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Introduction: stress in the natural reflection of living creatures against internal and external motivations while stress hormones are secretion through cardiovascular, every production, and security systems. Some stress producing factors are muscular activities, anesthetics, surgery, starvation, water deprivation, etc. Thus, we studied effect of prenatal water deprivation stress on hormone level and sexual dimorphic nucleus in male rats. Materials and methods: In an experimental design, adult female and male Wistar rats (180 gr) acquired from Pastor institute and were coupled. Pregnant rats were divided randomly into control and experimental groups. Both groups were maintained under a controlled temperature (20±2°C) and photoperiod (13:11h, light: dark) conditions. Controlled group had food and water available ad lib, but experimental group had access to food and were deprived of water from the beginning of third week of pregnancy to the end of week. At 42 days at birth, male rats were slight anesthetic in order to prepare the blood and morphometric evaluations. Results: Plasma testosterone average level in experimental group was less than controlled groups (p<0.001), while in the comparison between experimental and controlled groups, progesterone indicates significant increment (p<0.001). There is no statistically significant regarding Estradiol level between both groups. Historical study indicated that the decreased size and number of neurons of MPO and Sch nuclei were significant in experimental compared to controlled ones. Conclusion: Prenatal water deprivation through affecting MPO and Sch nuclei, approximate inhibition of nuclei and decrease in secretion of Testosterone cause the emergence unusual sexual behavior and similar female sexual behaviors in male experimental rats in the postnatal and maturity.

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Background: Male involvement in maternal health is one of the policies promoted by international reproductive health bodies. To better understand male involvement issues in maternal health, this study was done to explore midwives’ experiences toward the promotion of male involvement in maternal health and barriers to such programs. Materials and Methods: In this qualitative study, sampling was conducted by means of focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews through a semi-constructed questionnaire. The experiences of all midwives at health centers were surveyed through 2 group interviews and the views of 8 midwives employed in Maternity Hospital of Sabzevar, Iran, were considered as well. Content analysis was applied to data analysis. Results: Results of this study can be divided into three categories: Arguments in favor of, obstacles to, and outcomes of male involvement in maternal health. Based on midwives’ experiences, the provision of couple-friendly health services would enhance the quality of care, better understanding of health information provided to pregnant women and easier acceptance of tasks like taking a sonogram. Midwives indicated some obstacles like manpower and work space deficiency and cultural barriers like husbands and midwives uneasiness while communicating and giving information. Disagreements between partners and higher likelihood of partner interventions in affairs were found to be possible negative outcomes of such programs. Conclusion: Midwives’ attitudes towards male involvement in maternal health were positive and indicate that the introduction of such programs would be accepted. However, attention should be paid to midwives’ concerns and cultural obstacles and they should be trained for such programs.