The increase in the success rates of ART over the past few decades has been mainly attributed to improved laboratory conditions and ovarian stimulation optimization, with less attention directed towards strategies for enhancing final oocyte maturation. A recent study, touted to be the first randomized double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial to alter the ovulation trigger to enhance the developmental competence of oocytes in IVF cycles, has reported a statistically significant improvement in fertilization after a follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) bolus administration at the time of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger, compared to placebo, in IVF cycles. Read the full story

Advances in in vitro fertilization have generated crucial concerns about its long-term effects, particularly with regard to oncogenic risk in breast, uterus, and ovary. Recently, a study carried out by a team of Swedish researchers has reported that the probability of cancer/cancer therapy necessitating IVF, as a result of infertility, was much higher than the risk of developing cancer after IVF. Read the full story

A team of US researchers has reported declining pregnancy rates in patients undergoing infertility treatment of more than two cycles of medication only, and two and three cycles of IVF and IUI, respectively. The findings of the prospective cohort study have been published in the journal, Fertility and Sterility. Read the full story

Assisted reproductive technology cycles are commonly associated with high multiple pregnancies rates. However, several studies have indicated that multiple gestations in IVF patients enhance the risk of prematurity, low birth weight, perinatal morbidity and mortality in infants. A recent research published in the journal Fertility and Sterility suggests that elective single embryo transfer (eSET) in good prognosis IVF patients can considerably reduce twin pregnancies without compromising the overall pregnancy rates. Read the full story