SpainFertility

Experts in embryology and fertility announced a breakthrough in scientific development: a technique that could allow same-sex couples to create their own biological child. Experts called on lawyers not to restrict investigations in that area, which they qualified as an “important” research.

The creation of sperm and eggs in laboratory is yet at an early stage, but the Hinton Group, formed by a total of 40 renowned specialists, states that this procedure could be possible in no longer than 15 years. The creation of sperm out of female cells is also possible, but that would take longer, they said.

According to John Harris, professor of bioethichs at the University Of Manchester and member of the Hinton Group, agreed that ministers should not interfere in these investigations.

These announcements were in Britain after the tabling to the amendment to the Government´s controversial Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, destined to increment the use of “artificial” eggs and sperm in fertility clinics.
The Bill would prevent such eggs beingh given to infertile women. With it, the new technique would be allowed in fertility clinics without further authorization required

On the other hand, Josephine Quintavalle, from the campaign group “Comment on Reproductive Ethics”, stated that the technique would go against natural reproductive process and could lead to genetic problems on the offspring

In the last two years there has been, in the UK, the possibility of buying “fertility tests” for prices up to £179 that allow women to measure levels of reproductive hormones, giving them an idea of the numbers of eggs they have left: the ovarian reserve. The tests are sold by assuring that they can predict the chances of women to get pregnant.

However, experts have recently suggested that these tests are not really useful, since they cannot determine their quality. Women are actually better off relying on their date of birth to figure out how fertile they are, they claim.

The head of CARE Fertility in Nottingham, Dr Simon Fishel, one of the world’s leading fertility specialists, said that “these kits can make couples unnecessarily worried or misguided into believing that everything is OK. They give a one-dimensional result but that needs to be put in the context of a woman’s medical history by an expert”

The kits measure levels of three hormones, Inhibin A, AMH and FSH. When a woman approaches menopause, the first two hormones´ levels drop, while the FSH rises. The tests can tell how many eggs a woman has left, but cannot show whether the eggs are best for insemination or not, because they cannot tell the quality of eggs: they become less fertile as they grow older. This factor is crucial for women who are trying to get pregnant.

Professor David Baird of Edinburgh University said that “these kits cannot pinpoint the menopause. A woman’s chronological age is a better predictor of fertility”, and that “the main factor when you are trying to have a baby is the quality of the egg. You can have lots of eggs left in the ovaries but they are still no good if they are of poor quality”

Specialists all agree in the fact that the kits are actually “a waste of money” and, that other methods are more reliable. As Dr Fishel put it: “My advice is for a couple to spend their money on seeing a professional. Failing that they should go and have a romantic meal out and a good bottle of wine.”

Studies by researchers at The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, showed that tiny molecules called miRNAs influence fertility of female mice, and also regulate the conversion of genetic information to proteins. These molecules are generated naturally by the body, in a complex process involving a protein called Dicer.

The study, lead by Dr Jiahuai Han and colleagues, demonstrated that female mice that had substantially lower levels of Dicer than normal mice were infertile. This infertility was caused by a malfunction of the corpus luteum, the structure formed where eggs are released and that is required to maintain early-stage pregnancies.

Having done detailed analysis, the researchers came to the conclusion that this impaired functioning of the corpus luteum was due to the body’s impediment to form new blood vessels, and that this was related with an increased expression of the protein TIMP1, which inhibits blood vessel formation.

By injecting miRNAs miR17-5p and let7b into the ovaries of mice that had low levels of Dicer, they showed a decrease of TIMP1 protein and an increase of blood vessels in the corpus luteum, which lead them to conclude that the development and function of the latter is regulated by miRNAs.

The Institute for Progressive Medicine (IPM) has announced yesterday the clinic’s Preconception Care Program, which focuses on both parents and improves the likelihood of a healthy conception for couples that are having problems conceiving of for future parents that want to have healthier babies.

The leader of the program, Dr Julie Kahn is an expert in Naturopathic medicine and a licensed acupuncturist. The method includes acupuncture, detoxification, herbal medicine, cycle charting, dietary and lifestyle plans and a program of natural medicines to protect health against the affects of our modern and chaotic lifestyle. Pollution, poor nutrient levels in soils and foods, toxic farming methods, radiation and heavy metal exposure, weight problems, sugar, caffeine and alcohol abuse and the stress of our way of living all contribute to poorer general health and therefore more fertility problems.

The specialists state that IPM’s program improves sperm count and quality in addition to optimizing egg development and is effective against infertility by itself, or as a supplement to fertility treatments under a reproductive endocrinologist.

“The program is great to use in conjunction with a fertility MD,” said Dr.Kahn. “If a patient is spending thousands of dollars on fertility enhancing treatments, IPM’s Preconception Care program adds extra insurance. It is also good for people who just want to have a healthy experience, or who are not ready to go the traditional medical route of drugs or surgical procedures to increase fertility.”
This type of program has shown to be effective in decreasing miscarriage rate, low birth-weight babies, little to no ear infections and less allergies for the newborns. Moreover, it has proven to diminish labor pains, assist in lowering high blood pressure and nausea, anemia and headaches during pregnancy.

“Preconception Care has proven to be very effective in improving the chances of fertility in women,” added Kahn. “There has been an overwhelming success rate with unexplained infertility that comes from practicing Preconception Care.”

Preconception Care at IPM focuses on couples who want to have a healthier pregnancy and increasing its quality and development. It is not a fertility program itself, but is meant to help and assist reproductive health.