Researchers used non-invasive X-ray technology to study the jaws and teeth of a primitive jawed fish called Compagopiscis. The discovery provides solid evidence that teeth evolved along with or soon after the development of jaws in early vertebrates, shedding light on our evolutionary ancestry.
A study of nearly 3,000 women in Denmark found that those with an ectopic pregnancy had significantly lower delivery rates and total number of pregnancies over 20-30 years compared to others. These women also have a high risk of another ectopic pregnancy.
A nationwide Finnish study found that women who had three or more induced abortions before a first birth have a higher risk of delivering a baby prematurely and with low birth weight. The risk increases with each additional abortion, but the overall increase is small.
A policy of single embryo transfer (SET) has been associated with a reduction in overall perinatal mortality for IVF and ICSI babies. SET has also been linked to lower risks of preterm birth and low birth weight, as well as sequelae such as prematurity and neonatal complications.
The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology announces a breakthrough in fertility preservation, with Italy's first successful pregnancy and live birth after cryopreserving ovarian tissue. The technique has shown promising results, even after lengthy storage periods.
A meta-analysis suggests that freezing all embryos for later transfer in a non-stimulated cycle may improve implantation and pregnancy rates, reducing the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) associated with fresh embryo transfers. The study found a relative risk of 1.31 for clinical pregnancies, with higher ongoing pregnan...
A Danish study found that women who drink five or more cups of coffee a day have a 50% reduced chance of success in IVF treatment. The live birth rate was also lower by 40%. The researchers suggest that women should not consume more than five cups of coffee a day when undergoing IVF.
Researchers found that smoking reduces the production of a key gene called BAD in Fallopian tubes, creating an environment conducive to ectopic pregnancies. This finding may lead to new ways to prevent and diagnose ectopic pregnancies.
A study by Harvard School of Public Health found that women with higher intakes of dietary saturated fats have fewer mature oocytes available for collection in IVF, leading to lower live birth rates. On the other hand, polyunsaturated fat consumption is inversely related to embryo quality.
A study found that higher public reimbursement for fertility treatment increases access to care, reducing unmet needs in subfertile populations. Countries with more generous funding policies have a higher volume of ART cycles performed and lower rates of multiple births.
A large Danish cohort study reveals that childless women who undergo fertility evaluations have a higher risk of hospitalizations for psychiatric disorders, particularly anxiety and depression. The study found significant correlations between childlessness and increased rates of substance abuse, schizophrenia, and eating disorders.
A new study presents the largest number of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) treatments for BRCA1/2 in Europe, with a significant proportion of successful pregnancies. The results suggest that PGD offers an established option for couples seeking to avoid inherited BRCA mutations.
IVF and ICSI technologies have reached a calculated total of 5 million births worldwide since 1978. The cumulative total has increased by nearly 10% this year, with over 1.5 million treatment cycles performed globally annually, producing around 350,000 babies.
A systematic review of data from 35 years found that intrauterine devices (IUDs) have a failure rate of less than one per thousand and are more effective than the morning after pill. IUDs also provide long-term protection against unwanted pregnancy, making them a recommended option for emergency contraception.
A study of 99 men found an association between high total fat intake and lower total sperm count and concentration. Men who consumed more omega-3 polyunsaturated fats had better formed sperm than those who consumed less.
A large Scandinavian study confirms that combined oral contraceptive pills reduce dysmenorrhoea, with women experiencing less pain and improved daily activities. The study also highlights the independent effects of increasing age and childbirth on symptom severity.
A new study published in The Lancet found that transferring one or two embryos during IVF therapy results in higher live birth rates and lower risks of adverse perinatal outcomes. However, transferring three or more embryos is associated with increased risks, especially severe preterm birth.
Chinese fossils have provided insights into the evolutionary origin of animals from single-cell ancestors. The fossils preserve stages in the life cycle of an amoeba-like organism, revealing a pattern similar to early animal embryology, contrary to previous assumptions.
A study found that stress in the second and third months of pregnancy can shorten pregnancies, increase the risk of pre-term births, and affect the ratio of male to female births. Exposure to stress itself, rather than other factors accompanying it, appears to have this impact.
Women undergoing IVF treatment have a higher risk of developing borderline ovarian tumours and an increased risk of malignant ovarian cancer compared to those not treated with IVF. The long-term risks are significant enough to warrant further research.
