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Oocyte-specific gene mutations cause premature ovarian failure

“We hope to use the information from this study and others that identify genes associated with this problem to find biomarkers in blood that can help us determine a woman’s risk of early infertility,” said Dr. Aleksandar Rajkovic, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at BCM and senior author of the paper. Premature ovarian failure, which means that the ovaries lose function before age 40, not only causes infertility but also bone and heart problems, he said.

“It affects 1 percent of women,” he said. “While most people associate it with infertility, women with premature ovarian failure face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and premature death. Ovarian reserves are important for women’s health.”

In looking for genes that cause the disorder, Rajkovic and his colleagues here and in China concentrated on those that are most likely to function in the ovary. A gene mutation does not totally halt gene activity, but Rajkovic believes it can accelerate the loss of eggs (or germ cells). When all the eggs are lost, the ovaries stop producing estrogen, leading to menopause symptoms.

In this study, Rajkovic and his collaborators screened 100 Chinese women with premature ovarian failure for mutations in FIGLA and found three different kinds of mutations in the FIGLA genes of four.

Tags: oocytespecific, infertility, ovarian on 2008-05-27 -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromwww.innovations-report.de

Coping with infertility

A study published in the Malta Medical Journal shows that the unregulated and completely privatised administration of infertility treatment has led to an increase in the birth of triplets and quadruplets, a greater health risk to newborns.
The article, “Higher order multiple pregnancy outcomes in the Maltese islands 2000-2004”, published last March, is a wake-up call for action in a field which successive governments have left unregulated.
Reproductive technology, which includes the use of fertility pills and in vitro fertilisation, only accounts for 0.7% of single births. But the same methods were used in 28% of cases involving triplets and 50% of cases involving quadruplets.
The birth of triplets and quadruplets is considered by the medical profession as more prone to health risks due to the greater likelihood that these children will be born prematurely.
Charles Savona Ventura an associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and one of the authors of the study believes that the state should start offering infertility treatments in the national health scheme.
One reason for state intervention in this sector is affordability.
“The problem I see is that hi-tech management of infertility in Malta is only available to those who can pay or are ready to make tremendous sacrifices to pay the costs of treatment.”
Savona Ventura is concerned by the psychological impact on these parents.
“Infertile couples are so desperate that they are ready to undertake extreme sacrifices to try and achieve a pregnancy. This can result in further stresses in their relationships.”
One justification for a national programme to assist infertile couples is to “enable the low-moderate income groups to avail themselves of hi-tech options when necessary.”
Surely prices are high because both medicines and equipment are expensive.

Tags: infertility, coping, high risks, pregnancy on 2008-05-27 -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromwww.maltatoday.com.mt

More Women Want Information About Infertility

While it may be news to some, it's not surprising that a new study touts women are seeking more information about infertility. With one in eight couples struggle at some point with their family building efforts, the information currently available is lacking. Conceive Magazine along with Fertility LifeLines, supported by EMD Serono, Inc., offer an new booklet to help women and couples in their infertility journey. The booklet is called In The Know guide and Fertility LifeLines(TM) and is available at Fertility Life Lines, but you have to register to receive the booklet.

To no surprise to me, the survey found that women gather the majority of their information about infertility online and via blogs. About half of the women thought the information on infertility was sufficient. That means that about 50% of the women/couples struggling with infertility have difficultly finding the information they need to make decisions, to cope, or for support.

Tags: infertile women, infertility, family, couples on 2008-05-10 -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromwww.commonvoice.com

SUSAN SARANDON - SARANDON UNFAZED BY INFERTILITY

Veteran actress SUSAN SARANDON was unfazed when doctors told her she was infertile - because she never felt she needed a baby to make her happy.
The Oscar winner admits she never longed to have kids of her own and was not especially upset when she found out she may never conceive.
Sarandon resigned herself to a life without children, but, when she least expected it, she suddenly found herself pregnant.

Tags: sarandon, infertility, baby, concieve on 2008-05-10 -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromwww.contactmusic.com

Scientist Says Two Men Could Conceive

A baby, born from two dads? It’s possible, says a leading British scientist.

