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News: Analysis suggests decline in human sperm counts

David Cansfield 05 December 2022

Global sperm counts have declined in the last 50 years, an analysis of data published since 1973 has indicated.

Published in the journal Human Reproductive Update by an international team led by Professor Hagai Levine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the data suggests that between 1973 and 2018 the average sperm concentration fell by 51.6 percent and total sperm count also fell by 62.3 percent. Previously the same team had previously published data in Human Reproduction demonstrating a decline in sperm count since 1981, but that analysis had been underpowered for demonstrating this decline in South and Central America, Asia and Africa. However, their latest analysis has indicated the trend is global.

'Overall, we're seeing a significant worldwide decline in sperm counts of over 50 percent in the past 46 years, a decline that has accelerated in recent years' Professor Levine explained.

Meta analysis of 223 studies, yielding 288 estimates based on semen samples collected between 1973-2018 was conducted among two groups of men, from North America, Europe, Australia and South and Central America, Asia, Africa. Sperm concentration was found to drop from an estimated 101 million per ml to 49 million per ml during that time period. Data suggested this decline had accelerated with a 2.6 percent per year decrease in sperm count observed since 2000, compared to an overall decline of 1.2 percent per year since 1973. Data on sperm movement and shape, which can both affect fertility and are considered when analysing sperm, were not included in this analysis.

The authors of the paper called for more urgent research into the causes of the decline in sperm count they had observed. 'The main suspects are global warming and air pollution, but also exposure to chemical substances and smoking before birth, and exposure to pesticides, smoking, mental stress and poor nutrition in adult life' summarised Professor Levine.

However, although this study accounted for factors such as age and excluded men known to suffer from infertility, there were limitations on the conclusions that could be drawn from this study. Improvements had been made in sperm analysis in the 50 years pointed out Allan Pacey, professor of andrology at the University of Sheffield and Progress Educational Trust trustee.

'I remain concerned about the quality of the data in the papers that were published (particularly in the far past) and upon which this new (and previous) analysis was based,' he warned.

'Counting sperm, even with the gold standard technique of haemocytometry, is really difficult. I believe that over time we have simply got better at it because of the development of training and quality control programmes around the world. I still think this is much of what we are seeing in the data.

'There have been a couple of other interesting articles which have raised other concerns about this approach, so I am not alone in my skepticism.'

Sources and References


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News: First baby born in England following ovarian tissue graft

Dr Maria Botcharova 05 December 2022

A baby has been born in England for the first time to a mother who had tissue from her ovary removed before breast cancer treatment, and then had it regrafted back.

The mother of the recently born baby had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2018, at the age of 33. She and her husband wanted the chance to have a baby later, but the advanced stage of her cancer meant that she could not delay her treatment by the weeks that egg freezing could take. Her ovary was removed using keyhole surgery, and tissue containing eggs was frozen at -180°C. After successful cancer treatment was completed, the tissue was re-implanted onto her remaining ovary, and she was able to conceive through IVF.

'We offer a clinical service to children and young adults across the UK who are at high risk of infertility and who cannot store mature eggs or sperm. It's quite unique in that sense and very much focused on their future.' Dr Sheila Lane, consultant paediatric oncologist at Oxford Children's Hospital and director at the Oxford Fertility Tissue Cryopreservation Programme told The Times.

This cryopreservation procedure is most often offered to children and young adults who require treatment such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which can cause infertility. Unlike regular egg freezing, the removal of ovary tissue does not require the ovary to be fully formed before removal, which means that it gives children undergoing cancer treatment a chance to have a child later in life. It can also be performed very quickly, allowing urgent cancer treatment to progress.

Although this was the first birth following this procedure in England, it follows an earlier one in 2017 in Scotland, where the freezing of both ovarian and testicular tissue, as well as gametes and ovaries, receives dedicated funding.

In England, the procedure is currently offered through the National Paediatric Fertility Preservation Service by a small number of doctors, working on a voluntary basis. Since 2013, they have performed the procedure for around 2700 people.

