Infertility

A form of assisted reproductive technology that could make it possible for women with mutations in mitochondrial DNA to give birth to children free of mitochondrial disease has been approved by UK’s House of Commons. A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) committee is considering granting similar approval for use of the technique-known as oocyte modification or three-parent gene therapy-in the United States.

Use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection in cases unrelated to male factor infertility may negatively affect outcomes, new research suggests.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at increased risk for metabolic and heart diseases and nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized.

Consider thyroid disorders, such as hyperthyroidism, when evaluating women with fertility problems and recurrent early pregnancy loss.

Results of a retrospective cohort study show that use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection is on the rise but cast doubt on whether the technology is improving reproductive outcomes. Brian Levine, MD, MS provides commentary.

Timing is important to achieve pregnancy in intrauterine insemination, but available evidence doesn't support using one timing method over another.

Addressing the emotional component of a patient's diagnosis isn't often feasible, but these tools can help patients with this important aspect of healing.

The FDA says confusing labeling is out and now will provide safety data for medication use in pregnancy and breastfeeding in a relevant real-world context.

Unlike with in vitro fertilization, it appears that uterine contractions may increase the chance of a successful intrauterine insemination (IUI), according to a new study.

A GnRH agonist for an oocyte maturation trigger may be most useful in cases where pregnancy isn't the immediate goal, a new meta-analysis finds.

Being overweight can affect fertility, and now there is evidence that maternal weight at conception impacts how a fertilized egg divides and grows.

A small study by investigators from Harvard University suggests that cryopreserved embryo transfer (CET) is a strong independent risk factor for placenta accreta in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

How's this for a unique way to offer certain fertility benefits as an employee incentive?

First-trimester exposure to maternal estradiol may increase risk of thyroid dysfunction in offspring conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF), according to a study in Fertility & Sterility.

Two studies show that the emotional impact of uterine fibroids is significant but support is lacking, especially in African American women.

Voters in North Dakota sent a clear message that health care decisions, from pregnancy to end-of-life care, must involve only patients and their physicians.

A consequence of Measure 1, which may or may not be a "personhood" amendment, is that IVF and other infertility services in North Dakota will end.

Women with high dairy diets have higher live birth rates after IVF; maternal diets high in butterfat can ameliorate effects of BPA exposure on embryos in rats.

There is little research on preserving fertility in transgendered men. Research from Sweden provides some evidence on reproductive counseling in these patients.

The use of an intravaginal incubation device in IVF is found to be a safe and effective alternative to lab incubation of embryos, and it may reduce costs.

Exposure to air pollution during a specific period in a pregnancy is associated with a significant risk of preterm delivery before 37 weeks.

Racial and cultural disparities exist in women's understanding of conception and pregnancy, as well as in the effectiveness of infertility treatments.

New research: it’s common for the male partner in infertile couples to experience stress and sexual dysfunction during their partner’s fertile period.

An aromatase inhibitor was safe for use in ovarian stimulation but produced fewer live births than a standard clomiphene citrate (CC) regimen, according to results of a multicenter trial.

Don't overpromise when it comes to elective egg freezing. It doesn't protect against infertility nor does it guarantee a future pregnancy.

Problem: The economic and clinical costs associated with multiple births resulting from IVF. Solution: Single-embryo transfer is paramount.

A prospective Italian study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism suggests that low levels of vitamin D [25(OH)D] may contribute to infertility. The finding, which the authors acknowledge does not confirm causality, could point to possible therapeutic benefits of the vitamin in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Readers respond to ‘Euploid single embryo transfer: The new IVF paradigm’

Letrozole, a breast cancer drug, was compared with clomiphene as a fertility treatment for women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Find out which drug performed best.

A study in The New England Journal of Medicine funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development suggests that letrozole may be more effective at helping women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) become pregnant than clomiphene.