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Researchers devise new genetic technique for IVF embryos

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have devised a new technique, which helps couples that are affected by or are carriers of genetic diseases have in vitro fertilized babies free of both the disease in question and other chromosomal abnormalities. The results were reported in the April issue of Fertility and Sterility.

24 May 2011

New genetic testing technology for IVG embryos

23 May 2011

New Seattle IVF program cuts expense of women conceiving child with donated egg

A new, first-of-its-kind Seattle in vitro fertilization program can save women 30 percent on the expense of conceiving a child with a donated egg. The cost-savings comes through Seattle Reproductive Medicine's new shared-donor program that lets two women use eggs provided by a single donor.

21 May 2011

Gene variant linked to infertility in women

A variation in a gene involved in regulating cholesterol in the bloodstream also appears to affect progesterone production in women, making it a likely culprit in a substantial number of cases of their infertility, a new study from Johns Hopkins researchers suggests.

16 May 2011

IVF causing multiple birth rates fall

Birth rates for IVF twins and triplets have begun to fall in line with government targets aimed at reducing health risks caused by multiple pregnancies. This fall shows the efficacy of the guidelines brought in by the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) that urged UK fertility clinics to limit multiple births to no more than 24% in 2009/10. Among naturally-conceived babies, only around one in 70 is a twin.

15 May 2011

Study finds strong link between live birth rates and number of eggs retrieved in one IVF cycle

An analysis of over 400,000 IVF cycles in the UK has shown that doctors should aim to retrieve around 15 eggs from a woman's ovaries in a single cycle in order to have the best chance of achieving a live birth after assisted reproduction technology.

11 May 2011

Psychological distress affects IVF outcomes

There is no doubt that undergoing infertility treatment is stressful, with high rates of anxiety and depression reported by many patients. Mind/body therapies designed to help women reduce stress earlier in the treatment process result in higher pregnancy rates, but little is known specifically about the impact of these therapies on women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

10 May 2011

The AFA completes yearlong fertility educational series

The American Fertility Association is pleased to announce the completion of a yearlong fertility educational series which was funded by Attain Fertility Centers.

30 Apr 2011

GSN receives NIH grant for non-invasive prenatal test trial in genetic abnormalities

Gene Security Network announced today that they have received a $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to conduct a clinical trial applying Parental Support technology for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis.

28 Apr 2011

Thermo Fisher Scientific introduces wireless sample monitoring solution

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today introduced its new Thermo Scientific Smart-Vue wireless monitoring solution. Smart-Vue™ protects precious samples by monitoring key laboratory parameters including temperature, CO2 concentration, humidity and differential pressure. It can be installed by the user on most laboratory equipment, including ultra-low temperature freezers, laboratory refrigerators, CO2 incubators and clean rooms.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 16 Apr 2011

Mandatory single embryo transfers for IVF may decrease risk and cost

The number of couples struggling with infertility is on the rise, and these couples often use assisted reproductive technologies, like in vitro fertilization (IVF), to get pregnant. Although IVF can be successful, it can also increase the risk of multiple pregnancies, which are often caused by transferring more than one embryo. Twins and triplets are likely to be born prematurely, and, as a result, many have medical complications.

15 Apr 2011

Researchers develop Short-CGH method for preimplantation genetic screening

A Short Comparative Genomic Hybridisation method has been developed to carry out preimplantation genetic screening by analysing all chromosomes and transferring selected embryos to the recipient uterus in the same in vitro fertilisation cycle. This eliminates the need to freeze them.

15 Apr 2011

Study finds low multiple birth rates in 15 states that provide insurance coverage for IVF

Faced with the prospect of costly in vitro fertilization but with no help from insurance coverage, some infertile couples feel pressure to transfer multiple embryos in an attempt to ensure that the IVF is a success.

6 Apr 2011

Mouse sperm created in lab: Hope for male infertility

In a scientific breakthrough, researchers report that they've grown mouse sperm from testicular tissue in the laboratory, a development that could advance the field of infertility in human males. Although still proven in mice, “this is a small but important step in understanding how sperm are formed, which may, in time, lead to us being able to grow human sperm in the laboratory,” said Dr. Allan Pacey, senior lecturer in andrology at the University of Sheffield in England, who is familiar with the study results.

24 Mar 2011

Stem cell research updates

Two studies have been published this Wednesday in the journal Nature that show that work remains before so-called induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are ready for use in laboratory studies or clinical therapies. These iPS cells are body cells that are programmed to unwind back into an embryonic state. Like embryonic stem cells, they have potential to develop into any other type of cell in the body. However researchers are showing that these cells do not reprogram perfectly.

3 Mar 2011

G-CSF treatment improves inadequate endometrium during IVF cycles

During in vitro fertilization cycles, treatment with a medication called granulocyte-colony stimulating factor significantly improves inadequate endometrium, according to a report published electronically on February 15 in Fertility and Sterility - the official journal of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

24 Feb 2011

New study: PCBs linked to embryo implantation failure during IVF

According to a new study published February 24 in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives, serum polychlorinated biphenyls at concentrations found in the general U.S. population are associated with the failure of fertilized embryos to implant in the uterus after in vitro fertilization.

24 Feb 2011

ACT receives patent for its single-blastomere technology

Advanced Cell Technology, Inc., a leader in the field of regenerative medicine, announced today that it has been issued a patent on its "single-blastomere" technique. Patent Number 7,893,315 broadly covers ACT's proprietary single-blastomere technology that provides a non-destructive alternative for deriving human embryonic stem cell lines.

23 Feb 2011

Miracle boy born after new infertility therapy

A Lancashire couple Andrew and Louise Riley have been blessed with a “miracle baby boy” thanks to a pioneering new genetic screening process. Elliott Riley was born just after Christmas after the Rileys opted for a relatively new technique called array comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH) after 10 years of infertility treatments. Mrs. Riley, 37, and her husband, 39, said they were delighted to welcome Elliott on December 30.

3 Feb 2011

Uterine health is more relevant for fetus to achieve normal birth weight, full gestation

For women seeking pregnancy by assisted reproductive technologies, such as in-vitro fertilization, a new study shows that the health of the uterus is more relevant than egg quality for a newborn to achieve normal birth weight and full gestation.

2 Feb 2011