Offspring produced periodically (5)

I believe the answer is:

issue

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'offspring' is the definition.
(I know that offspring can be written as issue)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for issue that I've seen before include "important point" , "Sprogs" , "Matter, point" , "Children, offspring" , "Hot topic; outcome" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail and The Irish News.

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