April 2009 Blog Archive
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Sex and the City Star Surrogacy
Sarah Jessica Parker the beloved Carrie Bradshaw, and her hubby Mathew
Broderick are said to be expecting twins via surrogacy. The couple
conceived their 1st child naturally and successfully; however the last few
years they have been unsuccessful in attempts at natural conception. It was
not reported why they turned to surrogacy, but the couple seem to be
thrilled at the prospect of their two new additions.
Entertainment Weekly released the couple's statement, "In a statement, their
reps announced, and "Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick are happily
anticipating the birth of their twin daughters later this summer with the
generous help of a surrogate. The entire family is overjoyed."
Surrogacy has been a popular tactic for many years, however with the recent
economic downturn many women have been offering to be surrogates for
infertile couples to make some extra money. Similarly egg and sperm
donations have been ever-increasing as well.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Male Infertility
More often than not the predominant topic regarding fertility is based
around women and womens fertility treatments. According to some reports
male infertility is neglected and not often reported on researched in
comparison to its female counterparts. Often fertility experts examine the
male, but generally the female is the person constantly checked on to see if
any shifts have been made to the patients health.
BBC News said, "Around one in six couples experience fertility problems at
some point in their lives and seek advice from a doctor. Tests show that
between 30% to 50% of problems are with the male partner. During any one
year, millions of men throughout the world struggle to father children, and
many more may not be aware of a fertility problem because they have not yet
decided to start a family. Others may realise there is a problem and simply
give up trying."
In some countries like Denmark it is said that 25% of men witness
infertility issues. So clearly fertility clincs and physicians need to be
aware and educating the public worldwide to alleviate such problems.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tagging Embryos
After yesterday's mix-up at a fertility department in a British hospital,
the UK and other fertility clinics are said to be electronically tagging
embryo with hopes of preventing such mistakes. Physicians used the wrong
sperm to fertilize an embryo, and on the wake of many other
In Vitro
Fertilization (IVF) controversies this has caused serious stir yet again
about regulating fertility treatments more stringently.
The article from the UK Standard said, "The electronic tagging system
commissioned by Guy's uses radio frequency to track sperm samples and eggs
through the fertilisation process to ensure mothers do not get impregnated
with the wrong embryo. A chip is attached to the bottom of every Petri dish
and test tube which contain the patient's sample. The doctor passes the
container over a scanner in the laboratory before fertility treatment takes
place. A computer next to the scanner acts as an early warning system by
flashing a "stop" message on screen if the tag's details do not match those
of the patient. The tag also sets off an alarm if samples from different
parents are brought into the same area in the laboratory"
Many US officials now think that we should start having fertility clinics
and experts tagging embryos to avoid any mix-ups or mistakes.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Hospital Uses Wrong Sperm to Fertilize Eggs
At one of Britain's most prestigious fertility clinics, a series of mix-ups
has led to a number of women having their eggs fertilized with the wrong
sperm. The sperm and egg mix-ups make me wonder, has this happened in the
United States, and if so, will it be exposed? Should we start deploying more
stringent In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) regulations on fertility clinics and
hospitals? Or is the US fertility industry fairly mistake free?
The Times Online reported on the mishaps, "Fertility experts say the errors,
along with similar mistakes at other hospitals, raise serious concerns about
the way IVF clinics are regulated. They believe the Human Fertilisation and
Embryology Authority (HFEA), the watchdog, is failing to deal with serious
problems. The mistakes have raised concerns about a "casual approach" to the
37,000 British couples who seek fertility treatment every year."
In recent months IVF has been under great scrutiny after the 'Octo-Mom'
incident. Many health officials and industry observers think that we need
to have strict and stiffened laws governing fertility clinics and physicians
to make sure they are abiding by the rules.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Cloned Embryos Causing Huge Controversy
A recent stir in the fertility industry has made headlines globally. A
controversial fertility doctor has claimed (and shown on the Discovery
Channel) that he can and will clone embryos and inseminate them into women
for pregnancy.
CBS News said in their report, "A shocking headline from a controversial
American fertility doctor: "I can clone a human being." It's a claim Dr.
Panayiotis Zavos has made before. Five years ago, he told a news conference
that he had implanted a cloned human embryo into an unnamed woman - an
embryo that should have produced a replica of her husband."