Christoph Lepper, a Carnegie staff associate, received the NIH Director's Early Independence Award for his groundbreaking research on skeletal muscle biology. The award aims to launch talented young scientists into independent positions directly out of graduate school.
Researchers found a link between fibroids and recurrent miscarriages, with removal of distorting fibroids reducing risk of miscarriage in second trimester. Removing such fibroids also doubled live birth rate in subsequent pregnancies for women with unexplained RM.
A team of researchers used advanced imaging techniques to study a 400 million-year-old fossilized jawless fish. They found evidence that the brain of early vertebrates was reorganized before the development of jaws, providing new insights into the evolutionary history of vertebrates.
The American Association for Anatomy's ASCES journal has secured the number one ranking in Education, Scientific Disciplines with its debut impact factor of 2.976. The journal provides an international forum for anatomy education research, attracting contributions from top researchers worldwide.
A comprehensive review of 173,687 cases found maternal smoking causes a range of serious birth defects. Smoking during pregnancy also increases the risk of premature birth and related health problems.
A study found that cutting IVF funding in Denmark leads to significant short-term cost savings, but long-term losses. By 2059, the government would have lost €74-123 million due to fewer tax contributions from children born through IVF.
A large cohort study found that socioeconomic class and smoking are strongly associated with premature menopause, affecting quality of life. Women with premature menopause were more than twice as likely to report poor quality of life, with impacts lasting up to 10 years after diagnosis.
A recent study has found that quitting smoking during pregnancy can have a positive effect on birth outcomes. Women who gave up smoking in the periconceptional period had babies with significantly higher birthweight, similar to those born to non-smoking mothers. Stopping smoking before conception may also improve fertility outcomes.
The European IVF Monitoring Group reported on frozen oocyte retrieval (FOR) cycles for the first time. Italy led the way with 3,284 cycles, while Spain accounted for 30% of all egg donations. The report also highlighted the importance of restrictive laws on egg donation in many countries.
A Nordic study of 60,650 singletons from ART registers found a marginal increase in the risk of stillbirth in ART children compared to naturally conceived peers. The overall risk remains low, however.
Researchers have discovered that cells surrounding the egg can provide information about its genetic and chromosomal status. The study found 14 genes with highly significant differences in activity when their corresponding egg was abnormal, suggesting a potential non-invasive test for identifying faulty eggs.
Researchers found that early embryos with chromosomal abnormalities can undergo a process of genetic normalization, leading to the correction of errors. This discovery has significant implications for preimplantation genetic screening and future stem cell treatments.
Two studies found that frozen embryo transfer (FET) is associated with significantly higher birth weights and larger babies. FET was found to have a similar effect on small-for-gestational-age (SGA) children compared to naturally conceived children.
The ClearBlue Digital Ovulation test accurately predicts ovulation in 99% of women, surpassing the calendar method's accuracy rate of one in four.
A recent study by Professor Michael Davies reveals that the 'vanishing twin' phenomenon is associated with a nearly two-fold increased risk of any congenital malformation and nearly three-fold risk of multiple malformations in surviving babies. The research also found that early pregnancy loss, including loss before six weeks, is linke...
Researchers have developed a Pregnancy Viability Index (PVI) that can accurately predict the outcome of pregnancies threatening to miscarry. The PVI combines two key factors - bleeding and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) levels - to provide a reliable means of predicting which pregnancies will continue and which will miscarry, ulti...
A recent study found that gum disease can increase the time it takes for women to conceive, with non-Caucasian women facing a greater risk. The study, which followed over 3,700 pregnant women, revealed that those with gum disease took an average of seven months to become pregnant, compared to five months for those without gum disease.
Researchers found a nearly two-fold increased risk of congenital malformation in surviving babies and a threefold increase in multiple birth defects. Early loss of a co-twin was linked to the risk of birth defects in the surviving twin.
Researchers found that women with recurrent miscarriage have a cumulative incidence of natural conception of 56% after six months, 74% after 12 months, and 86% after 24 months. The median time to a subsequent pregnancy was 21 weeks, regardless of outcome.
