Abstract Objective: To investigate the microecology and common infection of the female vagina in border area of Chongzuo City. Methods: Female patients in the out patient department and inpatient department of gynecology of our hospital from April 1, 2018 to August 23, 2021 were selected as the research objects. The re productive tract secretions of all patients were examined by microecological ex amination, morphological examination, chemical analysis and microscopic examination, and the results of various indicators were statistically analyzed to draw relevant conclusions. Results: Among the 1498 women with vaginal micro ecological imbalances, cleanliness was determined to be 534 cases of degree II, 868 cases of degree III, and 96 cases of degree IV; Nugent scores were 9 - 10 in 9 cases, 8 in 122 cases, 7 in 30 cases, 6 in 18 cases, 5 in 8 cases, 4 in 717 cases, 3 in 248 cases, 2 in 209 cases, 1 in 118 cases, and 0 in 19 cases. AV scores were 8 in 1 case, 7 in 1 case, 6 in 2 cases, 5 in 9 cases, 4 in 84 cases, 3 in 207 cases, 2 in 850 ca ses, 1 in 284 cases, and 0 in 60 cases. Among the pathogen infections, 99 cases were mycoplasma, 361 cases were candida, 199 cases were bacterial and 8 cases were trichomonas; In chemical analysis, there were 138 cases with pH 5.1, 326 ca ses with pH 4.8, 775 cases with pH 4.6, 217 cases with pH 4.4, and 42 cases with pH 4.1; meanwhile, 1390 cases were positive for hydrogen peroxide, 505 cases were positive for glucosidase, 487 cases were positive for acetylglucosaminidase, 184 cases were positive for sialidase, 290 cases were positive for proline amino peptidase, 501 cases were positive for coagulase, and 1064 cases were positive for leukocyte esterase. Conclusion: Female reproductive tract microecology is more complex, and the pathogens of infection are also diverse. A systematic examina tion can clarify the occurrence and development of the disease, and then pro vide reliable laboratory data for clinical treatment and guide clinical medication .

Abstract Introduction: Spontaneous abortion is defined as pregnancy loss before the twentieth week and Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion (RSA) is defined as at least three spontaneous and successive pregnancy losses in the same period. Among the different types of immunological causes, this study refers specifically to the alloimmune cause. Women with RSA of alloimmune cause share a greater number of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) with their husbands, leading to the inhibition of the production of anti-paternal asymmetric blocking antibodies, which would protect embryonic cells. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of immunotherapy with paternal HLA-sensitizing mononuclear cells in cases of RSA through the positivity of the cross-match test and its efficacy in pregnancy success. Patients and Methods: Written consent was obtained, 12 couples with a history of RSA presenting negative cross-match were included in the study. Blood samples were collected from the couple for cross-matching and the separation of paternal mononuclear cells. Immunotherapy was performed with paternal mononuclear cells intradermally in the wives’ arms on day (D) 0, D15 and D30. After the third dose, a second evaluation of the crossmatch tests was performed. Results and Discussion: The age of the wives ranged from 28 to 41 years, with a mean of 34.5 years. The twelve couples had a negative cross-match test (100%). Eleven couples (96.6%) tested positive in the crossmatch test after immunotherapy. Of these, 10 (90.9%) had successful pregnancies. Immunotherapy with paternal mononuclear cells showed an excellent ability to sensitize the maternal immune system, with positive cross-match, resulting in a successful pregnancy.

Abstract Objective: To determine the efficacy of letrozole in suppressing estradiol levels during ovarian stimulation in cancer patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review of cancer patients undergoing ovarian stimulation for fertility preservation between 2014-2019 at a private university-affiliated fertility clinic in Canada was conducted. Ovarian stimulation was completed with no letrozole (Group A, n = 10), and adjuvant daily letrozole use at 5.0 (Group B, n = 34) or 7.5 mg (Group C, n = 61). The primary outcomes were peak estradiol levels and oocyte yield. ANOVA with a post hoc two-tailed t-test assuming equal variance was utilized as a statistical method. Result(s): Patient age and AFC count were not different between groups. The yield of mature eggs was not different at each letrozole dose; 9.2 ± 6.0, 13.9 ± 6.5 and 12.7 ± 7.2 for Groups A to C respectively (p = 0.18). Mean estradiol levels (pmol/L) were reduced in a dose-dependent manner; 7432 ± 4553 for Group A, 2072 ± 1656 for Group B, and 1445 ±1238 for Group C (A vs. C, p < 0.01 and B vs. C, p < 0.04). Conclusion(s): The use of letrozole during ovarian stimulation for oocyte and embryo cryopreservation in cancer patients can maintain physiologic estradiol levels, while ensuring satisfactory oocyte and embryo yield. Letrozole can, therefore, minimize the theoretical risk of stimulating residual and metastatic diseases, while still optimizing future fertility outcomes.

