estimation of ruminal protein degradation parameters of various feeds using in vitro modified gas production technique

This study was conducted to determine in vitro crude protein degradation [IVDP] parameters and effective crude protein degradability [EPD] of various feeds using the modified in vitro gas production [GP] technique. Feed samples were alfalfa hay, soybean meal, soybean, rapeseed meal, sunflower meal and fish meal. Rumen fluid was collected before the morning feeding from four rumen fistulated lambs [49.4 +/- 3.5 kg, body weight]. Approximately 90 ml of buffered rumen fluid [BRF], 400 mg of feed samples and carbohydrates [maltose, xylose and starch] at four concentrations [100, 200, 300, and 400 mg] were added to screw-cap bottles. Gas production [ml] and ammonia nitrogen concentration [mg] in each bottle were measured at 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, and 30 h post incubation and IVDP was calculated via estimated intercept of linear regression between GP [as main variable, X] and ammonia nitrogen [as dependent variable, Y] using the linear regression procedure. Feed, time and feed x time interaction had significant effect on IVDP [P<0.001]. Estimated EPD values at the outflow rate of 0.06/h for alfalfa hay, soybean meal, soybean, rapeseed meal, sunflower meal and fish meal were 0.56, 0.77, 0.59, 0.45, 0.50 and 0.38, respectively

In vitro Effect of Increasing Levels of Natuzyme® on Fermentation Responses of Corn Silage Based Diet.

Aims: To evaluate the in vitro effect of an exogenous commercial enzyme blend (Natuzyme®) on fermentation responses and methane production of corn silage based diet. Study Design: Completely randomized design. Place and Duration of Study: Department of animal science, Faculty of agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, between November 2012 and March 2013. Methodology: Two hundred fifty mg of milled and dried corn silage based diet in 3 runs and four replicates was weighed into 125-ml serum bottles for an in vitro gas production trial. A solution of a commercial enzyme blend (Natuzyme®) was added 12 hour prior to commence of the incubation (96 h) to make treatments of 1.68 and 2.52 (g/kg). No added enzyme bottles were considered as control. Gas production parameters at 96 h incubation were estimated and half time of gas production (t1/2) was calculated. Another gas test was run according to t1/2. All the incubations for each treatment were terminated at t1/2 and gas and methane volume recorded. Apparent dry matter degradability was assessed by centrifugation and ml methane per mg dry matter apparently degraded was calculated. Results: Gas production parameters were not affected by addition of the enzyme blend. Supplementation of a corn silage based diet with the enzyme as 1.68 or 2.52 g/kg dry matter of the diet increased apparent dry matter degradability by 21% compared with control. Gas production, methane volume and volume of methane per mg of dry matter apparently degraded were not influenced by incrementing level of Natuzyme®. Conclusion: Natuzyme® at the doses applied in the current experiment was capable of improving apparent dry matter degradability of corn silage based diet.

Effect of Aflatoxin B1 on in vitro Rumen Microbial Fermentation Responses Using Batch Culture.

Aims: To evaluate the effect of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD), gas production and ammonia-N formation of an alfalfa hay based diet using batch culture system. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Animal Science, between July 2011 and August 2012. Methodology: In an anaerobic batch culture system, 50 ml of buffered rumen fluid was dispensed into a 125-ml serum bottle containing 0.5 g dry matter (DM) of the experimental diet. Experimental treatments included four dose levels of AFB1 (0, 300, 600 and 900 ng/ml). All bottles were purged with anaerobic CO2, sealed and placed in a shaking water bath for 72 h at 38.6ºC. Gas production of each bottle was recorded at 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48 and 72 h of the incubation and then gas released. The batch cultures were repeated in three incubation runs. After 72 h incubation, bottles were opened and 2-ml sample of each bottle were taken for ammonia-N analysis. The biomass residues were centrifuged and the pellet was dried at 65°C for the determination of t he residual DM and IVDMD. Results: Addition of AFB1 affected the rate and cumulative gas production (P<0.05), so, by increasing the level of AFB1 from 0 to 900 ng/ml, the gas production rate decreased from 0.071 to 0.051 and cumulative gas production decreased from 196.4 to 166.0 ml/g DM, respectively. In addition, IVDMD decreased significantly with inclusion of AFB1 in culture medium, so that the lowest and the highest IVDMD values were observed in treatments with 900 and 0 ng/ml AFB1, respectively (0.54 vs. 0.68). The results indicated that addition of AFB1 significantly (P<0.05) decreased ammonia-N concentrations, so the lowest value was observed at 900 ng/ml AFB1. Conclusion: The addition of different levels of AFB1 affected in vitro fermentation characteristic, as represented in reduced gas production, dry matter digestibility and ammonia-N concentrations. Therefore it is necessary to control and manage aflatoxin contaminations in ruminants.

