With a high rate of infertility, it is important to understand the context of fertility and family planning in China, to inform the necessity of supportive care. A literature review was undertaken to explore the societal constructs informing perspectives of childbearing, family planning and infertility, alongside Chinese considerations of fertility treatments, including assisted reproductive technologies and fertility counselling. In China, childbearing attitudes and behaviours are shaped by tensions between traditional cultural values of the filial piety originating from Confucianism, the history of strict family planning policy, the recent termination of one-child policy and the socioeconomic circumstance. For infertile Chinese individuals, the inability to meet these childbearing expectations gives rise to significant pressure and consequent psychological distress, particularly depressive symptoms. Demographic factors such as gender, education, income and geographical location have been found to influence prevalence and degree of depression in infertile Chinese men and women. These difficulties are compounded by barriers of cultural acceptance, legislative restrictions and availability of resources for alternative options such as adoption and surrogacy. It is important that these fertility sociocultural factors are taken into consideration when assisting Chinese patients to access and utilise fertility treatment services.

Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant effect of quercetin on cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents and apoptosis of cryopreserved mouse spermatogonial stem cells (mSSCs). Methods: mSSCs were isolated from neonate mice and cultivated in culture medium containing 30 μΜ quercetin for 48 h and then frozen for 2 weeks. After thawing, MTT assay was carried out to analyze the cell viability. Moreover, intracellular ROS levels were measured by flow cytometery and apoptosis was evaluated by detection of phosphatidylserine externalization assay and also real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Pre-treatment of mSSCs by 30 μΜ quercetin significantly decreased intracellular ROS content and apoptotic cell numbers and improved viability of mSSCs. Moreover, the gene expression of Bcl-2 and Bax significantly increased and decreased respectively after the freeze-thawing process. Conclusions: Pre-treatment of mSSCs with quercetin can improve cell viability and reduce apoptosis during freeze-thawing process. It can be a promising way to improve the quality and efficiency of cryopreservation protocols used in fertility preservation strategies.

Objective: To investigate the antioxidant and anti-caspase 3 effect of chitosan-Pinus merkusii extract nanoparticle on lead acetate-induced toxicity in rat testis. Methods: Chitosan-Pinus merkusii nanoparticles were identified by dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscope. The male rats were divided into control group (rats were given with distilled water); lead acetate group [rats were injected with lead acetate 20 mg/kg body weight (BW) i..p.], and the treatment group (rats were given the chitosan-Pinus merkusii nanoparticle 150 mg; 300 mg; 600 mg/kg BW orally and were injected with lead acetate 20 mg/kg BW). The testis tissues were collected to evaluate the malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), histological evaluations of testis damage, and the caspase 3 mRNA expression was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results: The dynamic light scattering showed that the size of chitosan-Pinus merkusii nanoparticle was (530.2±38.2) nm. The scanning electron microscope images of the chitosan-Pinus merkusii nanoparticles showed an irregular shape, and the morphology surface showed the rough surface. The treatment with lead acetate resulted in significantly increasing MDA level and caspase 3 mRNA expression, and significantly decreasing level of SOD and GPx when compared with control group. The treatment with the chitosan-Pinus merkusii nanoparticle 600 mg/kg BW but not 150 and 300 mg/kg BW significantly decreased the MDA levels, caspase 3 mRNA expression, and also increased level of SOD and GPx when compared with lead acetate group. The lead acetate induced loss of the normal structure of testicular cells and necrosis, whereas treatment with chitosan-Pinus merkusii nanoparticle inhibited testicular cell necrosis. Conclusions: It can be concluded that chitosan-Pinus merkusii nanoparticle protects rat testis from oxidative damage and apoptosis caused by lead acetate, through increasing antioxidant and inhibiting caspase 3 expression.

