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The term sperm refers to the male reproductive cells. In the types of sexual reproduction known as anisogamy and oogamy, there is a marked difference in the size of the gametes with the smaller one being termed the "male" or sperm cell. The human sperm cell is haploid, so that its 23 chromosomes can join the 23 chromosomes of the female egg to form a diploid cell.

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

ESHRE publishes position paper on intrafamilial medically assisted reproduction

The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) has published today (Thursday) a position paper related to intrafamilial medically assisted reproduction (IMAR).This particular type of assisted reproduction can raise various ethical and controversial issues, due to the involvement of a family member as a third party.

20 Jan 2011

Lifetime tool for families created through sperm donation

Starting a family the "old-fashioned way" is becoming less common. Only 25% of American households are made up of a husband, wife, and a child. The fertility field is continually growing with advances in scientific technology, and infertile patients have more options for conceiving -- including the use of donor sperm. Along with the medical advances comes the continual need for emotional support for both the parent and children.

14 Jan 2011

CE mark approves Vitrolife's SpermFreeze Solution

SpermFreeze Solution, which is used for freeze storage of sperm, has obtained a CE mark and is thereby approved for sales within the European Economic Area.

12 Jan 2011

Shady Grove Fertility and Cade Foundation grant help paralyzed patient and wife deliver healthy baby boy

Shady Grove Fertility Center is pleased to announce the birth of Collin James Sharp, born December 8, 2010 to Jennifer and David Sharp of Richmond, VA. The 7 lb. 15 oz baby boy's birth was made possible through a partnership of Shady Grove Fertility and the Cade Foundation.

11 Jan 2011

The Surrogacy Lawyer discusses role of yoga in helping women cope with infertility

Most of the public knows her as the suffering Mary Alice Young who speaks to the audience from the afterlife as the narrator of ABC's hit Desperate Housewives. But they may not know about Ms. Strong's many other important roles as an advocate for fertility awareness, as a pioneer in developing fertility yoga programs and as a wife and mother whose journey to conceive her second child transformed her life.

4 Jan 2011

New options in fertility preservation for oncology patients

Many young people who've just learned that they have cancer also are told that the therapies that may save their lives could rob them of their ability ever to have children. Infertility caused by chemotherapy and radiation affects a sizable population: Of the 1.5 million people diagnosed with cancer in 2009, nearly 10 percent were still in their reproductive years.

4 Jan 2011

Teenage autistic boy allowed sex change procedure

A 16 year old autistic schoolboy has been granted approval to begin treatment for a sex change. He will have the provision to have his sperm frozen in case he decides he wants children. The decision came from Family Court judge Justice Linda Dessau on an emergency application from the boy’s parents so that he can begin therapy before his puberty fully sets in.

30 Dec 2010

FDA approves Endo's FORTESTA Gel for low testosterone

Endo Pharmaceuticals today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved FORTESTA Gel for the treatment of low testosterone, or 'Low T,' also known as hypogonadism. Symptoms associated with Low T include erectile dysfunction and decreased sexual desire, fatigue and loss of energy, mood depression, regression of secondary sexual characteristics and osteoporosis.

29 Dec 2010

Brawn and stealth beat colorful and refined in evolutionary mating game

When prowling for a hook up, it's not always the good-looker who gets the girl. In fact, in a certain species of South American fish, brawn and stealth beat out colorful and refined almost every time.

23 Dec 2010

Merck announces FDA approval for GARDASIL against HPV-related anal cancer

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved GARDASIL® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant] for the prevention of anal cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 and for the prevention of anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) grades 1, 2 and 3 (anal dysplasias and precancerous lesions) caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18, in males and females 9 through 26 years of age.

23 Dec 2010

Male mice created without Y chromosome

University of Adelaide researchers are a step closer to unraveling the mysteries of human sexual development, following genetic studies that show male mice can be created without a Y chromosome - through the activation of an ancient brain gene.

23 Dec 2010

People with type 1 diabetes could grow their own insulin-producing cells, say researchers

At the annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology last week in Philadelphia, researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., announced that it may be possible for people with type 1 diabetes to grow their own insulin-producing cells, a breakthrough that could lead to a cure for the disease.

22 Dec 2010

New genetic alteration predisposes individuals to Cowden syndrome

Researchers have identified a new genetic alteration that predisposes individuals to Cowden syndrome, a rare disorder that is characterized by high risks of breast, thyroid and other cancers, according to preliminary research published in the December 22/29 issue of JAMA.

21 Dec 2010

Researchers generate insulin-secreting pancreatic islet cells from human SSCs

Insulin-secreting pancreatic islet cells have been generated from human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) directly isolated from human testicular tissue, researchers reported today at the American Association of Cell Biology 50th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.

13 Dec 2010

Men with type 1 diabetes could grow their own insulin-producing cells from testicular tissue, says GUMC

Men with type 1 diabetes may be able to grow their own insulin-producing cells from their testicular tissue, say Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) researchers who presented their findings today at the American Society of Cell Biology 50th annual meeting in Philadelphia.

13 Dec 2010

Creation of two-father offspring in mice, a step toward preserving endangered species

Using stem cell technology, reproductive scientists in Texas, led by Dr. Richard R. Berhringer at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, have produced male and female mice from two fathers.

9 Dec 2010

New scientifically-based family planning tool

A scientifically-based family planning tool developed by researchers from Georgetown University's Institute for Reproductive Health, a part of Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC), is now available as an easy-to-use iPhone -, iPod touch- or iPad- application. iCycleBeads- is the first software application that enables a woman to plan or avoid pregnancy easily and effectively, entirely through the information provided by the application.

3 Dec 2010

ESF report: Reduced male fertility may contribute to low birth rates

Reduced male fertility may be making it even harder for couples to conceive and be contributing to low birth rates in many countries, reveals a new European Science Foundation (ESF) report launching today at the IPSEN meeting in Paris.

28 Nov 2010

Merck announces FDA Advisory Committee approval of GARDASIL for anal cancer and AIN treatment

Merck announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee has advised that the data presented support an indication for GARDASIL® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant] for the prevention of anal cancer and anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) in both males and females 9 through 26 years of age.

18 Nov 2010