Orientador: Alvimar José da Costa / Banca: Paulo Henrique Franceschini / Banca: Anderson Barbosa Moura / Resumo: Seis caprinos machos em idade reprodutiva foram selecionados e distribuídos em três grupos: GI dois caprinos mantidos como controle (placebo), GII dois caprinos inoculados com 1 x 106 taquizoítos de T. gondii (cepa RH) e GIII dois caprinos inoculados com 2 x 105 oocistos de T. gondii (cepa P). Periodicamente foram aferidos parâmetros clínicos, hematológicos e sorológicos, assim como avaliações parasitêmicas, além de exames andrológicos. A presença do parasito no sêmen e, também, nos tecidos do sistema reprodutor foi pesquisada por meio das técnicas de bioprova, PCR e imunohistoquímica. Surtos parasitêmicos foram detectados em todos os animais inoculados com taquizoítos ou com oocistos. A recíproca dos títulos sorológicos (RIFI) alcançou valores máximos de 4096 nos dois grupos de animais que receberam o Toxoplasma gondii. Pela técnica da bioprova foi possível revelar precocemente a presença do coccídio nas amostras seminais dos animais inoculados como taquizoítos (5°, 7°, 28°, 49°, 63° e 70° DPI) e um pouco mais tardiamente nas amostras seminais daqueles inoculados com oocistos (56° e 70° DPI). Pela PCR foi possível identificar, no sêmen, material genético de T. gondii, em cinco e em duas datas experimentais pós-inoculanção dos animais pertencentes aos grupos GII e GIII, respectivamente. Por esta mesma técnica foi possível, ainda, isolar material genético deste protozoário também em amostras teciduais (pool de próstata, testículo, vesícula seminal e epidídimo) dos caprinos 11 e 36 inoculados com taquizoítos e oocistos, respectivamente. Pela imunohistoquímica foi diagnosticado o T. gondii no epidídimo de todos os caprinos que receberam o protozoário. O isolamento de T. gondii, no sistema reprodutor de caprinos (sêmen e tecidos), sugere a possibilidade da transmissão sexual constituir uma importante via na disseminação desta zoonose tão difundida na caprinocultura mundial. / Abstract: Six goat males in reproductive age had been selected and distributed in three groups: GI - two goat noninoculated (control), GII - two goat inoculated with 1 x 106 tachyzoites of T. gondii (RH strain) and GIII - two goat inoculated with 2 x 105 oocysts of T. gondii (P strain). Periodically had been measured clinical parameters, hematologics and sorologics evaluations, as well as parasitemics, beyond andrologics examinations. The presence of the parasite in the semen, and also in tissues of the reproductive system was searched by means of the techniques of bioassay, PCR and immunehistochemistry (only for tissues). Parasitemia was detected in the two animals inoculated with tachyzoites and in the inoculated others two with oocysts. The reciprocal one of the sorologicys titles (RIFI) reached maximal level of 4096 in the two groups of animals inoculated with the Toxoplasma gondii. Using biossay technique was possible precociously to disclose to the presence of the coccidy in the seminal samples of animals inoculated with tachyzoites (5°, 7°, 28°, 4 9°, 63° e 70° DPI) and a little more delayed in the seminal samples of it inoculated with oocysts (56° e 70° DPI). For the PCR it was possible to identify to the genetic material of the T. gondii, in the semen in five and two experimental dates after-inoculanção of the pertaining animals to groups GII and GIII respectively. For this same technique was possible still to isolate material genetic of this protozoario also in tissues samples (pool of prostate, testícule, vesicula seminal and epididim) of goat 11 and 36 inoculated with tachyzoites and oocysts, respectively. By the immunehistochemistry was diagnosised T. gondii in epididim of all goats ones that had received the protozoario. The isolation of T. gondii, in the reproductive system of goat (semen and tissues), suggests the possibility of the sexual transmission to constitute... (Complete abstract, click electronic access below) / Mestre

