Objective: LC/NA system is activator of hypothalamic–pituitar–adrenal (HPA) axis and cold stress triggers an equally robust increase in plasma NA. Increased LHRH content probably due to absence or decrease of NE release from the LC and positive feedback action of E2 on LH secretion show that in late proestrous phase NA, LH and E2 have a strong link. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of central sympathetic nervous system (by LC lesion and acute cold stress induction) and peripheral sympathetic nervous system (with propranolol administration) on late proestrous phase in rat.
Material and Method: One hundred eight rats were divided into control and study groups. Study group was divided into three main sub groups: LC lesion (electrolytic lesion), acute cold stress (4°C for 20 minutes) and propranolol (antagonist of sympathetic nervous system). Vaginal smears were taken for all groups and late proestrous was selective phase for this study. Statistical differences were determined by one–way ANOVA followed by the Tukey post hoc test. SPSS 11 was used for data analysis. P value ≤ 0.05 was defined as significant level.
Results: LC lesion decreased only estradiol level (P≤0.001) but could increase serum level of LH like propranolol administration (7mg/kg ip) (P≤0.01). No significant changes were noted in the levels of LH and estradiol in cold stress group like the synergistic effect of LC lesion and Cold stress also synergism of LC lesion, Cold stress and propranolol.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that late proestrous phase has a critical role in LH surge and sympathetic nervous system (NA) and E2 are important and basic factors in this process.

Objective: Evaluating the status of the ECO member countries in relation to goal 5 of 3rd millennium which includes 75% reduction of maternal mortality rate till 2015 in comparison to 1990.
Material and Methods: In 2009, we have critically reviewed the countries’ MDG reports and extracted the data on each MDGs’ indicator by year and cause of mortality, (if possible) resident area (urban/rural) to explore the trend. In the next phase, the main stakeholders, from both governmental and international organizations in the country have been visited and interviewed (individually and in group) by the research team as part of the data validation process.
Results: The MMR is very heterogeneous among the ECO countries. Afghanistan with the MMR of 1800 (per 100,000 live births) in 2005 is the worst country in the region/world while Turkey has reached the level of 19.4 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2008. Multiple regression analysis shows that only the index of delivery by skilled health personnel is effective in reduction of maternal mortality.
Conclusion: With considering half a decade to the end of predetermined time for achieving the millennium development goals, i.e. 2015, it’s optimistically expected that only a few of the ECO countries will reach the target for maternal health.

Objective: In Nigeria the rate of contraceptive use among sexually active adolescents is about 30%, considerably lower than the rates reported for developed countries. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, perception and practice of emergency contraception among female adolescent hawkers in Rigasa community, a suburb of Kaduna town.
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study of 1200 adolescent female hawkers aged 15–29 years was carried out in 2008, using both self and interviewer administered questionnaires.
Results: Vast majority of the respondents are divorcees, constituting 92%. About 46% of them have never attended formal school before marriage. Of the 18 participants who were aware of emergency contraception; none correctly identified 72 hours as the time limit for the method’s use. Antibiotics or home remedies such as dye Robin Blue mixed with Coca cola or mixed with lime or lime mixed with potash and salt water were mentioned as unlisted methods of emergency contraception by responders.
Conclusion: It is glaring that there exist a yawning gap of information and knowledge on contraception in general and emergency contraception in particular among female adolescent hawkers. The need to inform this target group about reproductive health generally and unwanted pregnancy in particular would not be out of place.  

Objective: Investigating some biological side effects of radiations resulted from fusion reaction experiments in DAMAVAD Tokamak.
Materials and Methods: The absorbed dose of the personnel in DAMAVAND Tokamak was measured using LIF dosimeters and analyzed.
Results: In DAMAVAND in areas near the forbidden zone around this device the level of the received dose is very high (more than 6 mSv for each 100 shots) and in regions around the control panel  and shielding room that personnel usually attend the level of the effective absorbed dose is about 1.16 mSv for each 100 shots.  In each working period in DAMAVAND Tokamak about 100 shots are being done weekly. Hence, each of the personnel will absorb about 5×1.16= 5.8 mSv that is very high for a short period (5 days).
Conclusion: managers of the fusion laboratories must govern personnel's duties properly and arrange female working conditions in critical situations of their lives. Therefore, it is recommended that the contribution of the pregnant women must not be more than 60 shots per month and it is better to be decreased to 55, because they absorb some extra doses from the experiments with other device while attending to the building of laboratory.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of in vitro sperm activation (ISA) using non-liquefied versus liquefied asthenozoospermic semen samples for improvement of sperm parameters.
Materials and Methods: Fifty six oligoasthenozoospermic (OA) patients (age range: 22-44 years; mean: 32.089 years) were enrolled in this study. OA patients were classified according to type of infertility. Also, duration of infertility was recorded. Fifty six semen samples were collected, and seminal fluid analyses were done involving macroscopic and microscopic examinations were performed according to WHO methodology. Direct swim–up technique was used to separate the motile spermatozoa from seminal plasma. Minimum Essential Medium Eagle (MEME) enriched with 5% Human serum albumin (HSA) was used. One mL of either non–liquefied or liquefied semen was layered beneath 1 mL of MEME enriched with 5% HSA, and placed for incubation in an air incubator at 37 oC for 30 minutes. Then, one drop (10 μL) from upper layer of culture medium was taken using automatic pipette to be examined under high power field (40 X) for assessment of sperm parameters.
Results: According to type of infertility, infertile patients were classified into patients with either primary infertility (no. 46; 82.15 %) or secondary infertility (no. 10; 17.85 %). In contrast to other parameters, significant (P<0.05) reductions were noticed in the percentages of sperm motility and progressive sperm motility for OA patients with primary infertility as compared to OA patients with secondary infertility. All sperm parameters were significantly (P<0.001) enhanced after in vitro activation of liquefied and non-liquefied semen samples when compared to pre-activation. In the present study, best results were achieved for non-liquefied semen samples as compared to liquefied semen samples.
Conclusion: It was concluded that the outcome of ISA was enhanced in regard to sperm parameters when using non-liquefied semen of OA patients. Furthermore, some components of seminal plasma of OA patients may be have harmful effects on certain sperm functions when in vitro incubated for longer periods. Further study is recommended to investigate the effect of in vitro sperm activation from non-liquefied semen on successful rate of artificial insemination husband.

