Love is in the air this time of year. But for young couples
looking to start a family, there is something else in the air that may hinder
that pursuit. Recent studies have linked exposure to urban air pollution with
stillbirth, preterm birth, birth defects and low birthweight. City smog is also
tied, physicians say, to pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia,
premature membrane rupture and intrauterine growth restriction — a condition
that occurs when the fetus does not receive adequate support from the mother
via the placenta, resulting in extremely low birthweight.
Category: Fertility Clock Headlines
California Considers Funding Controversial Research: Editing Genes in Human Embryos
The California Institute of Regenerative Medicine was created in 2004 to fund stem cell research, after the federal government stopped paying for most experiments with human embryos. Now the state agency is considering underwriting another controversial use of embryos that the federal government won’t support — editing their genes.
Lena Dunham Has Endometriosis, Here are 5 Facts About the Disease
This isn’t surprising at all, considering that endometriosis is mostly mysterious and difficult to diagnose — yet, as Dunham notes, incredibly common in women of reproductive age. Here are five important facts about the condition.
Sperm Banks Draft Zika Virus Policy
Some sperm banks and fertility societies are taking steps to keep the Zika virus out of their supplies of donor sperm to avoid infecting women trying to get pregnant.
Stark correlation Found Between Heavy Cell Phone Use and Male Infertility
Men, don’t throw out your mobile phones just yet. But if you want children, don’t slump while talking on your phone, because you have to keep the thing more than half a meter from your groin. Never talk on it while it’s charging and yes, it’s time to take your man-purse out of storage – you shouldn’t keep your cellphone in your pants pocket.
Debate About Fertility Treatment Ethics as South African Company Flies Women to Australia to Donate Eggs
A South African company has sparked renewed debate about the ethics of some fertility treatments. The company recruits young women to donate their eggs and is heavily promoting itself in Australia.
Pentagon to Offer Plan to Store Eggs and Sperm
Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter believes he has come up with a way to help the Pentagon retain troops: freezing sperm and eggs. As part of an initiative to make military service more appealing and family friendly, Mr. Carter has created a pilot program that will pay for troops to have their reproductive cells preserved.
Hair Dye that Could Harm Women’s Fertility Banned
A hair dye that can harm a woman’s fertility and endanger her unborn child has been banned in Britain.
Inside One of The World’s Largest Sperm Banks
Cryos International is located on the fifth floor of a small building in Aarhus, Denmark. It looks like any other office, but inside, it’s among the world’s largest sperm banks.
Report: It’s Ethical to Test Embryos From DNA of 3 People
Creating babies from the DNA of three people — a man and two women — one day might prevent mothers from passing on devastating genetic diseases, and advisers to the government now say it’s ethical to test the procedure under certain conditions.