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Xie Y, Ren Y, Niu C, Zheng Y, Yu P, Li L. The impact of stigma on mental health and quality of life of infertile women: A systematic review. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1093459. [PMID: 36698573 PMCID: PMC9869765 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1093459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The stigma of not giving birth to children affects approximately 53. 08~64% of female infertility patients worldwide. This stigma not only causes harm to the mental health of these infertility patients, but also affects their quality of life, making them bear the adverse social consequences such as domestic violence, marriage breakdown, or even delay in receiving the treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of the patients' stigma and effective intervention in alleviating it. Aims/Question This study aims to discuss and summarize the stigma in infertile women and its impact on patients, and to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment and nursing intervention of disease stigma in infertile female patients. Methods The literature search used four English databases (Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PubMed) and two Chinese databases (CNKI and Wanfang). The search time of the literature ranges from the establishment of the library to 2022, with no language restriction. Results The review included 28 studies, with 20 cross-sectional studies and 8 qualitative studies. This study found that social support, living environment, education level, occupation, and fertility awareness were the major influencing factors of infertility stigma. Conclusions Infertility stigma can bring heavy mental pressure and psychological burden to female infertility patients and affect their quality of life. Therefore, effective and targeted psychological interventions should be developed to reduce the patients' stigma and improve their quality of life. Implications for practice Healthcare workers must develop targeted nursing interventions, provide professional counseling services to reduce the level of stigma in female infertility patients, alleviate fertility stress, and improve their quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Xie
- School of Nursing and Public Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yue Ren
- School of Nursing and Public Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Changmin Niu
- School of Nursing and Public Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Ying Zheng
- School of Nursing and Public Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Ping Yu
- Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Lin Li
- Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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Associations between Stigma, Cognitive Appraisals, Coping Strategies and Stress Responses among Japanese Women Undergoing Infertility Treatment. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10101907. [PMID: 36292354 PMCID: PMC9601508 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10101907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of infertility treatment cycles in Japan is the highest worldwide. Studies have shown that stigma is a predictor of stress-related symptoms including anxiety and depression in women undergoing infertility treatment. Stress management to prevent stress-related symptoms may be crucial; however, few studies have examined the model of stigma and stress responses. Based on the stress-coping model, we hypothesized that stigma threatens the identity of such women and that coping failure increases stress responses. We aimed to explore the role of cognitive appraisals and coping strategies as mediators of the association between the stigma of infertility and stress responses. In December 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional study in Japan, in which 254 women undergoing infertility treatment completed a web-based survey. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to analyze the associations between stigma, cognitive appraisals, coping strategies, and stress responses. The results showed that explanatory power increased with each additional variable in the following order: stigma, cognitive appraisals, and coping. Participants with a high level of stigma evaluated it as threatening, and used self-blame and venting coping strategies, and showed higher stress responses. Conversely, participants who used positive reframing coping strategies exhibited lower stress responses. Based on this, effective strategies to address stigma and stress responses are necessitated.
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Yokota R, Okuhara T, Okada H, Goto E, Sakakibara K, Kiuchi T. Association between Stigma and Anxiety, Depression, and Psychological Distress among Japanese Women Undergoing Infertility Treatment. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10071300. [PMID: 35885826 PMCID: PMC9325025 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10071300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Japan has the highest number of cases of infertility treatment in the world. Studies have indicated that women undergoing infertility treatment feel stigmatized and suffer from psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression. However, in Japan, few studies have quantitatively examined the association between the stigma of infertility and psychological symptoms, and, to our knowledge, no study has examined its association using a scale with tested reliability and validity. This study aims to quantitatively examine the relationship between infertility stigma and anxiety, depression, and psychological distress among women undergoing infertility treatment, using a scale that has been validated for reliability and validity. The cross-sectional study was conducted in December 2021 through a web-based survey of 254 participants undergoing infertility treatment. A multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between stigma and anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. Stigma was a statistically significant predictor of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress (standardized β = 0.58, p < 0.001; β = 0.50, p < 0.001; β = 0.62, p < 0.001, respectively) after controlling for sociodemographic and infertility characteristics. Future studies should examine the causal relationship between stigma and anxiety, depression, and psychological distress and how to intervene to reduce stigma among women undergoing infertility treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rie Yokota
- Department of Health Communication, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-3-5800-6549
| | - Tsuyoshi Okuhara
- Department of Health Communication, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan; (T.O.); (H.O.); (E.G.); (T.K.)
