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Car seats may be frying men's sperm
Scientists have warned men who regularly use heated car seats that they may be jeopardising their chances of fatherhood.
Apparently, sperm production is at its best when the temperature of the scrotum is one or two degrees Celsius below the core body temperature, so about 35-36 degrees. Tests have shown that users of heated car seats can see their scrotal temperature go up to over 39 degrees, thus leading to the death of many sperm.
...I'm thinking a neat pregnancy prevention device in the works here... Scientists have warned men who regularly use heated car seats that they may be jeopardising their chances of fatherhood. ... more -
61-year-old Japanese woman gave birth to her own grandchild
A 61-year-old Japanese woman gave birth to her own grandchild, using an egg donated by her daughter, a clinic said Thursday.
Surrogate births are extremely rare in Japan and banned by industry groups, but they are not illegal. The Suwa Maternity Clinic in Nagano, northwest of Tokyo, refused to provide information such as the date of the birth or gender of the baby. News reports said the baby was born last year.
The clinic said it performed the procedure because the woman's daughter has no uterus, but didn't give details on why she had that condition. The surrogate mother used a fertilized egg donated by her daughter.
"Both surrogate mother and baby were fine," said Chihiro Netsu, a spokeswoman for the clinic.
Dr. Yahiro Netsu, who runs the clinic, has long defied national opposition to such procedures, arguing that they should be an option for woman who are infertile.
In 2001, he performed what is thought to be the country's first successful surrogate birth. In 1998, Netsu was expelled from Japan's gynecology association for performing in-vitro fertilizations with eggs and sperm of donors who were not married to each other, though he was later reinstated.
The spokeswoman said the 61-year-old woman was believed to be the oldest surrogate mother in Japan, and news reports said she was the oldest woman to have given birth overall.
The Japanese Health Ministry does not release precise statistics on mothers' ages, saying only that there were two births to women aged 55 or older in 2006, the latest year that figures were available for.
Mainichi newspaper reported that the previous oldest mothers in Japan were two 60-year-old women implanted with their own fertilized eggs in the United States.
Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a powerful body with over 15,000 members, has banned such procedures, but they are not illegal and individual clinics are free to perform them — though few actually do.
At Suwa Maternity Clinic, eight surrogate mothers have given birth. Of them, four women have delivered babies using fertilized eggs from their daughters.
The clinic will report the latest case at a conference of the Japan Society of Fertilization and Implantation later this month. It was the first time the fertilization conference had taken up the subject of surrogate births, Netsu said. A 61-year-old Japanese woman gave birth to her own grandchild, using an egg donated by her daughter, a clinic said Thursday. ... more -
California Doctors Must Treat Gays
Doctors in California must treat gays and lesbians the same as any other patient, regardless of religious objections, the state Supreme Court ruled today.
In a unanimous decision, the court rejected a San Diego County fertility clinic's attempt to use its physicians' religious beliefs as a justification for their refusal to provide artificial insemination for a lesbian couple.
Guadalupe Benitez sued North Coast Women's care in Vista and two of its doctors, saying they told her in 2000 that because she was a lesbian their Christian beliefs prohibited them from performing intrauterine insemination for her. The doctors later claimed they would have refused the treatment for any unmarried couple.
Read the whole story here. Doctors in California must treat gays and lesbians the same as any other patient, regardless of religious objections, the state Suprem... more -
Egyptian woman gives birth to septuplets
A 27-year-old Egyptian woman gave birth to septuplets early Saturday in the coastal city of Alexandria, family members and the hospital director said.
Ghazala Khamis was in good condition after having a blood transfusion during her Caesarean section because of bleeding, said Emad Darwish, director of the El-Shatbi Hospital where she gave birth. A 27-year-old Egyptian woman gave birth to septuplets early Saturday in the coastal city of Alexandria, family members and the hospita... more -
Egyptian woman gives birth to septuplets
A 27-year-old Egyptian woman gave birth to septuplets early Saturday in the coastal city of Alexandria, family members and the hospital director said.
Ghazala Khamis was in good condition after having a blood transfusion during her Cesarean section due to bleeding, said Emad Darwish, director of the El-Shatbi Hospital where she gave birth.
The newborns, four boys and three girls, weigh between 3.2 pounds and 6.17 pounds and are in stable condition, Darwish said. They have been placed in incubators in four different hospitals that have special premature baby units, he said.
"This is a very rare pregnancy - something I have never witnessed over my past 33 years in this profession," Darwish told The Associated Press by phone from the hospital.
Darwish decided to carry out the Cesarean section at the end of Khamis' eighth month of pregnancy due to the pressure on her kidneys. He said Khamis, who already has three daughters, took fertility drugs in an effort to have a son.
"We thought about an abortion, but then we felt it's religiously forbidden. So we said 'Let God's will prevail,'" he told the AP by phone.