Objective: Infertility is an important social concern. Environmental factors such as smoking and tobacco consumption can affect sperm and follicular function and infertility. Smoke cessation reduces its complications and makes infertility treatment more effective which motivates and encourages infertile smokers to consider quitting. The aim of current study was to assess brief smoking cessation counseling efficacy in infertile couples referring to Avicenna center.
Materials and Methods: This is a Descriptive cross-sectional study. Smokers referred to Avicenna infertility clinic with complain of primary infertility during 2008–2009 were studied. Data were collected through questionnaire. Patients received tobacco cessation brief advice and educational material package of ill effects of tobacco consumption on general health and infertility.  Success in quitting was assessed 6 months after the first visit.
Results: Seventy cases were studied with mean age of 36.45±6.3 which 68(%97.1) were male. The mean of smoke consumption duration was 17.78±7.49 and the mean duration of infertility was 5.56±4.0 year.
Forty one individuals (59.4%) had mild nicotine dependence.  Mean knowledge level about tobacco harms was 0.57±0.79 (from total of 4 points) and attitude mean was 18.50±2.95 (from total of 24 points).  Estimating quit success rates, 41 individuals (63%) quitted but it was unrelated to cessation factors.
Conclusion: It seems that according to high motivation of this group, smoke cessation brief advice and increasing knowledge through educational package is effective. It is recommended that smoke cessation brief advice and knowledge increment to be added to infertility treatment program.

Objective: The world population will likely increase by 2.5 billion over the next 43 years, passing from the current 6.7 billion to 9.2 billion in 2050. Only limited information about the contraceptive practices especially modern contraceptive use is available. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of contraceptive methods and factors associated with modern contraceptive in use
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study of 288 females selected through consecutive sampling was conducted in Jinnah Post graduate Medical Center family reproductive health care center Karachi, Pakistan from November 2008 to January 2009. Females of reproductive age 16-50 years using any contraceptive measures and giving informed consent were included. Those who with severe debilitating disease, having any physical and mental disability were excluded. Two trained co researchers interviewed the participants for socio demographic reasons. The main outcome variables of the study were comparing modern and traditional contraceptive methods and factors associated with modern contraceptive in use.
Results: The results showed mean age of contraceptive users was 29.49 (±6.42) years. Modern contraceptive method was used by 216 (75%) and traditional method by 72 (25%). Final multiple logistic regression showed that a few factors have influence on usage rate including: age>30 years [AOR, 0.426 95% CI0.209-0.865], addiction [AOR, 0.381 95% CI0.173-0.839], and means of information like family planning worker (FPW) [AOR, 6.315 95% CI 3.057-13.046], Television (TV) [AOR, 0.402 95% CI 0.165-0.979] and billboard (BB) [AOR, 0.207 95% CI 0.066-0.447].
Conclusion: Modern contraceptive method use is very common in our region (75%). The important means of information for modern contraceptive in use were GPs and family planning workers.

Objective: To examine association between maternal socio-cultural status, as indicated by maternal Income, education and polygamy with severity of pre–eclampsia.
Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in Primary Health Centers in Katsina, Adamawa and Borno States. A total of two groups of subjects were selected for the study, with 50 Subjects in each group. Group A - pregnant non hypertensive women; Group B women with pre-eclampsia. Blood pressure was measured in a sitting position with sphygmomanometer after at least 10 minutes of rest. A semi structured questionnaire was administered to each respondent. P value≤ 0.05 was accepted as significant difference. 
Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure BP was significantly different. (167.60±2.75 and 107.48±8.01 Vs. 116.70±0.98 and 76.80±8.67 in group B Vs. group A respectively, P<0.05).
In Socio–cultural background significant correlation exists between pre–eclampsia and age at first marriage (P= 0.01). There also exists a correlation between age and number of marriages (P= 0.05). Age, parity, history of hypertension and number of marriages are negatively and significantly correlated with pre– eclampsia.
Conclusion: This study found that seclusion and polygamy are not risk factors for developing pre-eclampsia.