Orientador: Sergio Ricardo Batlouni / Banca: Maria Inês Borella / Banca: Carlos Alberto Vicentini / Resumo: A reprodução de peixes migradores nativos apesar de já apresentar relativo sucesso, ainda apresenta diversos obstáculos. Entre eles podemos destacar as variações nas taxas de fertilidade, eclosão e sobrevivência de larvas entre desovas. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar de forma inédita se o manejo pode interferir neste processo em machos de P. lineatus. Os resultados mostraram que os machos mantidos em tanques-rede (TR) com água de baixa qualidade durante 18 meses apresentam encurtamento do ciclo reprodutivo; redução significativa no IGS e no diâmetro de túbulos seminíferos (p<0,05) quando comparados com machos mantidos em viveiros escavados (VE). A concentração espermática e as taxas de fertilidade obtidas com o sêmen dos machos de TR foram inferiores às obtidas com o sêmen dos machos em VE (p<0,05). Além disso, os espermatozoides de TR apresentaram maior frequência de danos de DNA, mesmo apresentando taxas similares de motilidade e sobrevivência que os de VE (p<0,05). Os resultados mostraram de forma inédita que o manejo inadequado pode interferir na gametogênese e na qualidade de gametas masculinos nesta espécie. Além disso, demonstramos que práticas inadequadas de manejo podem prejudicar a função testicular ainda nos meses de inverno, muito antes dos meses de reprodução / Abstract: The reproduction of native migratory fish still presents several obstacles. Among them we can highlight the changes in fertility rates, hatching and survival of larvae among spawning. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate in an unprecedented way if the reproductive management can interfere in this process in males of P. lineatus. The results showed that males kept in cages (C) for 18 months have their reproductive cycle shortened; significant reduction in the GSI and in the diameter of seminiferous tubules (p<0.05) compared with males kept in earths ponds (EP). The sperm concentration and fertility rates obtained with semen from males of Cs were lower than those obtained with semen EP (p<0.05). In addition, the sperm of males maintained in Cs had higher frequency of DNA damage, even with similar rates of survival and motility of the EPs (p<0.05). The results showed by unprecedented manner that the improper management can interfere with gametogenesis and quality of male gametes in this species. Furthermore, we demonstrate inadequate management practices can affect the testicular development even in the winter months, long before the breeding season / Mestre

digitalisering@umu.se

The incidence of allergic diseases is increasing, possibly due to a reduced intensity and diversity of microbial stimulation. More knowledge is needed on the immunological mechanisms underlying the eczema preventive effect of pre- and postnatal probiotic supplementation. The pregnancy period seems to be of essential importance, since both epidemiological and experimental animal studies show the importance of microbial exposure during gestation on allergy prevention. We have performed a study where the probiotic lactic acid producing bacteria Lactobacillus reuteri was supplemented to pregnant women, at risk of having an allergic infant. The pregnant mothers received the study product from gestational week 36 until delivery, and the infants then continued with the same product until one year of age. The probiotic, as compared with placebo, supplemented infants had less IgE-associated eczema at two years of age. In order to investigate how the supplementation affected the immune system peripheral blood was collected and immune cells were stimulated with common allergens and TLR ligands. The probiotic treated group responded with a more regulated response to allergens and TLR2 ligands in comparison to the placebo supplemented group. We also investigated how the probiotic supplementation affected the epigenetic methylation pattern in circulating T helper cells during infancy, observing the most pronounced effects at birth. In a follow up study, supplementation was started earlier to possibly gain a stronger allergy preventive effect via changes in maternal immune regulation. Supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri and ω-3 fatty acids started at gestational week 20 and throughout pregnancy. After 20 weeks of supplementation, some immunomodulatory effects among circulating activated regulatory T cells and a subpopulation of monocytes were noted. Several systemic immune modifying effects of pregnancy were observed. In summary, probiotics show several immunomodulatory effects in infants and pregnant women. However, more research is needed to better understand the effects of the probiotic supplementation to aid future identification of more efficacious allergy preventive strategies.

