Aging of the Male Germline: Influence of Advanced Male Age on Reproductive Outcome

The rise in life expectancy and the desire to establish a stable career prior to parenthood leads couples to a delayed childbearing. Advanced parental age at the time of pregnancy portrays several risks, with the majority of couples above 35 experiencing reproductive impairments.

While the effect of women’s age on fertility is well known, the influence of paternal age is less understood. Thus, efforts have been made to comprehend the influence of APA on pregnancy upkeep and disease risk for the offspring.

Over the last decades numerous studies aimed to establish the relationship between APA and male fertility potential. It has been found that APA is related to testicular and hormonal alterations, along with a decreased sperm production, quality and DNA integrity.

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The National Quality Plan and More Caesarean Sections, Less Wound Infections,more Gestational Diabetes (GDM) and Fewer Smokers in Northern Norway: A Registry-based Retrospective Study

 The Ministry of Health and Care Service’s plan for improved maternity and delivery care was implemented in Northern Norway in March 2012. Selection criteria were standardized and economic resources allocated. Methods: We explored the effects in a retrospective quality of care study employing data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN). The prior study (2009-11) was compared with the 2012-14 period.

The levels of care were Midwife administered maternity units (MAMU), Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (DOG) and Regional Clinics of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RCOG). National data on post-caesarean surgical wound infection (2009-2014) was added.

Quality of care was defined as rate of multiple pregnancies, eclampsia, vacuum or forceps assisted delivery, births during transportation, caesarean section rate, post-caesarean wound infection, perineal rupture, smoking habits, body mass index (BMI), Apgar score <7, birth weight <2.5 kg and stillbirth.

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