Research found that women over 35 have higher rates of first trimester pregnancy loss and preclinical abortion after ICSI treatment. Ovarian response significantly impacts live birth rates, with optimal outcomes seen in those with 11 or more eggs retrieved.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of fertility issues and provide a voice to those affected. Thousands of postcards with moving stories will be sent across Europe until October 2011, spreading hope for millions of others struggling with infertility.
Researchers investigated predictors of adverse outcomes in IVF singletons, finding associations with preterm birth, small for gestational age, and placenta previa. Maternal smoking, BMI, and years of infertility were linked to increased risks of these conditions.
Researchers found that maternal height over 1.74cm and multiple oocyte retrieval (11+) are associated with twin pregnancies in IVF treatment. The study may lead to personalized fertility treatment with predictive models for choosing single or double embryo transfers.
Researchers analyzed records of 987 women with recurrent miscarriages to find long-term prognosis for live birth. The study found that 66.7% of women achieved a live birth within five years and 71.1% within 15 years after referral.
A study analyzing over 400,000 IVF cycles in the UK found that aiming for 15 eggs retrieved per cycle maximizes live birth rates while minimizing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome risk. The number of eggs above 20 leads to a decline in live birth rates.
Bjorn R. Olsen, Richard Drake, and Gary C. Schoenwolf received the highest awards from the American Association of Anatomists for their outstanding contributions to anatomical sciences, with Olsen receiving the Scientific Achievement Award, Drake the Distinguished Educator Award, and Schoenwolf the Exemplary Service Award.
The ESHRE Guide aims to ensure equitable and safe assisted reproduction treatment for local and foreign patients. Key principles include patient-centeredness, timeliness, and effectiveness, with recommendations on translator costs, donor compensation, and recruitment criteria.
ES cells can differentiate into retinal precursors and form an optic cup-like structure in vitro without external signaling sources. The tissue undergoes a four-step morphological rearrangement to assume the optic cup shape, driven by cell division and epithelial expansion.
Women who are obese during early pregnancy have a significantly increased risk of their baby dying before, during or up to one year after birth. Obesity also increases the risk of complications such as bleeding and infections during and after a hysterectomy operation.
Scientists have discovered algae living inside the cells of developing spotted salamanders, marking the first known example of a eukaryotic algae endosymbiont in vertebrates. This finding highlights the complexity of animal-algae interactions and raises questions about the evolutionary origins of mitochondria and chloroplasts.
The ESHRE Task Force recommends evaluating IMAR requests based on four ethical principles: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. The group acknowledges benefits of IMAR but emphasizes potential psychosocial risks and importance of informed consent.
A new IVF prediction model developed by Scott Nelson and Debbie Lawlor uses data from 144,018 IVF cycles to provide a more accurate assessment of likely outcomes. The model identifies factors such as maternal age, duration of infertility, and oocyte use that affect the chances of successful treatment.
Research found a seven-fold increased risk of undescended testicles in sons born to women taking multiple painkillers during pregnancy. The study suggests that exposure to certain chemicals, including mild analgesics, can disrupt testosterone production and lead to poor semen quality and testicular cancer.
Research suggests that IVF/ICSI treatment may increase cerebral palsy risk, but a waiting time of over a year reduces this risk. Children born after IVF/ICSI have double the risk of cerebral palsy compared to those conceived spontaneously within two months.
The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology has published a comprehensive English-language textbook for paramedics in reproductive medicine. The book provides an overview of key issues, including evidence-based protocols and research, to support the development of care in reproductive health.
The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology has published new guidelines for Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). The guidelines cover the organization of PGD centers, laboratory methods, clinical protocols, and follow-up recommendations. PGS is also included in the guidelines.
The world's first controlled study of genetic screening for IVF has resulted in the birth of healthy babies, twins in Germany and a singleton boy in Italy. The technique used is comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH), which can accurately predict chromosomal disorders with a 10% error rate.
A patchwork of reproductive health regulations across Europe hinders access to medically assisted reproduction (MAR) treatments. Many patients resort to seeking care abroad due to limited availability and reimbursement policies.
The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology and the International Federation of Fertility Societies are concerned about the lack of uniform clinical standards between countries, putting patients' safety at risk. The societies are developing a 'Code of Practice on Cross Border Reproductive Care' to protect and reassure pat...
Two studies found that smoking during early pregnancy reduces germ cells and somatic cells in developing embryos, potentially influencing future fertility. This may contribute to the decline in fertility rates observed in recent years.