Calum MacKellar, a lecturer in bioethics and biochemistry at Edinburgh University in Scotland said today that, borrowing from techniques used to clone Dolly the sheep, male couples could someday conceive their own children.

Creating a ‘Male Egg’

The technique, which scientists agree still lies far in the future, would use the egg of a woman. Genetic material inside the woman’s egg would be removed and replaced by the DNA of one of the men. That “male egg” would then be fertilized by the sperm of the other man and a surrogate mother would carry the child to term.

MacKellar admits the concept will take at least “a few years” before it’s possible, but he added that scientists had tried the technique with mice and were working on developing it. Others in the field, however, argue the technique is many more than a few years away.

Tags: male egg, conceive, dads, genetic on 2008-04-30 -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromwww.abcnews.go.com

Equal rights for lesbians' IVF children

CHILDREN born through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) to lesbian mothers will have the same rights as those of heterosexual couples, under law changes announced by the New South Wales government.

State Attorney-General John Hatzistergos today said he had accepted NSW Law Reform recommendations extending "parental presumption" provisions to cover gay mums.

It was estimated 20 per cent of the state's female same-sex couples had children, Mr Hatzistergos said.

The change affects those born through IVF or artificial fertilisation only, by granting parenting rights and obligations to the non-biological mother.

"The current law discriminates against these children who, at the moment, have a relationship with the birth mother's partner that is not recognised by law," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"They are unable to take on inheritance, or the benefits of compensation which may be due ... following a death or injury."

Tags: lesbians', mothers, fertilization, couples, artificial on 2008-04-29 -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromwww.news.com.au

Fertility center signs deal with firm

A Mount Pleasant company responsible for the first birth in South Carolina using in-vitro fertilization, or IVF, has partnered with a New York-based specialty management company that helps run a network of more than 100 fertility centers nationwide.

Southeastern Fertility Center, which achieved the state's first IVF pregnancy 24 years ago, has joined with Purchase, N.Y.-based IntegraMed America Inc. in a 25-year deal.

Under the terms of the agreement, IntegraMed bought the assets of Southeastern and will provide a variety of services, including marketing, treatment programs for women who wish to get pregnant, and a sophisticated electronic medical records system.

In turn, IntegraMed will be reimbursed for the cost of its services and will receive a fixed percentage of the center's revenue and a fixed amount of its earnings. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The deal was effective April 24.

Tags: in-vitro fertilization, fertility centers, ivf, = on 2008-04-29 -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromwww.charleston.net

Fertility and Diet

I found a fantastic article about how diet affects infertility. The article mainly addresses ovulatory infertility and there was no study on male factor infertility, although some of the same dietary concepts might apply to men too. To recap (with my commentary), the article states that there is a difference between fast and slow carbs. If you’re like me, then giving up potatoes might be an inconvenience, but if it means you can improve your ovulatory infertility than DO IT.

The article continues to discuss animal versus plant protein. With ovulatory infertility, the study suggests that protein derived from plant is more helpful to ovulation than is animal protein. The higher the animal protein the more likelihood of infertility issues. The higher the animal protein the less occurrence of ovulation issues. So while you’re trying to become pregnant, eat less meat and more vegetables high in protein.

My favorite part of the article deals with dairy (one of my favorite foods)…the article suggests having one full-fat dairy food serving per day. They state that a pint should last about two weeks with two half-cup servings per week. Just yesterday I was feeling guilty that I take my twin girls to Baskin Robins every Tuesday for Two-for-Tuesdays. Little did I know that I was helping their ovulatory fertility by doing so - do you think it works on 3 1/2 year olds? Somehow I doubt it.

The article wraps up with the role of body weight, BMI and exercise. Weight is a determining factor in so many diseases and I wasn’t surprised to see it mentioned here. I know skinny and heavy people who had no problems getting pregnant while the perfectly fit (as this article describes) unable to conceive. So, I agree that it plays a part, but its one of the many, many pieces of fertility issues. Seems that regular exercise actually improves more than just your overall health, it helps with ovulatory fertility too.

Tags: fertility, infertility, ovulation, ovarian on 2008-04-29 -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromwww.commonvoice.com

The Right Protein Can Help With Infertility

Millions of women struggle with infertility and many of them turn to medications or medical procedures for help.