The aim of my work was to identify additional genetic and non-genetic factors influencing female reproductive ageing in humans. Although approximately 50% of population variation in age at menopause is due to genetics, less than 3% of variation had been accounted for by common genetic variants. Of non-genetic risk factors, only smoking had consistently been found to have a strong effect on age of menopause. In the wider context of female reproduction, our understanding of the role of genetics in determining sex hormone levels was limited. By combining the results of research in these different areas, I hoped to improve our knowledge of the biology of female reproductive ageing. Chapter 1 is an introduction in which I discuss the biology of menopause, describe relationships with health and present current knowledge regarding non-genetic and genetic risk factors influencing menopause age. Chapter 2 is an analysis of the associations between non-genetic risk factors occurring in early life with early menopause. We identified an association between multiple births and early menopause, connecting events pre-birth, when the oocyte pool is formed, with reproductive ageing in later life. Chapter 3 is a genome-wide association study to identify genetic variants associated with levels of nine sex hormone related phenotypes. We highlighted loci of relevance to reproductive function, which suggested overlaps in the genetic basis of hormone regulation. Chapter 4 is a genome-wide association study of menstrual cycle length. We showed that a common genetic variant related to follicle stimulating hormone levels and age at menopause is associated with several reproductive traits including length of menstrual cycle. Chapter 5 is an investigation of the relationship between differences in length of normal FMR1 triplet repeat alleles and timing of menopause. We found no association between the length of normal FMR1 alleles and timing of menopause, contradicting the results of smaller studies and replicating a null result in another large study. Chapter 6 is large genome-wide meta-analysis to identify common and low-frequency genetic variants associated with age at menopause. We identified 44 regions containing 54 independent common signals and two rare missense alleles of large effect. Finally, in Chapter 7 I evaluate how this work has benefitted our knowledge of female reproductive ageing and describe directions for future research.

Somalia’s reproductive health indices are among the worst in the world. Rates of maternal death, total fertility, and sexual and gender based violence reflect the poor reproductive health outcomes of women living in Somalia. Over two decades of civil unrest left the majority of the population without access to basic health care, particularly reproductive health services. Currently, it is estimated that about 1% of women in Somalia use a modern method of contraception, and the country has yet to register a dedicated progestin-only emergency contraceptive pill. This study seeks to explore levels of awareness and the perceived need for emergency contraception (EC), as well as stakeholders’ knowledge of and experiences with reproductive health services in Somalia. Through interviews and focus group discussions with stakeholders in Somalia, I learned that awareness about vital services like EC is low, while the need for EC and broader reproductive health services is high. Evidently, stakeholders believe awareness, availability, quality care, culture, religion and good governance are important factors for both delivering and accessing reproductive health care. These study findings will fill an important gap in the literature and support efforts to expand and improve reproductive health service delivery in the country.

This dissertation is an investigation of doulas as agents of social change through the lens of feminist theory. Doulas are nonmedical health care workers who provide physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy, childbirth, and/or the postpartum period. Because of doulas' willingness to work within the structures of the hospital setting, some have questioned the effectiveness of doulas as change-makers. While much feminist scholarship on the politics of birth centralizes the issue of medicalization, I demonstrate that expanding this line of analysis aids in better understanding the cultural impact of doula care as part of a larger picture of reproductive health advocacy. Through discourse analysis, participant observation, face-to-face ethnographic interviews, and online surveys, I track the goals and effects doulas ascribe to their work, both activist and professional, and on both an individual and group level. Rather than asking whether doulas can successfully challenge the medicalization of birth, I seek to understand how the doula movement contributes to social justice through challenging various overlapping axes of inequality, related to race, class, gender, and sexuality. This analysis highlights the work of doulas in marginalized communities that is, as yet, under-researched and under-appreciated, while also illuminating the multifaceted effects of the dominant medical model of birth. I observe that doulas are increasingly working to empower people in multiple facets of their lives, beyond the birthing room. Rather than being incapable of, or uninterested in, creating social change, doulas are increasingly bringing a new political consciousness into birth work, as evidenced by the emerging designations of "radical doula" and "full spectrum doula." I argue that this movement among doulas represents a new paradigm in birthing rights activism, which connects childbirth choices to a larger reproductive justice agenda and forges connections between birthworkers and activists for causes such as LGBT rights, abortion rights, prisoners' rights, and economic and racial justice. By reimagining the reach of their work, many doulas are drawing necessary connections to social justice issues that are often overlooked in the childbirth reform movement, which tends to focus on medicalization as the primary issue.

