Fertilization News and Research

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Researchers discover method to select sperm with highest DNA integrity

Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have discovered a method to select sperm with the highest DNA integrity in a bid to improve male fertility. The method is comparable to that of the egg's natural selection abilities, according to the study published in the June/July issue of the Journal of Andrology.

29 May 2010

Sex may become ‘old news’ when it comes to having babies says Australian scientist

According to researchers most couples over 30 will rely more on artificial methods to conceive. This prediction comes from John Yovich, Medical Director of Pivet Medical Centre, and a scientist acknowledged for his pioneering work in IVF, who calls human natural reproduction “a fairly inefficient process.”

18 May 2010

Oxygen levels induce X chromosome inactivation in female cells: Study

Oxygen levels in the lab can permanently alter human embryonic stem (ES) cells, specifically inducing X chromosome inactivation in female cells, according to Whitehead Institute researchers. Human ES cells have been routinely created and maintained at atmospheric levels of oxygen, which is about 20%. Cells in the body are usually exposed to only 1-9% oxygen.

14 May 2010

Women with family history of breast cancer face increase risk of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the most deadly disease of the female reproductive system, with most cases diagnosed in later stages. Yet while ovarian cancer affects 1 in 70 women in the United States, many women have never discussed the risk with their doctor.

30 Apr 2010

BioTime to acquire Singapore-based company, ES Cell International

BioTime, Inc., a biotechnology company that develops and markets products in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine, today announced that it has agreed to acquire the Singapore-based company ES Cell International Pte Ltd.

30 Apr 2010

IntegraMed America's Vein Clinics business grows 20% in first-quarter 2010

IntegraMed America, Inc., the leader in developing and managing specialty healthcare facilities in the fertility and vein care markets, today announced strong results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

27 Apr 2010

Medication-free home ventilation system designed to remove allergens

According to a recent report by USA Today, due to 2010's unusually cold winter temperatures, allergy sufferers are now poised to experience the worst pollen season in years, with pollen counts skyrocketing and sufferers hiding indoors to avoid exposure. Yet as allergens creep indoors, sufferers continue to cough, sneeze and seek relief. With the introduction of EZ Breathe, a new innovative home ventilation system designed to remove allergens and reduce indoor concentrations of pollen, allergy sufferers now have a medication-free solution.

27 Apr 2010

Increase in number of mistakes made at fertility clinics

For many couples IVF is the last hope they have of having a baby and with some IVF clinics committing such blunders as implanting the wrong embryos or fertilizing the egg with the wrong man’s sperm, these hope can soon turn into a nightmare.

26 Apr 2010

New insight into mechanism regulating early mammalian development

Scientists at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) have recently generated significant single cell expression data crucial for a detailed molecular understanding of mammalian development from fertilization to embryo implantation, a process known as the preimplantation period. The knowledge gained has a direct impact on clinical applications in the areas of regenerative medicine and assisted reproduction.

22 Apr 2010

eSET program produces high pregnancy rates, minimizes multiple pregnancy risks

Every year thousand of families are created with the assistance of in-vitro fertilization. Many of those newborns are twins. While some may see this as a double blessing, it is important to understand that there are many potential risks associated with multiple gestation.

16 Apr 2010

Elective single embryo transfer for Canadian women under 35 most efficacious and cost-effective option

Many Canadian couples battling infertility turn to in vitro fertilization (IVF) to have a child. In Canada, IVF is not publicly funded, making the decision on the number of embryos to be transferred more complicated than in many European countries which link funding to elective single embryo transfer (eSET).

16 Apr 2010

Embryos with two mums to remove the risk of hereditary diseases: new research

New research published in the journal Nature, could pave the way to world’s first genetically modified human baby. The research involves making embryos with genes from one man and two women. There are hundreds or families around the world who are left childless or have serious ill babies because they carry genes for hereditary illnesses. This research may bring hope to such couples. According to scientists on the team, within the next three years these women will be able to avail such techniques. There has been skepticism regarding ethical issues attached to making of “designer babies”.

16 Apr 2010

New findings may allow clinicians to prevent complications in pregnancy

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have found that epigenetic marks on human placentas change from the first trimester of pregnancy to the third, a discovery that may allow clinicians to prevent complications in pregnancy.

15 Apr 2010

New research highlights adverse effects of air pollution on human reproduction

Exposure to an increased level of air pollutants, especially nitrogen dioxide, has been associated with lower likelihoods of successful pregnancy among women undergoing in vitro fertilization, according to a team of fertility researchers.

13 Apr 2010

New Guardia AccessET Curved Embryo Transfer Catheter for embryo placement

Cook Medical's Women's Health division has released the Guardia AccessET Curved Embryo Transfer Catheter, featuring Cook's patented EchoTip technology. The catheter's echogenic band allows the catheter tip to be seen more clearly under ultrasound, which can allow for more accurate embryo placement.

9 Apr 2010

SE5-OH with Natural S-equol supplement appears to be safe for pre- and post-menopausal women

Healthy pre-and post-menopausal Japanese women who took a supplement of SE5-OH containing Natural S-equol, a novel soy germ-based ingredient under development for the management of menopausal symptoms, had measures of reproductive hormones that stayed within normal limits throughout the study.

3 Apr 2010

Cook Medical's new IVF culture-oil purification process reduces contaminant trace to below detectable limits

A new purification process developed by Cook Medical for culture oil used in assisted reproduction eliminates traces of contaminants below detectable limits of 0.1 parts per million. The oil is purified by a proprietary refining technique that removes hydrocarbon impurities, which can have adverse effects on fertilization and threaten the viability of the developing embryos. The culture oil viscosity, MEA and LAL parameters remain unchanged.

27 Mar 2010

Radio ad supports legislation to end cash for egg donation

Today, Family Research Council Action and the Oklahoma Family Policy Council released a radio advertisement supporting State Representative Rebecca Hamilton's Oklahoma House Bill 3077, currently being reviewed by the Oklahoma State Senate. H.B. 3077 would put an end to the financial lure that draws young women into donating their eggs to fertility clinics, a dangerous procedure that can cause life-threatening complications including kidney failure and blood clots.

27 Mar 2010

Fertility industry offers big money to recruit “desirable” egg donors at top universities

Many egg donation agencies and private couples routinely exceed compensation recommendation limits for potential donors, a new study finds.

25 Mar 2010

Majority of egg donation agencies violate ASRM guidelines

From a sample of over 300 college newspapers, findings revealed that almost one-quarter of advertisements offered payment in excess of $10,000, a violation of guidelines issued by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

25 Mar 2010