Articles tagged with Female Fertility
A new Cochrane review analyzed 11 studies involving 2,524 women undergoing embryo transfer, finding no reliable evidence that preparatory techniques improve IVF success rates. The techniques examined included straightening the utero-cervical angle and removing cervical mucus before transfer.
Scientists have identified unusual cell behavior and an overactive immune response in mothers and babies with preeclampsia, providing new therapeutic targets for the condition. The study found that stressed placental cells, poorly functioning blood vessels, and stress molecules released by the placenta contribute to the condition.
Researchers from University of Missouri-Columbia investigated mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) in the uterus, a process where cells rebuild the uterine lining after shedding. MET helps restore the uterine lining quickly, but its dysregulation can lead to inflammation, lesions, or cancer, potentially affecting fertility.
Hospital admissions for miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy have increased in England over the past two decades, with persistent socioeconomic inequalities observed. Deliveries declined significantly during this period.
A major new study suggests that age-related changes in the uterus may contribute to poorer pregnancy outcomes, with women aged 49 and over experiencing lower live birth rates and higher miscarriage risk despite donor-oocyte treatment. The study found that cumulative live birth rates declined substantially with age, from 80% among women...
A new wearable monitoring system called OMEGA aims to replace outdated fetal heart rate monitoring technology with a unified real-time assessment of fetal oxygen delivery and adaptive capacity. The system could potentially reduce C-section rates and improve maternal and fetal health outcomes, saving millions in healthcare costs.
A new study found that chronic oral inflammation can impair female fertility by triggering a systemic immune response that affects the ovaries. This leads to oxidative damage, reduced egg quality, disrupted follicle development, and reduced live birth rates.
A new Cochrane review finds planned early birth for pregnant women with high blood pressure cuts maternal complications by nearly half and reduces the risk of stillbirth. The practice is found to be safe across both high- and low-income settings, without increasing the likelihood of caesarean section.
A study by Oregon Health & Science University found that state-level abortion bans in the US are associated with a reduction in evidence-based medical care for miscarriage management. This has led to more women waiting longer for treatment and fewer choices, potentially putting their health and fertility at risk.
Polyendocrine Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) impacts 13% of women, causing hormonal imbalance, insulin resistance, and chronic pain. Lifestyle interventions, particularly diet and exercise, show benefits for physical and mental health outcomes.
A study from the Ragon Institute reveals how a live bacterial therapy works to prevent recurrent bacterial vaginosis (BV) and why it works better for some women than others. The therapy, LACTIN-V, was found to successfully colonize the beneficial bacterium Lactobacillus crispatus in 30% of women, leading to improved vaginal health.
A population-level cohort study of 20 low-mortality countries found that females aged 35-60 have higher cancer mortality rates than males, despite similar treatment and diagnostic pathways. The study highlights the need for targeted action to improve the prevention, early detection, and treatment of female reproductive cancers.
Researchers from The Mount Sinai Hospital have developed an AI-assisted tool to diagnose severe congenital heart defects from fetal scans with high sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, a machine learning model can predict placenta accreta spectrum based on preconception data, identifying novel predictors like anemia.
A systematic review of 12 million births in 25 European countries found that private hospitals have a significantly higher caesarean section rate than public hospitals. Among low-risk first-time mothers, the increase in caesarean sections is attributed to non-medical factors such as local routines and financial incentives.
Researchers found that Asian and Singaporean women with PCOS have better reproductive outcomes, including higher pregnancy rates and oocyte retrieval per cycle, compared to women without PCOS. Women with PCOS tend to maintain a higher ovarian reserve as they age, allowing for more robust responses to fertility treatment.
A survey by Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center reveals that nearly all Americans are unaware of the comprehensive women's health services provided by certified nurse-midwives. Only 20% know about annual gynecology exams, while 93% are aware of pregnancy and birth support.
A recent study found distinct changes in NAD-related metabolites in women with recurrent miscarriage, suggesting a deeper metabolic imbalance. The findings may lead to the identification of potential biomarkers for risk assessment and new avenues for treatment.
A case study in CMAJ describes successful ovarian tissue preservation in a young woman with Hodgkin lymphoma, highlighting the need for improved access to fertility preservation services. The 'hub-and-spoke' model presented offers a potential solution to overcome geographical barriers and improve patient outcomes.
