Researchers at Kumamoto University have clarified the mechanism behind homologous chromosome pairing, a process necessary for sperm and egg formation. The study shows that cohesin acts as a marker to call HORMAD1 to the chromosome prior to homologous chromosome pairing, highlighting its importance in reproductive medicine.
Children born to mothers with PCOS are at a higher risk of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, including emotional problems, autism, ADHD, and delayed development. The study found a significant link between PCOS and increased risk of neuropsychiatric disorders in offspring, independent of maternal obesity.
A large randomized trial has found that endometrial scratch is not beneficial in women having their first cycle of IVF. The study involved over 1000 women under 37 years old and showed no significant difference in live birth rates between those who received endometrial scratch and those who did not.
A large-scale study found that young women with few eggs collected during IVF treatment have a higher risk of age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. This increased risk is associated with early ovarian ageing and may be linked to an accelerated ageing process.
A prospective study of 69 couples found that female partners overestimated their IVF live birth rates by 34%, while male partners expected a 54% higher rate. The study highlights the need for clinics to set realistic expectations and provide individualized prognosis to avoid disappointment.
A large population study found that the risk of cerebral palsy in IVF children has consistently declined over six time-periods, from 12.5 cases per 1000 live born in 1990-1993 to 2.8 per 1000 in 2011-2014. The prevalence dropped more significantly in singletons born from IVF compared to naturally conceived children.
A 20-year study found that 16% of cancer patients used their frozen eggs and embryos, with a remarkable 71% birth rate among those who did. Fertility preservation can be effective for young women diagnosed with cancer, with ovarian tissue cryopreservation and oocyte freezing offering good options.
A new study detects biologically relevant AMH levels in human hair samples, which strongly correlate with serum levels and AFC. The results suggest a non-invasive test of ovarian reserve using hair samples may be more accurate and cost-effective than traditional blood tests.
Researchers found that olaparib depletes the store of immature eggs in mouse ovaries by 36%, potentially affecting a woman's fertility. Fertility preservation counselling should be considered for young female patients prior to olaparib treatment.
Research found that vitrification technology is safe for embryos, but storing them for longer periods reduces chances of pregnancy and live birth. The study analyzed outcomes from 24,698 patients and found lower implantation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth rates with longer storage times.
A team of Carnegie scientists solved a marine science mystery by identifying the cell type and genes responsible for coral recognition and uptake of photosynthetic algae. This breakthrough can aid coral conservation and increase understanding of other coral species threatened by warming oceans.
A research group at Kumamoto University has discovered a novel gene, C19ORF57, involved in meiotic recombination during sperm production. The gene plays a crucial role in repairing DNA damage, which is essential for maintaining male fertility.
A study of nearly 1.7 million women found that benzodiazepine use before conception is associated with a 50% higher risk of ectopic pregnancies. This increases the risk of complications and infertility, highlighting the need for more research on safe treatment options.
Women have a good chance of having a second child with IVF, according to new study. The chances of a second ART baby decrease with maternal age, but successful pregnancies are more likely if treatment is continued and frozen embryos are used.
Researchers at Kyoto University have successfully reconstructed the human segmentation clock using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), a key focus of embryonic development research. The study reveals novel genetic components and oscillation patterns of the clock, which controls the formation of organs and tissues.
Women with postpartum psychiatric disorders are less likely to have more children, with 69% still choosing to have a second child. The study found that nearly half of women with psychiatric problems had a reduced live birth rate due to hospitalization or fear of relapse.
The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology has found substantial variations in the legal and funding framework of 43 European countries regarding assisted reproduction. Access to treatment, third-party donation, fertility preservation, and public funding vary significantly among countries.
A large study of Australian women found that premature menopause increases the risk of developing multiple chronic medical conditions by age 60. Women who experienced premature menopause were twice as likely to develop multimorbidity by 60 and three times as likely after.
Men born small for gestational age have a 55% increased risk of infertility as adults, compared to those born within the normal weight range. The study found no link between gestational age and infertility in women.
Researchers discovered fossils of Caveasphaera, 609 million-year-old single-celled relatives of animals, revealing evidence that animal-like embryonic development evolved before complex animals appeared in the fossil record.
A new study reveals that animal-like embryos existed 609 million years ago, long before the emergence of definitive animals. The research found that Caveasphaera fossils displayed stages of development similar to those seen in living animals, including humans.