Effect of Esterified Glucomannan on Carryover of Aflatoxin from Feed to Milk in Lactating Holstein Dairy Cows.

Aims: To determine the effect of different levels of esterified glucomannan (EG) on detoxification and carryover of aflatoxin (AF) from feed to milk in lactating Holstein dairy cows. Study Design: The experiment was designed as a randomized block with twelve cows allocated to each treatment group. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Animal Science, Faroogh Life Sciences Research Laboratory, between July 2011 and August 2012. Methodology: Forty-eight lactating Holstein dairy cows were individually fed a similar based ration and randomly allocated to one of four levels of EG as the experimental treatments (0, 18, 27 and 36 g/cow daily of EG, named EG-0, EG-18, EG-27 and EG-36, respectively). Milk samples were collected on d 20 and 21 of experimental period to evaluate changes in milk AF concentration, milk AF secretion (milk AF concentration × milk yield); and AF transfer from feed to milk (AF secretion as a percentage of AF intake). Results: Feed intake and milk production were not affected by dietary treatments (P>0.05) and averaged 22.08 kg and 37.57 kg/d, respectively. Milk composition was also not affected (P>0.05) by addition of EG in the diet. Inclusion of EG to the diet was not effective in reducing milk aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) concentrations (P>0.05) and averaged 35, 40, 51 and 38 ng/kg for the EG-0, EG-18, EG-27 and EG-36, respectively. In addition, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the dietary treatments regarding AFM1 excretion and transfer of AF from feed to milk. Transfer of AF from feed to milk averaged 1.3, 1.47, 1.86 and 1.24% for the EG-0, EG-18, EG-27 and EG-36 treatments, respectively. Conclusion: Inclusion of EG up to 36 g/d (3 time more than recommended dosage) was not effective in reducing AFM1 concentrations, AF excretion, or AF transfer from feed to milk.

Determination of Pb,Cd,Cr and Ni concentration in Imported Indian Rice to Iran

Heavy metal pollution has always been a major cause contamination of environment and considered as a major concern for food health. Rice is the most popular food among Iranians and presence of heavy metals in trace level in rice has received special attention because they are directly related to health. The aim of this research was to investigate the concentration of Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni in rice prevalent in the market of Iran. 20 of the most widely consumed brands of Iranian rice were purchased from local market in Iran. 3 samples of each brand were collected and certain volumes of each sample were digested with acid. Heavy metal contents in the digested samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that mean concentration Pb, Cr, Ni in rice samples respectively was 0.387, 0.683, 0.019 [mg/kg]. Notably the Ni and Cr content in the rice samples was found to be below the food sanitary standards in India rice. In the other hand 50% samples content Pb was found to be upper the food sanitary [Pb: 0.3 mg/kg]. The result indicated that weekly intake of heavy metal by rice was below the provisional tolerable weekly intake recommended by WHO/FAO. However, risk assessments needs considerable attention and better prevention this low pollution

[ survey on Pb, Cr, Ni and Cu concentrations in Tehran consumed black tea: a short report]

Heavy metal pollution has always been a major type of environmental contamination and a main concern for food health. Tea is the most popular beverage in Iran and the presence of heavy metal in tea has received special attention because of their direct effect on health. The aims of this study were to measure the concentrations of Pb, Cr, Ni and Cu in consumed tea. A cross- sectional study was designed for this research. Eleven type of the most widely consumed brands of dry black tea were purchased from local market in Tehran. Certain volumes of four samples of each brand were collected and digested with Nitric acid and Chloridric acid using wet digestion method. The final solution of digestion was used to determine the level of these metals. Heavy metal contents in each sample were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The result showed that the mean concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cu and Ni in tea samples were 6.97 +/- 4.78, 5.75 +/- 1.08, 23.85 +/- 9.68, 2.91 +/- 1.9 [mg/kg], respectively. The maximum concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cu and Ni in tea samples were recorded for Ahmad tea Bag, S hilan, Golaby and dochakoshi, respectively. The results indicated that Pb and Ni concentrations in the black tea were higher than the permissible limit for the human foods, while for the other heavy metals, the amounts were lower than that. Regarding increasing trend of food sources, contamination with heavy metals and also due to their bioaccumulation in human body and the subsequent health risks, it is recommended to control these products

