OvaScience is preoccupied by an enduring mystery in human biology—why eggs fail—and the palpable hope that we can do something about it. On the company’s homepage, a beautiful, smiling woman with red hair tumbling down her shoulders gazes at something off-screen. “A woman’s biology is extraordinary,” the tagline reads. Venture capitalists fueled OvaScience with $40 million soon after it launched in 2011, and it raised more than $200 million after going public a year later.
Author: ASRM News and Research
Exome Sequencing Homes in on Gene Linked to Early Human Embryonic Lethality
By sequencing the exomes of women having difficulties conceiving, researchers in Saudi Arabia have discovered a gene that, when mutated, leads to the early death of embryos.
These 25 Celebrities Got Candid About Their Struggles With Infertility
Many women endure a difficult journey on the road to parenthood. Even though as many as 25 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage and a record number of couples are turning to IVF, there are still countless moms-to-be who are suffering in silence. From fertility treatments and surrogates to adoptions, these 25 celebrities have gotten candid about their own experiences with infertility in hopes of letting others know that they are not alone.
Fertility Awareness Week: ‘Critics of IVF should look at themselves. Pregnancy is a Fundamental Thing
We have met at the Chelsea clinic of fertility expert Emma Cannon, who supported Nina in her quest to be a mother. Emma, who set up practice 21 years ago, and who has two teenage girls, is a fierce advocate for motherhood however it comes – from natural conception to the most cutting-edge of IVF methods. After accumulating 50,000 hours of clinical experience, there is little she hasn’t seen or worked with, yet Emma, author of The Baby Making Bible remains frustrated that the human stories behind the medical statistics often get ignored.
Teenage Exposure to Pesticides May Lead to Abnormal Sperm, New Study Says
Adolescent exposure to environmental pollutants known as organochlorines may lead to defective sperm, according to a study published today by researchers at Milken Institute School of Public Health (Milken Institute SPH) at the George Washington University and co-authors. The research is the first to look for associations between exposure to these chemicals in the teenage years and abnormalities in sperm that are associated with fertility problems later in life.
Hormonal Drug May Provide Women At High Risk For Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome With Safer IVF Treatment
In vitro fertilization is where plenty of couples with fertility problems look to, but for women facing higher risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) — think of polycystic ovarian syndrome — IVF isn’t always safe. But according to a new study presented during the Society for Endocrinology’s annual conference in Edinburgh on Tuesday, there may be hope.
Reproductive Factors and Their Possible Long-term Health Consequences in Women
Research published today in BMC Medicine investigates the association between reproductive factors and women’s long term health.
Elective Single Embryo Transfer May Be Less Successful for in Ethnic Minority Groups
Despite similar demographic variables, the clinical pregnancy rate for women who undergo elective single embryo transfer (eSET) was lower for non-Caucasian patients than it was for Caucasian patients, according to results presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Annual Meeting in Baltimore.
ASRM2015: Endometriosis Highlights
Endometriosis was very much in focus at the 71st Annual Meeting of the ASRM with interactive keynote lectures, oral abstract presentations, posters, and round table discussions.
Cancer Risk ‘Little to Worry About’ After Fertility Drugs
In women who undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF), the risk for cancer is minimal, according to a large study.