In our Healthy Living report, why new research shows many of these women could improve their odds of getting pregnant simply by changing what they eat.

A comprehensive study of thousands of women shows those who derive the majority of protein in their diet from animal sources can have trouble conceiving.

“The more animal protein you take in the more problems you seem to have with ovulatory dysfunction,” said Dr. Keith Blauer.

And swapping out animal proteins for vegetable proteins such as beans, tofu and nuts can improve the odds.

“By changing the protein to vegetable protein you can improve ovulatory function,” said Dr. Blauer.

Protein was just one recommendation from this study.

Tags: fertility diet, infertility, fertility on 2008-04-29 -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromwww.kutv.com

Tag Teams of WWE

First, we have what many would consider the best tag team of the last decade, and one of the best all-time to boot. They are currently a part of TNA, but have made their mark in the WWF and WWE, and should definitely be in contention when talking about the top tag teams ever. I'm talking, of course, about the Dudley Boyz, known now as Team 3D. Brother D-Von and Brother Ray compose this team, a pair of 300 lb guys who are probably the best tag team currently in wrestling today. Brother Ray is one of the funniest and most charismatic guys in the industry, from hilarious segments about trying to lose weight, to frustrating the hell out of Jim Cornette, he and D-Von constantly entertain on a weekly basis.

Tags: Fight, Sport, Wrestling, WWE, Wrestler, Tna, Wwe, TNA on 2008-04-28 -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromsports.ispy-blogs.com

Victoria Beckham turns to red chili to boost fertility

David Beckham, 32, told a US TV show earlier this week that his superstar wife wanted to extend her brood now the Spice Girls tour has finished.

He told Ellen DeGeneres: “We’re working on it. We’re very family orientated, so we’ve always wanted a big family, which was weird because when we first got together we never even discussed how many children we wanted.

“But it’s worked out that we want a big family and we love kids so it’s worked out perfect.”

And David’s dad also confessed that his famous son “really wants a girl.”

Red chillies are recommended because they “’spice’ things up in the fertility department by increasing the flow of blood around the body, ensuring that the reproductive system gets a healthy supply,” according to website askbaby.com.

“Chillies also stimulate endorphin production which means that more fertility boosting, stress releasing, happy hormones circulate around your body.”

Tags: posh spice, fertility diet, red chillies, showbiz, beckham, gossip, fertility on 2008-04-28 -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromwww.showbizspy.com

For one kind of infertility, medicines replace surgery

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am writing in regard to the letter from the woman diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome.

I was diagnosed with Stein-Leventhal syndrome after many futile fertility treatments. My doctor performed an ovarian wedge surgery, and six months later I was pregnant. I conceived a second child 21 months after that.
I think polycystic ovary syndrome and Stein-Leventhal syndrome are the same. Why don't I ever read about the ovarian wedge surgery for infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome?

— L.F.

Doctors Stein and Leventhal first described polycystic ovarian syndrome in 1937, and the name became Stein-Leventhal syndrome. Now it's most often called polycystic ovary syndrome. Those two doctors pointed out the salient features of the syndrome: enlarged ovaries studded with cysts, loss of menstrual periods, and obesity. Infertility was another common feature.

Doctors Stein and Leventhal also championed the surgical treatment of this syndrome — removal of a wedge of the ovary. The operation worked for some reason, but that reason wasn't appreciated until more recently. Removing the wedge decreased the production of male hormone, which is the basis of the syndrome.

Now that new information has shown that an overproduction of male hormone is the important cause of the syndrome, there are many medicines that can be used to treat it. The wedge removal isn't necessary. For one thing, it almost always caused only a transitory drop in male hormone production. For another, it was often associated with the formation of adhesions.

Taking medicines is much easier than having surgery and is a more reliable way to treat this illness, which now is known to have many features that were unrecognized in bygone years. One of those features is insensitivity to the action of insulin.

