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Maternal alcohol consumption impacts semen concentration in male offspring

Mothers who drink alcohol while they are pregnant may be damaging the fertility of their future sons, according to new research to be presented at the 26th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Rome today (Tuesday 29 June).

29 Jun 2010

Endometriosis can affect women's work productivity

29 Jun 2010

Blood test to help predict when women will hit menopause

Researchers have developed a way of accurately predicting when women will hit the menopause using a simple blood test. The average difference between the predicted age and the actual age that the women in their study reached the menopause was only a third of a year, and the maximum margin of error was between three and four years.

28 Jun 2010

Scientists use PGS method to analyse chromosomal status of eggs

The efficacy of preimplantation genetic screening has been one of the most hotly disputed subjects in assisted reproduction over the past few years. The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology PGS Task Force has now shown, in its groundbreaking proof of principle study, that screening of polar bodies (small cells that are the by-product of egg development), is a reliable method to analyse the chromosomal status of an egg.

28 Jun 2010

Overweight women undertaking ART at increased risk of miscarriage

Being overweight leads to a greater risk of miscarriage for patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART), the 26th annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology heard today (Monday). Dr. Vivian Rittenberg, a Clinical Fellow in the Assisted Conception Unit, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, said that her research provided additional evidence to show that increased body mass index (BMI) was independently associated with a higher miscarriage rate after IVF or ICSI treatment.

28 Jun 2010

Study finds significant loss of work productivity among women who suffer from endometriosis

The first worldwide study of the societal impact of endometriosis has found a significant loss of work productivity among those women who suffer from the condition, a researcher told the 26th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology today (Monday). Dr. Kelechi Nnoaham, from the Department of Public Health, University of Oxford, UK, said that the results of this multi-centre study would help highlight the previously unrecognised plight of an estimated 176 million women around the world whose lives are affected by endometriosis.

28 Jun 2010

Better test to predict menopause on the horizon

With the rise of many women delaying when they have a baby until they are older researchers are developing a test that can now tell a woman in her twenties how long she has left to start a family.

28 Jun 2010

Scientists discover weakness of human louse

Scientists have discovered the human louse's Achilles' heel which could lead to new treatments to rid us of body and head lice infestations.

23 Jun 2010

Exposure to chlordecone associated to increased risk of prostate cancer: Researchers

In an article to be published on 21 June 2010 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, researchers from Inserm (Inserm unit 625 - Research Group on Human and Mammalian Reproduction, University of Rennes 1), the CHU (University Hospital Centre) in Pointe - Pitre (urology department, University of the French West Indies and Guiana) and from the Center for Analytical Research and Technology (University of Li-ge, Belgique), show that exposure to chlordecone (also named Kepone), an organochlorine chemical with well defined estrogenic properties used in the French West Indies until 1993, is associated to a significant increased risk of prostate cancer.

23 Jun 2010

MDT aligned with AAP position statement on efforts to be made to save patient's natural dentition

Millennium Dental Technologies, Inc. (MDT), pioneers of the patented LANAP™ protocol for the treatment of gum disease and the manufacturer of the PerioLase® MVP-7™ digital dental laser, are aligned with the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) position statement that "efforts should be made to save a patient's natural dentition."

21 Jun 2010

Researchers study science and clinical treatment of FAS

It's long been known that alcohol use in pregnancy can lead to children with mental retardation and birth defects, but researchers who study fetal alcohol syndrome have not made definitive progress on preventing the disorder, detecting it early, or effectively treating it, say researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center.

16 Jun 2010

Diagnosis of antiovarian autoantibodies in infertile women help in approaches for assisted reproduction

Studies on the ovarian antigens and its corresponding specific antibodies have showed the relationship between the incidences of antiovarian autoantibodies and the clinical mani-festation of ovarian dysfunction and infertility in women.

4 Jun 2010

Researchers underscore role of jumping genes in maintaining genetic diversity

Using high-throughput sequencing to map the locations of a common type of jumping gene within a person's entire genome, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found extensive variation in these locations among the individuals they studied, further underscoring the role of these errant genes in maintaining genetic diversity.

4 Jun 2010

European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology 2010 meeting set for June 27-30 in Rome, Italy

New research findings from fertility experts from Europe, the Americas, Asia & Australasia

31 May 2010

Preimplantation Factor essential for pregnancy to succeed: Study

Researchers at Yale School of Medicine and their colleagues at the Society for the Investigation of Early Pregnancy have helped clarify the function of a unique protein called Preimplantation Factor, which is produced by healthy embryos to direct embryo attachment and help the mother adapt to pregnancy.

29 May 2010

ACG announces release of new IBD podcast series

The American College of Gastroenterology announced the release of a new podcast series, "Audio Q&A on Inflammatory Bowel Disease," featuring ACG experts answering questions on topics of most concern to IBD patients, their caregivers and loved ones. In recognition of World Digestive Health Day—2010 the Year of IBD, the College's new podcasts emphasize helping patients live well despite their IBD, and address issues surrounding reproduction and fertility; diet and nutrition; new and emerging therapies; the importance of clinical trials; and pediatric IBD.

28 May 2010

Abnormal androgen signaling in ovaries cause female infertility

Male sex hormones, such as testosterone, have well defined roles in male reproduction and prostate cancer. What may surprise many is that they also play an important role in female fertility. A new study finds that the presence and activity of male sex hormones in the ovaries helps regulate female fertility, likely by controlling follicle growth and development and preventing deterioration of follicles that contain growing eggs.

27 May 2010

ART no longer part of free public health services in Denmark

In light of the need to prioritise public expenditure, the Danish goverment decided this month to implement a legislative amendment, so that Assisted Reproduction Treatment (ART) will no longer be part of the free public health services.

27 May 2010

Conceptual Options to conduct FREE seminar on Surrogacy, Embryo, Sperm and Egg Donation

The Surrogacy and Egg Donation Center, Conceptual Options, will be conducting a FREE seminar in Miami, Florida on the 17th and 18th of July 2010. These one-day FREE seminars will include a morning seminar and afternoon individual consultations. This seminar will focus on Surrogacy, Embryo, Sperm and Egg Donation and will be held at the Four Seasons resort in Miami, Florida.

26 May 2010

European researchers define research priorities in biogerontology

The quality of the medical care for geriatric patients is a major investment for society and must imperatively be a research priority in Europe. This is why 50 European researchers, met on May 17 - 19 in Brussels, to define the research priorities in the field of biogerontology for the next 10 to 15 years.

21 May 2010