'Sometimes I get a call from someone saying 'I need an ovary out tomorrow because we need to start treatment on Friday', and we can do that' Nic Alexander, consultant neonatal and paediatric surgeon at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, St Mary's Hospital told The Times.

'But we've reached a critical juncture with the biobank in Oxford where they can only process two cases a day' he continued. 'We have had a couple of cases where children aren't offered treatment, because there isn't enough time'

'We know that a significant number of patients who become infertile in their teenage years have serious mental health issues. We would never think it was the right thing to chop off a child's leg because they have bone cancer and not give them a prosthesis so they can walk.' Alexander added 'Now there is something we can do and I think this should be seen as being an integral part of cancer care.'

Sources and References


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News: ART & Embryology training program

Chennai Fertility Center and Research Institute 04 December 2022
ART & Embryology training program

January 2023 Training Batch Schedule 18th Jan - 01st Feb 2022.

The International School of Embryology was established to offer training for clinicians in advanced reproductive technologies. Our skill and precision to all aspirants help them to know in-depth knowledge and experience. The members of our teaching faculty aim to bring doctors and embryologists to the highest level of knowledge about reproductive techniques and practical capability in the field.

Our courses cover basics in Andrology, embryology, ICSI, and cryosciences (Hands-on).

Limited Seats. For admission Contact  9003111598 / 8428278218


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Webinar: MIND THE [GENERATIONAL] GAP: THE NEXT GENERATION OF EMBRYOLOGISTS

International IVF Initiative 14 November 2022
MIND THE [GENERATIONAL] GAP: THE NEXT GENERATION OF EMBRYOLOGISTS

15th Nov 2022, 3pm EST LIVE, 8pm UK, 9pm CET

Moderators:
Dr. Kimball Pomeroy and Huey Huynh

Panelists:
Savannah Palmer, Toyin Ojo and Angela Regan

Presenters:
Fran Farlie “Reproduce, reuse, recycle – Green IVF®”
Radhika Kakulavarapu “Moving like the morula: A millennial experience”
Chloe He “Adventures in 3D Timelapse”

REGISTER HERE


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News: UK survey reveals challenges of fertility treatment

Joanne Delange 07 November 2022

A Fertility Network UK survey of 1279 fertility patients has revealed the impact of treatment on mental health, finances, relationships and career.

The survey was conducted by the charity which provides support to be affected by infertility between April - July 2022. Results were published on 31 October 2022 to mark the start of National Fertility Awareness Week. Forty percent of patients responding to the survey reported to have experienced suicidal feelings at some point, 63 percent had paid for their own treatment (at an average cost of £13,750), 36 percent felt their career was damaged as a result and 59 percent reported some detrimental impact on their relationship with their partner.

'…[this] major new survey reveals the far-reaching trauma of infertility, painting a stark, distressing picture of what it is like to experience infertility and fertility treatment in the UK.' said Gwenda Burns, chief executive of Fertility Network UK. 'Fertility patients encounter a perfect storm: not being able to have the child you long for is emotionally devastating, but then many fertility patients face a series of other hurdles, including potentially paying financially crippling amounts of money for their necessary medical treatment, having their career damaged, not getting information from their GP, experiencing their relationships deteriorate, and being unable to access the mental support they need.'

The survey further uncovered that 75 percent of patients felt that their GP didn't provide enough information about fertility problems and treatment, with 51 percent receiving counselling. However, the majority of patients that had counselling had to pay for it themselves, with 78 percent saying that they would have liked to have had counselling if it was free. Nearly half of the patients would have liked to have attended a support group, but did not have one nearby.

According to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), more than 50,000 UK women undergo IVF treatment annually.