Dr. Zavos has said that if we intensify the efforts for cloning, we can have
a cloned baby in 1-2 years. These statements along with his controversial
research and experiments have caused uproar among many physicians and in
fact the public. The news has spread worldwide with newspapers across the
globe covering the cloning embryo story.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Egg Donation Financing
The World Egg Bank has announced they will be offering patients a financing
program to aid in payments for donor egg recipients. This program will help
patients who are looking to delay payments with the fertility clinic. Often
times infertile couples are plagued with heavy finances and bills; after all
fertility treatments are quite expensive and if they fail to aid in
conception, you may need to explore new maybe even more expensive avenues.
So this program may really help infertile couples also struggling
economically.
eMediaWire said, "Our clients have an urgent need to move forward toward
their pregnancy goal, and unfortunately finances often get in the way. In
today's difficult economic environment, finding financing is particularly
challenging for many couples. Waiting for better times is not an option,"
said Diana Thomas, President and Founder of The World Egg Bank®."
This new funding and venture by the World Egg Bank may have the power to
dramatically increase the use of egg insemination and egg donation by
infertile couples. Hopefully this can not only help the donor but the
couple looking to adopt the egg financially.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Yoga and Fertility
Yoga has long been considered the sport of feeling zen, peaceful and
healthy. But another perk to yoga has been publicized recently and that is
yoga alleviating fertility woes. For infertile couples nothing is worse
than stressing about the perils ahead with infertility treatments and the
possibility of not conceiving at all. So some fertility experts recommend
resting the body and mind with yoga.
The Des Moines Register said, "For me, personally, yoga has been a source of
stress reduction and balance," she said. "And for a lot of people struggling
to conceive, there's that underlying stress. The focus (of the class) is
clearly going to be inviting that reproductive energy in through a
combination of breath, meditation and movement." When you're under constant
stress, Hoover said, your body puts out stress hormones that deal more with
survival functions such as heart rate and blood pressure. Those hormones
also shut down reproduction. "
There is no evidence in yoga improving fertility; however it is a great way
to keep calm and healthy during times of severe stress.
Monday, April 20, 2009
US Funding Stem Cell Research
Some funding has been made available to embryonic stem cell research in the
US. However the proviso is that researchers will have to use cells "culled"
from embryos stored at fertility clinics which would be thrown out. Such
research and studies were banned by the Bush Administration and have now
been allowed by the Obama Administration. Scientists are hoping this will
be a huge boost for fertility research and are thrilled at the prospect of
aiding in fertility treatments with the use of stem cells.
The Associated Press reported saying, "Scientists are trying to harness
embryonic stem cells - master cells that can morph into any cell of the body
- to one day create replacement tissues and better treat, possibly even
cure, ailments ranging from diabetes to Parkinson's to spinal cord injury.
Last month, Obama lifted that restriction, widening the field. But he left
it to the NIH to set ethics guidelines determining which cell lines now will
qualify for government funding."
A number of other stipulations and regulations are necessary for the stem
cell research to be completed, however all are within the limits of
appropriateness according to many of the scientists involved in the
studies.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Acupuncture and IVF
For years some researchers have been saying acupuncture increases the
chances of successful pregnancy during In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
treatments. However, new studies are showing there may actually not be a
positive link between the two. The researchers did note though that their
study may not warrant an all encompassing truth because it examined many
women who did not have healthy embryos inseminated into them.
Reuters article said, "...most likely explanation for the lack of an
acupuncture effect in their study was the fact that they included many women
who didn't have good quality embryos available for transfer. While
acupuncture may help a woman become pregnant after the transfer of a healthy
embryo, the researcher noted in an interview, it can't repair an embryo with
chromosomal defects or other abnormalities."
Acupuncture may still have positive effects on women who undergo IVF
treatments with healthy embryos.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Rise in Fertility Treatments
An increased number of women are opting for fertility treatments. Studies
from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) have shown
namely
In Vitro Fertilization is the key inciter for such high rates of
fertility treatment.
The Press Association said, "In total, they received 46,502 cycles of
fertility treatment. The figures reveal a dramatic rise in the number of
women opting for treatment compared with the early 1990s. In 1992, just
14,057 women had fertility treatment and were aged 33 on average. Nowadays,
more than twice that number undergo treatment. Women are also now older when
having IVF, with an average age of 36 in 2007."
