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Posts Tagged ‘Reproductive Science Institute’

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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New diagnostic tool for endometriosis being studied

Friday, November 18th, 2011

The doctor who developed the Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy procedure, which eliminates endometriosis while keeping the cervix in place, is working on a variation of the diagnostic procedure that uses new light technology to better pinpoint areas of endometriosis and therefore remove it more efficiently and effectively.

Dr. Tom Lyons, medical director of the Center for Women’s Care & Reproductive Surgery in Atlanta, is working with Dr. Chuck Miller in Chicago and Dr. Herman Barreuto in Baltimore to study whether the use of different colors of light helps detect endometriosis better than the traditional white light of the laparoscope.

The FDA-approved diagnostic study is using Olympus’s Narrow Band Imaging (NBI).

“We will first look at the disease area with white light, marking areas that we see is diseased with laser dots, then with NBI to see if that expands our visualization of diseased areas,” Dr. Lyons said in a recent press release. “With inflammation from endo, an area will be more vascularized (more blood vessels) and possibly we can more easily detect disease. We will then biopsy the area.”

We’re excited to see what this study finds in terms of better diagnostic services for women with endometriosis.

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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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What Is the “Biological Clock”, Anyway?

Friday, November 4th, 2011

The term “biological clock” is often used to describe a woman’s fertility. But what in the world does it really mean? Essentially, it’s important to understand that it refers, basically, to the diminishing amount of viable eggs that she has in her body.

When a female is born, she has about two million eggs. That number never increases, so what she has is what her body will one day use to potentially conceive a child. But when a woman begins to menstruate, her number of eggs has already dropped by about four-fifths to 400,000 total eggs.

As the months and years progress, she will lose about 12,000 eggs annually. At that rate, she will have no eggs within 33 years or so from the onset of menses, which is the point where menopause takes over.

Of course, other factors are involved in what happens to her eggs. Illnesses and medical conditions can affect the strength and health of the eggs over time, sometimes leaving them unavailable for fertilization. For instance, chemotherapy and radiation for cancer can create female fertility issues. (This is why some women free their eggs prior to undergoing such types of treatments.)

Getting back to the “biological clock”, though, it’s critical for all women to realize that there’s no set time period. The aforementioned figures are only generalizations and statistics. That’s why it’s important not to make assumptions without medical assistance to back up theories.

At The Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) of Suburban Philadelphia, we’re here to answer any questions related to female fertility or other similar concerns. Give us a call today and set up an appointment to learn more about your personal situation.

 

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Knowing the Facts about Infertility Is Critical

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

If you’re interested in learning more about infertility, it’s important to first have a good amount of knowledge about the topic area.

Below, we’ve put together eight basic facts on fertility to help you get started. If you want to learn more, contact the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) today to set up a consultation. And please understand that your case is unique to your situation. That’s why it’s so important to get advice from a reputable, experienced fertility specialist who can help you make decisions as to your reproductive concerns.

8 Basic Fertility Facts:

  1. Two-thirds of couples or individuals treated for infertility go on to have healthy pregnancies and children.
  2. One-third of women over 35 will experience some kind of fertility issue.
  3. In 2010, over 7 million American men and women sought help for their infertility issues.
  4. Ovarian cysts are the most common cause of infertility in females in the United States.
  5. Infertility statistics for 2011 have risen from those for 2010. This may be because of many factors, including couples marrying later in life and/or the willingness to seek out fertility treatments as opposed to adopting or simply not having children.
  6. 11.8 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 44 have impaired fecundity.
  7. 7.4 percent of married women can be clinically classified as infertile.
  8. In America, there are almost 2 million reported pregnancy losses each year. (This is compared with over 4 million live births.)

Sources: National Women’s Health Information Center, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

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Know the Facts about Male Infertility

Monday, October 31st, 2011

As we’ve noted here before, up to a third of all cases of infertility between couples can be attributed to male infertility factors. But how much do you really know about this condition?

To help you understand male infertility a little better, we’ve amassed a series of statistics and facts:

• In the United States, around 6 percent of men aged teen to midlife have fertility difficulties. Outside of the United States, especially in developing countries, that figure can be significantly higher.

• Up to 71 percent of males who are diagnosed as infertile have infections, many of which are caused by untreated sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like chlamydia.

• Up to 90 percent of male infertility causes can be traced back to low sperm count. (Again, that low sperm count can be the result of many different issues, including an undiagnosed STD.)

• One in 25 males has a low sperm count. (This may or may not lead to male infertility, as the determining factor is whether or not the sperm are healthy and viable.)

• Blood tests and semen analysis are the most popular ways to determine the cause of male infertility.

• Some sources suggest that male infertility may be more prevalent than female infertility, although this hypothesis is heavily debated in the fertility specialist community.

If you’re interested in learning more about male infertility and you’re in the Philadelphia or Wyomissing, PA areas, please contact the Reproductive Science Institute today for an appointment. We’d be happy to discuss and evaluate your unique situation.

