Multicomponent perinatal breastfeeding support in women with BMI >25: The Latch On multi-centre randomised trial.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of a multicomponent breastfeeding support intervention on breastfeeding prevalence at 3 months among women with a body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m.

Design: Multicentre multicomponent randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Four maternity centres in Ireland.

Latch On: A protocol for a multi-centre, randomised controlled trial of perinatal support to improve breastfeeding outcomes in women with a raised BMI.

Introduction: Breastfeeding is associated with improved maternal and child outcomes. Women with a higher body mass index (BMI), who comprise about 50% of the population, are at increased risk of poorer breastfeeding practices and are a population who would benefit from breastfeeding.

Methods: This protocol is for a multi-centre, randomised controlled trial of perinatal breastfeeding support among primiparous women with a BMI >25 kg/m, using a previously-tested, multi-component intervention.

A cryopreservation protocol for embryos of the endangered species Zizania texana.

Seeds of the endangered species Zizania texana are recalcitrant, making it difficult to preserve the remaining genetic diversity of this species in genebanks. Excised embryos can be cryopreserved using solution-based cryoprotection protocols. Survival following cryoexposure increased from less than 5% to about 75% by preculturing embryos in high concentrations of sugars, bathing them in cryoprotectant solutions, and partially drying them to water contents of about 0.