A study of 70 singleton babies born after preimplantation genetic diagnosis and screening found no adverse effects on early growth and risk of congenital malformations. The procedure did not impact singletons' growth or medical outcomes, according to lead researcher Professor Maryse Bonduelle.
Mothers and fathers of twin babies conceived through ART show higher rates of depression, anxiety, and social dysfunction compared to parents of singletons. Counselling and preparation before birth may play a role in mitigating these effects.
A large-scale study found that children conceived by donor insemination who are told about their origins at an early age experience fewer negative emotions compared to those told later in life. The study suggests that early disclosure is beneficial for donor offspring's feelings about their conception.
A new low-cost IVF scheme aims to provide fertility treatment for women in developing countries, tackling high infertility rates and cultural barriers. The program offers affordable IVF for under $200, integrating it into existing healthcare services to address the growing need for fertility treatment.
Embryos with hereditary disorders should not always be transferred without unaffected ones, experts say. Doctors should discuss decision-making processes and policy before PGD, prioritizing the child's welfare.
A new ovarian stimulation technique allows women with cancer to collect eggs for freezing during the luteal phase, reducing wait time before treatment. The technique has shown promising results in triggering ovulation and collecting mature eggs within two weeks.
A recent study by Dr. Stéphanie Belloc found that men over 35 have a negative impact on pregnancy rates and increase miscarriage risks in women undergoing intrauterine inseminations (IUIs). This marks the first time a strong paternal effect has been shown, contradicting previous assumptions about the role of the father in fertility.
Research among 187 women from the general population found that younger women are more willing to become surrogate mothers. Women who value families and parenthood are also more likely to be willing to help others become parents. The study aims to overcome stigma by linking surrogacy to positive family values.
A study of 39 surrogacy families, 43 donor insemination families, and 46 egg donation families found that relationships within these families appear to be well-functioning, with similarities in psychological wellbeing and parent-child relationships compared to naturally conceived families. However, teachers reported slightly higher lev...
Researchers have successfully applied DNA fingerprinting to identify viable embryos after in vitro fertilization (IVF), opening the door for more precise embryo selection. By analyzing gene expression patterns, they aim to improve IVF outcomes by reducing multiple pregnancies and increasing successful births.
Stored ovarian tissue from cancer patients may contain residual cancer cells that can re-infect the body if not checked. Research suggests that few fertility centers have the skills and technology to detect these cells, highlighting the need for improved testing methods.
Researchers found an association between high folate intake and lower levels of chromosomal abnormalities in men's sperm. The study suggests that increasing folate intake through diet or supplements may reduce the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in children.
Research found teenage fathers more likely to have babies with birth problems such as pre-term delivery, low birth weight, and death. In contrast, older fathers aged 40+ were not at increased risk, according to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology study.
A new study found that obese women's chances of spontaneous pregnancy are reduced by up to 43%, even if they ovulate normally and have no obvious infertility reasons. The study suggests that obesity may disrupt hormone levels, including leptin, which regulates appetite and energy expenditure.
A study found a significant increase in low birth weights among NYC babies born after the Sept. 11 disaster, suggesting stress may have contributed. The researchers discovered another peak in low birth weights around Christmas/New Year and April/May, indicating possible long-term effects of stress on fetal health.
Researchers in Australia identify two markers to isolate mesenchymal stem-like cells from endometrial tissue, which can differentiate into various cell types and repair prolapsed pelvic floors. The study opens up possibilities for using these stem cells for pelvic floor prolapse surgery and other gynaecological applications.
A woman with damaged ovaries due to chemotherapy and radiotherapy received a successful transplant from her genetically non-identical sister, restoring her ovarian function. After six months, she started menstruating and had mature oocytes retrieved for fertilization.
A study of over 4000 twin pregnancies found that complex assisted reproduction procedures increase the likelihood of abnormal umbilical cord development. The research suggests that embryo implantation may play a role in this increased risk.
A new study reveals that Germany's embryo protection law has led to an increase in foetal reductions performed during IVF treatments, resulting in the killing of embryos. The law, which limits embryo creation and transfer, is being criticized by experts for not protecting embryos as intended.
A study by Dr. Jacky Boivin found that women using complementary therapies had a lower pregnancy success rate and were more negatively affected by their fertility problems than non-users. The researchers suggest that women may use complementary therapies for stress reduction, but further research is needed to determine its effectiveness.
Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) does not increase ongoing pregnancy or live birth rates in women over 35 undergoing IVF. The technique's effectiveness has been called into question due to various limitations, including the potential for biopsy errors and chromosomal analysis biases.
Research by Dr. Paul Fowler reveals that low doses of environmental chemicals can disturb the development of ovaries in female sheep fetuses, leading to protein abnormalities and reduced egg production.
A pilot study found that gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists can suppress ovarian function in women receiving chemotherapy, protecting their fertility. The treatment was well-tolerated with minimal side effects and restored ovarian function after chemotherapy stopped.
A study of women's moods during IVF found a strong relationship between negative mood and multiple embryo transfer. Women with more negative moods perceived lower chances of multiple pregnancies and rated their choices as riskier. This research aims to improve understanding of emotional health during IVF treatment.
Researchers at Weill Medical College have successfully cloned a mouse genome, paving the way for potential treatment of low sperm count in infertile men. The technique involves replicating the male genome, which could increase chances of conception and reduce embryo wastage.
A recent study by Cardiff University found that social stress and marital stress increase over time for men with male factor infertility, while mental health decreases. Despite the common misconception that men experience more emotional distress when infertile, the research shows that men in all four categories suffer equally.
