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(sz) Evidence gathered from time-lapse recordings of the formation of early embryos (blastocysts) in the laboratory has revealed why embryos created via IVF and undergoing extended culture are more likely to develop into twins than those created via natural conception. Furthermore, the research has shown that the culture in which the IVF embryos are formed is possibly responsible for the embryos dividing into twins.
Dianna Payne, a visiting research fellow at the Mio Fertility Clinic, Yonago, Japan, told the 23rd annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology today (Monday 2 July) that about three pairs of twins per thousand deliveries occurred as a result of natural conception, but many more were born after IVF, even when only one embryo had been transferred to the mother (approximately 21 pairs per thousand deliveries). However, it was not known why this happened.
Using 33 surplus frozen-thawed embryos that had been donated for research, Ms Payne and her colleagues used computer software called MetaMorph [1], which creates a free-running film from single images taken every two minutes with a digital camera attached to a microscope. They then used the software to analyse data from the film.
After thawing, 26 of the 33 embryos (most of which were composed of between two and ten cells) developed to blastocyst stage in which the blastocoele is formed. This is a fluid-filled cavity in the blastocyst and is formed on about day four or five when the embryo forms tight junctions between the cells around its periphery. These outer cells (the trophectoderm) begin to pump fluid into the blastocoelic cavity where a micro-environment is formed in which the cells that will go on to develop into the body of the embryo (the inner cell mass or ICM) develop. more…

From: »Science Daily«

(sz) A woman’s mood may make the difference in conceiving a baby via in vitro fertilization, according to Canadian researchers.
Dr. Christopher Newton, of the University Hospital at Ontario’s London Health Sciences Center, said that his work could lead to a better understanding of the importance of couples’ emotional health during in vitro fertilization and the effect this has on their decision-making.
The researchers asked 129 female fertility patients to undertake a standardized questionnaire, the Profile of Mood States, one month before hospital fertility treatment to measure transient moods such as anxiety, depression, anger and fatigue. The women also completed a Fertility Problem Inventory that assesses and measures infertility-specific social, sexual and relationship stress. more…

From: »EarthTimes«

(cz) The first test-tube baby created from an egg matured in the laboratory and then frozen has been born in Canada, in a breakthrough offering hope to women with cancer and others unsuited to normal IVF treatment.
The baby is doing well and another three women are pregnant by the same method, researchers told a medical meeting in Lyon, France, on Monday.
Conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) involves using high doses of expensive hormone drugs to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs.
But some women seeking to preserve their child-bearing capacity may not have enough time to undergo ovarian stimulation or may have a condition that makes it dangerous, such as hormone-sensitive breast cancer.
For these patients, ripening eggs in the lab — so-called in vitro maturation (IVM) — makes sense. Until now, however, scientists have never frozen, thawed and then fertilized a lab-matured egg. This multi-step process increases significantly the flexibility of fertility treatment. more…

From: »Reuters« (Canada)

(sz) Laws on fertility treatment should be standardised across the European Union to deter ‘fertility tourism’, a leading expert has said.
Professor Paul Devroey said current disparities in rules meant infertile couples often had to travel to get the fertility treatment they wanted. But he warned this was not always based on good science. Professor Devroey was speaking a European Society for Human Reproduction and Embyrology meeting in Lyon, France.
He said some countries, including the UK, adopt a liberal, science-based approach to fertility treatments. However, others, he warned, either dismiss or misuse scientific information. Professor Devroey, chairman of ESHRE, warned such an approach could increase the risk to the mother and the child.
The variation in basic ethical principles in Europe is so great that it would be very difficult to find a common ground (Professor Bill Ledger, University of Sheffield) more…

From:»The BBC«

(wz) Inequality in Treatment Access Remains a Key Issue for Infertile Couples Across Europe
Medical, political and demographical experts drawn from across the globe have come together this week to discuss the ongoing challenges associated with access to infertility. Leaders in their respective fields are calling for infertility to be recognised as a serious, growing European human, health and economic issue where barriers to treatment need to be lifted.
The consequences of an ageing and declining population and the socio-economic issues that come with them warrant serious consideration. One strategy for addressing these concerns is increasing access to assisted reproductive technology (ART) to help infertile couples achieve their desired family size. European economic analysis of ART policy has shown this strategy to be cost-effective when compared with existing pronatalist policies.
Infertile couples and infertility advocacy groups have long campaigned for the access to ART. This view is supported by a growing number of politicians who feel that ART warrants serious political support, not only in putting the case of infertility firmly on the healthcare agenda, but also in addressing the issue of an ageing population. more…

From: »ITNews« (Italy)

