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

A recent study by a team of Swedish researchers reports that extended embryo culturing to blastocyst stage raises the risk of preterm birth and congenital malformations among singletons. The findings of the study are published in the recent issue of Fertility and Sterility. 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

Understanding the unique molecular mechanisms underlying preimplantation development, which includes a series of events such as final oocyte maturation, fertilization, and the oocyte to zygote transition, is crucial for improving ART success rates. Maternal transcripts and proteins stored in the oocytes during folliculogenesis have been proposed to play a crucial role in the regulation of embryogenesis. In a recent study published in the journal Reproduction, a group of US researchers have reported that diverse mammalian oocyte stored factors, termed as maternal effect structures (MESs), assist in the oocyte to embryo transition. Continue Reading

Numerous studies have documented that the birth weight of IVF-conceived newborns is lower than those conceived naturally, possibly attributable to factors such as multiple gestations and various causes of female infertility. A new study reports that the type of culture medium used for in vitro culturing of the preimplantation embryos could also influence the birthweight of babies born through IVF. The findings of the study are published in the latest issue of the journal, Human Reproduction. Continue Reading

A recent prospective clinical study reports that a reduction in the proportion of CD4⁺CD25 (high) regulatory T cells (Treg) and forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) expression in the peripheral blood and decidua could play a role in the pathogenesis of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions (URSA). The findings of the study are published in the recent issue of the journal Fertility and Sterility. Continue Reading

Several factors related to embryo culturing, including the procedure and incubation time for both the gametes and embryos, are reported to significantly affect IVF treatment outcomes. Two Independent studies have reported the development of two novel embryo culture systems, namely the tilting embryo culture system (TECS) and the microfluidic/microfunnel system, to mimic the in utero conditions in order to augment the development of the embryo and formation of blastocyst. Continue Reading

Introduction
Over the past quarter century, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of people seeking infertility treatment. According to the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth, around 11.8% of women in the US, aged between 15 to 44 years, had impaired fecundity. The importance given to reproduction and the generation of progeny has led to the development of various assisted conception techniques and methods to overcome infertility. One such method is “third party reproduction”, which uses sperms, oocytes, or embryos donated by a donor to help infertile couples achieve parenthood. Continue Reading

Written by Dr Stacey Ellender

A Brief History of Surrogacy
Surrogacy is not new, although the practice has been altered with time. There is evidence that it was an accepted remedy for infertility in the ancient world. In the Hebrew scriptures, when Sara was unable to have a child, she told Abraham to be with her maid Hagar, so that she might bear him a son. A similar story was told of Rachel, Jacob, and the maid, Bilhah. In such stories, it was the wife who was perceived to be infertile, thus a stand-in for her, a surrogate wife, was the only remedy sought. The surrogate was, in most cases, of the same race and ethnicity as the wife, (though often younger) so as to produce a child readily acceptable to her, and passable as her own. But the surrogate was also likely to be of lower social position, a servant or a slave, and she had no choice in the matter; if the head of the household decided she would bear him a child, she complied. If she successfully gave birth, she might be acknowledged as the one who did so, but the child was raised by the man who impregnated her and his wife, and she had little or no place in that child’s life. Continue Reading