Aim: To evaluate the comparative outcome of induced labor by intracervical Foley catheter with misoprostol versus misoprostol alone. Materials & methods: A total of 1306 women were enrolled over 4 years, induced with either intracervical Foley with misoprostol or misoprostol alone and compared in terms of induction-delivery interval, mode of delivery, the presence of uterine tachysystole, postpartum hemorrhage and perinatal outcome. Results: Induction to delivery interval, the duration between induction to active labor was significantly reduced, deliveries within 24 h were significantly higher and the number of misoprostol doses used was significantly less in Foley with misoprostol group. Conclusion: The outcome of combination of intracervical Foley catheter and misoprostol is superior for labor induction, without affecting maternal or perinatal outcome.

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Leptin is a peptide hormone, secreted primarily by the adipose tissue, placenta being the second leptin-producing tissue in humans. Apart from playing an integral role in food intake regulation and energy balance, leptin is an important signalling molecule affecting human reproduction. Accumulated evidence suggests that leptin has potential roles in the regulation of GnRH and LH secretion, puberty, pregnancy, and lactation. Deregulation of leptin levels has been associated with several reproductive disorders including infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, and polycystic ovary syndrome. This chapter illustrates the importance of leptin in female reproductive health, its role in the metabolic regulation of reproductive axis and its eventual pathophysiological implications in prevalent reproductive disorders.

Objective The aim of the present study was to examine the relation between the PON1 polymorphisms and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Methods In a cross-sectional study, blood samples were collected from 100 females. DNA was extracted and PON1 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Results Regarding PON1 L55M, the mutated allele (M) frequency was found in 70.5% in RPL and in 53.5% in controls; the M allele was significantly associated with an increased risk of RPL (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj] = 2.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]; p < 0.001). However, regarding PON1 Q192R, the R mutated allele frequency was found in 28.5% in RPL and in 33% in controls. The R allele did not show any risk for RPL (ORadj 0.81; 95%CI; p = 0.329). Conclusion The present study suggests that there is an effect of genetic polymorphism on RPL and provides additional evidence that combines with the growing information about the ways in which certain PON1 genotypes can affect the development of the fetus in the uterus.