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We investigated the impact of socio-demographic variables on antenatal care (ANC) utilization and the low birth weight of a child. Data were collected from 300 pregnant females. Only 22.5% of females received full antenatal care (≥4 visits). Our results showed that female's age at marriage and education plays a significant role in improving ANC. We observed an overall decrease in the utilization of services provided during each antenatal visit. ANC visits from the first trimester decrease the risk of having a baby with low birth weight. Awareness programs and educating families about pregnancy care are recommended to improve ANC utilization.

Previous reports clearly suggest that IL-17 have important role in development of systemic and peripheral inflammation in early miscarriage (EM). In the present study, we have investigated the association between genetic variants in IL-17A, IL-17F and susceptibility to EM. We recruited 135 EM patients and 150 controls and used PCR-RFLP method for genotyping the polymorphisms of IL-17A, rs4711998 (−832 A/G), rs8193036 (−692C/T) and IL-17F rs763780 (7488 T/C). No significant difference was observed for all the three polymorphic sites between the EM patients and control group in terms of genotypic (rs4711998, χ2 = 1.95, p = 0.37; rs8193036, χ2 = 1.91, p = 0.38; rs763780, χ2 = 2.45, p = 0.29), and allelic frequencies (rs4711998, OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.84 to 1.67, p = 0.35; rs8193036,OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 0.58 to 2.06, p = 0.75; rs763780, OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 0.93 to 2.71, p = 0.11). Further, meta-analysis of IL-17F (rs763780) variant with EM also revealed non-significant association of IL-17F (rs763780) variant with EM in the presence of mutant genotype (CC) via random effect model (p = 0.70, OR = 1.30, 95% CI =0.33–5.11).

Problem Decline in myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and Th2 cytokines levels lead to early miscarriage (EM) but how the hormonal milieu of the body regulates MDSCs and Th1/Th2 cytokine balance is still a matter of investigation. Method of study Peripheral blood and decidua samples were collected from 20 EM patients, and 20 healthy pregnant women opted for elective abortion. MDSCs and G-MDSCs levels were analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and Th1/Th2 cytokines levels were determined in serum via flow cytometry. Estrogen (E2), Progesterone (P4), and Testosterone levels were measured via ELISA. Further, proliferation and apoptosis in decidual samples were checked via immunoblot/immunohistochemistry of estrogen receptor -α (ER-α), STAT-3/pSTAT-3, and caspase-3, respectively. Results Our results clearly indicate that in EM patients; decline in E2 and P4 significantly correlates with decline in MDSCs, particularly with subtype granulocytic MDSCs (G-MDSCs) and skewness of the Th1/Th2 cytokines balance toward Th1 response. Downregulation of ER- α and increased caspase-3 expression in endometrium decidua signifies poor endometrial receptivity in EM. STAT-3 activation regulates proliferation, differentiation and suppressive potency of MDSCs. In decidua of EM, significantly lower expression of pSTAT-3 indicates that these processes pertaining to MDSCs are compromised. Conclusion Altogether, this unfavorable systemic milieu may drive toward early breakdown of maternal-fetal tolerance in EM. Therefore, regulated crosstalk of E2, P4 with MDSCs and balanced Th1/Th2 cytokines is prerequisite for successful pregnancy.

In recent years, most of our knowledge about myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) has come from cancer studies, which depicts Yin side of MDSCs. In cancer, inherent immunosuppressive action of MDSCs favors tumor progression by inhibiting antitumor immune response. However, recently Yang side of MDSCs has also been worked out and suggests the role in maintenance of homeostasis during non-cancer situations like pregnancy, obesity, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. Continued work in this area has armored the biological importance of these cells as master regulators of immune system and prompted scientists all over the world to look from a different perspective. Therefore, explicating Yin and Yang arms of MDSCs is obligatory to use it as a double edged sword in a much smarter way. This review is an attempt toward presenting a synergistic coalition of all the facts and controversies that exist in understanding MDSCs, bring them on the same platform and approach their “Yin and Yang” nature in a more comprehensive and coherent manner.

Fertilization is a hallmark event of sexual reproduction marked by the fusion of male and female gamete to form zygote. It is a highly complex, yet a robust process that is intricately regulated by various signalling molecules. A healthy fertilization is determined by the quality of zygote which is contingent on the health of egg and sperm. The relationship between infertility and gametic health can be reciprocal. On one hand gametogenesis has to be dynamic and unremitting to sustain the reproductive health, while on the other hand it has to be error free for proper embryonic development. Complex cellular interactions make gametogenesis highly vulnerable to extrinsic as well as intrinsic intrusions. Molecular disparities during these phases may result in complete fertilization failure. Present review provides an overview of the regulation of gametogenesis, determinants of healthy gamete, players at fertilization window and what may go wrong during the development of zygote to embryo leading to implantation failure. We have outlined different 'windows' of vulnerability during gametogenesis supported by evidences affecting the fertility potential of both the partners.