| | - Hiroko Okada
- Department of Health Communication, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan; (T.O.); (H.O.); (E.G.); (T.K.)
| | - Eiko Goto
- Department of Health Communication, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan; (T.O.); (H.O.); (E.G.); (T.K.)
| | - Keiko Sakakibara
- Department of Social Psychology, Faculty of Sociology, Toyo University, Tokyo 112-8606, Japan;
| | - Takahiro Kiuchi
- Department of Health Communication, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan; (T.O.); (H.O.); (E.G.); (T.K.)
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The relationship between psychological coping and mood across the menstrual cycle among distressed women struggling to conceive. J Psychosom Res 2021; 145:110465. [PMID: 33820644 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Infertility is disproportionately associated with distress in women yet there has been limited research focusing on the relationship between coping strategies and fertility-monitoring techniques on distress in women struggling to conceive naturally. METHODS Fifty-eight distressed women with infertility were recruited via social media. Every second day women's depressive and anxious mood was assessed in the morning and again in the evening along with their psychological coping strategies, the use of fertility monitoring techniques, and Fertility Quality of Life emotion subscale, over the course of one full menstrual cycle. RESULTS During menstruation and statistically adjusting for morning depressive mood, active coping (β(SE) = -1.35 (0.36), p < .001) and behavioural engagement (β(SE) = -0.98 (0.35), p = .006) were associated with less depressive mood in the evening. Across all phases, social support seeking was associated with greater anxiety (β(SE) = 0.50 (0.20), p = .013) and lower emotional quality of life (β(SE) = -0.82 (0.32), p = .011). Use of fertility monitoring techniques was associated with heightened anxiety (M(SE) = 6.7 (0.2) vs. 5.9 (0.2), p < .001). The use of avoidance strategies (β(SE) = 3.22 (1.29), p = .016), endorsement of optimism (β(SE) = -4.72 (1.78), p = .011) and social support seeking (β(SE) = 3.09 (1.18), p = .012) throughout the cycle were significantly predictive of depression ratings following a negative pregnancy test, despite statistically adjusting for mean depression ratings throughout the menstrual cycle. CONCLUSION These findings highlight a number of cognitive and behavioural strategies that could be manipulated via psychological interventions to improve distress among women struggling to conceive.
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Aghakhani N, Marianne Ewalds-Kvist B, Sheikhan F, Merghati Khoei E. Iranian women's experiences of infertility: A qualitative study. Int J Reprod Biomed 2020; 18:65-72. [PMID: 32043073 PMCID: PMC6996123 DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v18i1.6203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Revised: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There are concerns and diverse experiences related to infertility and childlessness. The lived experience of infertile people from various cultures needs to be explored. Objective The aim of this qualitative study was to explore Iranian women experiences of their infertility. Materials and Methods The data comprised interviews about fertility issues in the Persian language with eighteen women, aged 17-45 yr old, who agreed to be interviewed at the Mottahari Infertility Treatment Clinic, affiliated to the Urmia University of Medical Sciences about their fertility problems. They were approached by the researchers at the time of their first visit. The verbatim transcribed interviews were analyzed using deductive conventional content analysis. Results The experiences of the informants were conceptualized into four major themes: 1) Shock (subthemes: Disbelief and Denial); 2) Reaction (subthemes: Distress, Guilt, Loss of self-esteem and Sexual reluctance); 3) Processing (subthemes: Internal processing, Avoidance, Marriage at risk, External processing, Stigma caused by the family and Stigma caused by the community) and 4) Reorientation (subthemes: Forgetting, Marriage to saving marriage and Sexual consent). Conclusion Infertility can be a challenging condition. Considering that infertility-related issues affect Iranian women more contextual factors is necessary. So, culturally sensitive and gender specific protocols are suggested to provide suitable and about culturally sensitive and gender-specific protocols is a necessity in order to provide suitable care to infertile women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nader Aghakhani
- Inpatient Safety Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | | | - Fatemeh Sheikhan