Tags: polycystic ovarian syndrome, infertility, fertility, ovarian on 2008-04-27 -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromwww.southcoasttoday.com

Infertility - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Diagnosis

The Facts

Infertility is usually defined as the inability to become pregnant after one year of sex without birth control. It affects about 10% of couples of reproductive age. In about one-third of cases, it's attributed to the man, and a similar proportion is due to problems in the woman. In the other third of cases, either both partners have problems, or the cause of the infertility is never found. There is often overlap of the causes with combined factors in up to 20% of couples.

People shouldn't assume that they or their partners are infertile until they've tried and failed to conceive for at least six months if the female partner is 35 years or older or for at least one year if the female partner is less than 35 years. If you still are not able to get pregnant after this time, check with your doctor. Fortunately, it's not uncommon for couples to suddenly conceive a child without treatment after years of trying unsuccessfully.
Causes

There are hundreds of medical problems that can cause infertility in both men and women.

Causes of infertility in men include:

* hormone disturbance
* smoking
* overheating of the testicles caused by exercise, hot water, tight clothing, excessive sitting (truck drivers) and other conditions and situations
* cancer drugs and radiation therapy
* mumps after puberty
* sexually transmitted diseases
* anatomical abnormalities of the genitals such as undescended testicles
* use of some medications, such as some antihypertensives, some antidepressants, and male hormones
* genital injury
* prostate surgery
* varicose veins in the testicles
* excessive alcohol
* intercourse problems such as premature withdrawal or poor timing with their partner's menstrual cycle
* spinal cord injury
* genetic abnormalities
* urinary tract infection
* cystic fibrosis

Tags: infertility treatment, causes of infertility, fertility problems, infertility on 2008-04-25 -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromhealth.myfoxtoledo.com

A new form of cheaper, more natural IVF that could beat infertility and make you a mum

After years of using more and more drugs to boost fertility, doctors have found a new way to help women have babies... by going back to basics
By Adele Waters 22/04/2008

IVF mums Marina (L) and Siobhan IVF mums Marina (L) and Siobhan
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Related Tags

* dr geeta nargund,
* fertility,
* infertility,
* ivf,
* marina murphy,
* mild ivf,
* ovaries,
* pregnancy,
* professor bart fauser,
* siobhan mclernon,
* soft ivf



(What's this?)

Every year, thousands of women suffer terrible physical side-effects and heartbreak as they go through gruelling IVF in their desperation to become mums.

But now, a revolutionary new form of IVF could make their dreams come true without the suffering and at a fraction of the cost.

The technique - Soft IVF - uses fewer drugs, significantly reducing the side-effects which the hormone injections in conventional treatment often cause.

It is also around half the price of the standard approach - about £2,000 compared to at least £4,000.
Advertisement

This month, at a fertility conference in London, doctors agreed Soft IVF was the future in fertility medicine.

They said the treatment - also known as Mild IVF - has good success rates and is safer for women because it interferes less with their body's natural chemistry.

Tags: infertility treatment, ivf, infertility on 2008-04-24 -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromwww.mirror.co.uk

Research Financing For Contraception and Infertility Investigations

Those Planning to research on contraception or infertility or those who want to pursue their studies and are willing to dedicate the last years of their studies and the first years of their careers to researching on such topics, will find that there are grants available for repaying their student debt. These repayment programs are awarded to health professionals or students who need to repay their student debt.

These Programs repay the educational loans that the applicants took to pursue their college studies in exchange for committing to investigate on the fields of contraception and infertility. It is an excellent opportunity for those who are interested on the fields or for those who are worried about the repayment of their student debt and do not mind or find interesting the subjects of contraception and infertility.

Objectives of The Program

The extended objective of the contraception and infertility research loan repayment program is to achieve an increase on the interest of professionals on the fields of the program and to make them focus their careers on these fields to obtain expert professionals that can fulfill the needs of the community on contraception and infertility.

Tags: infertility, contraception, financing on 2008-04-16 -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromwww.losangeleschronicle.com

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Finding cause of infertility requires thorough testing

Infertility is defined as a full year of trying to become pregnant without any success. Infertility involves many factors: hormones, egg production and egg release, normal fallopian tubes (the tubes through which an egg migrates to the uterus) and a normal uterus. Men are solely responsible for 20 percent of infertility, and they contribute to it 30 percent to 40 percent of the time. A basic test for the determination of male fertility is a sperm count, something the doctor can arrange for your husband.