A CNRS research team found that a sequence of reflexive contractions drives embryonic development, accelerating it by up to 20 times. By artificially recreating this process and applying low-intensity electrical shocks, the scientists triggered hindlimb formation.
Scientists developed a technique to study heart disease in action, enabling them to identify ways to lower plaque-forming lipoproteins. The LipoGlo system allows researchers to measure lipoproteins in tiny droplets of blood, opening up new avenues for treating cardiovascular disease.
A study of almost 5000 IVF/ICSI cycles found that paternal age over 51 years significantly affects the chance of success, while miscarriage rates remain unchanged. Men are advised to not delay fatherhood due to declining natural fertility with increasing age.
A large multicentre study of almost 5000 patients found no benefit from ICSI in terms of fresh and cumulative live birth rate in non-male factor cases, challenging the global trend of ICSI adoption
Pregnancy rates from IVF and ICSI in Europe have reached a peak, with success rates stabilizing after increasing for conventional IVF cycles. Frozen embryo cycles show the highest pregnancy rate at 30.5%, indicating an upward trend in outcomes.
A large-scale study found that high levels of air pollution negatively affect ovarian reserve and female fertility marker anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels in Italian women. Exposure to particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide increased the risk of reduced AMH concentrations, leading to a lower ovarian reserve.
A large population study has found that paternal smoking is associated with lower total sperm counts and concentrations in adult sons, regardless of maternal smoking. The study, which analyzed data from over 778 young men, found an 8-9% decline in sperm count and concentration among sons of fathers who smoked daily.
A large-scale study found that long-term cryopreservation of semen does not affect pregnancy and live birth rates in women using donor sperm. The study analyzed 119,558 semen samples stored for up to 15 years and found similar success rates in IVF and donor insemination, despite a decline in frozen sperm survival rate over time.
A large cohort study confirms that blastocyst transfer is linked to a higher risk of preterm birth and large-for-gestational-age rates. The study found a 23% increased risk of being large for gestational age after fresh blastocyst transfer compared to cleavage stage transfer.
A large multicentre randomised trial found no improvement in delivery rates with frozen embryo transfers compared to traditional fresh transfers. The study suggests that a general freeze-all strategy may not be beneficial for women with regular menstrual cycles.
Human sperm samples exposed to microgravity have shown no significant difference in viability compared to those on Earth. The study found 100% concordance in DNA fragmentation rate and vitality, and 90% concordance in sperm concentration and motility.
A study found that 94% of patients who underwent embryo genetic testing before IVF were glad to have the information, despite potentially disappointing results. The research suggests that even after a negative outcome, most women value the knowledge gained from embryo testing for reproductive planning.
A study of 643 young men found that those exposed to stressful life events during early gestation had worse sperm quality and lower testosterone concentrations than those not exposed. This suggests that maternal exposure to stress may have long-lasting effects on male fertility.
A study of over 64,000 women found that infertility is associated with a higher risk of developing cancer compared to non-fertile women. The absolute risk is very low at just 2%, but still significantly higher among infertile women.
Researchers found that moderate cannabis use is associated with higher sperm concentrations and testosterone levels compared to non-smokers. However, the study highlights the need for more research on the effects of cannabis on reproductive health due to limitations in the data collection process.
A recent study published in Human Reproduction found that children born after fertility treatment do not have an increased risk of developing cancer compared to those conceived naturally. However, some cancers, such as lymphoblastic leukemia and melanoma, were slightly more common in ART-conceived children, although the findings are st...
Rebekah Charney, a postdoctoral researcher at UCR, has been awarded a $177,000 NIH fellowship to study the earliest events underlying neural crest cell formation. The research aims to address key biological questions and potentially lead to novel therapeutics.
A long-running study of mothers and children found that chemicals such as phthalates, parabens, and phenols are associated with earlier puberty in girls. The study suggests that these chemicals may mimic or interfere with natural hormones in the body, leading to an earlier onset of puberty.
A study published in Human Reproduction found that women fed soy-based formula milk as babies are 40% more likely to have used hormonal contraception for menstrual pain relief. The research also showed a 50% increased risk of moderate or severe menstrual discomfort between ages 18-22.