 

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Fertility Treatments for Couples with “Alternative Lifestyles”

Friday, October 28th, 2011

Gay and lesbian couples who are seeking fertility treatments are often concerned with several issues, including but not limited to:

  • How they will be treated by a fertility specialist.
  • What their options are depending upon their infertility issues.

What the legal ramifications of fertility treatments will be, especially given that they may not be “legally” married in the eyes of the government.

That’s why it’s so critical for them to connect with a reproductive services team that understands the emotional, social and financial considerations for couples with “alternative lifestyles” who are looking into fertility treatments.

At suburban Philadelphia’s Reproductive Science Institute (RSI), we have a deep understanding of and consideration for all individuals and couples who come through our doors, no matter if they are in heterosexual or homosexual relationships.  To us, that’s not important, nor should it be.  What is important is that we help them achieve their goals in the most practical, pragmatic way that we can using our many years of expertise in assisted reproductive techniques.

If you’re involved in a stable gay or lesbian partnership and you’d like to discuss fertility treatments such as in-vitro fertility (IVF), donor egg/sperm, intrauterine insemination (IUI) and/or gestational surrogacy, please contact us at (610) 981-6000 for an appointment.  We’re happy to help.

 

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Stress Reduction and Fertility Treatments

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

It’s no secret or surprise that stress can rear its head when it comes to couples and individuals facing fertility treatments. In fact, a recent report from the UK suggests that more than three quarters of those experiencing infertility or fertility issues rate their stress level as the highest they’ve ever had in their lives.

Again, this isn’t a shocking revelation; however, it does give pause as to how men and women going through fertility treatments can better cope with their situations.

Beyond the usual suggestions to relax, put the issue into perspective and eat well, we at the Reproductive Science Institute (located in Wyomissing and Chesterbrook, PA) have some other ideas as to how you can minimize the stress that can be attributed to dealing with fertility concerns:

1. Talk about your feelings with a trained professional.        It’s never a good idea to hold in your emotions, especially when you’re undergoing a potentially life-changing experience. Whether you speak with a counselor, member of the clergy or a psychiatrist, it’s essential that you discuss what you’re feeling inside rather than allowing it to build.

2. Gather information and understand what’s happening… but try not to obsess.                It’s always good to understand what’s about to happen; but sometimes, too much information can be a very bad thing for couples and individuals entering into fertility treatments. If you become too engulfed in data, you may unnecessarily increase your stress levels.

3. Be open and honest with your fertility specialist.                   Finally, it’s essential for you (and your partner, if applicable) to be honest with your fertility specialist. If something feels amiss or you have concerns, speak up. You’ll get your questions answered, and that will seriously help you automatically lower your stress levels.

 

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Getting an Early PCOS Diagnosis Can Aid in Finding the Right Fertility Treatments

Monday, October 24th, 2011

If you’re a woman and you’ve been having difficulty getting pregnant after trying for at least six months on a regular basis, you may want to consider the possibility that you could have polycystic ovary symptom (PCOS).

PCOS has been shown to affect fertility in women by interfering with hormones. Consequently, menstruation and ovulation may become irregular, leading to infertility or challenges in naturally conceiving a child without fertility treatments.

Ironically, many women with PCOS do not realize they have the condition. After all, PCOS symptoms can easily “mimic” ordinary experiences for many females. These may include menstruation changes, trouble with pregnancy, ovarian cysts (benign) and skin problems.

Because infertility or problems with fertility are often reasons for diagnosis, most women with PCOS are in their 20s and 30s. However, some teenagers have been known to discover that they have the condition.

For fertility specialists like the Philadelphia and Reading, Pennsylvania area’s Reproductive Science Institute (RSI), discovering PCOS can help greatly in deciding upon the best fertility treatments for a female patient and, if applicable, her partner. PCOS can be addressed with a number of medical interventions, including birth control pills, progesterone pills and medications.

The good news is that PCOS is quite treatable and can be overcome for women and couples who seek to become parents. If you’re interested in finding out more about PCOS and fertility treatments, contact RSI at your convenience to set up an appointment with one of our team.

 

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Male Infertility and Age

Friday, October 21st, 2011

It’s long been known that women’s fertility dips as they get older (and especially after they are in their mid-30s), but the traditional belief has been that males didn’t have this issue.

This may not be the case, according to a Colorado study performed in conjunction with the National Foundation for Fertility Research (NFFR) that has concluded that sperm from middle- and older-aged male mice is not as viable as that from younger male mice.

In the mice, sperm quality began to decline in their middle years, which would be roughly 40 years of age in a human man. And if the findings translate from mice to men, it could shed some light on male infertility.

For instance, a couple who is having fertility issues may find that the problem lies with the sperm quality of the man if he is in or past middle age. Should this be the case, there are options that could help the partners conceive using the strongest of his sperm as determined in a laboratory setting.

Key results of the study showed that sperm from midlife and older mice produced embryos that:

  • Were less likely to implant in the woman’s uterus than were those from younger male mice.
  • Were less likely to develop in the womb if they were able to implant.

If you would like to learn more about male infertility or other fertility issues, please contact the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) to schedule a consultation.

 

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