Researchers used time-lapse recordings to study IVF embryo development, finding that extended culture increases the likelihood of twinning. Blastocyst collapse may be caused by failed cell junctions, leading to degeneration and the formation of a second inner cell mass.
Women with endometriosis face a higher risk of certain cancers, including ovarian, kidney, and thyroid cancer. However, the risk is not affected by whether or not they have given birth. Conversely, women with endometriosis are less likely to develop cervical cancer.
Experimental studies suggest that targeting angiogenesis with dopamine agonists and dendritic cell inhibitors may inhibit endometrial lesions and decrease cancer risk. Mouse models show reduced blood vessel formation and increased old blood vessels in treatment groups.
A new algorithm for personalized ovarian stimulation therapy has been developed, demonstrating improved pregnancy rates in women undergoing fertility treatment. The formula, based on four easily measured patient characteristics, was tested in a prospective clinical study involving 161 patients.
A new study has achieved four successful pregnancies using immature oocytes collected from unstimulated ovaries, matured in vitro, and then vitrified, marking a significant breakthrough in fertility preservation. The research has the potential to become an important option for patients with PCOS or those who cannot undergo ovarian stim...
A new study reveals the challenges posed by PGD patients traveling abroad, with concerns over referral processes, counselling, and monitoring. The study highlights inconsistencies in regulation across Europe, with some countries allowing prenatal testing but not PGD.
African naked mole-rats live in colonies where only the queen reproduces, suppressing fertility in females and males around her through bullying. This stress-induced block to puberty is thought to affect hormone regulation and reproductive tract development. Understanding the mechanisms behind this social suppression could lead to insi...
Scientists successfully extracted and froze eggs from ovarian tissue of girls as young as 5 years old, a breakthrough in preserving fertility in young cancer patients. The study found an average of 8.5 eggs per patient, with a 32% success rate in maturing the eggs in vitro.
Research shows that diabetic men's sperm have greater levels of DNA damage, which may affect fertility. Sperm from diabetic men had higher fragmentation rates and more deletions of DNA in mitochondria compared to non-diabetic men.
Research found that pregnant women who ate more than seven beef meals a week had sons with lower sperm concentrations and higher rates of sub-fertility. The study suggests a link between maternal beef consumption and reduced fertility in sons, potentially due to the presence of anabolic steroids and other xenobiotics in beef.
A study of 47,835 Danish couples found that being overweight or obese increases the likelihood of delayed conception. The researchers found a higher risk of sub-fertility for both men and women, particularly for couples where both partners were overweight.
Researchers found that consuming whole fat milk and eating ice cream reduces the risk of anovulatory infertility in women trying to become pregnant. In contrast, a diet consisting of low-fat dairy products increases the risk by up to 85%. Women are advised to switch from low-fat to high-fat dairy foods to improve fertility.
A new study found that a natural family planning method called symptothermal method (STM) is as effective as the contraceptive pill in preventing unplanned pregnancies when used correctly. The STM method uses two indicators to identify the fertile phase in a woman's menstrual cycle and has an unintended pregnancy rate of 0.4% per year.
Research published in Human Reproduction found that heavy smoking significantly lowers pregnancy rates among women who received donated oocytes, regardless of their own ovarian function. Heavy smokers had a lower chance of achieving pregnancy but higher multiple birth rates compared to non-heavy smokers.
A study of over 800 twin pairs found that premature ovarian failure was three to five times greater in twins at ages 40 and 45 compared to the general population. This finding applies to both identical and non-identical twins, with a significant association observed between twin disparities in menopausal ages.
Men who undergo vasectomy reversal have a significantly higher rate of chromosomal abnormalities in their sperm compared to fertile men. The study found that the duration of obstruction and time interval after reversal are associated with increased abnormality rates, raising concerns about potential long-term effects on fertility.
A study by Professor Jansen found that improving culture conditions and nutrition coincided with an increase in monozygotic twinning rates. The best way to minimize MZ and DZ twinning is to transfer one embryo at a time, regardless of the mother's age.
A new study found that dopamine agonist cabergoline reduces hemoconcentration, ascites, and moderate to severe OHSS incidence in women at risk. The treatment could lead to better understanding of the mechanism of OHSS development and effective treatment options.
A study found that improving education on the risks of twins improved IVF patients' understanding and reduced their desire for multiple births. However, despite increased knowledge, many patients still prefer to have twins due to a desire to complete their family quickly with minimal treatments.
The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology reports that assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have led to the birth of over 3 million babies worldwide. The number of ART cycles has increased by 100,000, with the total estimated at one million a year, resulting in approximately 200,000 ART babies born annually.
Researchers found that a single dose of Taxol had induced significant testicular weight loss compared to the control group. However, an injection of AS101 a day before Taxol prevented this damage. The study suggests that immune reaction to treatment causes additional testicular damage.
A study found that cognitive behavioural therapy can restore ovulation in infertile women by reducing cortisol levels and improving the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. The therapy was effective in reversing stress-induced ovulation, offering a cost-effective and safe alternative to hormonal treatments.
A recent fraudulent attempt at IVF treatment highlighted the need for improved patient identification methods. The study found that 37% of clinics experienced or suspected cases of patient identity fraud, with many lacking adequate safeguards.
Researchers discovered higher concentrations of nitric oxide in the seminal plasma of infertile patients compared to healthy men. High NO levels were correlated with greater sperm DNA damage, while low NO levels improved sperm motility.