- Department of Midwifery, Khalkhal Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khalkhal, Iran
| | - Effat Merghati Khoei
- Brian and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center (BASIR), Neuroscience Institution, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Community Based Participatory Research Center, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Ebrahimzadeh Zagami S, Latifnejad Roudsari R, Janghorban R, Mousavi Bazaz SM, Amirian M, Allan HT. Iranian infertile couples' strategies to manage social interactions after unsuccessful treatment with assisted reproductive technologies. HUM FERTIL 2019; 24:341-352. [PMID: 31621448 DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2019.1677950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Many infertile couples feel vulnerable after failed treatment cycles and find insensitive remarks or inappropriate support distressing. They fear that the stress of failed treatment cycles may affect their marriage and lead to marriage breakdown. This study explored the strategies a sample of infertile couples used to manage social interactions after unsuccessful treatment with assisted reproductive technologies. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted with 34 participants including nine infertile couples, nine infertile women and two infertile men with primary infertility, two relatives, and three fertility clinic staff. The participants were selected through purposive sampling at an infertility centre in Iran, between 2016 and 2017. Data were collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews and analysed by qualitative content analysis approach. Participants found some social interactions after failed assisted reproductive treatment cycles to be distressing and painful. They described tolerating painful emotions which cause them sadness and sorrow as well as feeling embarrassed. As a result, they found they needed to maintain their adopting concealment strategies with their families through not permitting speculation, selective disclosure, not giving details and hiding the truth. This study showed that social interactions following failed assisted reproductive cycles can be upsetting for infertile couples. Couples use different strategies to manage potentially distressing social interactions. Healthcare providers and psychologists may provide a space for safe social interactions in order to help couples to use appropriate strategies in these circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Roksana Janghorban
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine Research Centre, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , Iran
| | | | - Maliheh Amirian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Mashhad , Iran
| | - Helen T Allan
- Department of Adult Child and Midwifery, School of Health and Education, Middlesex University , London , UK
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Jafarzadeh-Kenarsari F, Ghahiri A, Habibi M, Zargham-Boroujeni A. Exploration of infertile couples' support requirements: a qualitative study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FERTILITY & STERILITY 2015; 9:81-92. [PMID: 25918596 PMCID: PMC4410041 DOI: 10.22074/ijfs.2015.4212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2014] [Accepted: 09/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Due to high prevalence of infertility, increasing demand for infertility
treatment, and provision of high quality of fertility care, it is necessary for healthcare
professionals to explore infertile couples’ expectations and needs. Identification of these
needs can be a prerequisite to plan the effective supportive interventions. The current
study was, therefore, conducted in an attempt to explore and to understand infertile couples’ experiences and needs. Materials and Methods This is a qualitative study based on a content analysis ap-
proach. The participants included 26 infertile couples (17 men and 26 women) and 7
members of medical personnel (3 gynecologists and 4 midwives) as the key informants. The infertile couples were selected from patients attending public and private
infertility treatment centers and private offices of infertility specialists in Isfahan
and Rasht, Iran, during 2012-2013. They were selected through purposive sampling
method with maximum variation. In-depth unstructured interviews and field notes
were used for data gathering among infertile couples. The data from medical personnel was collected through semi-structured interviews. The interview data were
analyzed using conventional content analysis method. Results Data analysis revealed four main categories of infertile couples’ needs,
including: i. Infertility and social support, ii. Infertility and financial support, iii.
