STUDY OVERVIEW The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes is higher in pregnancies where the fetus is male. Sex specific differences in feto-placental perfusion indices identified by Doppler assessment have recently been associated with placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction. This study aims to investigate sex specific differences in placental perfusion and to correlate these cha...

OBJECTIVE About 2% of all pregnancies are complicated by the implantation of the zygote outside the uterine cavity and termed ectopic pregnancy. Whereas a multitude of guidelines exists and related research is constantly growing, no thorough assessment of the global research architecture has been performed yet. Hence, we aim to assess the associated scientific activities in relation to geograph...

OBJECTIVE To determine whether platelet-activating factor (PAF) content in human spermatozoa from an isolated population is related to fertilization and pregnancy outcome. DESIGN Prospective analysis of PAF content in human spermatozoa after a Percoll gradient wash and its relation to fertilization and pregnancy outcome. SETTING University-based reproductive genetics laboratory. SUBJECT(S...

Trimester specific reference ranges of hematological indices were described in several populations; however, comparable reports among Sudanese women with normal pregnancy are lacking. To evaluate trimester pattern of change and reference ranges of hematological profile among Sudanese women with normal pregnancy, we followed 143 women with singleton gestation since early pregnancy until the thir...

Among women with adequate calcium intakes, finther increases in dietary or supplemental calcium do not alter the homeostatic response in calcium metabolism during pregnancy. Less is known about women consuming low calcium intakes and the influence of parity on calcium metabolism among women with low intakes. In this study we compared bone and renal indices of calcium homeostasis and response to...

OBJECTIVE To assess sexual function during pregnancy in Saudi women. METHODS We recruited 454 sexually active Saudi women (221 pregnant women, and 233 non-pregnant women) from the antenatal and gynecological clinics of King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a tertiary referral university hospital, between May and October 2011. Participants were asked to complete an Arabic...

OBJECTIVE Available evidence about the role of supplementary vitamin E in normal pregnancy is inadequate. This study assessed the potential benefit of vitamin E supplementation on some pregnancy health indices. METHODS A 1:2 weighted simple randomization technique was used to allocate 104 eligible pregnant women to receive vitamin E and 168 women (control) not to receive the drug. Treated wom...

To understand the different changes and events that occur in humans from conception until labour our experimental animal model is the ewe. Some studies use laboratory rodents, non-human primates and domestic ruminants as a model for research relevant to human pregnancies.1 Sheep, humans and other higher primates have villous interdigitation, wherein the chorion has a tree-like branching pattern...

The aim of the study was to establish differences in energetic, protein, and enzymatic profiles in ewes bearing single or twin lambs. Blood samples were collected from 40 ewes of improved Wallachian breed at the beginning of pregnancy, one month before parturition, shortly after parturition, and one month after parturition. Significantly (P<0.01) lower glucose levels (2.13 vs. 2.59 mmol.l) in t...

Serial assessments of neurocognitive functioning in athletes with concussion are commonly used for return to play decisions. This study provides reliable change indices (RCIs) for computerized tests from 40 NCAA Division I collegiate athletes that suffered a sports-related concussion. The normative data that resulted from the RCIs and subsequent analyses of differences between improved and not ...