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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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...
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 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.
The ClearBlue Digital Ovulation test accurately predicts ovulation in 99% of women, surpassing the calendar method's accuracy rate of one in four.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers have created a human testicular tissue model to study testicular germ cell cancer (TGCC) origins. The model, developed by Dr. Rod Mitchell and Professor Richard Sharpe, enables testing of environmental chemicals' impact on fetal development and may help identify treatments for disorders like Frasier or Denys-Drash syndrome.
The MRC refused to fund IVF research that led to the birth of Louise Brown, citing concerns about embryo quality and patient safety. The researchers argue for more complex reasons, including strategic errors by Edwards and Steptoe in their funding application.
A new preimplantation genetic screening method using micro-array technology has been shown to accurately detect chromosomal abnormalities in 89% of cases. This improvement in detection rate is expected to increase the success rates of IVF treatments for women of advanced maternal age.
A new non-surgical treatment for uterine fibroids, ulipristal acetate (UPA), has shown promising results in reducing total fibroid volume and menstrual bleeding. Patients taking UPA experienced improved quality of life, fertility, and reduced symptoms.
The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology reports that Europe leads the world in Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART), with over 479,000 treatment cycles in 2007. The number of ART treatments has grown by 5-10% per annum over the last 5 years.
A review of studies on IVM fertility treatment suggests that babies born after IVM may be more likely to have larger offspring syndrome and experience difficult births requiring caesareans. The authors urge caution in the use of IVM until further studies can clarify their findings.
Researchers have found vitrified eggs produce on-going pregnancies with similar success as freshly harvested oocytes. The study's results will improve egg banking practices, enabling cancer patients and others at risk of infertility to access fertility treatment more safely.
Research found that mothers who drank 4.5 or more drinks a week during pregnancy had sons with lower sperm concentrations, averaging around 25 million per milliliter. The study also discovered an association between prenatal alcohol exposure and semen volume and total sperm count.
Scientists have discovered that ovarian transplants from young mice can restore fertility and increase lifespan in aging female mice. The procedure, which has been performed with limited success in women so far, may also have a rejuvenating effect on their behavior. Researchers believe that similar procedures could be used to preserve ...
Researchers have developed a simple, non-invasive blood test that can detect chromosomal abnormalities in the developing fetus using molecular genetic probes. The test has already shown promise in identifying DNA from the Y chromosome and is being investigated for detecting trisomy 21 (Down's syndrome) and other conditions.
A study found that women with a genetic variation in their hormone receptor are more likely to have a poor response to FSH during fertility treatment. The abnormal receptor impairs the function of normal receptors, resulting in fewer oocytes produced.