Reproductive biology of the cockfish, Callorhinchus callorynchus (Chondrichthyes: Callorhinchidae), in coastal waters of the northern Argentinean Sea

The cockfish, Callorhinchus callorynchus, is a widely distributed holocephalan in the south-western Atlantic and an important resource for Argentinean fisheries. The reproductive characteristics of this species were studied in northern Argentinean coastal waters, where specimens arrive seasonally (winter-spring). Sexual dimorphism in maximum precaudal length (PCL) and total body mass (TM) was found, being females (PCL=630 mm; TM=3330 g; n=167) larger and heavier than males (PCL=482 mm; TM=1630 g; n=19). Maturity size for females was 466.22 mm PCL, representing 74% PCL of the largest female sampled. The mean number of ovarian follicles was 8.37 (± 4.84). The highest values of ovarian follicles diameter, gonadosomatic and oviducalsomatic indices were found in spring. A high proportion of mature females (44%) had atretic ovarian follicles, suggesting that they were in the resting stage of their reproductive cycle. The low number of mature males recorded and the absence of mature females with spermatophore masses or egg cases indicate that the study area would not be a reproductive zone. The seasonal presence of C. callorynchus in this region could be related to trophic movements. These results, obtained in an area with high fishing pressure on chondrichthyans, will be useful for implementing conservation and management measures.(AU)

El pez gallo, Callorhinchus callorynchus, es un holocéfalo con amplia distribución en el Atlántico Sudoccidental y un recurso importante para las pesquerías en Argentina. Las características reproductivas de esta especie fueron estudiadas en aguas costeras al norte del Mar Argentino, adonde se acercan estacionalmente (invierno-primavera). Se observó dimorfismo sexual en los valores máximos de longitud precaudal (LPC) y masa corporal total (MT), siendo las hembras (LPC=630 mm; MT=3330 g; n=167) más grandes y pesadas que los machos (LPC=482 mm; MT=1630 g; n=19). La talla de maduración para las hembras fue de 466,22 mm LPC, representando el 74% de la LPC máxima observada. El número promedio de folículos ováricos fue 8,37 (± 4,84). Los valores más altos del diámetro de los folículos ováricos, índice de la glándula oviductal e índice gonadosomático fueron hallados durante primavera. Una gran proporción de hembras maduras (44%) presentaron folículos ováricos atrésicos, sugiriendo que se encontraban en la etapa de reposo de su ciclo reproductivo. El bajo número de machos maduros registrados y la ausencia de hembras maduras con espermatóforos o cápsulas de huevos indican que las aguas costeras del norte de Argentina no serían una zona reproductiva. La presencia de C. callorynchus en el área de estudio podría estar relacionada con movimientos tróficos. Los resultados, obtenidos en un área con una gran presión pesquera sobre los condrictios, serán útiles para implementar adecuados planes de manejo y conservación de esta especie.(AU)

Plantas afrodisíacas como potenciales capacitantes de espermatozoides humanos / Plantas afrodisíacas como potenciais capacitantes de espermatozoides humanos / Aphrodisiac plants as human spermatozoa capacitants

El uso de productos naturales ha impactado diversos aspectos de la medicina incluyendo la salud sexual y repreductiva, con efectos deletéreos sobre los espermatozoides o afrodisiacos Se ha evaluado el efecto de diversas plantas afrodisiacas sobre los mecanismos del desempeño sexual y la calidad de los espermatozoides, lo que permite plantear que extractos de las mismas podrian facilitar la capacitación espermática. En esta revisión bibliográfica se reportan los usos farmacológicos y tradicionales de 20 plantas consideradas tradicionalmente afrodisiacas que podrian ser utilizadas como agentes naturales con efecto capacitante sobre espermatozoides humanos (AU)

O uso de produtos naturais tem tido impacto em diversos aspectos da medicina, incluindo a saude sexual e reprodutiva, tanto pelos potenciais efeitos nocivos sobre os espermatozoides como atraves do use de afrodisiacos. Estudou-se o efeito de varias plantas afrodisiacas sobre os mecanismos de desempenho sexual e qualidade das células espermaticas, para avaliar a possibilidadede melhoria da capacitagao dos espermatozoides. Neste revisao da literatura sao relatados os uses farmacologicos e tradicionais de 20 plantas tradicionalmente consideradas afrodisiacas, que poderiam ser utilizadas como compostos naturais com efeito na capacitaçao de esperma humano (AU)

The use of natural products has impacted various aspects of medicine including sexual and reproductive health, through their deleterious effect on sperm cells or as aphrodisiacs. The mechanisms of sexual performance and sperm cells quality of several aphrodisiac plants have been studied, in order of evaluating the possibility of enhancing sperm capacitation. In this literature review, the pharmacological and traditional uses of 20 aphrodisiac plants that could be used as natural agents with effect on human sperm capacitation are reported (AU)

For mothers and sisters: care of the reproductive female body in the medico-ritual world of early and medieval Japan

