A recent study of over 5,000 women found that having a baby after breast cancer diagnosis does not negatively impact survival rates. Women who had hormone-receptor positive breast cancer and became mothers showed similar or increased survival compared to those without children.
A large-scale study of intrauterine insemination cycles found that frozen sperm samples have similar clinical pregnancy rates to fresh samples. However, time-to-pregnancy was slightly longer for the frozen sperm group. The results provide reassurance to patients undergoing fertility treatment.
A new study analyzing 171 trials and almost 37,000 subjects found that short GnRH antagonist protocols significantly reduced the risk of OHSS in IVF patients with predicted normal or high response. In contrast, long GnRH agonist protocols showed little effect on live birth rates but increased the risk of OHSS.
A new study found that probiotics did not improve vaginal health in women with an imbalance in their microbiota. However, 34% of women showed spontaneous improvement over a period of one to three months. The study suggests that postponing fertility treatment until a normal balance is achieved may be beneficial.
A study published in Human Reproduction found that smoking by mothers during the periconceptional period is associated with delayed embryonic development, smaller foetuses at the 20-week ultrasound scan, and lower birth weights. The delay in embryonic development was found to have a greater impact in the second trimester of pregnancy.
A survey of 1,590 Australian IVF patients found that 82% have used fertility add-ons despite limited evidence supporting their effectiveness. The most commonly used add-ons were acupuncture and preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, with significant costs associated with these treatments.
A large study found that pregnant women using over-the-counter painkillers have a higher risk of preterm delivery, stillbirth, and neonatal death. Healthcare guidance for pregnant women regarding non-prescription painkiller use should be reassessed.
A large cohort study found a higher risk of pre-eclampsia and hypertension in pregnancies derived from frozen-thawed embryos, particularly when hormone replacement therapies were used. The study suggests that preparation of the uterus with hormones may have harmful effects on vascular pathologies.
A new assessment tool has been found to predict ovarian damage in girls with cancer, helping doctors determine which patients should undergo fertility preservation. The Edinburgh selection criteria identify high-risk patients who are more likely to develop premature ovarian failure.
A new study found that a double stimulation approach, known as DuoStim, is as efficient as conventional two cycles of ovarian stimulation and reduces the time to pregnancy in predicted poor responders. This strategy recruits multiple follicles on any day of the cycle, benefiting patients with low egg collection and high treatment failu...
A retrospective observational study in the UK suggests that IVF clinics are retrieving an excessive number of oocytes, with some women having over 50 eggs collected during a single procedure. The high number of oocytes retrieved may lead to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and emotional distress for patients.
A large cohort study found that the transfer of embryos at the blastocyst stage and increasing use of embryo freezing are behind the improvements in IVF success rates. The study showed a significant increase in cumulative live birth rates over the decade, with single blastocyst transfers emerging as an increasing strategy.
A 18-year follow-up study of babies born from treatments including ICSI and frozen embryo transfer found no increased cancer risk in ART-conceived offspring. The study compared outcomes between ART children and those conceived naturally or with fertility drugs, concluding that there is no overall increase in cancer risk for those born ...
A recent study found that women previously infected with COVID-19 have similar ovarian reserve and fertility treatment outcomes compared to those without a history of the virus. The study monitored hormone levels in 46 patients undergoing IVF in Spain between May and June 2020, revealing no variation in anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) lev...
A new study suggests that AI can visually distinguish between euploid and aneuploid embryos based on their cell activity, potentially removing the need for cell biopsy in embryo testing. The AI-based system achieved 73% sensitivity and specificity in its results, offering a fast and economical alternative to current non-invasive methods.
A study published in Human Reproduction found that women who drink alcohol are less likely to conceive, with heavy drinking associated with a 61% reduced odds of becoming pregnant. Moderate drinking during the luteal phase also linked to lower conception rates, highlighting the importance of avoiding alcohol for those trying to conceive.
A study published in Human Reproduction found a link between ozone in air pollution and an increased risk of developing fibroids among Black American women. Higher levels of ozone were associated with a 35% increased risk of fibroids, particularly among younger women and those who had been pregnant.
A study found a significant increase in boys born with undescended testicles in France between 2002 and 2014. The researchers identified clusters of cases in areas with high levels of environmental pollution from industries such as coal mining and metal works.
A new study reveals a significant increase in global twin births, with about 1.6 million twins born each year worldwide. The rate has risen by a third since the 1980s, mainly due to growth in medically assisted reproduction and delayed childbearing.
Children born through fertility treatment have different growth patterns than naturally-conceived children, but by age 17, they are similar in height, weight, and BMI. ART children grew more quickly in their first 18 months and showed a similar growth pattern as subfertile parents' children.
A retrospective study of nearly a million pregnancies in the US found that men with metabolic syndrome had an increased risk of pregnancy loss, with risks increasing by 10-27% for each component. The study suggests that pre-conception counselling should not overlook the father's health as it may impact the pregnancy.
A new study published in the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology found that tanning bed use and sunburns may increase a woman's chances of developing endometriosis. The research analyzed data from over 116,000 women and found a higher risk among those who used tanning beds frequently or got sunburnt during teenage years.
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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...