'Going through fertility treatment can be one of the most challenging times of a person's life and it's clear from this survey that the emotional, physical and financial implications of fertility, continue to affect patients today.' Julia Chain, chair of the HFEA, said in response to the report. 'Providing fertility care is not just about achieving a pregnancy. A patient's mental health should be a priority too. We are particularly concerned to see that 40 percent of respondents reported suicidal feelings and around half felt depressed. This emphasises the importance of access to counselling which UK licensed clinics are legally required to offer and make available to any patient who wants that support.'

The figures have changed little since the survey in 2016, with participants still reporting inadequate access to NHS-funded fertility treatment and mental-health services, as well as lack of workplace policy and support.

Fertility Network UK's survey was conducted with Dr Nicky Payne, associate professor of psychology at Middlesex University, London and the full report published as 'The Impact of Fertility Challenges and Treatment'.

Burns concluded: 'This is unacceptable. Infertility is a disease and is as deserving of medical help and support as any other clinical condition.'

Sources and References


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News: Role of BMI on fertility treatment outcomes explored

Hannah Flynn 07 November 2022

BMI is not associated with pregnancy rates following transfer of non-aneuploid frozen embryos, according to research presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine's (ASRM) 2022 scientific congress. 

Analysis of over 55,000 IVF patients who had not experienced recurrent miscarriage or uterine factor infertility, was carried out by researchers from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois. Researchers found no correlation between BMI – a measure obtained using a person's weight and height – and pregnancy rates following IVF when results were adjusted for age at transfer, race, number of children, prior pregnancy loss, smoking, ovulation disorder and other factors. Authors noted results taken from this analysis of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcome Reporting System were contrary to other findings. 

'While previous studies suggested otherwise, this study failed to find an association between BMI and pregnancy loss following euploid frozen embryo transfer.' said Dr Marcelle Cedars, ASRM president.

The ASRM 2022 scientific congress also heard from other researchers exploring the role of BMI, overweight and obesity in fertility patients and their treatment outcomes. 

Another abstract presented results that showed maternal obesity was significantly correlated with increased risk of miscarriage following embryo transfer using donor eggs. In this single-centre study, researchers paired the recipients of 476 donor oocytes in different BMI categories (obese >30 or non-obese <30) who had similar age, type of sperm used, number of previous children and ethnicity. They found a small, but significant increase in the risk of miscarriage in obese women when adjusting for variables. 

Researchers from Northwell Health Fertility and North Shore University Hospital, both in New York,  presented data showing that restricting access to fertility treatment on the basis of BMI, could contribute to reducing access to IVF for people who are black or Hispanic. Authors of the abstract had measured the BMI of 3350 patients who wanted to initiate fertility treatment at a single clinic. Analysis showed that black and Hispanic patients were more likely to have a BMI over 40, and that lower BMI and being white were both positively associated with initiating fertility treatment there. They warned BMI cut-offs in eligibility criteria for treatment may contribute to this disparity. 

small study of 97 women carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic by researchers from Tufts Medical Centre and Boston IVF, both in Boston, Massachusetts, sought to analyse the effectiveness of remote support to lose weight in obese women with infertility. Obese women with a mean BMI 43.2 of were given access to a multi-disciplinary obesity management program delivered through a telehealth platform, including a monthly video call with a board-certified obesity medicine physician and a registered dietician. Participants reported a mean weight loss of 9.7 percent and 15.4 percent of patients were currently pregnant, the scientific congress was told.

Sources and References


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News: ART & Embryology training program

Chennai Fertility Center and Research Institute 03 November 2022
ART & Embryology training program

December 2022 Training Batch Schedule - 5th Dec - 19th Dec 2022

The International School of Embryology was established to offer training for  Clinicians in advanced Reproductive Technologies. Our skill and precision to all aspirants help them to know in-depth knowledge and experience. The members of our teaching faculty aim to bring doctors and embryologists to the highest level of knowledge about reproductive techniques and practical capability in the field.

Our courses cover basics in Andrology, embryology, ICSI, and cryosciences (Hands-on).

