The livestock sector is a vital component of India's agricultural economy, providing essential support to rural communities and ensuring food security. Efficient reproductive performance is critical to sustaining livestock productivity, yet age-related declines in both male and female fertility pose significant challenges. The current review highlights that male reproductive efficiency is closely tied to semen quality, which deteriorates with age due to oxidative stress, leading to reduced fertilizing capacity and embryonic developmental potential. Similarly, female reproductive longevity is predominantly influenced by ovarian health, which declines with age due to diminished oocyte quality and quantity. This decline is exacerbated by oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to reproductive senescence and reduced offspring viability. Understanding the mechanisms of reproductive aging and developing strategies to mitigate its effects are crucial for enhancing livestock productivity and sustaining the agrarian economy.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the most used assisted reproductive technology (ART) techniques today. However, the success of IVF procedures heavily relies on maintaining a sterile environment in laboratories. This narrative review examines the effects of microbiological contamination in IVF laboratories, exploring its sources, impacts on IVF outcomes, and preventive measures. We conducted a complete literature search using databases such as PubMed and, focusing on studies published within the last fifteen years. Our findings highlight that microbiological contamination can significantly impair embryo quality, reduce implantation and pregnancy rates, and increase the risk of miscarriage and infection. The review also discusses current best practices for contamination prevention and identifies areas for future research. This work emphasizes the critical importance of stringent sterility protocols in IVF laboratories and calls for continued vigilance and innovation in maintaining optimal conditions for assisted reproduction.

Objective: To explore the perspectives of high-risk pregnant women regarding the home care program for high-risk pregnancies.

Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in a university hospital and 5 comprehensive health centers in Ahvaz, Iran, from February 2023 to July 2023. The sampling method used was purposive sampling considering the maximum possible diversity, which continued until data saturation. 11 in-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted with high-risk pregnant women. Data were simultaneously analysed using Graneheim and Lundman content analysis by MAXQDA version 20 software.

Results: Data analysis extracted 3 themes, 12 categories, and 26 subcategories. The themes and categories were “high-risk pregnancy and related issues (pursuing treatment and paying attention to the high-risk situation by pregnant women, psychological aspect of high-risk pregnancy on pregnant women and caregivers, emotional and physical aspects of high-risk pregnancy, the consequences of high-risk pregnancy on the people around them and empowerment of high-risk pregnant women)”, “support dimension (family and community support for high-risk pregnant women)”, and “framework of program (acculturalization, means and equipment, security, manpower and the necessary arrangements for the home care)”.

Conclusions: High-risk pregnancy affects various aspects of the lives of high-risk pregnant women and their families. Creating the necessary conditions for providing care at home plays a vital role in supporting high-risk pregnant women and removing related obstacles to receiving prenatal care in person. It will be especially beneficial for high-risk pregnant women in low-income areas.

Objective: To explain barriers to childbearing among working women from the perspective of working women and midwives.

Methods: In this study, a qualitative study of content analysis method was employed. The study was conducted from December 2021 to July 2022. The population consisted of working women and midwives. Data collection was conducted using semi-structured interviews and continued until data saturation was achieved. Through purposeful sampling, 10 women and 11 midwives were selected as the sample. The data were analyzed by Graneheim and Lundman content analysis approach. For more rigorous, Nvivo 14 software was also used for data management, analysis, coding and organization of data.

Results: This study included 21 women (10 women employees and 11 midwives) aged 25-43 years (for women employees) and 2756 years (for midwives) with 1 to 34 years of job experience. In examination of participant’ views about the barriers to childbearing, 1 124 codes were identified, of which we managed to extract six subthemes and two themes. Two themes emerged: “lack of social support and lack of family support”. Subthemes of “lack of social support” were “inadequate leave, long distance from workplace, and insufficient wages”. Subthemes of “lack of family support” were “lack of spouse support, lack of spouse's family support, and lack of their family support”.

Conclusions: Different socioeconomic factors influence childbearing tendency in working women. Social and family supports play an important role in this regard. It is important to take these factors into account at the time of policymaking in the field of midwifery.

Objective: To investigate the potential of ascorbic acid in mitigating reproductive toxicity induced by di-(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in female Wistar rats, focusing on oxidative stress, hormone levels, and gonadotropin receptors expression.

Methods: Forty female Wistar rats [30 days old, weighing (60±10)g] were randomly divided into five groups (n=8 per group). Group 1 received corn oil (control). Groups 2 and 3 were administered DEHP at 10 and 100 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.), respectively. Groups 4 and 5 received DEHP at 10 and 100 mg/ kg b.wt., respectively, plus ascorbic acid 100 mg/kg b.wt.. All treatments were given orally for 30 days. Blood and ovarian tissues were collected to assess serum reproductive hormones, gonadotropin receptor gene expression, oxidative stress markers, and apoptosis.

Results: DEHP, particularly at the higher dose, significantly decreased hormone levels (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol) and gonadotropin receptor gene expression (FSHR, LHR), while increasing oxidative stress and apoptosis. Co-treatment with ascorbic acid significantly improved these parameters, reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis, and restoring hormone levels and gonadotropin receptor expression. Histopathology revealed fewer atretic follicles and less disruption in ovarian structure in DEHP and ascorbic acid-treated groups compared to those treated with DEHP alone.

Conclusions: Ascorbic acid demonstrates protective effects against DEHP-induced reproductive toxicity in female rats, likely through mitigating oxidative stress and normalizing hormone levels and ovarian function.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of glutathione (GSH) supplementation in maturation and adaptation media on oocyte development, embryo quality, and oocyte viability after vitrification.

Methods: The GSH concentrations were classified into four groups (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mM) which were added to the maturation medium. The maturation process was conducted in vitro for 24 h. Following maturation, oocytes were fertilized with Bali bull semen for 5-6 h and then cultured for 48 h. The morphological quality of ocytes matured with GSH addition and the vitrification method used was evaluated. Parameters assessed included maturation rate, fertilization rate, embryo development, post-vitrification oocyte morphology, and quality of post-vitrification oocytes with GSH added to the adaptation medium.

Results: The addition of GSH to the maturation medium significantly improved oocyte quality and embryo development (P<0.05). Specifically, adding 1.5 mM GSH increased the percentage of oocytes reaching metaphase II from 57.6% without GSH oocytes to 79.0% with 1.5 mM GSH, two-pronuclei fertilization from 47.0% to 72.7%, embryo development from 37.1% to 57.2%, morula formation from 14.6% to 33.7%, and blastocyst formation from 8.1% to 23.8%. Additionally, the survival rate of oocytes post-vitrification increased to 75% with GSH supplementation.

Conclusions: The addition of 0.5-1.5 mM of GSH to the maturation and adaptation media significantly enhanced the metaphase II stage, fertilization rates, cleavage rates, and the survival of oocytes after vitrification. Among the concentrations of 1.5 mM was the most effective in increasing oocyte development and maintaining oocytes viability post-vitrification.