While married female members of the Japanese aristocracy followed the ideal of bearing children, female Buddhist novices and ordained women, often belonging to the aristocracy themselves, had to abstain from sexual activity and reproduction in accordance with the ordination rules. Infertility was considered with disdain by the first group, whereas not bearing children was the utmost expression of leading a virtuous life for the second group. However, both groups were concerned with keeping their physical bodies healthy: some to become mothers, the others to live as nuns or religious sisters. Focusing on the early medieval period, this paper examines various sources to illuminate the ways in which women were cared for and the kind of views and ideas that informed this care. Instead of looking at the ancient methods of treatment through a modern "scientific" lens and sorting them into "proto-scientific" and "superstitious" categories, medico-ritual and religious views on the female body are explored as facets of the worldview prevalent in the period under consideration. Special attention is paid to relevant chapters of the first medical work produced in Japan, the Ishinpō, compiled by a court physician, Tanba no Yasuyori, in the late 10th century CE. The investigation of other sources, such as Buddhist legends and doctrinal texts, suggests that women were recommended to seek to overcome their femaleness altogether by transforming their female bodies into male bodies in order to reach ultimate "healing" in terms of salvation. In lay circles, however, the Buddhist divinities and other powerful deities were worshipped to ensure this-worldly "healing" in terms of successful procreation and continuation of the family line (AU)

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Steps through the revision process of reproductive health sections of ICD-11.

In 2007, the WHO initiated an organizational structure for the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Effective deployment of ICD-derived tools facilitates the use and collection of health information in a variety of resource settings, promoting quantitatively informed decisions. They also facilitate comparison of disease incidence and outcomes between different countries and different health care systems around the world. The Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR) coordinates the revision of chapters 14 (diseases of the genitourinary system), 15 (pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium), and 16 (conditions originating in the perinatal period). RHR convened a technical advisory group (TAG), the Genito-Urinary Reproductive Medicine (GURM) TAG, for the ICD revision. The TAG's work reflects the collective understanding of sexual and reproductive health and is now available for review within the ICD-11 revision process.

Métodos anticonceptivos utilizados por población inmigrante y condicionantes que influyen en su elección en un área sanitaria de Zaragoza / Contraceptive methods used by immigrant populations and conditions that influence the choice in a health area in Zaragoza

Introducción. En los últimos años el porcentaje de mujeres inmigrantes ha aumentado provocando el surgimiento de necesidades específicas referentes a su salud sexual y reproductiva. El objetivo fue conocer los métodos anticonceptivos utilizados por ellas y los condicionantes que influyen en su elección. Estimar como indicadores de alerta: uso de píldora poscoital y prevalencia de abortos. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo transversal, mediante encuesta realizada en el primer trimestre del año 2011 en el Centro de Salud Delicias Sur (Zaragoza). La población diana fueron mujeres inmigrantes en edad fértil (15-45 años) que acudieron al centro, previo consentimiento informado. Muestreo accidental por cuotas. Resultados. La edad media fue de 29,35 años (IC al 95% = 27,95-30,75 años). El país de origen mayoritario fue Ecuador. Casi la mitad de las mujeres estaban solteras y trabajaban por cuenta ajena, y su nivel de instrucción era medio. La media de años de residencia en España fue de 5,68 años (IC al 95% = 4,99-6,37 años). Un 42% de las mujeres (IC al 95% = 32,62-51,83) no utilizaba ningún método anticonceptivo. El método más utilizado fue el preservativo, seguido de la píldora. Más de la mitad de las mujeres habían sido informadas en atención primaria. Un 32% (IC al 95% = 23,42-41,60) de ellas tenían un antecedente de aborto. Respecto al uso de la píldora poscoital (PPC), había recurrido a ella el 19,39% (IC al 95% = 12,46-28,10). Conclusiones. El 42% no utilizaba ningún método anticonceptivo y los indicadores de alerta sobre el fracaso de medidas preventivas en salud reproductiva son elevados (AU)

Background. The percentage of women immigrants in Spain has increased in these last years, resulting in the emergence of specific needs related to sexual and reproductive health. The objective of this article was to define the contraceptive methods used by immigrant women and the determining factors that influence their choice. To estimate the use of emergency post-coital contraception and prevalence of abortion. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study using a survey was carried out in the first quarter of 2011 at the "Centro de Salud Delicias Sur" in Zaragoza, Spain. The target population were immigrant women of childbearing age between 15 and 45 years who attended the clinic. Non probability sampling was used. Results. The mean age was 29.35 years (95% confidence interval (CI) = 27.95 to 30.75 years). The majority country of origin was Ecuador. Almost half the women were single and worked in paid employment. The educational level was considered as average. The average duration of residence in Spain was 5.68 years (95% CI = 4.99 to 6.37 years) and 42% of them (95% CI = 32.62 to 51.83) did not use any contraceptive method. The most used contraceptive method was the condom, followed by oral hormonal contraceptives. More than half of the women had been informed in Primary Care. Almost one third (32%) (95% CI = 23.42 to 41.60) of the women had a history of abortion. More than 19% of women (95% CI = 12.46 to 28.10) had used the emergency contraceptive method. Conclusion. Contraceptive methods were not used by 42% of women. The alert indicators on the failure of preventive measures in sexual health are still too high (AU)

A reduçäo das taxas de operaçöes cesarianas no Brasil: Um desafio para a enfermagem obstétrica / The reduction of cesarean section rates in Brazil: An challenge for nurse-midwives

O Brasil apresenta as mais elevadas taxas de operações cesarianas de todo o mundo, configurando-se o fenômeno como um importante problema de saúde pública nacional pelo impacto negativo que exerce sobre a morbimortalidade materna. Discute-se a participaçäo de profissionais näo-médicos no parto para a reduçäo dessas taxas, em especial a participaçäo de enfermeiras obstetras. Faz-se uma análise comparativa das características do trabalho médico e as da enfermeira no acompamento do parto, com dados da experiência norte-americana com os Centros de Nascimento (Birth Center) e com os de outras experiências afins