NLS

• Human reproduction is the result of a superb orchestration of complex and interrelated genetic, biological, environmental, and behavioral processes
• In healthy individuals these processes occur smoothly for females and males, and set the stage for successful reproduction
• In less than healthy individuals, brought about by conditions such as acute undernutrition or high levels of alcohol intake, for example, can disrupt these finely tuned processes and diminish reproductive capacity. Sometimes conception occurs in the presence of poor nutritional or health status
• Infertility


  Involuntary absence of production of children
• Infecundity


  Biological inability to bear children after one year of unprotected intercourse
• Fertility


  Actual production of children
• Fecundity


  Biological ability to bear children
• Miscarriage


  Generally defined as the loss of a conceptus in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Also called spontaneous abortion
• Fetus


  The developing organism from 8 weeks after conception to the moment of birth
• Endocrine


  A system of ductless glands, such as the thyroid, adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes, that produces secretions that affect body functions
• Immunological


  Having to do with the immune system and its functions in protecting the body from bacterial, viral, fungal, or other infections and from foreign proteins (i.e., those proteins that differ from proteins normally found in the body)
• Subfertility


  Reduced level of fertility characterized by unusually long time to conception (over 12 months) or repeated pregnancy losses
• Puberty


  The period in life during which humans become biologically capable of reproduction
• Ova


  Eggs of the female produced and stored within the ovaries (singular is ovum)
• Menopause


  Cessation of the menstrual cycle and reproductive capacity in females
• Menstrual cycle


  An approximately 4-week interval in which hormones direct a build up of blood and nutrient stores within the wall of the uterus and ovum maturation and release. If the ovum is fertilized by a sperm, the stored blood and nutrients are used to support the growth of the fertilized ovum. If fertilization does not occur, they are released from the uterine wall over a period of 3 to 7 days. The period of blood flow is called the menses, or the menstrual period
• Hypothalamus


  A section of the brain responsible for the production of many hormones and other chemical substances that affect body functions such as temperature regulation, thirst, hunger, sleep, mood, reproduction, and the release of other hormones within the body
• Pituitary Gland


  A pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain. It is connected to the hypothalamus and produces and secretes growth hormone, prolactin, oxytocin, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and other hormones in response to signals from the hypothalamus
• Female Reproductive System


  • Ovary
  • Oviduct
  • Uterus
  • Vagina
  • Clitoris
  • Labium minus
  • Labium majus
• Male Reproductive System


  • Prostate Gland
  • Urethra
  • Penis
  • Ejaculatory Duct
  • Seminal Vesicle
  • Bulbourethral Gland
  • Vas Deferens
  • Epididymis
  • Testis
• Corpus Luteum


  A tissue about 12 mm in diameter formed from the follicle that contained the ovum prior to its release. It produces estrogen and progesterone. The "Yellow body" derivation comes from the accumulation of lipid precursors of these hormones in the corpus luteum
• Prostaglandins


  A group of physiologically active substances derived from the essential fatty acids. They are present in many tissues and perform such functions as the constriction or dilation of blood vessels and stimulation of smooth muscles and the uterus
• Testes


  Male reproductive glands located in the scrotum. Also called testicles
• Androgens


  Types of steroids hormones produced in the testes, ovaries, and adrenal cortex from cholesterol. Some androgens (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone) stimulate development and functioning of male sex organs
• Epididymis


  Tissues on top of the testes that store sperm
• Semen


  the penile ejaculate containing a mixture of sperm and secretions from the testes, prostate, and other glands. It is rich in zinc, fructose, and other nutrients. Also called seminal fluid
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)


  A general term applied to infections of the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. Occurs predominantly in young women and is generally caused by infection with a sexually transmitted disease, such as gonorrhea or Chlamydia
• Endometriosis


  A disease characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue in abnormal locations, such as deep within the uterine wall, in the ovary, or in other sites within the body. The condition is quite painful and is associated with abnormal menstrual cycles and infertility in 30–40 percent of affected women
• Leptin


  A protein secreted by fat cells that, by binding to specific receptor sites in the hypothalamus, decreases appetite, increases energy expenditure, and stimulates gonadotropin secretion. Leptin levels are elevated by high, and reduced by low, levels of body fat
• Anovulatory Cycles


  Menstrual cycles in which ovulation does not occur
• Amenorrhea


  Absence of menstrual cycle
• Periconceptional Period


  The time period around conception, variously measured in weeks or months depending on the pregnancy outcomes of interest
• Embryo


  the developing organism from conception through 8 weeks
• DNA Methylation


  The modification of a replicated strand of DNA by addition of a methyl group (CH3) To specific regions of the strand. Methylation can suppress the activity of certain genes in ways that affect metabolic processes and disease risk. It is a normal part of development and is needed for cellular differentiation and organ development but can also be influenced by nutritional and other environmental exposures
• Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)


  A group of birth defects that are caused by incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord, or their protective coverings. Spina bifida is one of the most common types of neural tube defects
• Preconceptional nutritional status influences maternal health and the course and outcome of pregnancy
• The Healthy People 2020 nutrition objectives for preconception focus on improving weight status prior to pregnancy, decreasing alcohol consumption around the time of conception, deceasing inadequate iron and folate status, and expanding the utilization of preconceptional care services
• Dietary intake, supplement use, weight status, and body fat content affect the development and maintenance of a person's biological capacity to reproduce
• The major hormones involved in the regulation of fertility processes in females and males are gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), leutinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. These hormones can be affected by nutritional status
• Inadequate and excessive levels of body fat, weight loss in normal-weight individuals, oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, low antioxidant intake from vegetables and fruits, high alcohol intake, eating disorders, certain chronic health problems, high soy-food diets, inadequate zinc status, and heavy-metal exposure are related to fertility