Not only has the IVF boom increased the rates of women undergoing fertility
treatment, but the awareness and education surrounding fertility has aided
in the growth as well. More infertile couples are aware of the treatments
available and fertility clinics are widely available and accessible all over
the US, Europe, Australia and other parts of the world.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Stress and Conception
For those of you high powered financiers or stress cases at work, yet another stress induced ailment may cause you more stress than you need. Researchers are saying that stress at work may adversely affect a woman's fertility. In a society filled with career-driven women, this may not be the best of news. Alongside fertility issues, stress has long been known to cause high blood pressure, poor eating habits, lack of exercise and migraines.
MSN said, "Cashdan's research, published in a recent issue of the journal Current Anthropology, found that the Marilyn Monroe–type figure is less often found in women with demanding careers. Those women displayed more boyish figures, which are negatively correlated to fertility. Cashdan told the Times that work stress and the drive for career success can bring about a shift in hormones where estrogen-the female hormone-is replaced by androgens including testosterone, which are associated with strength, stamina and competitiveness. Higher androgen levels are associated with more masculine figures and lower fertility."
For high stressed women it may be beneficial to begin a healthy living regiment. Working out regularly, eating well and having some down-time outside of work stresses. These tips may aid in decreasing stress.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Stem Cell Prospect and Fertility
A study come from China may show that stem-cells in the future could be used to reignite fertility among infertile women. The hope for new fertility treatments has stormed from Shanghai, as scientists experimented on mice with stem-cell treatments. This comes on the wake of serious talks about sperm and egg freezing for later use.
The Guardian said, "Hopes for the new therapy follow experiments in which sterilised mice produced eggs and went on to give birth to healthy young after adult females had stem cells injected into their ovaries. If the procedure can be made to work in humans, it could lead to treatments that extend fertility beyond the menopause and help younger women who are unable to conceive because their eggs have been damaged by cancer therapies or disease."
The research may be controversial, however doctors and scientist are still urging patients and readers to know these are still tentative and preliminary studies. However, the prospect is what is exciting and causing stir among industry observers.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Baby Born from Frozen Sperm
A baby has been born from a 21-year-old frozen sperm. According to
specialists this is the longest frozen sperm ever to successfully conceive.
Chris Biblis, 38, was treated for leukemia in his teenager years. The then
teenagers was urged by his parents to freeze some of his healthy sperm prior
to radiation and chemotherapy procedures damaged his sperm. Back in the
late 1980s there were very few if any fertility treatments for men, so this
was quite an accomplishment to freeze his sperm.
UPI article said, "Biblis has been clinically disease-free for more than 20
years. Last May, he and his wife, Melodie, 33, also in excellent health,
sought fertility treatment with Reproductive Endocrinology Associates of
Charlotte founder and fertility specialist Dr. Richard L. Wing. "They
achieved pregnancy on their first cycle of intracytoplasmic sperm injection
used in conjunction with in vitro fertilization, a now-routine procedure for
male infertility, using her eggs and his frozen sperm," Wing said in a
statement."
The trend of freezing sperm and eggs prior to undergoing any procedures that
may damage them has become quite popular in recent years, more and more
fertility experts in fact are urging and recommending patients do so to
preserve and protect their fertility for later years.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Male Infertility Help
Although we typically correlate infertility issues and treatments to women,
a large number of men struggle with infertility and in recent years male
fertility has come to the forefront of research and headlines. In fact male
fertility research has spanned to Egypt were researchers have found that a
hormone antioxidant treatment may aid in boosting sperm count.
Forbes reported on this new study saying, "The research included 60 men
eligible for infertility treatment. They were randomly selected to take
either the combination treatment of clomiphene citrate and vitamin E or a
placebo for six months. By the end of the study, their partner's pregnancy
rate was about 37 percent among men who'd taken the combination therapy,
compared with 13 percent for those in the placebo group. The men in the
treatment group also had a greater increase in sperm concentration and an
improvement in sperm progression, the Cairo University researchers found."
Although the results of the study and experiment are promising and positive
it is still a small study that is only in it's preliminary stages, much more
research must be done before anything can be proven.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Women in 40s Higher IVF Success
Great news has emerged for women in their 40s undergoing In Vitro
Fertilization (IVF) treatment. The success rates have increased over the
past 2 years dramatically. Meaning that the instances of miscarriage,
illness and complications for mother and child have lessened. IVF numbers
in general have significantly increased over the years with more infertile
couples opting to use IVF.
Sydney Morning Herald reported on the success in Australia, "Better media
for culturing embryos and improved techniques to select those most likely to
develop healthily were disproportionately beneficial to older women, who
produced eggs of more variable quality, said Peter Illingworth, the
president of the Fertility Society of Australia. A trend in transferring
embryos at the blastocyst stage, five or six days after fertilisation,
rather than the two-to-three-day cleavage stage, had helped older women,
Professor Illingworth said. This allowed more certain selection of the
best-quality embryos."