Infertility and spiritual support and iv. Infertility and informational support. The
main theme of all these categories was assistance and support. Conclusion The study showed that in addition to treatment and medical needs, infertile
couples encounter various challenges in different emotional, psychosocial, communicative, cognitive, spiritual, and economic aspects that can affect various areas of their life
and lead to new concerns, problems, and demands. Thus, addressing infertile couples’
needs and expectations alongside their medical treatments as well as provision of psychosocial services by development of patient-centered approaches and couple-based interventions can improve their quality of life and treatment results and also relieve their negative
psychosocial consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Jafarzadeh-Kenarsari
- Nursing and Midwifery Student Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Ataollah Ghahiri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Habibi
- Family Research Institute, Shahid-Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Zargham-Boroujeni
- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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BEHBOODI-MOGHADAM Z, SALSALI M, EFTEKHAR-ARDABILY H, VAISMORADI M, RAMEZANZADEH F. Experiences of infertility through the lens of Iranian infertile women: A qualitative study. Jpn J Nurs Sci 2012; 10:41-6. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-7924.2012.00208.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Elmir R, Jackson D, Schmied V, Wilkes L. “Less Feminine and Less a Woman”:The Impact of Unplanned Postpartum Hysterectomy on Women. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHILDBIRTH 2012. [DOI: 10.1891/2156-5287.2.1.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
AIM: This article is a report of the women’s experiences of unplanned emergency hysterectomy following severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).BACKGROUND: Every year, thousands of women worldwide undergo hysterectomies for either gynecological issues or following childbirth to save their life from severe PPH. Little attention has been given to the experiences of women with secondary infertility, despite many of these women being of childbearing age. Some of the issues concerning this group of women are related to their feminine identity, sexuality, sense of being, and womanhood.METHOD: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 21 Australian women between the ages of 24 and 57 years. The data were collected between May and October 2009. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.FINDINGS: One major theme; loss of normality, and four subthemes emerged, “being incomplete: half a woman,” “not myself: a changed body,” “being alone: isolation and disconnectedness,” and “fearing intimacy: insecure and wary.”CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that irrespective of the number of children women have, they may continue to experience significant emotional distress following their hysterectomy after childbirth. The distress these women experience is not only during the immediate postsurgical period but continues long term, and affects social, familial, and interpersonal relationships. Health professionals, particularly those providing community-based child and family health services, are in a position to provide ongoing professional support to women who experience an emergency hysterectomy following childbirth.
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Ogawa M, Takamatsu K, Horiguchi F. Evaluation of factors associated with the anxiety and depression of female infertility patients. Biopsychosoc Med 2011; 5:15. [PMID: 22195642 PMCID: PMC3262742 DOI: 10.1186/1751-0759-5-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2011] [Accepted: 12/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Because the primary aim of infertility treatment is to achieve pregnancy, mental health care during this treatment is often neglected. However, the inability to conceive children is stressful for couples throughout the world. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate factors related to the anxiety and depression of female infertility patients. Methods Participants included 83 Japanese women who initially visited the Reproduction Center of the Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital to undergo testing and receive infertility treatment between February and April 2008. We administered two psychological tests, the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) test and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) test. We then examined the association of the test results with age, pregnancy and delivery history, employment status, duration of infertility, infertility treatment history, and male infertility. Results As patient age increased, total HADS and depression scores also increased. No correlation was observed between duration of infertility and SDS or HADS scores. Results were similar when the presence and absence of delivery history was compared. Patients who underwent infertility treatment were more likely to have high HADS depression scores compared to patients who had not undergone treatment. Additionally, patients whose husbands were infertile had significantly lower total HADS and anxiety scores than those whose husbands were not infertile. Conclusions Age and male infertility are factors that influence the presence of anxiety and depression in female infertility patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko Ogawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Chiba, Japan.
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Yağmur Y, Oltuluoğlu H. Social Support and Hopelessness in Women Undergoing Infertility Treatment in Eastern Turkey. Public Health Nurs 2011; 29:99-104. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-1446.2011.00976.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yurdagül Yağmur
- Assistant Professor of Nursing; Department of Obstetric and Gynecology Nursing, School of Nursing, Inonu University Malatya School of Health; Malatya; Turkey
| | - Hatice Oltuluoğlu
- Lecturer, Department of Obstetric and Gynecology Nursing; School of Health, Inonu University; Malatya; Turkey
