Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a reproductive disorder defined as two or more successive and spontaneous pregnancy losses (before 20 weeks of gestation), which affects approximately 1-2% of couples. At present, the causes of RPL remain unknown in a considerable number of cases, leading to complications in treatment and high levels of stress in couples. Idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (iRPL) has become one of the more complicated reproductive problems worldwide due to the lack of information about its etiology, which limits the counseling and treatment of patients. For that reason, iRPL requires further study of novel factors to provide scientific information for determining clinical prevention and targeted strategies. The aim of this study is to describe the most recent and promising progress in the identification of potential genetic and epigenetic risk factors for iRPL, expanding the genetic etiology of the disease.

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In modern society, fertility problems and demand of treatment seem to be on the rise, which led to an increased interest in research regarding human reproduction. Among these efforts, the study of the molecular senescence process has gain notorious popularity as aging is one of the most important variables involved in reproductive capacity and since the comprehension of telomere dynamics has become an important and influential theme. This new knowledge regarding the reproductive aging process is expected to offer new tools to understand the acquisition, maintenance, and loss of fertility potential. Therefore, this review seeks to clarify the relevance of molecular aging (evaluated by telomere shortening) in human reproduction, showing that it is a dynamic and variable process modulated according to the specific tissue and stage of development. As well, it is discussed how telomere status influence the development and progression of some fertility pathologies, the outcome of assisted reproductive treatments, and programming of aging in the offspring.

Background Flowerpiercers (Diglossa) are traditionally considered as “parasites” of the pollination processes, as they can access the nectar without entering in contact with the reproductive structures of the plants. Nevertheless, the effect of flowerpiercers seems to vary according to their behavior and the flower’s traits. So, in this work, we aimed to explore the floral characteristics that may determine the susceptibility to robbing and pollen transport by flowerpiercers. Also, we identified the potential types of interactions and studied interaction network properties. Methods We collected the information of 16 ornithophilic plants regarding their floral traits and robbing frequency. Also, we captured 4 species of flowerpiercers and evaluated pollen transport (frequency and loads). We tested the correlation between floral traits, robbing frequency, and pollen transportation. Later, we used these variables in a cluster and principal component analyses to identify the potential types of interactions. Finally, we analyzed and compared the structure of the plants-flowerpiercers interaction network. Results Nectar production significantly influenced both nectar robbing and pollen transportation. While the corolla length was only correlated to the robbing susceptibility. Also, we found that particular flowerpiercers species transported higher loads of some plant pollen, which can be related to the differences in behavior and morphometric traits. We proposed the classification of five different types of plant-flowerpiercer interactions, that showed different potential mutualist or antagonist relations based on the affectation of nectar robbing and the service of pollen transportation. The interaction networks consisted of 49 links, with 2.4 links per species, and presented indicators of a medium to high resilience, stability, and resistance (nestedness, connectance, and robustness). Also, the network presented medium to low specialization and substantial niche overlap. Conclusions The ecological role of the flowerpiercers goes beyond its classic assignation as “parasites” as they can actively transport pollen of several Andean plants, affecting its evolutionary history and the stability of the systems.

Proper health management is essential for productivity in duck farming. However, there is limited information on the effect of management conditions on rates of metabolic problems and parasitic infections in anatids. We evaluated the rates of metabolic syndromes and gastrointestinal parasite involvement in Muscovy ducks up to 12 weeks of age, under 3 management conditions: backyard, organized, and organized with probiotics. Individuals under organized management developed 2 metabolic problems: ascites, which was rare (3.5%), fatal, and affected both males and females, and angel wing syndrome, which was more frequent (10.6%), has low impact on general health, and only affected males. The treatments do not have a significant effect on the development of ascites, but only individuals in controlled conditions presented this syndrome, and due to its low prevalence, further studies with a larger sample size are required. The risk of angel wing syndrome increased significantly with probiotic supplementation. Regarding to parasitic infection, the improvement of sanitary management and the use of probiotics supplementation reduced the occurrence of coccidiosis. Similarly organized management with probiotic supplementation showed a protective effect on helminthiasis by reducing the frequency of Heterakis gallinarum and greatly reducing the helminth egg load. Coccidiosis and helminthiasis infections were not significantly correlated with the final weight of the ducks. Therefore, organized management and the use of probiotics seems to reduce the impact of parasitic infection, although it increases the risk of developing metabolic syndrome.