Today in Nature Communications, scientists at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) provide molecular details about Seckel Syndrome, a rare disease that causes microcephaly, or small brain, and growth delays. A joint study conducted by Travis Stracker and Jens Lüders indicates that the protein CEP63 plays a key role during brain development as it is involved in the correct division of stem cells in this organ. Furthermore, the researchers have discovered that CEP63 is associated with sperm production—an unknown function until now.
Category: Fertility Headlines
Effect of Fertility on Perinatal Outcomes
The impact of ART in a fertile setting cannot be studied because otherwise fertile women cannot be randomly assigned to IVF treatment due to ethical concerns. Recent advances in technology, however, could present an opportunity. Couples with proven fertility may elect to undergo preimplantation genetic testing, and the perinatal outcome of these pregnancies could be used to evaluate an unstudied group: fertile women utilizing ART. An adverse impact observed among them could represent the adverse impact of ART itself.
A Same-sex Infertility Health Insurance Mandate in Maryland?
To the surprise of many, in March, the legislature of Maryland passed 2 bills that would amend an outdated health insurance mandate that excluded same-sex couples from coverage for in vitro fertilization treatments.
Colorado’s Push Against Teen Pregnancy Proves Huge Success
Teenage births have been declining nationally, but experts say the timing and magnitude of the reductions in Colorado are a strong indication that the state’s program using a long-acting method of birth control was a major driver.
Do Over-The-Counter Fertility Pills Actually Help You Get Pregnant?
As of last week, CVS is selling over-the-counter fertility kits, commercially (and cutely) known as PregPrep. The kit includes two different supplements, one of which is a mucolytic, which is more commonly used to break up congestion in the lungs. In this case, however, it’s meant to thin cervical mucus.
Confessions of an Infertile Guy
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the reasons for infertility are pretty much an even split: one-third of the time it’s due to female problems and one-third of the time it’s due to male problems.
Why Birth Control Dispensers Look the Way They Do
The first working model of the now-iconic birth control pill dispenser is in the Smithsonian’s history collection. It’s built out of clear plastic, paper, and double-sided tape, held together by a snap from a child’s toy, with slices of wooden dowel standing in for pills. It was created to solve a vexing problem.
The Strange, Everyday Causes of Male Infertility
RedOrbit recently spoke to a leading urologist, Dr. Paul Turek, to get an overview of the causes of low sperm count and what lifestyle changes men can make to avoid it. In this follow-up, we’ll cover some of the stranger causes that men might encounter every day.
Team Identifies Gene Responsible for Some Cases of Male Infertility
In the most severe form of male infertility, men do not make any measurable levels of sperm. This condition, called azoospermia, affects approximately 1 percent of the male population and is responsible for about a sixth of cases of male infertility.
Oftentimes men with azoospermia don’t know the underlying cause of their condition. But new research led by University of Pennsylvania scientists suggests that mutations in an X chromosome gene called TEX11 are responsible for a significant number of cases of infertility—an estimated 1 percent of cases of non-obstructive azoospermia.
Report: Women in Connecticut Denied Some Mandated Health Benefits
Women in Connecticut have been denied health insurance benefits in violation of the federal Affordable Care Act, according to a study by the National Women’s Law Center.