Egypt's health minister announced that the seven babies will receive free milk and diapers for two years, the brother added. A 27-year-old Egyptian woman gave birth to septuplets early Saturday in the coastal city of Alexandria, family members and the hospita... more -
Depressed, repressed, objectified: are men the new women?
Modern men are less fertile, more weight-obsessed and 'non-essential to parenting', so no wonder they are confused about modern masculinity, the Observer reports.
In June, men discovered that their libidos are in freefall, prompting a 40 per cent increase in males seeking counselling for impotence problems. Their existential angst worsened in July, when British men discovered that they have the most unequal paternity rights in Europe.
According to Nicola Brewer, chief executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, fathers in the UK are seen as 'not essential for parenting'. The same month saw the publication of a medical study that proved the quality of men's sperm declines to such an extent after they hit 45 that the chances of a partner's miscarriage are doubled.
It's not only their internal biology; men are also succumbing to the traditionally female preoccupation of looking good on the outside, too. Sales of male beauty products have leapt 30 per cent over the past decade. Almost 20 per cent more men are having plastic surgery than ever before while, last year, researchers from Harvard discovered that a quarter of anorexia and bulimia sufferers is male. During the fashion shows, male models had their own equivalent of the size-zero debate.
Every week, it seems as if there are new surveys and studies tripping over themselves to paint the grimmest possible picture of modern masculinity. They tell us that men are more neurotic and less fulfilled than ever before; that they are objectified rather than revered; that they are expected to be more in touch with their emotions and yet are criticised for it.
Men appear to be confused about what they are and unsure about who they are meant to be. So with more of them feeling disenfranchised, disillusioned and disempowered, is it feasible to think of men as the new oppressed minority? Might men, in fact, be the new women? And, if so, who is to blame for making them feel marginalised?
Read on at the link to find out...
The question is, are men really in such a mess? Men, are you confused about what you are and who you're supposed to be? Do you feel under pressure to look and act in new and confusing ways? Has the world changed drmatically for you? And women, are the men in your life facing these dilemmas? If so, where do they come from, and what can we do about them? Modern men are less fertile, more weight-obsessed and 'non-essential to parenting', so no wonder they are confused about mod... more -
Credit crunch forces women to donate eggs
The number of women donating eggs to clinics for infertile couples has increased significantly since financial difficulties have hit individuals and families, Fox 5 News reports (in stern and disapproving tones).
It appears that the credit crunch is causing many more women to offer their eggs (and uteruses. Or, um, uterii?) to make some much-needed cash.
The Center For Egg Options in Illinois reports that the number of women donating has increased significantly since April. Fertility centers have also a surge repeat donors and surrogates.
"There's no reason to think that suddenly there's 30 percent more people who have suddenly had this inner feeling to help out people. And what's changed? It’s the economy," said fertility specialist Ed Marut.
A woman who passes the health and psychological screenings can get thousands of dollars in return for her donation.
"The donors will make in the area of $7,000, and the surrogates will make anywhere from $20,000 to $30,000 plus," said Nancy Block, founder of the Center For Egg Options.
Dr. Bruce Shapiro, of the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, said compensation is closer to $3,000 to $5,000. But he said he hopes the economy is not the main reason more women are donating.
"We really try to have people who donate for altruistic reasons. That's the best of all worlds," Shapiro said.
He said it is a fairly simple process that takes about three weeks.
$3,000 to $5,000 (that's about £1500 to £2500) for three weeks' work - tempted? Would you donate your eggs or sperm if you were desperate for money? Have you already? What do you think about the ethics of egg or sperm donation, or surrogate mum-ing, for cold, hard cash? The number of women donating eggs to clinics for infertile couples has increased significantly since financial difficulties have hit i... more -
Quads born to two separate women in two separate births on same day
Here's a slightly cheerier gay babies story than last week's 'lesbians only wanted one baby, got two, are suiing doctors' post...
Karen Wesolowski and Martha Padgett are a lesbian couple from California who have each given birth to twins, on the same day, who are actually quadruplets. The babies were created from Padgett's eggs and donor sperm using IVF treatment, and two embryos were then implanted in each woman.
Martha, 38, gave birth first to babies Sophia and Alex, and Karen, 42, gave birth 22 hours later to their siblings Andrew and Sienna.
The wonders of modern science!
One biological mum, two pregnant mothers, and four related babies: is this the coolest way to have babies in the modern age? Could these babies' shared birthday be an indicator that a baby's birth date is predetermined, whatever its mother's pregnancy is like? Can you imagine any complications arising for this family who have made use of the most cutting-edge fertility medicine? What's your opinion on gay parents? Here's a slightly cheerier gay babies story than last week's 'lesbians only wanted one baby, got two, are suiing doctor... more -
Fertility tourism: Europeans go to 'liberal' India for embryos
More and more Europeans are going to India to receive fertility treatment. The reasons for their decision to try and get pregnant abroad are obvious: the fees are half those of UK clinics and the industry is unregulated, allowing doctors to make ethical and legal choices that would be deemed unethical in most European countries.
Earlier this year, for instance, an Indian woman known as "Puja", became the first woman in the country to conceive using her dead husband's sperm. Doing the same in the UK would be associated with lengthy legal struggles as the case of Diane Blood has shown.
The advertisements used by Indian fertility clinics use the rhetoric of free choice and portray a can-do attitude to attract European patients. In India, the fact that more and more westeners are traveling to the country to undergo fertility treatment is interpreted as a sign of the country's 'boom' and therefore becomes a source of national pride.
Follow the link to read the entire article and make sure to come back and let us know what you think about this controversial new trend. Would you consider going abroad to become pregnant or do you think the whole idea of fertility tourism is just wrong? If so, what are your reasons? More and more Europeans are going to India to receive fertility treatment. The reasons for their decision to try and get pregnant abro... more -
Soy Lowers Sperm Count
Eating half a serving of soy food a day lowers sperm concentrations and may play a role in male infertility, particularly in obese men, Harvard University researchers report.
The reason for this relationship between soy and sperm count isn't clear. However, researchers speculate that soy increases estrogen activity, which may have a negative affect on sperm production and also interfere with other hormonal signals. Eating half a serving of soy food a day lowers sperm concentrations and may play a role in male infertility, particularly in obese men... more -
Woman born without a womb to have child
A woman born without a womb will become a mother for the first time after a friend offered to carry her baby as a wedding present.
And I thought people just bought the bride and groom some cutlery! Remind me not to go to any weddings in the near future, my uterus is kind of busy right now.
Fiona O'Driscoll suffers from Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome, which means she was born with ovaries but without a womb, so using a surrogate mother or adopting were her and her husband's only options to have children.
They met mother-of-two Kate Housley through a not-for-profit organisation and after months of getting to know each other she offered to be their surrogate mum just five days before their wedding. She is now carrying the O'Driscoll's biological baby and is due to give birth in October.
The best gift in the world, or a potential emotional minefield? Could you do this for an infertile woman? Should you? A woman born without a womb will become a mother for the first time after a friend offered to carry her baby as a wedding present. ... more -
Soy vey! Does eating tofu lower sperm count?
Do real men eat soy? Perhaps. But if they want to become fathers, they may want to limit their tofu intake. A new study shows that downing soy products may lower sperm count. The reason, according to the research published in the journal Human Reproduction: soy beans contain high amounts of phytoestrogens, organic compounds that mimic the female hormone estrogen in the human body and, in animal studies, have been shown to reduce testosterone levels. Lead study author Jorge Chavarro, a research fellow in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health,and his colleagues found that men who ate at least half a serving a day of soy had, on average, 34 million fewer sperm per milliliter than those who skipped it. But Chavarro doesn't recommend you give up the soy burgers—at least not yet. He notes that the study was limited (99 men) and that more research is needed to prove that tofu actually reduces male fertility. Do real men eat soy? Perhaps. But if they want to become fathers, they may want to limit their tofu intake. A new study shows that dow... more
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Don't want to have babies? Eat more soy
A regular diet of even modest amounts of food containing soy may halve sperm concentrations according to scientists, the BBC reports.
The study, published in the journal Human Reproduction, found 41 million fewer sperm per millilitre of semen after just one portion every two days.
The authors said plant oestrogens in foods such as tofu, soy mince or milk may interfere with hormonal signals.
However, a UK expert stressed that most men in Asia eat more soy-based products with no fertility problems.
The Harvard School of Public Health study looked at the diets of 99 men who had attended a fertility clinic with their partners and provided a semen sample.
The men were divided into four groups depending on how much soy they ate, and when the sperm concentration of men eating the most soy was compared with those eating the least, there was a significant difference.
The "normal" sperm concentration for a man is between 80 and 120 million per millilitre, and the average of men who ate on average a portion of soy-based food every other day was 41 million fewer.
Hmm. If you're not in the market for a bit of breeding, is this evidence enough to down a soya yoghurt before bedtime and chuck out the condoms? Or is it worth cutting out soy if you're aiming to impregnate your lady (or someone else's. Though I imagine probably your own. Probably)? How much can studies like this really inform your decision-making? A regular diet of even modest amounts of food containing soy may halve sperm concentrations according to scientists, the BBC reports. ... more -
Fertility Decline Could Cause Global Security Crisis, New Study Says
A recent study by a prestigious national security think tank warns that "rapid and extreme" demographic change due to falling birth rates in the industrialized world may increase security risks in the coming decades. The study also warns that such demographic changes could undermine the "ability of the U.S. and its allies to maintain global and national security." The report says the world is irreversibly headed for "demographic transformation of historic and unprecedented dimensions" that will not be corrected "in our lifetime." A recent study by a prestigious national security think tank warns that "rapid and extreme" demographic change due to fallin... more
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Being too fat can damage sperm
Obese men have poorer quality sperm, perhaps because too much fat around their testicles causes them to heat up, scientists have suggested.
University of Aberdeen researchers looked at the sperm of over 2,000 men in couples having problems conceiving. The heaviest men had a higher proportion of abnormal sperm, as well as other problems.
The men were divided into four groups, according to their BMI (body mass index). Other factors which could affect fertility, such as smoking, high alcohol use and age, were taken into account by the researchers. Men who had a healthy BMI of 20 to 25 were had higher levels of normal sperm than those who were heavier. They also had higher semen volume, the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology meeting in Barcelona was told. But those with a higher BMI had lower volumes of seminal fluid, and a higher proportion of abnormal sperm. There was no significant difference between the four groups in sperm concentration or activity.
Dr Ghiyath Shayeb, who led the research, said: "Our findings were quite independent of any other factors and seem to suggest that men who are trying for a baby with their partners, should first try to achieve an ideal body weight.
Dr Shayeb said there were a number of possible explanations, including different hormone levels in obese men, overheating of the testicles caused by excessive fat in the area, or simply the lifestyle and diet that leads to obesity also causing poorer semen quality. Obese men have poorer quality sperm, perhaps because too much fat around their testicles causes them to heat up, scientists have sugge... more -
Being too fat 'can damage sperm'
"Obese men have poorer quality sperm, perhaps because too much fat around their testicles causes them to heat up, scientists have suggested.
University of Aberdeen researchers looked at the sperm of over 2,000 men in couples having problems conceiving.
The heaviest men had a higher proportion of abnormal sperm, as well as other problems.
The scientists told a European fertility conference losing weight probably boosted fertility." "Obese men have poorer quality sperm, perhaps because too much fat around their testicles causes them to heat up, scientists have... more -
Biological Clock Also Ticks For Men
Among couples with fertility problems, those in which the man is over age 35 have lower pregnancy rates and increased chances of miscarriage, a new study shows.
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The older a man gets, the lower the quality of his sperm. Past the age of 35, men's sperm begin to deteriorate incrementally with each passing years. Better father your kids while you're young, guys. Among couples with fertility problems, those in which the man is over age 35 have lower pregnancy rates and increased chances of misca... more -
Gay Gene Makes Women Fertile
Italian scientists have come up with an explanation for the puzzle as to why homosexuality, if it is hereditary, has not been eliminated from the gene pool to date, despite the fact that gay people are less likely to reproduce than heterosexuals.
Andrea Camperio-Ciani, an evolutionary psychologist at the University of Padova, says that homosexuality in males may be caused in part by genes that can increase fertility in females.
The researcher says that he and his colleagues have observed that some female relatives of gay men tend to have more children than average.
[via Queerty]
More Behind the Link Italian scientists have come up with an explanation for the puzzle as to why homosexuality, if it is hereditary, has not been eliminat... more -
Controlling your fertility via remote
"Everyone likes to daintily skirt around the problem of population when talking about sustainability. It's off limits and taboo, and the solutions are hard to get everyone to agree on. Though, we at EcoGeek have always maintained that the condom was the most signififcant environmental innovation in history.
Whilst there are plenty of 'low tech' solutions to stop...err...conception, there is now a preventative prophylactic apropos for an EcoGeek in the works. The remote control, implanted device will allow users to 'press pause' on their sperm. (although it doesn't mention whether a 'rewind' function is in the works). The device has been developed by Australian scientists, and could herald a new dawn of even more convenient contraception for men, which has the potential to keep population growth under control more effectively.
A surgeon inserts a silicon chip into the vas deferens. The fob sends out RF waves, just like the key to your car. The silicon chip converts the RF into acoustic waves, which in turn induce movement in the material, allowing it to expand and seal the tube. Sending another pulse from the key fob lets the material contract allowing sperm to pass.However, to avoid 'cross talk' with say... your cordless phone, WiFi or bluetooth.... ultrahigh frequencies are used, combined with sophisticated coding, to make sure that no mistakes can occur.
All they need to do now, is integrate a button to turn off the lights so you can save electricity." "Everyone likes to daintily skirt around the problem of population when talking about sustainability. It's off limits and ta... more -
Laptops Causing Infertility?
"An elevation in heat has been known for years to cause fertility problems...and the heat from laptops is very localized, with exposure repeated often, depending on work use," said Dr. Yefim Sheynkin, who led the research team behind the study. "An elevation in heat has been known for years to cause fertility problems...and the heat from laptops is very localized, with ex... more
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Fertility
