Multidimensional Impact of Climate Change on Human Reproduction and Fertility

Research has identified a multidimensional, interactive relationship between climate change variables and an adverse (mostly) impact on the mammalian reproductive systems, reproductive organs, and fertility in animals, but direct evidence establishing the impact of climate change on reproductive health and fertility in humans is limited. Climate change has established direct or indirect linkages with re-emergence, geospatial redistribution of pathogens of likely reproductive health significance in humans. Similarly, alterations in growth, mortality rate, reproduction, and spatiotemporal distribution of vectors (e.g., zika virus – Aedes aegypti) and intermediate hosts (e.g., Schistosomiasis – snail) of certain infectious diseases of reproductive health importance are influenced by climate change variables like temperature, precipitation, and humidity. The exposure channels or effect pathways, through which the regional and global climate change can directly or indirectly influence the human reproductive ability, health, fertility, progeny, and thus, ultimately, demography can broadly be classified as physical variables, chemical hazards, biological agents, factors related to psycho-socio-behavior, and economy. The chapter is an overall account of how each of these factors, as an inherent component of climate change has the potential to cause a variable degree of impact on human reproduction from a medical point of view. As human reproductive systems are highly vulnerable to diseases and other post-catastrophic effects of extreme climate change events, so it is high time to understand the adversity and resort to proper and sustainable control measures for a healthy reproductive life of future generations.

Micro-Computed Tomography Reveals a Remarkable Twin Intromittent Organ in Spiders – A Novelty for Arachnids With Direct Sperm Transfer

The modification of male pedipalps into secondary sexual intromittent organs is one of the hallmark characteristics of spiders, yet understanding the development and evolution of male genitalia across the order remains a challenging prospect. The embolus – the sclerite bearing the efferent spermatic duct or spermophor, and used to deliver sperm directly to the female genitalia during copulation – has always been considered the single unambiguously homologous palpal sclerite shared by all spider species, fundamental to the bauplan of the order and to the evolution and functional morphology of spider reproductive systems. Indeed, after two centuries of comparative research on spider reproduction, the presence of a single spermophor and embolus on each of a male spider’s two pedipalps remains a central tenet of evolutionary arachnology. Our findings challenge this premise, and reveal a remarkable twin intromittent organ sperm transfer system in a lineage of Australian palpimanoid spiders, characterized by a bifurcate spermophor and the presence of two efferent ducts leading to a pair of embolic sclerites on each pedipalp. This is the first time such a remarkable conformation has been observed in any group of arachnids with direct sperm transfer, complicating our understanding of palpal sclerite homologies, and challenging ideas about the evolution of spider genitalia.

Feasibility of e-booklet learning media on the concept of human reproductive system

Educators are the major players in the teaching process to enhance the accomplishment of student learning results. Biology subject, mainly the concept of Human Reproductive System, necessitates media relevant to learning objectives, student conditions, and technology development. Hopefully, learning media can assist the learning process by being packaged attractively to reach learning standards. In this case, the selected form of learning media is E-Booklet. This study aims to describe the feasibility of E-Booklet Learning Media in Concept Human Reproductive Systems. The research technique involves the step-by-step study and development utilizing a 4D model: 1) define, 2) design, 3) develop, and 4) disseminate. The feasibility of the E-Booklet has indicated the results of testing by 3 (three) experts using a feasibility instrument. The Human Reproductive System E-Booklet test shows that the results are very feasible (4.49) utilized as a biology learning medium. The dissemination of E-booklets is done online through posters that contain links and barcodes of E-booklets that can be accessed via the internet.

RISK FACTORS AND CAUSES OF INFERTILITY

Infertility is the inability of a couple to achieve pregnancy over an average period of one year (in a woman under 35 years of age) or 6 months (in a woman above 35 years of age) despite adequate, regular (3-4 times per week), unprotected sexual intercourse. There are some risk factors that may give chances for infertility like Age, diabetes, eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia, excessive use of alcohol, exposure to environmental toxins, such as lead and pesticides, over exercising etc. Infertility may be caused by a number of different factors, either in the male or female reproductive systems. So therefore it is most important to identify the cause and treat the infertility for becoming fertile to a woman.

