Men over 50 have same success with vasectomy reversal outcomes as younger men
In recent decades, the age of men who father children has increased. However some older would-be dads face a stumbling block because they have undergone vasectomies. In good news for older men, a study from Keck Medicine of USC published in Urology shows that men over 50 who undergo a vasectomy reversal had the same […]
Preeclampsia-related placental gene expression may be associated with vitamin D status
According to the World Health Organization, preeclampsia affects between 2% to 8% of pregnancies. It can cause serious, sometimes fatal, complications in the mother and child. Among other risk factors, such as obesity and diabetes, vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia. In an article in Pregnancy Hypertension, […]
Fertility takes up to eight months to return after stopping contraception
Women may have to wait up for up to eight months for their fertility to return to normal after stopping some forms of contraceptives, new research suggests. Oral contraceptives were, and still are, the most used method of contraception, but long-lasting reversible contraceptives, such as intrauterine devices (IUD) or injectable contraceptives are becoming more popular. […]
New drug to treat female reproductive problems and improve fertility
A new drug that may be able to improve fertility for women with ovulatory problems has been showcased by researchers at Imperial College London. The drug, called MVT-602, acts via the natural ‘kisspeptin‘ hormone system in the body. It modifies the activity of kisspeptin, making it more potent, stable and water-soluble. Kisspeptin is an important […]
System trained to detect highest quality IVF embryos outperformed trained embryologists
In-vitro fertilization (IVF) can offer a life-changing solution to infertile couples. But the average success rate for IVF is about 30 percent. Investigators from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital are developing an artificial intelligence system with the goal of improving IVF success by helping embryologists objectively select embryos most likely to result […]
Vitamin D levels in pregnancy linked with child IQ
Higher levels of vitamin D during pregnancy were linked to increased IQ in children. Vitamin D is a critical nutrient and has many important functions in the body. A mother’s vitamin D supply is passed to her baby in utero and helps regulate processes including brain development. A study published in The Journal of Nutrition […]
Sperm biomarker associated with couples’ pregnancy probability
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have identified a single-measure biomarker in sperm mitochondrial DNA that may predict male reproductive health and pregnancy success. The discovery applies not just to couples seeking care for infertility but also for the general population. This biomarker could become a more accurate predictor of male infertility than semen […]
Delivering proteins to testes could someday treat male infertility
Researchers have found a way to deliver a protein important for sperm cell production directly to mouse testicles, where it restored normal sperm development and allowed previously infertile mice to father pups. Male infertility often happens because of a lack of sperm in the semen, which can result from damage to the blood-testis barrier (BTB). […]
COVID-19 leads to more women freezing their eggs
Fertility clinics have seen a sharp rise in the number of women inquiring about egg freezing – up to 50 percent more inquiries at some clinics. They have reported that for many of these women, the lockdown has triggered a period of reflection over their parental future, particularly given that opportunities to meet a partner […]
Pregnancy complications linked to heightened risk of heart disease and stroke in later life
Pregnancy complications such as miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, diabetes in pregnancy (gestational diabetes) and pre-term birth are linked to a heightened risk of heart disease in later life, suggests an overarching (umbrella) analysis of data. Several other factors related to fertility and pregnancy also seem to be associated with subsequent cardiovascular disease, say the researchers, including starting […]