To date, 13168 plant species have been naturalized outside their native range. While invasive plants efficiently compete for resources, they can also disrupt vital mutualisms. Pollination is a crucial mutualism required for 87% of flowering plants to reproduce. Invasive species may disrupt patterns of pollinator visitation, pollen transfer dynamics (conspecific [CP] and heterospecific [HP]), and reproductive success. Furthermore, whether invasive species’ effects depend on scale (site vs. patch) is not known. Thus, it is critical to understand the effects of invasive plants at all stages of pollination and how those effects vary with scale. Here, I investigate pollinator visitation, CP and HP deposition, and pollen tube growth between local flowers in sites and plots invaded by Cirsium arvense. For 7 weeks (June-July), pollinator visits were recorded and styles collected from an invaded and non-invaded floral community. Styles were processed for fluorescent microscopy. The number and identity of pollen grains on stigmas and the number of pollen tubes at style bases were recorded. The invaded site received significantly less visits than the non-invaded site, but the effect varied by species. This variation is not explained by local species’ abundance or floral symmetry. Similarly, invaded plots received significantly less visits than non-invaded plots, and no plot-species interaction was found. The invaded site received more CP and HP while invaded plots received less CP and HP. There was no difference in pollen tube growth between sites or plots. My preliminary results suggest that C. arvense affects pollinator visitation and pollen transfer dynamics in local floral communities, but the effects vary depending on species and scale. Conversely, these effects do not seem to lead to differential reproductive success between invaded and non-invaded communities at any scale.

acase@tulane.edu / Background As a region, Francophone sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continues to have among the highest fertility rates and lowest contraceptive prevalence rates in the world. As of the latest Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data available for each country, total fertility rates range from 4.1 (Gabon 2012) to 7.6 births per woman (Niger 2012). Modern contraceptive prevalence rates for married women range from a low of 3.3% (Guinea 2012) to a high of 20.1% (Senegal 2014). Methods Three analyses were completed utilizing nationally representative DHS data available for each Francophone SSA country. For each paper, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed with weighted data to take into account the two-stage cluster sampling design of the DHS survey. In paper one, we determine whether being Muslim and/or being in a polygynous union impacts the use of modern contraceptives. In paper two, we provide detailed information on the characteristics that define users of specific contraceptive methods in this region. In the final paper, we provide a clearer picture of the reproductive health dynamic in young never married women in Francophone SSA. Results In paper #1, we found that religion and marital type generally were not predictive of modern contraceptive use. The typical predictors – education, age, residence (urban/rural) – were consistently significant across the included countries. In paper #2, profiles of users of the most common contraceptive methods in each country were created. For example, condom users had the most consistent profile across the 12 countries, with marital status, parity and education being clearly associated with condom use. For paper #3, education level was found to be the key predictor of both sexual activity and becoming pregnant for young, never married women in this region. In general, those with primary or secondary and higher education were more likely to be sexually active than those with no education. Conclusion These findings provide valuable information to government, private and nongovernmental organizations working toward increasing the numbers of contraceptive users in Francophone SSA. / 1 / Margaret Farrell

No description available.