Infertility may also refer to the state of a woman who is unable to carry a pregnancy to full term. In primary infertility, pregnancy has never occurred. In secondary infertility, one or both members of the couple have previously conceived, but are unable to conceive again after a full year of trying.
Unnatural selection: Birth control pills may alter choice of partners – There is no doubt that modern contraception has enabled women to have unprecedented control over their own fertility. However, is it possible that the use of oral contraceptives is interfering with a woman’s ability to choose, compete for and retain her preferred mate?
New technique could save cancer patients’ fertility — Researchers grow immature human egg cells to nearly mature egg in laboratory. – Researchers have successfully grown a woman’s immature egg cells, contained in a tiny sac called a follicle, to a healthy and nearly mature egg in the laboratory. When an egg is fully mature, it is ready to be fertilized.
A substantial number of European patients travel to other countries for fertility treatment — Who goes abroad for fertility treatment and why? – Many European patients are travelling to other countries for fertility treatment, revealed by researchers at the 25th annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.
High levels of cycling training damage triathletes’ sperm – Cycling training may have a major impact on sperm morphology, as researchers have proved this fact in triathletes who have high intensity cycling training during thrie career.
Worldwide report shows increase in assisted reproduction: 250,000 babies (approximately) born in 1 year – Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is responsible for an estimated 219,000 to 246,000 babies born each year worldwide according to an international study.
Identification of genetic variants affecting age at menopause could help improve fertility treatment – For the first time, scientists have been able to identify genetic factors that influence the age at which natural menopause occurs in women. Ms Lisette Stolk, a researcher from Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, told the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics that a greater understanding of the factors influencing age at menopause might eventually help to improve the clinical treatment of infertile women.
2 studies: The first finds twins born after fertility treatment have a higher risk of problems. A second study study finds reassuring evidence on the outcome of children born after embryo freezing. – Twins born as a result of assisted reproductive technology (ART) are more likely to be admitted to neonatal intensive care and to be hospitalised in their first three years of life than spontaneously conceived twins, according to new research in Europe’s leading reproductive medicine journal Human Reproduction.
Researchers identify key proteins needed for ovulation – study reveals essential step in female reproductive process. – Researchers from the National Institutes of Health and other institutions have identified in mice two proteins essential for ovulation to take place.
Marijuana use linked to increased risk of testicular cancer. Risk appears to be elevated particularly among frequent and/or long-term users of marijuana. – Frequent and/or long-term marijuana use may significantly increase a man’s risk of developing the most aggressive type of testicular cancer, according to a study by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
No convincing association is found between use of fertility drugs and risk of ovarian cancer, according to a new study. – The use of fertility drugs does not increase a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer, finds a large study from Danish researchers published on bmj.com.
Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea increases from 2 percent to 28 percent in Ontario ? Canada’s most populous province. – The prevalence of quinolone-resistant gonorrhea has increased rapidly in Ontario ? Canada’s most populous province ? from a rate of 2% in 2001 to 28% in 2006, found a study published in CMAJ.
Exposure to perfluorinated chemicals may reduce women’s fertility – Researchers have found the first evidence that perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) ? chemicals that are widely used in everyday items such as food packaging, pesticides, clothing, upholstery, carpets and personal care products ? may be associated with infertility in women.