[Comparison of quality of life among diabetic and non diabetic patients after open heart surgery [short report]]

Diabetes is among the important health problems that threatens the quality of life [QOL] in patients. Heart disease is the most common complication of diabetes and the most prevalent treatment for this disease is open heart surgery. Due to extensive operations of heart surgery and unpredictable results of this intervention on the quality of life, we decided to Compare quality of life in diabetic and non diabetic patients after open heart surgery. This descriptive study was performed on 80 patients, 31 diabetic and 49 non-diabetic patients who were selected with objective based sampling. Data were collected by SF-36 and demographic data questionnaires which were completed in 3 steps [before, 1 and 3 monthes after operation]. Data were analyzed by descriptive and analytic statistics including chi-square, repeated measures design and independent and paired t-test. The results of the study showed no significant differences between the two groups in the different dimensions of life quality in the first and 3 months after the surgery. But in the field of mental health and role playing, there was significant statistical difference [p=0.03] between the two groups three months after surgery. This study showed that both diabetic and nondiabetic patients had benefitted from open heart surgery and it had improved their quality of life. Therefore, more studies are recommended to evaluate the long-term effects of open heart surgery on patients' quality of life

Effects of the source of non-fiber carbohydrates on in vitro first order ruminal disappearance kinetics of dry matter and NDF of various feeds

An in vitro experiment was conducted to study the effect of non-fiber carbohydrates [NFC] on ruminal disappearance kinetics of dry matter [DM] and neutral detergent fiber [NDF] of alfalfa hay, wheat bran and unmolassed sugar beet pulp. Non-supplemented or NFC supplemented samples [70 mg/g DM of each feed sample as sucrose [SU] or starch [ST] or SU + ST as 1:1] were incubated in bottles containing 40% rumen fluid medium for 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, and 96 h at 39 [degree sign] C. After each incubation time, unfiltered content was analysed for DM and NDF. Filtered fluid was analysed for ammonia-N concentration. Kinetic disappearance rate was determined using a first order non-linear model. The source of NFC used in the medium containing alfalfa hay caused a significant decrease in DM disappearance [P<0.01]. Feed source, NFC type and incubation time had a significant effect [P<0.01] on NDF disappearance and ammonia-N concentration. In vitro NDF disappearance of unmolassed sugar beet pulp and wheat bran was significantly [P<0.01] decreased by supplementing with ST and SU + ST. The indigestible dry matter fraction of alfalfa hay was significantly increased when it was supplemented by NFC [P<0.05]. The rate of DM disappearance of unmolassed sugar beet pulp was also significantly influenced by supplemental NFC [P<0.05]. The fractional rate of NDF disappearance of alfalfa hay and wheat bran exhibited an increase [P<0.05] in response to adding NFC when compared with the non-supplemented samples. Generally, the results of the present study suggested that in addition to the amount of supplemental carbohydrate fed, the source of supplemental carbohydrate and the basal feed sources might be effective on the effect of supplemental NFC on fiber utilization

Effect of non-fiber carbohydrates on in vitro first order kinetics disappearance of cellulose

An in vitro experiment was conducted to determine the effect of supplemental non-fiber carbohydrate [NFC] on the disappearance kinetics of cellulose [Ce] by mixed ruminal microorganisms. Non-supplemented or NFC supplemented cellulose [467 mg NFC/g cellulose as sucrose [CeSu] or starch [CeSt] or a 1:1 mixture of sucrose + starch [CeSuSt]] were incubated for 24, 48, and 96 h at 39°C. After each incubation time, pH, ammonia-N concentration and cellulose disappearance were measured. The disappearance kinetics rate of all samples was determined using first order exponential model of D[t]=D[i].exp [-k. time] + I; where D[t] is potentially digestible fraction; D[i] is potentially digestible residues; k is digestion rate of cellulose [h[-1]] and I is indigestible fraction. In this experiment, inclusion of NFC to the rumen fluid medium resulted in a significant depression [P<0.01] in the extent of cellulose disappearance. The disappearance rate constant of cellulose was significantly higher [P<0.05] in non-supplemented samples as compared with those treatments containing NFC. The indigestible fraction of cellulose was significantly higher [P<0.05] for treatments containing sucrose or sucrose + starch as the source of supplemental NFC as compared with nonsupplemented cellulose. However, when starch was added, the indigestible fraction of cellulose was similar to those of non-supplemented samples. The inclusion of NFC resulted in a significant reduction [P<0.01] in pH of the medium, but had no significant effect [P>0.05] on ammonia-N concentration

