| reproductive ratio | <epidemiology> 1. Basic reproductive ratio , Ro , a dimensionless parameter which encapsulates the biological details of different transmission mechanisms. For microparasites, Ro , is defined as the average number of secondary cases of infection to which one primary case gives rise throughout its infectious period if introduced into a defined population consisting solely of susceptible individuals. For macroparasites, Ro , is the average number of female offspring (or just offspring in the case of hermaphroditic species) produced throughout the lifetime of a mature female parasite, which themselves achieve reproductive maturity in the absence of density-dependent constraints on the parasite establishment, survival or reproduction. Also known as the basic reproduction rate, number. 2. Effective reproductive ratio , R , The number of secondary cases (microparasites) or female offspring (macroparasites) produced in a host population not consisting entirely of susceptible individuals (microparasites) or within which density dependent constraints limit parasite population growth (macroparasites). Under conditions of stable endemic infection, R=1. (05 Dec 1998) |
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| reproductive surgeon | An ob-gyn or urologist who specialises in the surgical correction of anatomical disorders that impair reproductive function. (09 Oct 1997) |
| reproductive system | In women, the organs that are directly involved in producing eggs and in conceiving and carrying babies. (12 Dec 1998) |
| porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome | <syndrome> A syndrome characterised by outbreaks of late term abortions, high numbers of stillbirths and mummified or weak newborn piglets, and respiratory disease in young unweaned and weaned pigs. It is caused by swine infertility and respiratory syndrome virus. (radostits et al., veterinary medicine, 8th ed, p1048) (12 Dec 1998) |