(wz) Giving patients access to fertility treatment will help stem the declining birth rate in Europe - say demographic health experts.
Delegates meeting at the ‘State of the A.R.T’ conference organised by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology were told that with the current decline in population size, it is estimated that by 2050 one-in-three Europeans will be aged over 65 years.
A total fertility rate of around 2.1 children per woman is needed, it was claimed, to maintain the current population; and yet birth rates are on average closer to 1.50 children per woman.
Speaking at the conference Professor Paul Devroey, of the Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Free University of Brussels, said: “Research published this month supports the trend showing that European countries that have greater funding for and access to Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) have more live births through this treatment option. more…

From: »OnMedica«

(sz) Embryos that are selected out as abnormal can undergo chromosomal modifications, a scientist will tell the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics today. (June, 19th – ed.)
Ms Tsvia Frumkin, from the Racine IVF unit, LIS Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel, will tell the conference that her team’s findings meant that the results of preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) for chromosomal abnormalities were not always reliable and should be interpreted with caution.
PGS is offered to women with recurrent IVF failures as well as repeated miscarriages. It is based on the concept that the entire chromosomal constitution of an embryo can be represented by a single cell, which is removed from the embryo. If one biopsied cell is found to be abnormal, there is a 90% chance that the rest of the embryo is also abnormal or mosaic, where two or more cells with different chromosomal constitution exist in a single embryo.
Ms Frumkin analysed 8 cell embryos at day 3 of development using the FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) technique. Two cells from each embryo were analysed, and between 5 and 9 chromosomes were investigated. The abnormal embryos were re-analysed on day 5, using the same method. “By comparing FISH results of day 5 embryos to the abnormal results of the same embryos on day 3, we could elucidate the origin of the chromosomal aberrations and follow different chromosomal modifications as they occurred during preimplantation period. The timing is significant because embryos used in IVF are normally transferred at between 3 and 5 days old”, says Ms Frumkin. more…

From: » News-Medical.Net«

(cz) A small British run alternative health clinic in Southern Spain has achieved a considerable level of success in helping women become pregnant, both when using IVF and without, which fits in with other research into the phenomenon world wide.
A team from Soroka University, Israel, found that in a control group, 28% of women who were hypnotised became pregnant, compared with 14% of those who were not. The study of 185 women was presented to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology conference in Berlin. http://www.eliteclinics.com/IVF.html
The Chinese had noticed several thousand years ago that women who had difficulty conceiving often had an underlying emotional issue preventing conception. Modern studies have now confirmed that psychological and emotional blocks can create infertility issues. There may be subconscious fears around pregnancy, labour, childbirth, hospitals, medical treatments, motherhood, loss of independence or individuality, questions about their husband’s ability to be a good father, unresolved dysfunctional patterns from a woman’s own childhood, or even the fear that a new baby might be a threat to the relationship with her spouse.
Hypnotherapy can be a highly effective mind-body technique, often helping individuals identify and process subconscious blocks that may be interfering with conception. In a relaxed, therapeutic environment, the hypnotherapist and the individual work together to bring about positive attitudes and beliefs regarding childbirth and motherhood. more…

From: »PRblog« (press release)

(sz) Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ) to discuss matter at symposium this week
Six years ago when Suzette Jackson and her husband, Aaron decided they would try to conceive through in vitro fertilisation, if they could have chosen certain characteristics for their twin babies they would have flatly refused. For them, it was more than enough that Suzette had conceived, let alone given birth to two healthy babies. This was an easy decision for the Aarons.
But for some parents, the decision is not as simple. For example, in 2004, when scientists took the decision to create five healthy babies to provide stem cells for siblings with serious non-heritable conditions, there was a great public outcry. Many condemned the move as being “unlawful” and “unethical”.
The babies were created using a technique called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD, which involved testing the embryos for a tissue type match for the ailing siblings.
Indeed, since the upsurge of advance reproductive technologies, doctors are now closer to creating these customised babies, popularly referred to as “designer babies”, which are essentially free of genetic disorders such as sickle cell and Down Syndrome. What is more, is that the PGD technology gives parents the option of choosing the sex of their baby. more…

From: »The Jamaica Observer«

(wz) Varolab, the leading German company for high-quality IVF-equipment will be joining »MEFS2007«.
The congress and fair of the »Middle East Fertility Society« will held at the Susesi Hotel in Antalya (Turkey) from October, 31st to November, 3rd., 2007.
The »MEFS General Program Committee« invites interested parties to participate in the scientific programme through the submission of abstracts, which it will consider for presentation. Abstracts must be submitted through the electronic online Abstract Submitter (at the website) or via email.
Varolab products feature a high level of technical convenience, uncomplicated user guidance, ideal compatibility and first-class workmanship. Varolab is well known for reliability and safety in installation and commissioning. Beyond this, the name Varolab stands for fast delivery and excellent professional support.
Varolab offers their worldwide customers a wide range of modular-design system solutions for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Thus their claim is »system solutions for reproductive medicine«.

Direct link to »MEFS2007«