Research reveals a single missing gene in mothers leads to miscarriages due to placenta problems, including fewer blood vessels and altered shape. The study provides new insights into recurrent miscarriage in humans and lays the foundation for further research on placenta development.
The research found that earlier women had their first period, their sons started puberty earlier, and later women had their first period, their sons started puberty later. The association was also seen in daughters.
The NIH has awarded a $3.3-million grant to Carnegie Institution scientist Steven Farber to identify new pharmaceuticals for combatting cardiovascular disease. Using genetically engineered zebrafish with glowing lipoproteins, the team aims to find compounds that lower ApoB levels and reduce disease risk.
A study analyzing over 937,000 single embryo transfer cycles found that the proportion of multiple pregnancies is 1.6% and 1.36% result from true zygotic splitting. Factors increasing the risk include frozen-thawed embryos, longer blastocyst maturation, and assisted hatching.
A large prospective study of over 107,000 women found no association between physical activity and the risk of early natural menopause. The study, published in Human Reproduction, analyzed data from the Nurses' Health Study II and found that exercise was not significantly linked to a lower or higher risk of menopause before age 45.
A new study published in Human Reproduction journal found that men who wear boxer shorts have higher sperm concentrations than those who wear tighter fitting underwear. The researchers also discovered a link between the type of underwear and lower levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulates sperm production.
The largest randomized trial on genetic screening before embryo transfer found no difference in live birth rates between groups with and without the procedure. However, there was a lower miscarriage rate and fewer embryo transfers in the group that received genetic screening.
Researchers found that treatments for cancer and sickle cell disease can destroy germ cells in the testes of young boys, leading to complete depletion of spermatogonia. The study suggests that freezing testicular tissue before treatment may be a viable option to preserve fertility.
A study of over 250,000 British women found no overall increased risk of invasive breast or womb cancer after assisted reproduction. However, small increased risks of non-invasive breast and ovarian tumours were detected, with the former linked to a greater number of treatment cycles.
A randomized trial found that a 14-week nut-rich diet significantly improved sperm quality, including increased count, vitality, and motility. The study also showed a reduction in sperm DNA fragmentation, associated with better male fertility.
Since the world's first test-tube baby was born in 1978, over 8 million babies have been conceived through IVF, with a record 157,449 babies born in Europe in 2015. European pregnancy rates for IVF and ICSI have stabilized at around 36%, while egg donation treatments have seen significant rises, with pregnancy rates now at about 50%.
A large randomized trial has found that endometrial scratching, a commonly offered add-on treatment for IVF, does not improve pregnancy or live birth rates. The study involved over 1300 women and measured pain discomfort scores, contradicting previous studies that suggested a benefit from the procedure.
Men treated with ICSI for infertility have a significantly higher risk of developing early-onset prostate cancer, which is considered more aggressive. The study found that this risk is associated with male sub-fertility, not the ICSI procedure itself.
A randomized trial tested the effectiveness of energizing eggs with a patient's own mitochondria in assisted reproduction. The procedure was found to have no impact on pregnancy or live birth rates, contradicting previous claims. The study suggests that the technique is not beneficial for patients with a poor prognosis for success.
A study on 563 women who froze their eggs between 2009 and 2017 found that only 12.8% returned to the clinic for reproduction treatment, with an overall success rate of 32.6%. The majority of returning social freezers had found a suitable partner to pursue motherhood.
A large population study from Denmark found no causal association between assisted reproduction treatment and increased risk of ovarian cancer. Female infertility, rather than ovarian stimulation, was associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
A large randomized placebo-controlled study found no evidence that rhG-CSF improves outcomes in women with a history of unexplained recurrent pregnancy losses. The study involved 150 women and showed similar clinical pregnancy rates between the treatment and placebo groups.
A study of 150 women who froze their eggs found that partnership problems were the primary motivation for freezing eggs, not career planning. The majority of women in the study were single or had unstable relationships, and many had completed their education and career goals but still struggled to find a partner.
A large US clinical trial found that an antioxidant supplement taken daily by the male partner for three months made no difference to sperm concentration, motility, or morphology. The study also showed no significant differences in natural conception rates between the antioxidant and placebo groups.
Scientists successfully isolate and grow human follicles to 'biofunctionality' on a bioengineered ovarian scaffold made of decellularized tissue. The breakthrough uses early-stage follicles from patients with frozen ovarian tissue for fertility preservation.