Single embryo transfer reduces the risk of perinatal mortality in IVF
Istanbul, 4 July 2012: A policy of single embryo transfer (SET) reduces the risk of perinatal mortality in infants born as a result of IVF and ICSI. The conclusion emerged from an analysis of more than 50,000 births recorded in the Australian and New Zealand Assisted Reproduction Technology Database between 2004 and 2008, where the introduction of an SET policy has been associated with a reduction in overall perinatal mortality for IVF and ICSI babies.
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Fertility preservation with the cryopreservation of ovarian tissue moves from the experimental to the mainstreamItaly's first successful case shows that time in freeze-storage is no barrier to success
Istanbul, 4 July 2012: Although the first successful preservation of fertility from the freezing, thawing and grafting of ovarian tissue was reported eight years ago,(1) the technique has remained experimental and confined to a few specialist centres.
Freezing all embryos in IVF with transfer in a later non-stimulated cycle may improve outcome
Istanbul, 4 July 2012: There is growing interest in a "freeze-all" embryo policy in IVF. Such an approach, which cryopreserves all embryos generated in a stimulated IVF cycle for later transfer in a non-stimulated natural cycle, would avoid any of the adverse effects which ovarian stimulation might have on endometrial receptivity during the treatment cycle.
Why smoking is 'BAD' for the Fallopian tube - and increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy
Istanbul, 3 July 2012: Cigarette smoke reduces the production of a Fallopian tube gene known as "BAD", which helps explain the link between smoking and ectopic pregnancy.
Five or more cups of coffee a day reduce the chance of IVF success by around 50 per cent
Istanbul, 3 July 2012: Women who drink five or more cups of coffee a day severely reduce their chance of success from IVF treatment. Indeed, Danish investigators who followed up almost 4000 IVF and ICSI patients described the adverse impact as "comparable to the detrimental effect of smoking".
A high intake of certain dietary fats associated with lower live birth rates, decreased oocyte number and poorer embryo quality in IVF
Istanbul, 3 July 2012: Women with a higher intake of dietary saturated fats have fewer mature oocytes available for collection in IVF, according to results of a study from the Harvard School of Public Health funded by the US National Institutes of Health.
Higher levels of public reimbursement positively influence national birth rates and reduce unmet needs in subfertile populations
Istanbul, 2 July 2012: The state funding of fertility treatment through public reimbursement policies has a direct influence on national birth rates. Lower levels of reimbursement are correlated with higher unmet needs for treatment, while more generous reimbursement policies increase access to treatment and may even make a measurable contribution to national birth rates.
Read more>Childless women with fertility problems at 18% higher risk of hospitalisation for psychiatric disorders: Significant results from a large population study
Istanbul, 2 July 2012: While many small studies have shown a relationship between infertility and psychological distress, reporting a high prevalence of anxiety, mood disorders and depressive symptoms, few have studied the psychological effect of childlessness on a large population basis.
Read more>The prevention of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer by PGD is 'feasible', following analysis of Europe's biggest patient series
Istanbul, 2 July 2012: Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for the breast cancer genes BRCA1/2 is now feasible and established, with good success rates for those treated, according to investigators from the reproduction, oncology and genetics centres of the university hospitals of Maastricht and Brussels.
The world's number of IVF and ICSI babies has now reached a calculated total of 5 million
Istanbul, 1 July 2012: The number of babies born as a result of assisted reproduction technologies (ART) has reached an estimated total of 5 million since the world's first, Louise Brown, was born in July 1978.