The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Fertility and Female and Male Reproductive Systems

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection remains a huge challenge for contemporary healthcare systems. Apart from widely reported acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the virus affects many other systems inducing a vast number of symptoms such as gastrointestinal, neurological, dermatological, cardiovascular, and many more. Currently it has also been hypothesized that the virus might affect female and male reproductive systems; SARS-CoV-2 infection could also have a role in potential disturbances to human fertility. In this article, we aimed to review the latest literature regarding the potential effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on female and male reproductive systems as well as fertility, in general.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic as a threat to reproductive health and fetal life

Objective: Covid-19 disease has spread rapidly across the world since its first appearance in 2019. At the beginning of the pandemic, Covid-19 disease was thought to affect only the respiratory system, although it has since been realized that it causes numerous transient or permanent problems in various body systems. One of these effects involves the reproductive system. Several studies have investigated the effects of Covid-19 disease on the female and male reproductive systems. Embryological life depends on the fertilization of a healthy mature oocyte, a healthy mature sperm, and the continuation of pregnancy. The purpose of this article is to examine the effects of Covid-19 disease on the male and female reproductive systems and embryological life through a review of the current literature.

Utility of Vajikarana in General Health- A Review

Objective: Vajikarana or Vrishya chikitsa is the branch of Ayurveda dealing with reproductive health and virility. Though this branch makes use of drugs under the category of aphrodisiac, the multifaceted effect of those is underexplored. The properties of disease prevention and restoration of health might be the attribute benefited in sexual health too. This paper intends to explore the general health benefits of Vajikarana drugs. Materials and Methods: Data related to the aphrodisiac drugs are located in classical texts of Ayurveda and online journals with keywords “Vajikarana, Ayurveda, aphrodisiacs, neuro-endocrine immune system, Vrishya chiktsa, Ojas and sex hormones”. The relevant scripts were selected and appropriate data from 8 articles and 18 chapters were extracted for the final manuscript construction. Results: The drugs like Ashwgandha, Shatavari, Atmagupta, Sweta musali and Masha proved to have a neuro-endocrinological effects, psycho-neuro-immunological effects, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties apart from aphrodisiac effects. It stabilizes Tridosha, Saptadathu and eventually Ojas, and calms mental faculties. Conclusion: The proper use of the Vajikarana formulations imparts qualities like good physique, potency, strength, and complexion. This benefits of Vajikarana can be incorporated into other health conditions also. The practice of Vajikarana corrects the deformities of reproductive systems and in turn balances other body functions. Advanced research on the health benefits and enhancing sexual potency of women should be carried out on Vajikarana therapy. This will aid prevention of diseases which is a major health standpoint in the current day scenario.

Comparative aspects of the internal reproductive system of males in species of Melolonthinae, Dynastinae, and Rutelinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) from Mexico

The anatomy of the internal male reproductive systems of 12 species of Melolonthinae (Phyllophaga, Chlaenobia, Macrodactylus, Isonychus), six species of Dynastinae (Cyclocephala), and three species of Rutelinae (Paranomala) (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea) of Mexico are described. A total of 350 male specimens representing 21 species were collected. From each species, the reproductive systems were obtained by micro-dissection, placed in a liquid fixative, stained, and drawn to scale. The internal genitalia of each species was described and compared among the species examined. The reproductive system of the Melolonthinae species is comprised of two testicles, each with six follicles, two deferent ducts, two accessory glands, two glandular ducts, an ejaculatory duct, and the aedeagus (not described for any of the species examined). The number of testicular follicles per testicle is as reported in different species of other Scarabaeoidea subfamilies. The length of the accessory glands and the ejaculatory duct varies in the species studied. The ejaculatory bulb is present in all of the species of Dynastinae and Rutelinae examined but in only three species of Melolonthinae.