Abstract Nowadays childbirth care in Brazil is mainly guided by the technocratic model, with a high rate of unnecessary interventions that may cause iatrogenesis. Emotional aspects inherent to birth tend to be disregarded in this scenario, which produces risks for the psychological health of the mother, father, and baby. The aim of this study was to look into the subjective experiences of fathers and mothers regarding childbirth in contemporary Brazil. For this purpose, a collective case study was carried out in which 30 birth reports published on personal blogs were analyzed, 15 written by women and 15 by men. The results pointed to the helplessness experienced by fathers and mothers in the face of technocratic care which may sometimes be violent, and to the idealization of health care professionals who work according to the humanized paradigm. The choice of the mode of delivery often appeared in the subjects’ discourse, denoting a scenario in which caesarean section is understood as a consumer good. Respect for the temporality of childbirth was considered essential to ensure that giving birth is not experienced in a traumatic way, and pain was reported as a central element to elaborate the symbolic death intrinsic to the process of parenthood appropriation. The lack of support from the environment seems to be a constitutive factor in the experience of obstetric violence and the writing of birth reports a resource to reinterpret this traumatic experience. We came to the conclusion that it is extremely important that the professional team be trained to understand the emotional aspects present in the childbirth experience, with interdisciplinary exchanges being a powerful resource to provide good quality of care for the parental couple.

Abstract Background: A high level of sperm chromatin decondensation results in loss of DNA quality and it is associated with poor embryonic prognosis in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). This had lead to introduction of sperm DNA compaction testing in assessment of clinical male infertility. Toluidine blue assay is one of most commonly used tests to measure chromatin decondensation in research studies and also in clinical routine use. So the objective of our study was to assess the level of sperm chromatin decondensation by toluidine blue assay in men dealing with couple infertility. Methods: The sperm samples of 96 patients referred for infertility, over a 4-month period from September 2020 to January 2021, were stained with toluidine blue and observed under an optical microscope. These were evaluated according to the World Health Organization. Results: The 25 - 34 age group was the most represented among infertile men. There was a non-significant correlation between age and the level of spermatic chromatin condensation (r = 0.0348). Spermatic parameters had averages above standards norms, apart from that of low vitality. Spermatic chromatin decondenization affected 96% of infertile patients. Asthenozoospermia was the most common abnormality. Among standard parameters of spermogram, only the concentration of spermatozoa in the semen was weakly correlated (r = 0.18) with sperm chromatin decondensation. Conclusion: The level of sperm chromatin condensation is, on the one hand, a parameter independent of the age of the subject; on the other hand, allows to evaluate male infertility, like the classic parameters of the spermogram and spermocytogram. However, in view of the high probability of changes in the nuclear quality of sperm intrinsic to the analysis process and sperm concentration, an improvement of the toluidine blue test using the swim-up technique and associated with image processing software is possible.

Abstract Background: Armed conflict increases the occurrence of adverse obstetrical outcomes especially in low and middle-income countries. However, there is paucity of data on obstetrical outcomes in the South-West and North-West Regions of Cameroon since the onset of the socio-political instability. Objectives: Our aim was to evaluate obstetrical outcomes in the Buea and Bamenda Regional Hospitals, Cameroon during the period of socio-political instability. Methods: A hospital-based retrospective cohort study was carried out at the aforementioned hospitals. Data was collected from case notes of pregnant women before the period of socio-political instability (from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2016) and during the period of socio-political instability (from January 1, 2017 to October 31, 2019). The Chi square and Fischer’s exact test were used to compare categorical variables where appropriate and modeled into multivariate analysis. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean maternal age was 27.09 (±5.25) years, before and during the conflict. The mean weight of neonates (regardless of gestational age) during the conflict was significantly higher [3.28 (±0.65) kg] compared to that before the conflict [3.21 ± (0.52) kg] (p < 0.001). Maternal age < 20 yrs [OR = 1.97; CI (1.16 - 3.37), p = 0.01], and delivery during the period of socio-political instability [OR = 1.97; CI (1.16 - 3.37)], p = 0.01 and [OR = 1.89; CI (1.53 - 2.33)], p < 0.01] were significant predictors of adverse maternal outcomes. The number of maternal age [OR = 2.22; CI (1.48 - 3.33)], and time of evaluation [OR = 1.83; CI (1.57 - 2.14)], p < 0.01 respectively) were associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. Conclusion: This study identifies increased incidence of adverse maternal outcomes in mothers exposed to socio-political instability.

Abstract Contraception is a set of procedures that aim to achieve temporary infertility in a woman without her ability to conceive being engaged in the future. It plays an essential role in the health of women and children, the psychological well-being of husbands and allows, among other things, savings for the family. The objective was to study the perceptions and social representations of husbands on family planning. A mixed method was used with a qualitative dominance, carried out in the health district of Pout. The result showed that the perceptions and representations of husbands influence this practice family planning. Even if they have positive attitudes and a good level of knowledge about contraceptive methods, their involvement in FP practices remains low with gaps to be filled. Direct or intermediate variables such as the social, cultural, economic and religious aspects are pitfalls. Indeed, the commitment of men and the consideration of their social attributes are variables to be integrated into the process of information and awareness on family planning; this is crucial in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 (Good Health and Well-being), including its target 7 focused on sexual and proactive health: a second best move towards the demographic dividend.