Ovulation

A case-control study was carried out in Mexico City during 1995–1997 among women with epithelial ovarian cancer (84 cases) and endometrial cancer (85 cases). The control group consisted of 668 healthy women, matched according to age categories. In a multivariate analysis, the ...

Six hundred and four serial transvaginal sonograms were performed in 70 normal and healthy women throughout an ovulatory cycle. The endometrium was classified in 4 types (0, 1, 2 and 3) according to: the aspect of the myometria-endometrium and endometrium-endometrium interfaces, and the texture and thickness of the functional layer. Type 0 appears as a smooth, pencil line endometrium. Type 1 has a trilaminar structure with an iso or hypoechoic functional layer. Type 2 is also trilaminar, but myometria-endometrium interfaces are thicker than type 1. Type 3 appears as a thick and homogeneously echogenic image. The relative frequency of each type of endometrium was determined for every day of the menstrual cycle. Day 0 was defined sonographically as the day of follicle rupture. Type 0 was found during and immediately after menstruation. Type 1 was seen during mid-follicular phase and until day +2. Types 2 and 3 were observed post ovulatory in 100% of the cases. The endometrium increase...

Previous research has indicated that women prefer men that exhibit an android physical appearance where fat distribution is deposited on the upper body (i.e., shoulders and arms) and abdomen. This ideal physical shape has been associated with perceived dominance, health, and immunocompetence. Although research has investigated attractability of men with these ideal characteristics, research on how women visually perceive these characteristics is limited. The current study investigated visual perception and attraction towards men in Hispanic women of Mexican-American descent. Women exposed to a front posed image where the waist to chest ratio (WCR) and hair distribution were manipulated rated men’s body image associated with upper body strength (low WCR 0.7) as more attractive. Additionally, conceptive risk did not play a strong role in attractiveness and visual attention. Hair distribution did not contribute to increased ratings of attraction, but did contribute to visual attraction when measuring total time, where men with both facial and body hair were viewed longer. These findings suggest that physical characteristics in men exhibiting upper body strength and dominance are strong predictors of visual attraction.

Why do some women pursue relationships with men who are attractive, dominant, and charming hut who do not want to be in relationships-the prototypical sexy cad? Previous research shows that women have an increased desire for such men when they are ovulating, hut it is unclear why ovulating women would think it is wise to pursue men who may he unfaithful and could desert them. Using hoth college-age and community-hased samples, in 3 studies we show that ovulating women perceive charismatic and physically attractive men, but not reliahle and nice men, as more committed partners and more devoted future fathers. Ovulating women perceive that sexy cads would he good fathers to their own children hut not to the children of other women. This ovulatory-induced perceptual shift is driven hy women who experienced early onset of puberty. Taken together, the current research identifies a novel proximate reason why ovulating women pursue relationships with sexy cads, complementing existing research that identifies the ultimate, evolutionary reasons for this hehavior.

Cows with an extended interval from calving to first ovulation (PPI) have increased intervals from calving to conception and are more likely to be culled compared with cows with a short PPI. In year-round calving dairy herds, between 11 and 38% of cows are reported as anestrus by 50 or 60 d after calving. In seasonally calving dairy herds, between 13 and 48% of cows are diagnosed as anovulatory anestrus at the start of the breeding period. Ovulation and estrus after calving are delayed when the positive feedback effects of estradiol on release of LH from the pituitary, and circulating concentrations of metabolic hormones such as insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I, are reduced by a variety of environmental factors. The main factors are limited energy intake, lower body reserves, increased partitioning of energy to milk production, suckling, and peripartum disease. Treatment options for cows with an extended PPI include hormonal and management strategies. Hormonal treatments tha...