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

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

The oxidative stress exerted by seminal leukocytes via reactive oxygen species has been proposed as a significant factor in the etiology of defective sperm function. Previous studies have suggested the potential of activation markers and soluble factors generated by the leukocytes in enhancing the detection and treatment of male infertility caused by subclinical genital tract infections. However, the currently used cytological techniques, which measure only the number of leukocytes within the semen instead of their activity, are found to be less efficacious in assessing the sperm quality. Now, a new study published in the International Journal of Andrology reports seminal plasma neopterin concentration, a protein released by activated macrophages, as a potential marker for sperm quality. Continue Reading

Research is ongoing to develop new techniques for the assessment of quantitative and qualitative variations in the seminal plasma constituents in order to better understand the molecular profile changes that contribute to infertility. Several studies have suggested the ability of ¹H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) in detecting and localizing spermatogenesis in testis. A new study, published in the journal, Human Reproduction, has reported a novel application of the non-invasive metabolic scan in locating sperm in men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), using a predictive model based on phosphocholine concentrations in the testes. Continue Reading

A new study reports that SpermCheck® Fertility (ContraVac), a simple, inexpensive, quick, and accurate immunochromatographic diagnostic test may enable men to assess their sperm count in the privacy of their homes. The device, touted to be the first home sperm test device, may aid couples planning for conception to check if the male partner requires subsequent comprehensive fertility status evaluation. The findings have been published in the online issue of the journal, Human Reproduction. Continue Reading