Comparison of in vivo with in situ mobile bag and three step enzymatic procedures to evaluate protein disappearance of alfalfa hay and barley grain

Ruminal, post-ruminal and total tract crude protein disappearance of alfalfa hay and barley grain were measured using in vivo, in situ mobile bag and three-step in situ/in vitro enzyme procedures [3-step]. For in vivo, four Baluchi lambs [49.4 +/- 3.5 kg, body weight] were used in a 2 _ 2 Latin square design within 2 periods [24 days of each period]. Experimental diets were made of two alfalfa hay: barley grain ratios [DM basis] as 1.0:0.0 and 0.5:0.5. Diets were fed to animals for 24 days, with 7 days of feces collection. In situ mobile bag technique was followed by 12 h rumen incubation and then intestinal movement of the bags in rumen and post-rumen cannulated Holstein steers. The three-step procedure was followed by rumen incubation of samples for 12 h [using polyester bags] and enzymatic incubation of ruminal undegradable samples. In vivo total tract crude protein disappearance of alfalfa hay and barley grain [0.74 and 0.69, respectively] was significantly [P<0.01] lower than in situ mobile nylon bag [0.89 and 0.96, respectively] and the 3-step procedure [0.81 and 0.89, respectively]. Total tract crude protein disappearance from in situ mobile bag was significantly [P<0.01] higher than the 3-step technique. Post-ruminal disappearance of ruminal undegradable crude protein from alfalfa hay and barley grain using in situ mobile bag method [0.69 and 0.86, respectively] was significantly [P<0.01] higher than the 3-step enzymatic method [0.49 and 0.56, respectively]. Results of the present study showed that there was a significant difference between in vivo, in situ mobile bag and 3-step methods when total tract crude protein disappearance of barley grain and alfalfa hay was evaluated

[ immunohistochemical comparative evaluation of CK13 and CK18 expression in odontogenic cysts and ameloblastoma]

Evaluating cytokeratin contents of odontogenic cysts and tumors can be one of the important aspects in comparative study of these lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate expression of CK13 and CK18 in odontogenic cysts and ameloblastomas. In this study, radicular cysts [20 cases], dentigerous cysts [20 cases], OKC [20 cases], unicystic ameloblastoma [20 cases] and solid ameloblastoma [20 cases] were evaluated. Then, 3-4 micro m sections were prepared and stained with immuhistochemical procedure [avidin- biotin method. The obtained data by microscopic consideration was analyzed with statistical tests such as: Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon [p<0.05]. All of the odontogenic cysts and cystic parts of unicystic ameloblastoma expressed CK13 in the upper layers [middle and superficial] more than the deeper ones [basal and parabasal]. In ameloblastomas, CK 13 expression in stellate reticulum and acanthomatose component was more than preameloblasts. Expression of CK 18 in the upper layers [middle and superficial] was more than deeper layers [basal and parabasal] in radicular and dentigerous cysts. Results of immunoreactivity with CK18 in OKC was negative in 100% of cases. In addition, ameloblastomas [unicystic and solid] did have not significant differences in expression of CK13 and CK18. CK13 did not show any differences between these lesions but significant difference in CK18 expression at all 4 layers of the epithelium in odontogenic cysts and ameloblastomas may indicate the different nature of these lesions and probably confirms this suggestion that unicystic ameloblastoma is initiated as a neoplasm essentially, no from neoplastic change of an odontogenic cyst, in particular dentigerous cyst. The same CK 13 and CK18 expression pattern in unicystic and solid ameloblastomas reveals the same biomolecular nature despite different gross and clinical features

effect of inorganic cations Ca[2+] and Al[3+] on the release rate of propranolol hydrochloride from sodium carboxymethylcellulose matrices