A new study found that the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision led to a significant increase in tubal ligations, a surgical procedure that permanently prevents pregnancy, with 51% more procedures performed across four medical centers between 2021 and 2023.
The review reveals m⁶A's dynamic role in regulating female reproductive physiology, including oocyte maturation, granulosa cell function, and endometrial receptivity. Dysregulation of m⁶A is linked to pathologies such as endometriosis, PCOS, and recurrent miscarriage.
A new survey conducted by Orlando Health found that less than half of Americans are aware of the technology and testing available to decrease risks for a healthy baby after 35 years old. Advanced prenatal testing and care can help older mothers have safe and healthy pregnancies, dispelling common misconceptions about age and pregnancy.
Researchers found that women who had Caesareans during advanced labor are eight times more likely to develop scars near or within the cervix, increasing the risk of premature births. The study also discovered that scars lower down the womb heal less well than those higher up.
The global impact of IVF continues to grow, with estimated 20 million IVF births worldwide, increasing the demographic importance of fertility needs. IVF has become a more effective route to parenthood for those previously unable to conceive.
A study found that ultrasound-guided IUD insertion is faster than conventional methods, reducing procedure time by an average of seconds. Despite this, pain levels were not significantly different between the two groups.
A new study found that Australian women of reproductive age taking GLP-1 receptor agonists are not using effective contraception, despite known risks during pregnancy. The research revealed a higher risk of pregnancy among younger women with diabetes and those without diabetes in their early thirties.
Extracellular vesicles play a crucial role in regulating oocyte maturation, follicular growth, and quality. In pathological conditions, EVs can disrupt communication, leading to impaired oocyte development and ovarian failure. Therapeutic EVs show promise in reversing ovarian pathologies by delivering functional molecules.
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.
Researchers uncover a key piece to the miscarriage puzzle, tracing risk back to a problem with the womb lining before pregnancy. The decidual reaction, which prepares the womb lining for pregnancy each month, often doesn't progress properly in women with a history of miscarriage.
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.
Research suggests that the intention to have a child is complicated and nuanced, with many women uncertain about their ability to meet this goal. Women with higher education and income levels are more likely to say they will have children, but even those with a bachelor's degree show a decline in certainty over time.
A recent study found that acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine significantly improves patient-reported levels of stress, pain, and anxiety during IVF treatment. Clinically meaningful improvements were seen with average reductions of 2.2 units in anxiety, 2.1 in stress, and 1.4 in pain.
The proportion of women smoking during pregnancy in England has almost halved since 2014/15, but funding cuts could stall this progress. Experts fear that continued investment is necessary to give every child a smokefree start in life and prevent a surge in rates.
A cohort study of 12,480 mother-offspring pairs found that pre-pregnancy obesity, gestational diabetes, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with increased offspring blood pressure. These risk factors may also promote a faster rate of blood pressure change from age 2 to 18 years.
Researchers found that a fertility rate of at least 2.7 children per woman is needed to reliably avoid eventual extinction in small populations. A female-biased birth ratio can reduce extinction risk, helping more lineages survive over time.
A new study from the University of Missouri School of Medicine reveals that disruptions in cell communication can lead to disease progression in the uterus. Basal cells, typically found in healthy tissues, may be indicative of cancer or other diseases, highlighting the importance of early detection and prevention.
Researchers found that a Lactobacillus-dominant uterine environment significantly improves pregnancy outcomes and increases pregnancy success rates. Disruptions in microbiota composition have been linked to conditions such as chronic endometritis, endometriosis, and recurrent implantation failure.
Researchers at McGill University found that a protein produced in muscles helps manage the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which promotes egg maturation. Lowering myostatin levels delayed puberty and reduced fertility, while restoring it boosted FSH levels.
A systematic review of 24 studies suggests resveratrol can enhance the quantity and quality of egg cells, called oocytes. The compound may also treat infertility related to endometriosis and obesity.
A recent study led by University of Oxford researchers found that old male fruit flies' reproductive success declines due to seminal fluid limitation, not sperm quantity. Supplementation with young males' seminal fluid rescued aged males' fertility, highlighting the importance of seminal fluid quality in animal fertility.