For years there was a large number of women in theri 40s struggling to
conceive even with IVF, the success rates were low and there were some
complications and dangers involved. So this brings great hope for older
soon-to-be moms.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Main Line Egg Freezing
For years now In Vitro Fertilization has held true the notion of egg-freezing for fertility purposes. However a recent study and number of cases have shown positive affects of a new type of freezing technique. IVF has long been considered a viable method for infertile couples to successfully conceive. Though it has often had instances of multiple births or failures, people are still thrilled at the prospect of even better results post freezing eggs.
CBS news affiliate reported, "This is going to change and revolutionize infertility and IVF," said Dr. Michael Glassner with Main Line Fertility. He says until now eggs haven't survived well being frozen. His solution is something called vitrification, where eggs are retrieved from a woman then put in liquid nitrogen. "We have a 90 percent survival rate," said Dr. Glassner. He says there's no time limit on the eggs that are essentially flash frozen. This process is giving women a whole new world of expanded choices, like preserving fertility after cancer treatments or delaying having a family."
The freezing process is still considered new and expirimental so there is much research that needs to be done before things are implemented.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Same-Sex Couples Same Rules
New rules have emerged for same-sex couples undergoing fertility treatment.
The new law permits both names of parents to be on the child's birth
certificate (which is the same for heterosexual couples).
The Press Association reported, "The Human Fertilisation and Embryology
Authority (HFEA) said the change removed some of the obstacles lesbian
couples and single women faced when trying to get access to fertility
treatment. The law states that, for married couples, the husband is
automatically recognised as the legal father and this will remain the case,
but from now the same principle also applies to lesbian civil partners."
This shows huge progress in the field of fertility laws in the UK. Many
other western nations are hoping to follow on the same path as the UK. This
actually allows for equal rights for lesbian partners.
Friday, April 03, 2009
IVF Research
Scientists in Queensland, Australia may have discovered possible micro-organisms that may be causing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) problems. Though IVF is considerably effective source as a fertility treatment, there are still a large number of IVF couples who do not successfully conceive.
ABC News Australia wrote, "Christine Knox from the Queensland University of Technology's Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation says a research project has found bacteria in the follicular fluid that surrounds eggs in the ovaries. Dr Knox says scientists had previously thought the fluid was sterile."We want to try and work out why this is happening, which micro-organisms may be causing the adverse IVF outcomes," she said."
In recent months IVF has stormed onto headlines for faulty practices at clinics in the US – the 'Octomom case' and also new research, studies and progress has been made in for IVF. Although IVF and fertility clinics may be scrutinized, it is still considered a credible and reliable method of conception.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Radiation and Fertility
Fertility ailments plague thousands of couples and women yearly. A recent study published in the Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, says that radiation therapy directed at the ovaries for female cancer patients may adversely affect fertility. This study is suggesting that there is a direct relationship between infertility and such treatments, thus if possible they should be avoided.
Science Daily said, "Radiation therapy to the pelvic region can cause ovarian failure or result in damage that makes the uterus unable to accommodate the growth of a fetus. These effects are not a great concern to cancer patients past their reproductive years, but due to the growing number of pediatric and young-adult cancer survivors, these effects are increasingly relevant."
The study also went on to say that though direct treatment has the most common causes of negative effects, even treatment not spot-on the ovaries can still induce fertility issues. However, the reason for this study was done to target younger women of fertility age, and the study is still fairly preliminary.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Embryo Profiling may be way of the Future for IVF
Although there has been great success in In Vitro Fertilization, there is still a need to better assess the quality of embryo being implanted into women. The quality of the egg is considered to be one of the most vital elements for successful conception. The problem at hand is that many fertility experts claim there is no viable way to profile eggs as of yet.
Science Daily reported on this new technology for IVF, "Metabolomic testing reveals trace molecules remaining after an array of cellular processes. Previous studies have shown that metabolomic profiling can be used to identify unique biomarkers left behind by embryos in culture, which foretell the embryos with the highest reproductive potential in IVF. "Think of it as a sort of smog test for the embryo," said Behr. "It tells you how clean the engine is burning, and whether there are any problems."
Further investigation needs to be done to show substantial evidence, but researchers are confident in the preliminary studies. This has the potential to drastically improve IVF success rates for infertile couples.
