Articles tagged with Human Reproduction
Boston University has been awarded a prestigious $4.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to further women's health research. The five-year award will support early-career faculty members through a two-year program, focusing on addiction science, maternal and child health, and sex influences on health outcomes.
Scientists have achieved a major breakthrough by 3D bioprinting miniature placentas, which can accurately replicate the human placenta. This technology has the potential to transform pregnancy research by allowing for the study of serious complications like preeclampsia.
Researchers from The University of Osaka identify CFAP91 and EFCAB5 as crucial proteins for sperm motility. Loss of function in either protein reduces male fertility in mice. Understanding these proteins' functions may help diagnose infertility and develop new treatments.
Researchers identified genes associated with breastfeeding disorders and postpartum breast cancer in the mammary gland, revealing potential new targets for investigation. The study provides a detailed atlas of genetic expression for the adult developmental cycle of the mammary gland.
A team of Cornell University researchers has developed a groundbreaking device that automates oocyte cumulus removal, reducing manual labor and preserving embryo development outcomes. The vibration-powered chip ensures consistent results, minimizes contamination risks, and is portable and cost-effective.
A survey of Australian women with hyperemesis gravidarum found half considering termination and 9 in 10 having fewer children. Only half rated popular treatments as effective.
Researchers developed a technique to study embryonic implantation in mice by keeping mouse uterine tissue alive outside the body. The method showed over 90% efficacy for implantation and provided insights into the maternal-embryonic signaling process.
A new Rice University study finds hormonal contraceptives shape how women experience emotions in the moment and remember emotional events later. Women on hormonal contraceptives showed stronger emotional reactions and remembered fewer details of negative events when using emotion regulation strategies.
Researchers at Rice University developed a mathematical model that sheds light on ovarian aging and menopause timing. The study reveals synchronized and predictable patterns of follicle depletion, accelerating during midlife, which helps explain why menopause typically occurs at similar ages for most women.
A human study found that ultra-processed diets lead to increased weight gain, disrupt hormone levels, and introduce pollutants affecting sperm quality. Men on an ultra-processed diet gained more fat mass and had lower testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels compared to those on a minimally processed diet.
Researchers at Lehigh University and the Cleveland Clinic are developing a nonsurgical therapy for pelvic organ prolapse using drug-delivering nanoparticles. The treatment aims to delay or reverse matrix degradation, reducing the severity of POP in patients with earlier stages of the disorder.
A new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that two-thirds of women of reproductive age in the US have at least one modifiable risk factor for birth defects. The analysis highlights the need for improved preconception health and identifying and addressing these changeable risk factors before pregnancy.
A recent study developed a highly accurate risk prediction framework for preterm birth using genomics, transcriptomics, and large language models. The model achieved an AUC of nearly 90%, making it the most powerful approach in predicting preterm birth.
Researchers found a strong correlation between industrial pollution exposure during pregnancy and the risk of intellectual disabilities in grandchildren. A study using Utah Population Database data revealed that grandmothers' prenatal exposures can increase the risk of intellectual disabilities in their grandchildren's children.
Girls who go through puberty before age 11 have double the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and obesity, while women who give birth before 21 have quadruple the risk. Later puberty and childbirth are associated with longer lifespan, lower frailty, and reduced disease risk.
A new study found that probiotics significantly reduced the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and multidrug-resistant bacteria in the infant gut, while also promoting a more typical gut microbiome. This breakthrough has major implications for the global AMR crisis, particularly for preterm infants.
Human embryos exert significant forces during implantation to break down surrounding tissue and penetrate the uterus. The study reveals that effective invasion is associated with optimal matrix displacement, highlighting the importance of these forces in the implantation process.
A study analyzed 100 TikTok videos on contraceptive health, finding that over half rejected hormonal birth control and a third expressed distrust in health professionals. Fertility awareness and cycle tracking were the most frequently discussed subjects, often without disclosing limitations or promoting ineffective methods.
Researchers discovered that immune cells called T cells are abundant in mammary glands during pregnancy and breastfeeding, with some relocating from the gut. This finding may help explain the benefits of breastfeeding and inform dietary decisions to enhance breast milk production and quality.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that gestational carriers are at a higher risk of developing new-onset mental illness during and after pregnancy. The study analyzed data from over 767,000 births in Ontario, Canada and found that nearly 1 in 5 gestational carriers had a prior mental illness diagnosis before pregnancy.