Several methods are available for control release of propranolol hydrochloride [PLH]. The aim of the present study was to develop a novel technique to sustain PLH release from matrices. Matrices of PLH containing sodium carboxymethylcellulose [Na CMC] and various amounts of the inorganic cations Ca[2+] and A1[3+] were prepared. Dissolution of the matrices was carried out using the USP apparatus I. Analysis of release data was performed by some model independent and dependent approaches. The release of PLH was affected by incorporation of different amounts [milliequivalents, meq] of Ca[2+] 2+ and Al[3+]. When the Ca[2+] amount increased from 0- 0.375 meq, the fraction of PLH which released within 480 min was augmented from 0.74 to 1 apparently via disintegrating effect of the cation. Al[3+] in the range 0- 0.125 meq, decreased the fractional release from 0.74 to 0.37 presumably by in situ cross- linking with polymer. Al[3+] between 0.125 and 0.5 meq enhanced the release from 0.37 to 1 possibly due to the disintegrating effect. Among model independent metrics, the mean release time [MRT] failed to represent the effect of the cations on the release but the release efficiency [RE] as well as a suggested mean release rate [MRR] correlated well with the experimental release rate. Due to the complexity of the release, the only suitable kinetic model was the Weibull distribution. The minimum and maximum Weibull release rate constants for matrices containing Al[3+] were 0.0007-0.017 1/min. The corresponding values for the matrices with Ca[2+] were 0.0029-0.0082 1/min. Through careful choice of the amount of Al[3+] in NaCMC matrices the release of PLH can be controlled at a desired rate. The best model independent approach is MRR and the most accurate model dependent method is Weibull distribution to describe the release data

[Assessment of starch dietary regimen regarding pre-manstrual syndrome among high school students in Sari during 2007]

Pre-menstrual syndrome [PMS] is one of the abnormalities associated with pre-menstrual cycles. Approximately 85% to 97% of women are suffering from psycho-somatic of physiological and behavioral symptoms from PMS, prior to menstruation. The most common PMS symptoms include: flatulence, stress anxiety, breast tenderness, depression, fatigue, unknown irritability, anger, poor concentration, and some degree in extremities edema. There are several therapeutic methods for PMS such as: oral contraceptive pills, GnRH antagonisms, diazole, use of Calcium and vitamin supplements, and dietary modification in which there is a controversy regarding type of diet. We assessed the effect of third- hour starch dietary regimen on pre-menstrual syndrome among high school students. This randomized quasi- experimental study was performed on students in grade 2 and 3 in Private and Governmental high schools in Sari. The sample size was calculated using randomize numbers table [478 participants]. A questionnaire composed of two parts was prepared. The first part included demographic characteristics, while the second part consisted of data related to history of menstrual cycle, pervious diseases and use of drugs. The symptoms of PMS were assessed at the beginning of the study and also at the end of the first, second and third month after beginning of the third-hours starch regimen. Data was gathered by self-reporting technique, analyzed by descriptive and comprehensive statistical techniques. The age range of participants was 14 to 19 years of age [16.89 +/- 1.12]. The mean of menstrual cycle was 28.87 +/- 2.1 days, and the mean of menstrual duration was 6.32 +/- 1.8. PMS symptoms score was 12.85 +/- 8.01 prior to dietary regimen, and at the end of one, two and three months, following dietary regimen in-take were 11.03 +/- 7.59, 12.47 +/- 7.79 and 11.13 +/- 6.71 respectively. This study indicated that there were significant differences among the groups. The results of this study revealed that carbohydrate-rich diet in-take can improve PMS symptoms. Therefore, it appears that codified teaching programs via medical health service and instruction to the students, is beneficial about the effects of diet on relieving PMS symptoms, and can reduce the usage of drugs during menstrual cycle

[Cryptosporidial infection in the children referred to Qazvin Qods Hospital [2003]]

Cryptosporidiosis is associated with diarrheal illness worldwide. In this study to determine prevalence of infection of this parasite was studied in the children with diarrhea coming to Qods children's hospital of Qazvin during 2003. In this cross sectional study all of children coming with diarrhea [1000 cases] were examined in 2003. Every case gave 3 stool speciments. These speciments prepared by formalin-Ether method and smears were stained by zeihl-Neelsen modified, then were studied by 10X, 100X power under a microscope and results were analyzed with SPSS. Prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was 0.3%. There were 803 cases [80.3%] from 1000 cases without tissue reaction. The most infection were among cases with tissue reaction [1.5%] and the least was among cases without tissue reaction [0%] and this difference was significant [P = 0.008]. Low prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in Qazvin can present such as a positive health index. In addition our study suggests every cases of diarrhea with positive tissue reaction in their stool exams should be studied for cryptosporidium protozoa

Frequency and severity of Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and the related factors among pregnant women