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Saki G, Rahim F, Vaysi OA. Effect of forced swimming stress on in-vivo fertilization capacity of rat and subsequent offspring quality. J Hum Reprod Sci 2011; 3:32-4. [PMID: 20607006 PMCID: PMC2890907 DOI: 10.4103/0974-1208.63120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2009] [Revised: 11/06/2009] [Accepted: 01/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS: This study aimed to determine the effect of 50 days of forced swimming stress on fertilization capacity of rat and subsequent offspring quality. SETTING AND DESIGN: The prospective study designed in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 90 Wistar rats including 30 adult male (3 months of age, weighing 210 ± 10.6 g) and 60 female rats (3 months of age, weighing 230 ± 12.2 g) were engaged in this study. Male rats were randomly divided in two equal groups (n = 15): Control and experimental groups. Animals of the experimental group were submitted to forced swimming stress for 3 min in water at 32°C daily for 50 days. Then all adult male rats were mated with normal females (2 per each male) for 7 days. Female rats were sacrificed and autopsy was performed on day 20 of pregnancy when uterus and ovaries were examined for the number of corpora lutea, dead and live fetuses, embryo resorption, implantation sites, and fetus weight. CONCLUSION: Results of this study have important implications for families attempting pregnancy. Stress pursuant to life events may have a negative impact on in vivo fertilization capacity of male rats and subsequent offspring quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghasem Saki
- Laboratory of Cell Culture, Faculty of Medicine, Ahwaz
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Isupova OG. Support through patient internet-communities: Lived experience of Russian in vitro fertilization patients. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2011; 6:QHW-6-5907. [PMID: 21760835 PMCID: PMC3136244 DOI: 10.3402/qhw.v6i3.5907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The article is concerned with the life experiences of infertile women going through infertility treatment and their need for social and psychological support, which they try to find in their immediate social environment. The Internet has become one place where everyone can find “people like oneself.” The best support is received from these people who are in the same life situation and are able and willing to share their lived experiences with each other. Communication via the Internet and the formation of a virtual community of patients has both positive and negative aspects, all of which are examined in the article. On the one hand, it creates a psychologically favorable atmosphere and might potentially increase the success rate of IVF treatment. On the other, this leads to the seclusion of patients within the circle of “similar people” and sometimes to negative attitudes towards people outside the circle. The article is based on the author's “netnography” research of a virtual community of Russian In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)1 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga G Isupova
- Institute of Demography High School of Economics, Moscow, Russian Federation
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Lund R, Sejbaek C, Christensen U, Schmidt L. The impact of social relations on the incidence of severe depressive symptoms among infertile women and men. Hum Reprod 2009; 24:2810-20. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dep257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Saki G, Rahim F, Alizadeh K. Effect of forced swimming stress on count, motility and fertilization capacity of the sperm in adult rats. J Hum Reprod Sci 2009; 2:72-5. [PMID: 19881152 PMCID: PMC2800931 DOI: 10.4103/0974-1208.57226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2009] [Revised: 08/11/2009] [Accepted: 08/19/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The purpose of this study was to determine whether 50 days of forced swimming stress applied to adult male rats affects count, motility and fertilization capacity of sperm. SETTINGS AND DESIGN It is a prospective study designed in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total 30 adult male wistar rats were used in this study. All rats were divided into two equal groups (n = 15): (1) control group and (2) experimental group. Animals of the experimental group were submitted to force swimming stress for 3 min in water at 32 degrees C daily for 50 days. Then, all male rats were sacrificed, the right epididymides were removed and sperm concentration and motility were determined. The sperm suspension was added to the ova. Fertilization capacity was assessed by counting two-cell embryos 24-26 h after completion of fertilization in vitro. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED Data are reported as mean +/- SD and percentage. The difference between the control and experimental groups was determined by the unpaired t-test. RESULTS The mean and standard deviation of sperm concentration in the control and experimental groups were 60.8 +/- 9.3 10 6 /ml and 20.4 +/- 5.3 10 6 /ml, respectively. There was a statistical difference of P < 0.05 between the two groups in terms of sperm concentration. The percentage of motility in the experimental group was significantly different ( P < 0.05). The same results were obtained in case of fertility ( P < 0.05). Stress caused by forced swimming was observed by a significant increase in the latency of the pain response in the hot-plate test ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that forced swimming stress in time course equal or more than spermatogenesis period, i.e. 48-50 days in the rat will be significantly effective to reduce the number and motility of sperms as well as the fertilization capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghasem Saki
- Department of Laboratory of Cell Culture, Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine
- Physiology Research Center, Joundishapour University
- Apadana Clinical Research Center, Private Hospital of Apadana, Ahwaz, Iran
| | - Fakher Rahim
- Department of Laboratory of Cell Culture, Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine
- Physiology Research Center, Joundishapour University
- Apadana Clinical Research Center, Private Hospital of Apadana, Ahwaz, Iran
| | - Karim Alizadeh
- Apadana Clinical Research Center, Private Hospital of Apadana, Ahwaz, Iran
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