According to Claude Levi-Strauss, the custom of couvade reinforces the institution of the family in some societies by "welding" together men and their wives and future children. See also
Couvade syndrome

References
External links
Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Couvade" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 7 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 337–338. Couvade in Tribal Cultures
Asymptomatic humans serve as a significant reservoir for the disease. Little is known about other reservoirs of the disease. Pathogenesis
Mansonelliasis infection has been considered a minor filariasis, remaining asymptomatic in most infected subjects. Larvae develop in the subject and migrate to their respective regions in the skin or body cavities. It is likely that aside from being caused by the worm itself, some of the pathological changes observed are induced by the immune response to the infection leading to some of the various symptoms mentioned above. However, Mansonelliasis is little studied compared to other forms of filariasis so there is not as much information known regarding its specific pathogenesis. Diagnosis
Examination of blood samples will allow identification of microfilariae of M. perstans, and M. ozzardi based. This diagnosis can be made on the basis of the morphology of the nuclei distribution in the tails of the microfilariae. The blood sample can be a thick smear, stained with Giemsa or hematoxylin and eosin. For increased sensitivity, concentration techniques can be used. These include centrifugation of the blood sample lyzed in 2% formalin (Knotts technique), or filtration through a Nucleopore membrane.Examination of skin snips will identify microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus and M. streptocerca. Skin snips can be obtained using a corneal-scleral punch, or more simply a scalpel and needle. It is important that the sample be allowed to incubate for 30 minutes to 2 hours in saline or culture medium and then examined.