Nausea and vomiting are the most common problems in early pregnancies which 50% to 80% of the women have experienced them in different degrees. This problem leads to physical and psychological disordes and may damage family relations and social functions of pregnant women. Although, the etiology of the problem is not known but some risk factors influence on this situation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and the related factors among pregnant women. The design of the study was a cross-sectional study. The study population was all the pregnant women attending to health centers in Hamedan. The sample size was 700 pregnant women with gestational age of 6 to 16 weeks. The sampling method, was multistage sampling and the study setting was the prenatal clinics in health centers in Hamedan. The data collection was a questionnaire. The study results showed that, the frequency of nausea and vomiting was%69.7 with the categorization of mild, moderate and severe [%37.4,%46.7 and%16] respectively. Also, according to the logistic regression analysis, there were significant relationships between nausea vomiting and motion sickness [P=0.000], smelling an odor [P=0.000], premenstrual syndrome [P=0.000] and unwanted pregnancy as influencing factors on inducing nausea and vomiting. Besides, multiple regression analysis test indicated significant independent correlations between severity of nausea-vomiting and migraine headache [P=0.000], motion sickness [P=0.001], smelling an odor [P=0.001], age of menarche [P=0.000], premenstrual syndrome [P=0.000] and social support [P=0.000]. According to the study results, the frequency of nausea and vomithing was considerable and special care and attention is needed to control the related factors of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women

[Umbilical venous administration of different dosages of saline on the length of the third stage of labor]

Since bleeding due to prolongation of the third stage of labor is one of the most common causes of mortality in the developing countries, we decided to conduct a comparative study on the effects of normal saline injection into umbilical vein on the shortening of the third stage of labor. This study was an experimental scientific research in order to compare the effects of different dosages of intraumblical venous injection of normal saline on the third stage of labor in women who admitted to lmam hospital in Sari. A total of 120 matched pregnant women who had normal delivery without any complications were divided into three equal groups of 40 subjects in each. Twenty and 30 ml normal saline was administered to groups 1 and 2, and the third group was considered as control. In control group the third stage of labor was accomplished without any intervention. This research showed that the injection of 20 or 30 ml normal saline intravenously into the umbilical cord shortened the duration of labor. Also the length of the third stage of labor with the injection of 30 ml normal saline was shorter than that in 20 ml normal saline group but this difference was not statistically significant. The results of our study suggest a clinically important beneficial effect of intraumblical normal saline injection in the treatment of retained placenta

[Study of infertile husbands' and wives' point of view to infertility and marital adjustment in patients refering to Royan infertility center of Tehran in 2005]

The rate of infertility is estimated 12-21% in Iranian couples. Cooperation of couples is needed for treatment. One potential risk factor for the development of marital problems is difference between partners in their approach to infertility. The aim of this study was to know the infertile couples' approach to infertility and marital adjustment. In this cross sectional study, 160 infertile couples reffering to Royan infertility center of Tehran were enrroled. The data concerning the infertility approach and marital adjustment were recorded in, Copper Smith self esteem and Dyadic adjustment scale [DAS] questionaire. SPSS soft ware was used for the ststistical analysis of the data. Findings showed that having children was very important to both husbands and wives and both involved in and wanted to talk about trying to have a baby. There was no difference between self esteem and marital adjustment in men and women. There was ststistically significant difference between approach to infertility and marital adjustment in both husbands and wives. Husbands' and wives' approach to infertility and marital adjustment can be used by psychologists in evaluation of infertile couples. Increase of couple interest and involvement in infertility treatment may lead to positive change in couples communication about infertility and to a more positive effect of infertility on the marriage

Postpartum depression in clients at health care centers in Sari

This study was aimed to determine the prevalence and pertaining contributors of postpartum depression [PD] in clients referring to the Health Care Centers in Sari city, Iran. 422 pregnant women at their third trimester referred to ten antenatal care units from Feb. 2001 to Aug. 2002. Mothers were further followed up 6-8 weeks after childbirth. The data was collected using Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale [EPDS], short form of Spielberger's State Anxiety Inventory, General Health Questionnaire [GHQ-28] and a demographic questionnaire. According to the EPDS the prevalence of PD was 22% [n=92] during 6-8 weeks after delivery. Also, 30% of the mothers were depressed during the third trimester of pregnancy. Based on the GHQ data analysis, 37% [n=157] and 31% [n=132] of the samples were suspected to have a psychiatric morbidity in the third trimester and 6-8 weeks postpartum, respectively. There was a significant relationship between postpartum depression and stressful life events, family support, baby's health problems, perceived ability to nurse the baby, and the problems at delivery. The prevalence of depression and psychiatric disorders are higher during pregnancy and decrease postpartum