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.
A study by Human Assisted Reproduction Ireland found that there is negligible risk of seroconversion in ART patients, making repeat viral screening unjustifiable. This could result in significant financial costs for couples undergoing treatment.
Research at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology found that overweight women undergoing IVF or ICSI are twice as likely to miscarry. Women with normal weight have a significantly lower miscarriage rate, highlighting the importance of pre-conception counseling for those using ART.
Two studies found that younger women prioritize career success over motherhood, while older women seek egg freezing as a means to delay childbearing until finding the right partner. Egg freezing has become more accessible, but accurate information is still lacking, highlighting the need for targeted counselling and support.
The study found substantial differences between women with endometriosis and controls, with lost work productivity averaging ten hours per week. Quality of life was also significantly impaired, except for physical functioning and mental health.
A new study by Dr. Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani predicts the age when women will hit menopause using a simple blood test. The researchers found that the accuracy of the test is high, with an average difference between predicted and actual ages of just a third of a year.
A study by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology found that IVF children generate significant fiscal implications for governments, with a discounted net tax revenue of approximately €127,000. This represents an 8-fold return on investment for governments.
A study of 70,709 American nurses found that consuming long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of endometriosis by 22%, while eating trans fats increases the risk by 48%. Dietary changes, such as reducing trans fats and increasing Omega-3 oils, may be a useful strategy for preventing or alleviating endometriosis symptoms.
A woman gave birth to two healthy girls, Aviaja and Lucca, in 2007 and 2008, respectively, after receiving fertility treatment following an ovarian transplant. The breakthrough case report supports the use of cryopreservation of ovarian tissue as a valid method for fertility preservation.
A recent study published in Human Reproduction found that women who conceive through IVF or ICSI have a significantly higher risk of stillbirth compared to those who conceive spontaneously. The study analyzed data from over 20,000 singleton pregnancies and found a four-fold increased risk of stillbirths among women who had IVF/ICSI.
Women with severe obesity may receive assisted reproduction treatment if they can achieve significant weight loss. Smoking is also a concern, as it reduces fertility and increases the risk of miscarriage. The ESHRE Task Force on Ethics and Law suggests balancing patient autonomy with societal responsibilities and future child safety.
A recent study has found that embryo biopsy does not increase the risk of major malformations or health problems in babies born from singleton pregnancies after preimplantation genetic diagnosis and screening. However, multiple pregnancies associated with PGD/PGS showed higher perinatal death rates compared to ICSI children.
Researchers found female mice created from two mothers but no father lived significantly longer than normal mice, living up to a third longer on average. The findings suggest that sperm genes may have a detrimental effect on lifespan in mammals.
Endometriosis affects an estimated 1 in 10 women during their reproductive years, causing severe symptoms, infertility, and chronic pain. The EndoCost study aims to assess the societal costs of endometriosis and identify areas for improvement.
Researchers have discovered a quick and accurate way to diagnose endometriosis by testing for nerve fibres in endometrial biopsies. The test shows high specificity and sensitivity, potentially reducing lengthy delays in diagnosis and improving treatment planning.
Researchers found 128 genes with varying expression levels in early clinical pregnancy compared to non-pregnant state. Gene expressions related to angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor, and pyruvate metabolism were over-represented.
A study published in Human Reproduction found that women with endometriosis are at a higher risk of premature birth, C-sections, and other pregnancy complications. The researchers also found that women with endometriosis were more likely to have difficulty conceiving and required assisted reproduction technology.
Childhood cancer survivors are at greater risk of premature birth and postpartum haemorrhages, highlighting the need for close monitoring during pregnancy. Researchers also warn that fertility may be compromised due to radiation treatment and chemotherapy.
A recent study found that nearly all human embryos produced through IVF have chromosomal problems, rendering current preimplantation genetic screening techniques useless. Chromosomal instability is likely responsible for low fertility rates and high abortion rates, and could impact spontaneous pregnancies as well.
Researchers have found that transferring a single embryo at a time after preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and freezing at the blastocyst stage results in comparable pregnancy rates to those for non-biopsied embryos. This approach can reduce multiple pregnancies and their associated complications.
A recent study found that women with diminished ovarian reserve are at increased risk of trisomic pregnancy, regardless of age. The study analyzed data from 19,840 women undergoing fertility treatment in the Netherlands and found a history of ovarian surgery, low egg retrieval, or menopausal status to significantly increase trisomy risk.
An Australian study found that daily sex for seven days reduces sperm DNA damage and improves fertility in men with high DNA fragmentation. Men who ejaculated daily showed a significant decrease in DNA damage and an increase in good-quality sperm.
Researchers found that mothers with elevated blood pressure during pregnancy increased the risk of PCOS in their daughters, while a family history of cardiovascular disease in either parent was also linked to an increased risk. Brothers of women with PCOS are also at greater risk of developing insulin resistance or diabetes.
A new embryo test can detect both genetic and chromosomal abnormalities, offering a faster and cheaper alternative to current fertility treatments. The test, known as genome-wide karyomapping, can identify diseases caused by specific gene mutations and aneuploidy at the same time.
A study of 15 women with cystic fibrosis found that assisted reproductive technology (ART) was a safe and successful option for them to become pregnant. The researchers achieved 17 pregnancies in 13 of the 15 women, resulting in 12 live births.
