Successful delivery of the fetus (parturition) depends on coordinate interactions between the uterus and cervix. A majority (70%) of mice deficient in the type 1 isozyme of steroid 5alpha-reductase fail to deliver their young at term and thus manifest a parturition defect. Using in vitro and in vivo measurements we show here that rhythmic contractions of the uterus occur normally in these mutan...

Gonads were removed from fetal mice at about the time that gonadal sex differentiation occurs. The gonads were cultured in vitro with or without their mesonephric tissue. When gonads and ducts removed from sexually undifferentiated fetuses were cultured together, the gonads of both sexes developed female characteristics, whereas gonads cultured without mesonephros developed according to the sex...

Historically Ruta graveolens L. has been used in many countries, including Brazil, as an abortifacient. Scientists wanted to determine its effect on pregnancy. The active ingredient in Ruta graveolens was given to mice between the first and third day of pregnancy (DOP), between the fourth and sixth DOP or between the seventh and ninth DOP. The extract did not cause preimplantation embryonic los...

Human infants with congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection exhibit a range of symptoms including microcephaly, intracranial calcifications, macular atrophy and arthrogryposis. More importantly, prognosis data have lagged far behind the recent outbreak of ZIKV in 2015. In this work, we allow congenitally ZIKV-infected mice to grow into puberty. These mice exhibited motor incoordination and visual...

Although the biokinetics, metabolism, and chemical toxicity of methyl tert-butyl ether are well known, little attention was paid to the potential toxic effects of MTBE on reproduction and development in mammals. To evaluate the effects of MTBE on pregnant animals, two groups (control and test) of NMRI mice were chosen. In test group 500 and 1000 mg/Kg of it were administered intraperitonealy at...

The influence of priority factors such as vitamins during the period fetal development in three trimesters is considered. analysis dynamics fetus, taking into account saturation nutrients and food products. main influencing fetus have been investigated, types products that provide a rational diet for pregnant women identified. Developed mathematical model differentiated dietary nutrition prenat...