A recent retrospective analysis, the findings of which were published in the journal, Human Reproduction, reports that performing additional rounds of hybridization during fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) improves the accuracy of the technique in preimplantation genetic aneuploidy screening (PGS), thereby increasing the number of competent embryos available for transfer. Continue Reading

A new breakthrough study has reported the development of a simple, non-invasive, prenatal blood test based on the multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) technique, which could help in the accurate detection of chromosomal aberrations in the developing fetus, and thereby avoid the risk of miscarriage associated with conventional invasive techniques such as chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis. The findings of the study were also presented recently at the 26^th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), held at Rome from 27^th-30^th June, 2010. Continue Reading

A new breakthrough blood test that helps predict the approximate age at which a woman would attain menopause has been developed. The preliminary findings of this population-based cohort study were presented at the 26th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) held at Rome from 27^th to 30^th June 2010. The researchers are hopeful that the test could help women determine the age at which they reach menopause and accordingly plan their motherhood. Continue Reading

Potential screening tools for early ovarian ageing include small antral follicle counts, anti-Müllerian hormone levels, abnormal autoimmune function, and number of CGG repeats on the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. A recent preliminary prospective randomized controlled trial reiterates that 30 to 40 CGG trinucleotide repeats on FMR1 may serve as a predictor of premature ovarian ageing and premature ovarian failure (POF) in infertile women. However, no significant association was observed between the concentrations of anti-thyroid and anti-adrenal autoantibodies and FSH levels/CGG repeat numbers. The findings of the recent study have been published in the journal, Reproductive BioMedicine Online. Continue Reading

A team of researchers from the Newcastle University have developed a pioneering ‘three-person IVF’ technique, in which the fertilization procedure uses the nuclear DNA of the biological parents, and the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from an oocyte donor. The technique, which facilitates exchange of DNA between two oocytes, could serve in preventing the transmission of mitochondrial diseases to offspring. The findings of the groundbreaking study have been published in the online edition of the journal, Nature. Continue Reading

Fertility-related problems and management, including medical monitoring, hormone administration, and IVF procedures, have been proven to cause ample physical and emotional distress, which lead to severe maladjustment in women during/after the infertility treatment. Emotional distress could result in high number of treatment dropouts, apart from causing deterioration in the general health and suboptimal treatment outcomes. Now, Danish researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of a screening tool, SCREENIVF, in identifying women at a high risk of developing emotional problems at an early stage of the treatment. The findings of the study, published in the journal Human Reproduction, suggest the potential of SCREENIVF as the first emotional screening tool, based on which the high-risk patients can be subjected to more detailed diagnostics for prompt treatment initiation. Continue Reading

Advancements in computer technology have opened new avenues in the field of 3D-ultrasound reconstructions. Virtual embryoscopy, which offers a natural and precise visualization of the embryonic stages and structures in the first 3 months of pregnancy, is an emerging non-invasive tool developed using such technology. A new longitudinal study published in Human Reproduction highlights the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) in accurately detecting early-stage embryonic growth/developmental delay, and in particular aiding the management of early growth restriction and recurrent late miscarriage. Continue Reading

A team of researchers has developed a breakthrough embryo screening technique termed molecular preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), which uses a PCR-based protocol for analyzing translocations. The new approach, having the potential to identify more viable embryos for transfer, utilizes multiplexed short tandem repeat (STR) markers that are positioned on both segments of the translocated chromosomes during translocation analysis. The findings of the study have been published in the journal, Molecular Human Reproduction. Continue Reading

The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is reported to be high in infertile women. Despite this, its management remains controversial owing to the lack of proven treatment benefits. Now, a recent prospective, randomized trial has highlighted the importance of levothyroxine (LT4) supplementation for achieving clinical pregnancies in women with SH opting for IVF-ICSI. The findings of the study have been published in the recent issue of Endocrine Practice. Continue Reading

Intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI), a modification of ICSI procedure, evaluates motile sperm organellar morphology by magnifying the sample >6000 times with a high power microscope, enhanced by digital imaging. Several studies have demonstrated that IMSI, compared to ICSI, improves treatment outcomes, including the rate of implantation, pregnancy, and live birth. Now, a Brazilian research team reports similar outcomes, in terms of fertilization rate, embryo cleavage rate, and day 2 embryo quality, with both the conventional and modified ICSI procedures. However, the scientists did not rule out the possibility of IMSI positively influencing the late paternal effects. The study results have been published online in the European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology. Continue Reading