Researchers found that ultra-fast freezing of ovarian tissue can achieve the same success rate as fresh tissue in transplants, with a viability rate of 91.9% compared to 88.9%. The cortical grafting technique allows for simpler procedure with equally successful results, enabling women to have children later in life.
Research suggests that triathletes who undertake high levels of cycling training have worse sperm morphology and quality. The study found a statistically adverse correlation between sperm morphology and the volume of cycling training undertaken per week.
A new genetic test has increased pregnancy rates for older women undergoing IVF by 20% compared to 10% without the test. The test examines chromosomes in human eggs after fertilization and identifies healthy embryos, reducing chromosomal abnormalities and congenital issues.
A study found that babies born from frozen embryos fertilized via ICSI or standard IVF treatment have similar outcomes, including Apgar scores and birth weights. However, there was a slightly higher rate of malformations in medicated cycles.
A study found that over 20,000 European patients travel across borders for fertility treatment annually, citing quality concerns and legal restrictions. The majority of respondents were seeking assisted reproduction treatment, with countries like Italy, Germany, and France having the highest number of cross-border patients.
A new ovarian transplantation technique has successfully restored fertility in two patients who had lost their ovaries due to cancer treatment. The two-step procedure involves grafting small pieces of frozen ovarian tissue before the main transplant, allowing for faster recovery of ovarian function and improved response to stimulation.
Researchers found that human female embryos inactivate one X chromosome prior to implantation, which may affect laboratory culture conditions and embryo survival. This process is thought to have remained unchanged throughout evolution and has implications for human embryonic stem cell research.
The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) has launched an international study to investigate the efficacy of polar body screening in preimplantation genetic testing. The study aims to determine whether this novel method offers a possible solution for improving IVF treatment outcomes.
A comprehensive review of 75 studies found that complications in early pregnancy can increase the risk of preterm or very preterm delivery, placenta praevia, and congenital malformations. Identifying these risks allows clinicians to provide targeted monitoring and care for high-risk patients.
The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology reports an estimated 219,000 to 246,000 babies born through assisted reproductive technology (ART) globally each year. ART procedures have increased by over 25% in two years, with significant variations in availability and quality between countries.
Researchers found that twins conceived through assisted reproductive technology (ART) have a higher risk of complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and death compared to spontaneously conceived twins. ART twins also require longer hospital stays and are more likely to be admitted to neonatal intensive care.
A study published in Human Reproduction found that single embryo transfer (eSET) is more effective and cheaper than double embryo transfer. eSET reduces multiple pregnancies by half and saves patients an average of €19,889 per live birth at term.
Scientists use fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to detect microdeletions in embryos, which can predispose children to certain cancer syndromes. The technique has the potential to test patients with other genetic conditions as well, and opens up new possibilities for families affected by these disorders.
A new study found that parents of donor-conceived children who sought their siblings' contact experienced positive relationships, often forming close bonds. The practice is creating new family forms based on genetic links and notions of family and kinship.
A study published in Human Reproduction found that placebo acupuncture resulted in a significantly higher overall pregnancy rate (55.1%) compared to real acupuncture (43.8%) in patients undergoing IVF. The researchers suggest that placebo acupuncture may have a real effect, contrary to its inert control status.
Men who consume soy foods regularly have lower sperm concentrations than those who do not. The association is particularly strong in overweight or obese individuals. Researchers found that men with normal or high sperm counts may be more susceptible to the effects of soy foods, suggesting a possible increased risk of infertility.
The use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has increased nearly twice as much as standard IVF in Europe, according to new data. ICSI is now used more frequently in countries with southern European roots, despite lacking medical evidence that it provides better pregnancy rates than IVF.
A study by Dr. Con Mallidis from Queen's University, Belfast, UK, found that diabetes causes DNA damage in sperm and decreases their ability to repair DNA, leading to decreased fertility. The researchers identified AGEs as a key factor in this damage.
Research by Dr. A Ghiyath Shayeb found that obese men had lower semen volumes and higher proportions of abnormal sperm. Men with a healthy BMI, however, had better semen quality. The study suggests that achieving an ideal body weight before trying for a baby can improve fertility outcomes.
Researchers successfully developed human embryonic stem cells from a single cell of a 4-cell stage embryo, reducing the need for destruction of the embryo. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient production of hESCs at an earlier stage and alleviate ethical concerns surrounding the technology.
A study analyzing 8,970 ICSI cycles found that younger women (35 and under) achieved a pregnancy in 50.8% of their first attempts, decreasing to 18.2% by the fifth attempt. In contrast, women over 40 had a lower pregnancy rate of about 20%, consistent throughout four attempts.
Researchers found that women with smaller uteri are at higher risk of premature twins, leading to increased foetal mortality and medical complications. Using transvaginal ultrasound to measure uterine height can help medical professionals make informed decisions about embryo transfer.
Research finds that many normal-looking sperm used in ICSI have DNA damage, decreasing pregnancy chances and increasing risk of miscarriage. The study urges for more careful selection methods to avoid problems in the future.
A Danish study of over 1,200 children found that those born from frozen embryos had higher birth weights and longer pregnancies compared to those born after fresh embryo transfers. The study also showed no increased risk of congenital malformations in the frozen embryo group.
A study by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology found that IVF treatment does not lead to increased risk of cerebral palsy or other neurodevelopmental disorders in early infancy. However, sub-fertility itself may be associated with less-than-optimal neurological conditions.