According to NewScientist, researchers at the University of Lyon have discovered a gene that is more common in men who have low sperm counts or sperm with poor mobility. The gene may trigger an increase in the production of a protien (TNF) that affects sperm production. Drugs that block this protein may be a potential treatment for appropriate types of infertility.
More here.
Early results in a study at University of Virginia Health System show that acupuncture may help with women struggling with infertility due to polycistic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The study is currently looking for more women to participate.
See more information here couresy of UPI.com.
A new treatment involving magnetic resonance and “shrinking the fibroids using ultrasound beams” is being made available soon in Chennai, India. Institutions will also start offering this treatment option in Bangalore and Hyderabad. This procedure is non-invasive and may be considered a first line of treatment rather than the invasive sugical option which is prone to complications.
More information can be found here.
A recent study published August 1, 2008 in the British Medical Journal calls into questions two very common forms of treatment for infertility. One of the treatments is the use of ovulation stimulating drugs while the other treatment is artificial insemmination. In the study, both of these treatments were found to have no significant positive effect on ability to conceive for couples with unexplained infertility.
See more at Yahoo! Health (Associated Press)
A recent report on DailyMail.com entitled "How four cups of coffee a day reduces a woman’s chance of having a baby by 25%" discusses a study in which Dutch researchers found that there was a significant link between caffeine intake and infertility. It goes so far as to state that coffee may be as damaging as alcohol.
Earlier this year a study found a link between caffeine intake and miscarriage.
Read the full article here .
Recent research has shown that obese men have lower sperm counts and are more likely to have abnormal sperm. As a result, being overweight may contribute to fertility problems.
Read more on the Reuters site here: http://snipr.com/2wvl5
From ‘The Morning News‘:
“The in vitro fertilization clinic at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where couples could have eggs fertilized before they were implanted in the woman’s womb, has closed down because a private facility drew off too many potential clients, officials say.
The decision to close the publicly funded program came after a year of discussions with doctors at the private Arkansas Fertility & Gynecology Associates in west Little Rock, according to Dr. Curtis Lowery, director of maternal-fetal medicine at the university.”
See the full article: http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/07/05/news/070608arinvitroclose.txt
Medical News Today has a new article about a recent report from Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association showing that male infertility could lead to severe psychosocial problems.
See the article here: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/113912.php
There is a new article from Reuters called “New method may help predict IVF success: study” posted today that may be of interest.
You can find the Reuters report at :
http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/scienceNews/~3/324459582/idUSN0125903720080702
The actual full article can also be found online here:
Belgian researchers have captured ovulation on film for the first time. During a minor surgery the researchers were fortunate enough to experience the actual process of ovulation. Not only that, they got it on film! See the fascinating video below, compliments of NewScientist.
