Reproductive Potential of the Human Population and Its Determinants

   Introduction: The recent decline in natural reproduction in the Russian Federation has made maintaining human reproductive potential–an indicator of the maximum possible rate of population growth in the absence of limiting environmental influences–of high sociodemographic significance. However, the actual population growth rate is restricted by factors that impede its unlimited growth.

   Objective: To identify factors determining the decline in the reproductive potential of the human population.

   Materials and Methods: We reviewed regulatory acts, literature sources, and data from previous studies indicating a decline in reproductive capacity for medical and social reasons using analytical and descriptive methods.

   Results: When considering the actual reproductive potential of the human population, three components can be identified that determine it: the reproductive component of the sociomedical resource of the society, reproductive losses, and reproductive behavior. The actual size of the reproductive component of the medical and social resource of the society is made up of men and women of fertile age (15–49 years old) free from medical factors affecting reproductive capacity, namely: excluding women after bilateral ovariectomy, salpingectomy, and/or hysterectomy; with medical reasons for termination of pregnancy, and with diseases complicated by infertility; men and women with congenital or acquired genital defects that impede reproductive function, sterilized and/or infertile. Reproductive losses contribute significantly to the decline in reproductive potential. Reproductive behavior also affects both the reproductive component of the sociomedical resource of the society and reproductive losses.

   Conclusion: Identifying and eliminating the negative impact of these factors will facilitate growth of the current reproductive potential.

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