Fertilization News and Research

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Vaping versus smoking’s impact on male fertility

A new study found that male E-cigarette users undergoing IVF had higher sperm motility and lower miscarriage rates compared to conventional smokers. However, E-cigarettes were not shown to be safe and further research is needed before recommending them for fertility.

6 Jul 2025

HHS eliminates CDC staff who made sure birth control is safe for women at risk

For Brianna Henderson, birth control isn’t just about preventing pregnancy.

1 Jul 2025

California’s much-touted IVF law may be delayed until 2026, leaving many in the lurch

California lawmakers are poised to delay the state's much-ballyhooed new law mandating in vitro fertilization insurance coverage for millions, set to take effect July 1. Gov. Gavin Newsom has asked lawmakers to push the implementation date to January 2026, leaving patients, insurers, and employers in limbo.

25 Jun 2025

Histone modification involved in chromosome and spindle stabilization in mouse oocytes

The accurate distribution of chromosomes in an oocyte is essential for the correct transmission of genetic information to the next generation.

20 Jun 2025

Scientists develop tool to predict bowel cancer drug resistance

Scientists have developed a tool that can predict how bowel cancer adapts to treatment – helping researchers to design new personalized drugs that will keep patients living well for longer.

20 Jun 2025

Would you trust a life form engineered in a lab? Here’s why it matters

A new report from Rice University’s Baker Institute outlines six core ethical challenges in synthetic biology, including risks, equity, and environmental impacts.

9 Jun 2025

Study explores whether female odor-based mating preferences could predict gamete-level compatibility

Published in Heredity, a recent study led by the University of Eastern Finland explored sexual selection in humans by investigating whether female odour-based mating preferences could predict how compatible male and female gametes are.

9 Jun 2025

Global female infertility rates surge, hitting women in their late 30s hardest

Researchers analyzed global data from 1990 to 2021 and found that over 110 million women worldwide were affected by infertility, with a significant rise in age-standardized rates. The study highlights shifting trends, with the greatest burden among women aged 35–39, and projections showing further increases in age-standardized rates by 2050.

22 May 2025

Cutting back on sugary drinks may protect men’s fertility, review finds

Regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with lower sperm count, motility, and increased DNA damage, potentially impairing male reproductive health. This narrative review highlights dose-response effects, mechanisms, and research gaps, calling for further studies on diverse populations.

22 May 2025

New stem cell model replicates human amniotic sac development

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have developed a new stem cell model of the mature human amniotic sac, which replicates development of the tissues supporting the embryo from two to four weeks after fertilization.

15 May 2025

Simple oral swab test could revolutionize IVF success rates

About 15 per cent of all couples of reproductive age are involuntarily childless. A major reason why so many need assisted reproduction is that nowadays more and more people are putting off starting a family.

13 May 2025

Heat triggers sperm activation for fertilization in mammals

In mammals - including us humans - sperm are surprisingly picky about temperature, thriving best in conditions a few degrees cooler than normal body temperature.

2 May 2025

Epigenetic flexibility helps embryos avoid developmental errors

An international research team led by Helmholtz Munich has, for the first time, provided a detailed insight into how the spatial organization of genetic material is established in the cell nucleus of early embryos within the first hours after fertilization.

23 Apr 2025

Zinc found in glassware may impair embryo development in IVF

The research team discovered that glassware used to manipulate and culture fertilized eggs in the fields of assisted reproductive technology (ART), livestock farming, and basic research contains toxic substances that interfere with the development of fertilized eggs (embryos).

18 Apr 2025

Seasonal air pollution found to undermine IVF success

Exposure to fine particulate matter during fertility treatment windows—especially in winter—negatively impacts pregnancy and live birth rates

17 Apr 2025

Small antibody fragment shows potential for non-hormonal contraception

A new study from Karolinska Institutet shows how a small antibody fragment can block fertilization by targeting a key protein on the surface of the egg.

15 Apr 2025

Smaller hatching embryos more likely to be genetically healthy

A new research paper was published in Aging (Aging-US) Volume 17, Issue 3, on March 5, 2025, titled "Reproductive aging, preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, and the diameter of blastocysts: does size matter?"

9 Apr 2025

Your season of conception could shape your body’s calorie-burning ability

Being conceived in colder months may enhance your body’s ability to burn calories throughout life. A new study shows cold-season conception is linked to more active brown fat and greater energy expenditure in adulthood.

8 Apr 2025

AI-driven research aims to improve IVF success rates

The number of successful pregnancies through IVF treatment currently stands at 30 to 50 per cent globally. By analyzing the environmental conditions in the clinics' laboratories using AI, researchers at Malmö University believe they can improve the chances of a successful outcome.

1 Apr 2025

Sperm viability boosted in IVF with glycan technology

The success of in vitro fertilization depends on many factors, one of which is sperm viability. A recent study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign documents a new way to select viable sperm and prolong their viability in the laboratory, reducing one source of variability during the process.

24 Mar 2025