A new study found that anti-obesity medications can normalize testosterone levels in men with obesity or type 2 diabetes. This positive effect on reproductive health was observed after a 10% weight loss, with total and free testosterone levels increasing by 24%.
A study of over 7,600 Brazilian women found that early menarche increases risk for metabolic and heart problems, while late menarche may protect against obesity but increase certain heart issues. Understanding age at first period can help doctors identify high-risk patients and guide personalized screening and prevention efforts.
A long-term study of healthy men found that minimally elevated blood sugar levels can lead to declines in sperm movement and erectile function. The study suggests that lifestyle choices and medical interventions can help preserve or revive reproductive health in aging men.
An international study has shown that BrECADD preserves fertility significantly better than eBEACOPP without worsening recovery chances. After treatment, 95% of women and 86% of men had normal hormone levels, enabling more pregnancies and births.
A new study from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine examines pregnancy outcomes in women with kidney transplants who use assisted reproductive technology. The research found increased rates of hypertension and preterm birth, but no significant difference in live birth rates or two-year kidney transplant survival.
Research on human oocyte quality has made significant breakthroughs, highlighting the importance of hormone regulation, ovarian function, and oogenesis. Key findings include the role of muscle-derived myostatin in regulating FSH synthesis and the uniqueness of human oocyte development mechanisms.
A recent study found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have embryos carrying a unique 'epigenetic memory' that could explain why the condition often runs in families. Treating affected embryos with certain inhibitors showed promise in restoring normal gene activity, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue.
Pregnancy rates remained stable for IVF and IUI cycles in 2022, while single embryo transfer usage increased. Clinical pregnancy rates were stable, with singleton delivery rates improving to 91.5%. The use of ART rose by 15.6% despite a slight decline in total treatment cycles.
A new study shows that a simple blood test taken in the first trimester of pregnancy can accurately identify women at risk of developing preeclampsia five months before clinical diagnosis. The test uses cell-free RNA, or cfRNA, to capture subtle molecular signals from multiple maternal tissues.
A new international study reveals that male partners over 45 carry significantly increased miscarriage risks and lower live birth rates even when young donor eggs are used. The study found that older paternal age is linked to genetic mutations, sperm DNA fragmentation, and epigenetic changes, impairing embryo development.
A new study reveals that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a sharp reduction in the beneficial gut bacterium Parabacteroides merdae, alongside elevated levels of branched-chain amino acids. These changes may impair endometrial health and reproductive complications in women with PCOS.
A research team at Washington University in St. Louis used machine learning to analyze sleep data from pregnant participants and found that variability in sleep patterns can predict preterm birth. The study aims to provide accurate prediction of preterm birth, which is the primary cause of death among children under age 5.
A large global study found that women who experience severe bleeding after childbirth face an increased risk of cardiovascular conditions, including heart failure and ischemic heart disease, for up to 15 years. The study analyzed data from over 9.7 million women across Europe, North America, and Asia.
Children of older mothers are more likely to be born prematurely or with complications. The study found that babies born to mothers 45 years and older had the highest risks of stillbirth, premature birth, and low birth weight compared to younger mothers.
A recent USC study found associations between increased exposure to wildfire smoke and heat stress during preconception and the first trimester with the odds of having a small-for-gestational-age infant. Living in a climate-vulnerable neighborhood can increase these risks, particularly for women exposed to heat stress.
A University of Cambridge report argues that menstrual tracking app data is a valuable resource for advertisers but poses significant privacy and safety risks to users. The report calls for better governance of the industry to protect user data and urges public health bodies to launch alternative apps.
The first localized Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) project in Armenia has been launched by BGI Genomics with Prom-Test Laboratories. The NIFTY test offers screening for Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, Patau syndrome, and sex chromosome anomalies with over 99% accuracy.
A recent study published in Heredity investigated whether female odour-based mating preferences can predict gamete-level compatibility in humans. Women preferred the body odours of MHC-similar men, but sperm from MHC-dissimilar men exhibited higher motility when exposed to female follicular fluid.
A study found that between 11.6% and 20.2% of women with a history of pregnancy or testing for pregnancy visited crisis pregnancy centers across four US states, including Arizona and New Jersey. The attendance rates were not correlated with age, race, or socioeconomic status.
A new study found that climate change is driving sexual and reproductive health risks among young adolescents in Kenya, with food, water, and sanitation insecurities linked to school dropout, gender-based violence, and early pregnancy.