Limited Seats. For admission Contact  9003111598 / 8428278218


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Announcement: MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF ENDOMETRIOSIS (DEMO CLASS)

Dr. Sarabpreet Singh 02 November 2022
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF ENDOMETRIOSIS (DEMO CLASS)

The Fertilis Academy is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

📍Topic: MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF ENDOMETRIOSIS (DEMO CLASS)

🎯Time: Nov 4, 2022
🕗06:00 PM IST
🕗12:00 PM GMT
🕗01:30 PM WAT

📍Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86183043379?pwd=bE15U0UxUVZrZ2NsNnlSQThlQ3ozQT09

👉Meeting ID: 861 8304 3379
Passcode: 322000

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Meeting ID: 861 8304 3379
Passcode: 322000
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/ks6TLtooh


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Webinar: QUALITY INSIDE

International IVF Initiative 31 October 2022
QUALITY INSIDE

8th Nov 2022, 3pm EST LIVE, 8pm UK, 9pm CET
This Webinar is sponsored by the Reflections App from IVFqc

Moderators:
Dr. Jean Popwell and Cassie Miller

Presenters:
Dr. Mina Alikani “Reflections on quality control”
Dr. Thomas B. (Rusty) Pool “QC goes to the cloud, comes back QI”
Dr. Gerardo Mendizaba Ruiz " The internet of IVF things"
Michael Skumial " Operational software in IVF and staff scheduling”

With Dr. Alison Campbell and Ineabelle Collazo

REGISTER HERE


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News: UK survey reveals challenges of fertility treatment

Joanne Delange 31 October 2022

A Fertility Network UK survey of 1279 fertility patients has revealed the impact of treatment on mental health, finances, relationships and career.

The survey was conducted by the charity which provides support to be affected by infertility between April - July 2022. Results were published on 31 October 2022 to mark the start of National Fertility Awareness Week. Forty percent of patients responding to the survey reported to have experienced suicidal feelings at some point, 63 percent had paid for their own treatment (at an average cost of £13,750), 36 percent felt their career was damaged as a result and 59 percent reported some detrimental impact on their relationship with their partner.

'…[this] major new survey reveals the far-reaching trauma of infertility, painting a stark, distressing picture of what it is like to experience infertility and fertility treatment in the UK.' said Gwenda Burns, chief executive of Fertility Network UK. 'Fertility patients encounter a perfect storm: not being able to have the child you long for is emotionally devastating, but then many fertility patients face a series of other hurdles, including potentially paying financially crippling amounts of money for their necessary medical treatment, having their career damaged, not getting information from their GP, experiencing their relationships deteriorate, and being unable to access the mental support they need.'

The survey further uncovered that 75 percent of patients felt that their GP didn't provide enough information about fertility problems and treatment, with 51 percent receiving counselling. However, the majority of patients that had counselling had to pay for it themselves, with 78 percent saying that they would have liked to have had counselling if it was free. Nearly half of the patients would have liked to have attended a support group, but did not have one nearby.

According to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), more than 50,000 UK women undergo IVF treatment annually.

'Going through fertility treatment can be one of the most challenging times of a person's life and it's clear from this survey that the emotional, physical and financial implications of fertility, continue to affect patients today.' Julia Chain, chair of the HFEA, said in response to the report. 'Providing fertility care is not just about achieving a pregnancy. A patient's mental health should be a priority too. We are particularly concerned to see that 40 percent of respondents reported suicidal feelings and around half felt depressed. This emphasises the importance of access to counselling which UK licensed clinics are legally required to offer and make available to any patient who wants that support.'

The figures have changed little since the survey in 2016, with participants still reporting inadequate access to NHS-funded fertility treatment and mental-health services, as well as lack of workplace policy and support.

Fertility Network UK's survey was conducted with Dr Nicky Payne, associate professor of psychology at Middlesex University, London and the full report published as 'The Impact of Fertility Challenges and Treatment'.

Burns concluded: 'This is unacceptable. Infertility is a disease and is as deserving of medical help and support as any other clinical condition.'

Sources and References


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