Objective: To clarify the antioxidant effect of butylated hydroxytoulene (BHT) at different concentrations on cooled and post frozen semen diluted in tris-citrate-fructose egg yolk glycerol and lecithin -based extenders. Methods: Forty ejaculates were harvested from four buffalo bulls by means of the artificial vagina. Ejaculated semen samples were diluted with each of the tris citrate-fructose egg yolk glycerol and lecithin-based extender diluents. The semen samples diluted with each of the two extenders were added to pre-warmed dried test tubes containing BHT (prepared in ethanol) to get concentrations at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 mM/mL BHT. These ingredients were put at 37 °C for 5 min to allow the proper BHT spermatozoal permeation. The diluted semen samples were cooled to 5 °C and then frozen to -196 °C in 0.25 mL ministraws before dipping in liquid nitrogen pending its evaluation. Sperm motility, viability, morphology, intact acrosome and membrane integrity were tested. Visual motility was tested using a high power ordinary microscope (at 400 ×) with closed circuit television, and sperm concentration was tested using Neubauer haemocytometer and abnormality % using eosin-nigrosin stain. Spermatozoal membrane integrity was tested using the hypo-osmotic swelling test. The sperm with swollen twisting tail was normally intact. Sperm acrosomal integrity % was tested as mentioned by Watson. Results: Addition of BHT improved (P<0.01) progressive motility, viability, morphology and acrosome as well as plasma membrane integrities at 0.5-2.0 mM/mL depending upon types of used extenders and stages of pre-and post-freezing process. Higher levels of 2.5 and 3.0 mM/mL BHT had a deteriorating (P<0.01) result if compared to the control and all extenders assayed. Conclusions: BHT addition at lower concentration can improve pre-frozen and post-thawed buffalo sperm quality.

Objective: To determine the effect of a drug STEMB, which is a biostimulating tissue preparation based on chicken embryos, on the morpho-biochemical blood values of dry cows. Methods: The study was conducted on 60 Holstein cows, which were divided into three groups (group 1, group 2, and group 3), with 20 cows in each group. During the experiment, all animals in each group were subjected to the same condition of feeding and maintenance. The experimental animals were administered with the STEMB drug three times subcutaneously at an interval of 7 d within 30 d before calving. Group 1 were given 0.050 mL/kg body weight; group 2 were given 0.075 mL/kg body weight; group 3 were given 0.100 mL/kg body weight. Results: STEMB at 0.075 mL/kg body weight improved the blood cell composition, increasing the erythrocytes, hemoglobin, leukocytes, hemoglobin content, the total protein, albumins, alpha globulins, and gamma globulins. It reduced the beta-globulin index and provided a threshold level for the enzymes alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and A, M, G immunoglobulins. Conclusions: Use of the STEMB drug with a dose of 0.075 mL/kg body weight given subcutaneously three times at an interval of 7 d within 30 d before delivery is optimal for the prevention of complications during calving and postpartum periods, thereby providing an improvement in the blood cell composition.

Objective: To study the value of α -fetoprotein (α -FP), β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG), inhibin A, and uncojugated estriol (UE3) at the second trimester for early screening of preeclampsia. Methods: This cohort study was performed on 1 713 consecutive pregnant women with gestational age from 15 to 18 weeks. We measured the serum levels of α -FP, β -HCG, inhibin A, and UE3 and they were followed-up for 48 h after delivery. Results: A total of 1 713 women were recruited and through the study 151 women (8.8%) were diagnosed with preeclampsia (n=123, 21.5% in the pregnant women with high risk, n=28, 2.5% in the pregnant women with low risk; P<0.000 1). The area under receiver operating characteristic curve was estimated to be 2.39 MOM for α-FP, 2.84 MOM for β-HCG, 1.92 MOM for inhibin A, and 0.77 MOM for UE3. The best cutoff value was specifically considered for each marker that was determined a positive predictive value ranged 19.60% for α-FP, 17.62% for β -HCG, 18.33% for inhibin A and 14.88% for UE3, a negative predictive value ranged 95.63% for ct-FP, 93.89% for β-HCG, 94.28% for inhibin A and 93.57% for UE3, and an area under receiver operating characteristic curve ranged 0.70 for α-FP, 0.63 for β -HCG, 0.65 for inhibin A and 0.61 for UE3. Conclusions: This study reveals that the new cutoff values are more valuable in screening preeclampsia. Although these markers have a low positive predictive value, they present a high negative predictive value. Also, the combination of α-FP, β-HCG and inhibin A and the combination of α-FP and inhibin A have the highest value in screening preeclampsia.