A deficiency of TLE6 protein, associated with female infertility, was also linked to abnormal sperm morphology and reduced motility in male mice. The study suggests that TLE6 plays a crucial role in energy production in sperm cells.
Researchers identified 159 genetic studies and 37 key genes linked to reproductive traits such as age at first childbirth, menopause timing, and hormones like FSH and testosterone. Genetic factors play a significant role in broader health outcomes and influencing fertility.
Women with infertility are at higher risk of developing SARD, including lupus and Sjögren's syndrome, even after accounting for pre-eclampsia and other pregnancy complications. Infertility treatments do not appear to increase this risk, suggesting that women may be undiagnosed or untreated.
A new study published in JAMA found that women who experience severe maternal morbidity during their first pregnancy are less likely to have more children. The research, which studied over a million women in Sweden, revealed that such events can have a lasting impact on fertility.
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.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic recommend minimally invasive treatment alternatives to hysterectomy for uterine fibroids, which can help women recover faster and reduce long-term risks. Early detection and treatment are key in reducing health disparities among Black women.
A new study reveals a strong correlation between women's education and lower fertility rates in sub-Saharan Africa. The research team developed a method to forecast education-specific fertility trends, finding that higher levels of female education lead to lower fertility rates.
Researchers at UC Davis studied the Drosophila uterus and found over 20 cell types, revealing previously invisible anatomy. The study also identified seminal fluid proteins expressed in both male and female flies, which may support viable sperm for long periods.
Women with recurrent pregnancy loss and anti-β2-glycoprotein I/HLA-DR autoantibodies who received low-dose aspirin or heparin treatment had significantly improved outcomes, with 87% experiencing live births and a reduced risk of complications. The treatment was also effective for women with only the newly discovered antibodies.
Researchers from Kumamoto University discovered that prostaglandin receptors in the uterus enhance decidualization, a crucial process for successful pregnancy. This finding opens the door to developing new fertility treatments targeting these receptors.
Scientists have discovered a rare sequence variant in the CCDC201 gene that causes primary ovarian insufficiency, leading to an average of nine years earlier menopause. Women carrying two copies of this variant experience almost half of carriers having children after age 30.
A new study found that living near areas where pesticides were used during the first trimester of pregnancy or pre-conception increases the risk of stillbirths. Researchers linked pesticide use records to state birth certificate data and found specific chemicals, such as organophosphates and pyrethroids, to be associated with increased...
A national multicenter study found that younger women and those with non-malignant diseases had a higher chance of successful pregnancies after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. The study analyzed data from 2,654 women who underwent transplantation between 2003 and 2018.
A study suggests that hydroxyurea alters the developmental process of ovarian follicles but not their quantity. Ovarian tissue samples from patients with SCD showed no significant difference in primordial follicle density between those who received hydroxyurea and those who did not.
A new report highlights a troubling trend: while global adolescent fertility rates have significantly declined, sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing an increase in teen births. The region's share of global adolescent births surged from 12% in 1950 to 47% in 2020 and is projected to reach a majority by 2035.
After undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT), female patients can become pregnant and give birth to healthy children. Fertility counseling is crucial for these women, particularly young adults who hope to have children, as previous studies had found pregnancies post-transplant nearly impossible.
Researchers discovered a breakthrough in mouse embryo development, where primitive endoderm cells can generate an embryo on their own. These cells also have the potential to improve IVF outcomes by developing into stem cell-based embryo models.
A new study using stem cell-based models has revealed how early embryo cells decide between contributing to the foetus or to the supporting yolk sac. Understanding this decision is crucial for infertility treatment using in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos, as producing the right number of yolk sac forming cells may be critical.
Researchers discovered that sperm in insects can adapt to sexually transmitted microbes, with fertility reduced by 1/5th when sperm and microbes are unfamiliar. This finding may explain mixed results from human studies on the impact of microbes on male fertility.
A study found female health apps exposing users to unnecessary privacy and safety risks through poor data handling practices. Researchers discovered apps coercing users into entering sensitive information that could put them at risk.
A new study published in JAMA Health Forum found that following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling, permanent sterilization procedures among young adults increased nationwide, with tubal sterilizations rising twice as high as vasectomies. The study also highlighted the disproportionate impact on young women, who ar...