A new study reveals that BCAA supplements popular with male bodybuilders may impact their fertility, causing changes in sperm concentration and decline in fertility. Valine, a key BCAA, has a powerful effect on male reproductive function.
Researchers found that inflammation in the female reproductive tract can hinder fertility, but replenishing progesterone levels can help. This discovery could improve women's chances of becoming pregnant and save more pregnancies.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed an improved model system to study embryo development, revealing insights into critical periods of formation. The new system allows for the prolonged culture of gastruloids, enabling researchers to visualize key processes such as mesoderm migration and gene expression.
Research shows that low phosphate levels in blood are associated with reduced sperm motility and poor semen quality. The findings suggest a potential link between phosphate and male fertility, highlighting the importance of understanding biological factors involved in reproductive health.
A meta-analysis of 21 studies involving over 178,000 women found that those with infertility history have a 14% increased risk of heart or blood vessel conditions, as well as higher risks of heart disease and stroke. Younger women and those undergoing fertility treatments are at greater risk.
A systematic review found a moderate risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and infant death associated with cannabis use during pregnancy. Researchers recommend reducing cannabis use as a harm-reduction approach to mitigate risks.
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have created 'super stem cells' that outperform regular stem cells by developing into multiple cell types. These 'super stem cells' show promise in improving fertility treatment, particularly IVF success rates, by producing essential tissue for early embryonic development.
Three UTA faculty members, Kyrah Brown, Ben Jones, and J. Ping Liu, received top honors for their groundbreaking research contributions. Brown's interdisciplinary work focuses on reproductive and cardiac health among women, while Jones' research explores neutrinos to understand the universe's mysteries.
A research team of over 60,000 OB-GYNs in the US found that doctors are not systematically leaving states where abortions are banned or threatened. The study suggests that concerns about reproductive health care may be offset by ties to patients and local communities, as well as significant relocation efforts.
A new study from Queen Mary University of London reveals substantial financial burdens on patients and concerns over the reliability of information in the fertility sector. The research highlights a need for regulatory action to ensure clinics provide accurate cost information and treatment options.
The Dobbs decision has been linked to moderate but significant decreases in obstetrics and gynecology practitioners in the most restrictive states compared to control states. Clinician migration is likely affecting reproductive care access, quality, and equity as abortion rights are increasingly decided at the state level
Two landmark studies show that the 3D genome structure coordinates thousands of genes to form a sperm cell. The work identifies two proteins that establish cellular memory and set up a new structure that cements the cell's future fate as a sperm cell.
A study of 242 couples undergoing assisted reproductive treatment found that men experienced higher levels of work-family conflict, while women were more affected by stress. The researchers used online questionnaires to assess the couples' emotional well-being and job performance.
According to UTHealth Houston research, adolescent and young adult men with cancer have a slightly elevated risk of having preterm birth and children with low birth weight. However, the likelihood of live birth was highest for fathers who had thyroid cancer and lowest for those with gastrointestinal cancer.
A survey found that nearly a third of patients considered sociopolitical factors when making their decision to undergo a vasectomy after the Dobbs decision. This trend is consistent with recent research indicating an increase in vasectomy procedures following the ruling.
Researchers found a 1.5% decrease in low-birthweight babies across 271 school districts, with each $1,000 increase in income tied to improved infant health outcomes. Income gains also led to increased prenatal care rates, but not changes in pregnancy-related behaviors.
A large multisite study found that two common antiseizure medications, lamotrigine and levetiracetam, are safe to use during pregnancy, with no statistically significant differences in cognitive and psychosocial outcomes at age 6. The study confirms these drugs offer a safe alternative to older antiseizure medications like valproate.
Women who experience severe maternal morbidity in their first birth are less likely to have a subsequent birth. Enhancing antenatal care and reproductive counseling are crucial for women with this history.
A team of scientists has pinpointed a critical neural circuit for female sexual rejection, revealing how the brain integrates signals to shape behavior. The ventromedial hypothalamus, specifically progesterone-sensitive neurons in the anterior VMH, play a crucial role in determining whether a female accepts or rejects mating attempts.
A cross-sectional study found that barriers to divorce were associated with higher pregnancy-associated homicide rates and better access to reproductive health care was linked to lower rates. The study highlights the importance of considering state legislation when addressing pregnancy-related violence.