Objective: To compare the transvaginal cervical length (TVCL) to the modified Bishop’s score for prediction of successful labor induction in nulliparous women. Methods: A total of 210 nulliparous women who were diagnosed as premature rupture of membranes were recruited in this comparative prospective study, which was carried out in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Ain Shams University, Egypt over two years for labor induction. The studied women were examined by trans-vaginal ultrasound for measurement of the cervical length (CL) and vaginally to calculate the modified Bishop’s score, followed by induction of labor. Collected data were analyzed to compare the TVCL to the modified Bishop’s score for prediction of successful labor induction in nulliparous women. The success of induction process was defined as vaginal birth after the induction of labor. Results: One hundred and forty-three women of studied women had CL <28 mm; 122 of them delivered vaginally (P=0.030). One hundred and forty-six women of studied women had modified Bishop’s score >4; 128 of them delivered vaginally (P=0.006). The CL <28 mm was significantly more specific with more positive predictive value as predictor of successful labor induction compared to modified Bishop’s score. Induction to delivery time was significantly shorter in women with CL <28 mm than women with CL ≥28 mm (P=0.02; 95% confidence interval: 4.9-8.4). In addition, induction to delivery time was significantly shorter in women with Bishop’s score >4 than women with Bishop’s score of ≤4 (P=0.01; 95% confidence interval: 1.6-4.5). Conclusions: Both TVCL and the modified Bishop’s score are complementary tools in pre-induction cervical assessment before induction of labor, while the TVCL at <28 mm is significantly more specific with more positive predictive value as predictor of successful induction than the modified Bishop’s score.

The aim of this report was to describe a clinical case of chronic atrophic endometritis as a complication of cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex in a non-spayed ferret. The ferret was presented with a slight abdominal distension and odorless purulent vulvar discharge after unsuccessful medical treatment with enrofloxacine and aglepristone 2 months ago in another clinic. Ultrasonography revealed enlarged uterine horns filled with fluid and blood laboratory analysis showed anaemia and leukocytosis, so diagnosis of pyometra was made. Laparotomy and ovariohysterectomy were performed. Histopathological and microbiological examination of the uterus revealed the presence of purulent atrophic endometritis caused by Staphylococcus spp. In conclusion, this is a very rare case of endometrial atrophia after chronic uterine inflammation in a ferret.

Congenital anomalies of the female tubular genital tract are rare and known as segmental aplasia, resulting from incomplete development of paramesonephric ducts during embryonic stage, which originate from the cranial portion of vagina, cervix, uterus and oviducts. In the literature consulted, several reports of uterine horn aplasia are described in bitches, however there is only one report described in the world literature on total aplasia of the body of the uterus. This study aimed to describe the case of a two years old bitch, no breed defined, with 12 kg of weight, with segmental aplasia of uterus body diagnosed during ovariohysterectomy. During surgery it was noted that the bitch had the ovaries and uterine horns in their anatomical position, however an aplasia was noted in the body of the uterus. It was also found that the uterine horns had liquid inside, suggesting hydrometra. It was concluded in this case that although segmental aplasia of the body of the uterus is rare and difficult to diagnose by maintaining normal cyclicity of the female, it should be considered in dogs that do not have bloody vaginal discharge in proestrus and can not become pregnant after natural coverage or artificial insemination.