Our understanding of the effects of temperature on granulosa cell (GC) physiology is primarily limited to in vitro studies conducted under atmospheric (∼20% O) conditions. In the current series of factorial experiments we identify important effects of O level (i.e. 5% vs 20% O) on GC viability and steroidogenesis, and go onto report effects of standard (37.5 °C) vs high (40.0 °C) temperatures under more physiologically representative (i.e. 5%) O levels in the presence of different levels of melatonin (0, 20, 200 and 2000 pg/ml); a potent free-radical scavenger and abundant molecule within the ovarian follicle. Cells aspirated from antral (4-6 mm) follicles were cultured in fibronectin-coated wells using serum-free M199 for up to 144 h. At 37.5 °C viable cell number was enhanced and luteinization reduced under 5 vs 20% O. Oxygen level interacted (P < 0.001) with time in culture to affect aromatase activity and cell estradiol (E) production (pg/mL/10 cells). These decreased between 48 and 96 h for both O levels but increased again by 144 h for cells cultured under 5% but not 20% O. Progesterone (P) concentration (ng/mL/10 cells) was greater (P < 0.001) under 20 vs 5% O at 96 and 144 h. Cell number increased (P < 0.01) with time in culture under 5% O irrespective of temperature. However, higher doses of melatonin increased viable cell number at 40.0 °C but reduced viable cell number at 37.5 °C (P = 0.004). Melatonin also reduced (P < 0.001) ROS generation at both O levels across all concentrations. E increased with time in culture at both temperatures under 5% O, however P declined between 96 and 144 h at 40.0 but not 37.5 °C. Furthermore, melatonin interacted (P < 0.001) with temperature in a dose dependent manner to increase P at 37.5 °C but to reduce P at 40.0 °C. Transcript expression for HSD3B1 paralleled temporal changes in P production, and those for HBA were greater at 5% than 20% O, suggesting that hemoglobin synthesis is responsive to changes in O level. In conclusion, 5% O enhances GC proliferation and reduces luteinization. Elevated temperatures under 5% O reduce GC proliferation and P production. Melatonin reduces ROS generation irrespective of O level and temperature, but interacts with temperature in a dose dependent manner to influence GC proliferation and luteinization.

BACKGROUND: In late 2019, a novel coronavirus was detected in Wuhan, China that caused a pandemic by September 2021, resulting in 224,180,411 cases and more than 4,600,000 deaths worldwide. In response to the pandemic, the Autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq (KRG) imposed strict infection control measures at its borders for all travelers from neighboring countries, wherein each traveler was subjected to a mandatory Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test on arrival to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected travelers. The aim of this study is to determine the rate of infection with SARS-CoV-2 among the travelers entering Kurdistan region through Ibrahim Al-Khalil crossing point with Turkey as a predictor for the upcoming infection waves. METHODS: The data of RT-PCR tests to detect SARS-CoV-2 in all travelers arriving at the Ibrahim Al-Khalil Border Crossing between Iraq and the Republic of Turkey was reviewed from 21st August 2020 to 21st August 2021. RESULTS: It was found that there were 9,873 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections among 1,082,074 travelers during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the importance of mass testing of travelers at border crossings to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy has an adverse effect on pregnant women, fetus and neonatal. The infection is generally asymptomatic but can cause severe effect on the fetus and immunocompromised women. Control study conducted on 77 pregnant women categorized according to the risk factors influencing toxoplasmosis infection. Specific anti Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM were evaluated using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test kits. Among 77 pregnant women, (57.1%) women had toxoplasmosis, seropositive for latent infection with specific Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were (54.54 %), whereas acute infection immunoglobulin M (IgM) were only in (2.59 %) cases. The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma was higher in older pregnant women (> 60%) than younger ones (<50%). The specific IgG antibody was higher in pregnant women working in farms (65.7 vs 45.23; P=0.053). Also, the seropositive IgG antibody was low in the first trimester and high in rural areas. Pregnant women need to educate more about toxoplasmosis and prevention to exposure in order to reduce the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis.

This study aimed to determine values of ewe's fetal developmental parameters and their correlations during pregnancy. The study carried out on eighteen variable parameters of 64 pregnant ewes collected from Duhok slaughterhouse. The average correlation of genital tract weight, crown to rump, head, thoracic, pelvic, orbital diameters, forelimbs, humerus, hind limb, Tibia, Occipito-nasal and greater length of skull were high (>0.90). The umbilical cord circumferences, interorbital, fetal weight, and hoof length were moderately correlated (>0.80) with other parameters. Potential hydrogen (pH) of embryonic fluid had a negative correlation with other parameters. Fetal age, crown-rump length, thoracic, and fetal head diameters increased every 10 days. Genital tract weight, interorbital, and occipitonasal length increased every 20 to 30 days. However, length of skull was increased only during late pregnancy. The forelimb and hindlimb increased slightly with pregnancy development. Caruncle and umbilical cord diameters were increased during the half term of pregnancy then reduce or remain in the same diameters at the end. Embryonic fluid pH turns to acidity with fetal development. In conclusion, specific parameters are practical to confirm gestational age during specific gestational period when the date of breeding is unknown.

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