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Archive for the ‘Research and Studies’ Category

Male infertility breakthrough: Researcher creates sperm cells out of germ cells

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Here at Reproductive Science Institute, we like to stay on top of the latest in fertility research, and a breakthrough was disclosed last week that we thought was interesting and exciting enough to share.

 In a study conducted on mice, researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel produced sperm cells from mouse testicular germ cells. The research was conducted by Professor Mahmoud Huleihel. “It may open strategies for infertile men who cannot generate sperm, and/or pre-pubertal cancer patients at risk of infertility due to radiotherapy,” Huleihel said. Results of the study were published Nov. 7 in the Asian Journal of Andrology.

 The fact that science is creating sperm cells from germ cells is thrilling, particularly for the hope and promise it gives to infertile men who have dreams of fathering their own biological children. We will continue to follow this and other exciting research in the field of fertility, and bring our readers the latest news directly from the labs.

 

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Research shows recurring PID flare-ups can still affect a woman’s fertility

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center have been studying the long-term consequences of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and have found that repeated bouts of the disease can double a woman’s risk of infertility.

PID is a complication of sexually transmitted infections and is marked by the inflammation of the reproductive organs. It can cause chronic pelvic pain and ectopic pregnancy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PID affects more than 800,000 women in the U.S. each year, and one in 10 of those women develops infertility.

The new research conducted by those at Johns Hopkins explored whether long-term effects of PID had changed in recent years along with changes in PID-causing pathogens and new treatments. The research showed, however, that long-term effects of PID are still serious when it comes to a woman’s fertility. In the study, women with recurrent PID were nearly twice as likely to report infertility as women who never had another PID flare-up after initial PID treatment.

If you’ve had recurrent PID episodes, there might be damage to your reproductive organs that is getting in the way of you conceiving a child. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to discuss your unique health situation and your fertility treatment options.

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BPA May Pose Fertility Risk

Monday, December 20th, 2010

Could what you’re using in terms of household products affect your fertility?  Recently studies suggest that might be the case, especially when it comes to BPA.

BPAstands for “bisphenol-A” and is commonly found in plastic items as well as in the lining of soda cans. 

Though research on the potential BPA-fertility conneciton isn’t conclusive, some scientists have cautioned against women having too much contact with the chemical compound.  Because BPA has properties that mimic the body’s natural hormones, it’s suggested in some medical circles that fertility can be compromised from too much BPA contact.

If nothing else, it’s something to consider if you’re having trouble conceiving or are undergoing fertility treatments such as IVF.

Link Found Between Pollution and Infertility

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Could the very air you breathe day-in, day-out be contributing to your level of fertility?  Some researchers are convinced that pollution can cause infertility, especially for females, and they’re doing studies to prove it.

According to The Daily Telegraph, a 7-year study of U.S. women who underwent IVF were tracked.  Each person’s zip code was evaluated for the daily levels of pollution, as determined by the nitrogen dioxide concentrations in the air. 

The conclusion?  For every extra (over and beyond the norm) unit of nitrogen dioxide the women took in during the 7 years, their fertility rates were cut by up to 24%.

So does this mean that women who want to conceive a child through fertility treatments have to move to a more suburban or rural area?  The study’s findings would lean in that direction; however, it’s not a realistic solution for most people.   Besides, there are many other potential reasons for infertility, and although the pollution connection is strong, it is still only hypothetical.

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