yield. Across experiments, HINiT and LINiT saved energy-use and production costs, but CT could be more energy-use efficient and have high economic return if higher grain yield is assured. N fertilisation significantly promoted wheat growth, although under dry conditions with higher residual soil N, the N fertilisation did not increase yield. Under low SMN level applying up to 140 kg N ha-1 increased grain yield produced, but N fertilisation is energy consuming and its use does not always ensure a higher economic return.

The aim of the present study was to determine if the breeding potential of 25-month old, extensively kept, Bonsmara beef bulls can be predicted from production data, spermatozoal characteristics and/or blood hormone concentrations at that age. A further objective of the study was to determine if any of the above mentioned criteria could be associated with the libido of these bulls. Forty-one Bonsmara bulls were included in an on-farm performance test (Phase D1 growth test) for a period of 180 days. At an average age of 24.7 months, blood sampling took place (before and after GnRH treatment) and the bulls were subjected to a libido test, after which further blood samples were collected. Blood sample were analysed for cortisol and testosterone concentrations. The bulls were also subjected to an Overall Breeding Soundness Evaluation. This procedure involves an evaluation of the physical genitalia of the bulls, a measurement of scrotal circumference and semen evaluation. For purposes of statistical analyses the bulls were categorised into independent breeding potential categories according to the scores they obtained for the measured reproductive traits. The categories included scrotal circumference, spermatozoal morphology and motility and the overall breeding soundness category. A statistical analysis of the data was done by using the general linear models (GLM) procedure of the Statistical Analyses System (SAS version 8.2 BMDP). The production and growth measurements of the Bonsmara bulls did not differ between any of the high and low fertility categories and can not be used to predict the breeding potential of young bulls. The correlation between pre-weaning growth rate and the percentage morphologically normal spermatozoa was positive (r = 0.33; P<0.1), suggesting that relatively high growth rates before weaning may have a positive effect on potential fertility under normal extensive feeding conditions. By contrast, numeric differences in growth after weaning suggest that a high growth rate after weaning may have a negative effect on potential fertility. The results showed that the overall breeding soundness categories tended to be influenced by the pre-weaning growth rate (r = 0.24; P>0.1) and body lengths (r = 0.18; P>0.1) of bulls. Sampling time had a statistically significant effect on blood cortisol and testosterone concentrations for all of the breeding potential categories. Testosterone concentration increased significantly (P<0.001) after GnRH treatment. High plasma cortisol concentrations were associated with low plasma testosterone concentrations. High testosterone concentrations were associated with less spermatozoal morphological defects (r = - 0.21; P>0.1). The testosterone concentrations before GnRH treatment was higher for bulls with exceptional fertility (P<0.05), while testosterone concentration after GnRH treatment tended to be higher (P<0.1) for the bulls with acceptable fertility. This observation may be explained by the negative feedback system that operates between LH and testosterone secretion. The percentage spermatozoal defects were influenced to a greater extent by morphological abnormalities leading to reduced motility of the sperm than by any other abnormalities. From the results it seems that the semen morphology category is a better indicator of semen quality than the SC and semen motility categories. Overall breeding soundness classifications of bulls were largely influenced by spermatozoal motility (P<0.001) and to a lesser extend by spermatozoal morphology and SC. None of the reproductive and production measurements showed a correlation with libido scores, implying that optimal bull reproductive evaluation should include the assessment of both breeding soundness and libido. / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted