In a nutshell This study investigated if intralipid (IL) improves pregnancy outcomes after previous implantation failure (IF). They found that IL may improve pregnancy outcomes in these women. Some background Infertility is becoming increasingly common. Assisted reproduction (AR) is used to treat infertility. In vitro...
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In a nutshell This study examined if docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and vitamin E supplements improved sperm quality in men experiencing infertility. The results showed that when the two supplements were taken together, sperm movement and the numbers of sperm improved significantly. Some background Sperm quality is a common problem in men...
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In a nutshell This trial looked at whether antioxidant supplements improve male infertility. It found that antioxidants did not improve semen parameters, natural conception, or birth rates. Some background Male infertility is the sole cause of 20-30% of infertility cases and contributes to half of the cases. Male infertility may be caused by sperm...
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In a nutshell This study looked at the effect of stress when trying to conceive through assisted reproductive techniques. It found that stress did not impact conception rates, but that job-related stress may be associated with miscarriage. Some background Psychological stress affects the body. Stress hormones such as cortisol interact with...
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In a nutshell This review looked at whether intrauterine insemination (IUI) improves pregnancy rates in couples with unexplained infertility. It found that IUI benefits couples with a low predicted chance of natural conception. Some background For one-quarter of couples with infertility, there is no clear cause. IUI is a treatment option for couples...
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In a nutshell This study examined whether amlodipine (Norvasc) can improve blood flow to the ovaries in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This study found that patients given amlodipine had improved blood flow and higher rates of pregnancy during treatment with clomiphene citrate (Clomid). Some background PCOS is a female metabolic...
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In a nutshell This article reviewed the impact of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) on male fertility. The authors concluded that SDF is a marker of male infertility. Some background During conception, sperm deliver DNA (genetic material) that becomes part of the embryo. Breaks in DNA produce small pieces called fragments. This is called SDF. Studies...
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In a nutshell This article reviewed studies examining the effect metformin (Glucophage) has on women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) trying to conceive. The authors found that metformin improved fertility outcomes compared to no treatment in these patients. Some background PCOS is a disorder that affects women’s hormone...
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In a nutshell This study investigated if measuring sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) is useful in male infertility. They found that high SDF was more common in older men with low sperm motility (SM). Some background Male infertility affects almost 50% of infertile couples. It is usually diagnosed by measuring semen parameters. These include sperm...
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In a nutshell This study examined if sperm quality was associated with lifestyle characteristics influenced by men’s obese partners in couples experiencing infertility. The authors found that lifestyle was influenced by men’s partners and this altered some measurements of sperm quality. Some background Infertility affects many...
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In a nutshell This article reviewed the association between mental health and infertility in women, including depression and anxiety. Some background Infertility can affect as many as 12% of couples trying to conceive. This can lead to increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Often, patients do not share their struggles with friends...
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In a nutshell This review examined how six commonly used industrial chemicals interfere with fertility in women. Some background Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are chemicals that can contribute to infertility by interfering with normal hormone functions. They are used in the manufacturing of many everyday products, such as food,...
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