In considering female problems, the doctor has to evaluate a woman's menstrual history, her hormone status and her monthly release of an egg. The woman's uterus and fallopian tubes have to be examined to determine if there is some anatomy problem that makes conception difficult. Blocked fallopian tubes, for example, prevent pregnancy.

A common cause of infertility is polycystic ovary syndrome. Women with this syndrome make too much male hormone, have large ovaries studded with cysts and are often overweight. Sometimes simple weight loss can correct many of the problems that arise from this syndrome, including difficulty in becoming pregnant. Perhaps that's what the doctor meant by weight loss. I don't know how drinking water corrects anything.

My message to you is that finding the answer to infertility requires much testing and includes the husband in the testing process. There's no simple solution to this difficult situation.

Tags: egg production, infertility, hormones, pregnant on 2008-04-16 and saved by2 people -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromwww.southcoasttoday.com

Men's fertility is under attack and scientists fear for future generations

It might be a man's world, but could his reproductive days be in decline? Exposures to pesticides, herbicides, industrial agents, tobacco, alcohol and metals - even mobile phone use - are being increasingly blamed for abnormal sperm and falls in sperm counts.

Australian and overseas biologists have long argued the male testis, DNA and sperm are under attack from environmental contaminants, and the end game could be the male sex-defining Y chromosome's destruction.

Counsellors trying to help couples conceive have been desperate to give would-be fathers more precise advice on chemicals to avoid and lifestyles to lead - but are now learning that in some cases the damage to men's fertility may have happened way back in their mother's womb.

The discovery has been made in the new science known as "epigenetics", which strongly suggests chemical damage is causing abnormal sperm and male infertility via a pregnant woman's exposure to contaminants, passing infertility not only to her son but successive sons - overturning old assumptions about biology and DNA.

Tags: fertility issues, men's fertility, abnormal sperm on 2008-04-11 -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromwww.smh.com.au

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Blood test may catch endometriosis early

Infertility physician Jan Friberg has begun using a simple blood test to diagnose early and mild- to -moderate cases of endometriosis in his patients, thus eliminating the need for invasive diagnostic laparoscopy or even a biopsy.

If the blood test becomes commonly used, it may make a difference in the lives of millions of women. Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissues grow outside their normal home inside the uterus, leading to painful and often destructive internal growths and scarring. This new blood test could catch th disease before it becomes so painful.


Other gynecologists and fertility doctors have expressed interested in the new blood test, but it has not yet been accepted as a mainstream practice in the medical world. The test measures the levels of inflammatory protein interleukin-6 in the blood stream,

"If we see a patient has elevated interleukin-6, we are fairly convinced we don't need to do a laparoscopy (what's typically done to diagnose endometriosis)," said Friberg, founder of Friberg Medical Associates in Glencoe and Chicago. "Laparoscopy is not a particularly pleasant procedure so it is nicer to be able to do testing this way."

Tags: endocrinologist, endometriosis, laparoscopy on 2008-04-11 -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromwww.pioneerlocal.com

Fertility accupuncture

About ten percent of women in the United States face some difficulty getting pregnant.

Fortunately there are many options available to help overcome infertility, including acupuncture.

Michele Sweeney is enjoying the best job she said she's ever had, being mom to three-month-old Brodie.

Because she is in her early 40s, doctors advised Sweeney try in-vitro fertilization right away.

She did twice and it did not work.

"It's the emotional part that's the hard part. It's very hard when you see friends around you getting pregnant without any assistance and you're spending all kinds of money and time and it's a huge commitment, and at the end of all that you don't have a pregnancy," she said.

Tags: accupuncture, infertility, fertility on 2008-04-08 -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromwww.wcbd.com

The Burden of Infertility Financials

Infertility financial help is worth a look for couples who are facing infertility. Infertility treatments are costly and if you intended to go for the full course, there is a need to consider financial aid to fund the infertility treatments. You may be able to afford the cost of treatments or you might need financial assistance.

Tags: Infertility, Natural, Treatments, For, infertility on 2008-04-07 -All Annotations (0) -About

more fromwww.fightinginfertility.com

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