Babies born to women aged 40 and over from assisted reproduction have fewer birth defects compared with those from women who conceive naturally at the same age, according to new research from the University of Adelaide. This is contrary to widespread belief that the greater risk of birth defects after assisted conception is due to

A cost and live birth analysis of six conventional IVF treatment strategies against six similar, corresponding strategies using modified natural cycle IVF showed significant savings with the latter method. This lowers the barriers of access, particularly for young couples who tend to have fewer resources, that may not be able to afford conventional fertility treatment.

Moderate exercise improves sperm quality and quantity, according to new research. Previous research showed that some types of exercise, such as long distance running, can have a negative effect on sperm, but this study suggests that moderate exercise three times a week improves sperm quality. 'Our results show that doing exercise can be a simple,

An increase in the frequency of polymorphic variants among infertile patients compared with fertile donors suggest they have an impact on fertility. Chromosomal polymorphisms have an impact on fertility, increasing the chromosomal abnormalities in male gametes and embryos. While previous studies have reported a higher incidence of chromosomal polymorphisms in infertile patients, the relationship between

Later this week some of the world’s leading scientists will gather at University College London to debate a simple but highly controversial notion: that it is time to scrap the 14-day limit on embryo research. Thanks to recent scientific breakthroughs, researchers have reached a point where they can begin to think of experimenting on embryos

Seventeen children conceived through ooplasmic transplantation have all matured with regular health and cognitive abilities, according to a study. The experimental IVF technique was conducted as part of a previous study led by embryologist Dr Jacques Cohen between 1996-2001 at the Saint Barnabas Medical Centre in Livingston, New Jersey. Dr Cohen told Medical Xpress that

Scientists from the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) in Vienna, Austria, have discovered how an embryo's genomic integrity is safeguarded during the first 24 h after fertilization. Insights into this mechanism have implications for improving in vitro fertilization. The events triggered when sperm meets an egg are not only life changing for the parents but

Bearing a child at an older age does not increase risk of birth defects when the woman has received IVF or ICSI treatment to become pregnant, a recent study suggests. "The implications are quite profound because the age of first birth is increasing for women around the world,' Professor Michael Davies from University of Adelaide,

Female teachers are more likely to conceive during IVF treatment than their peers of a similar age in similarly paid professions, research shows. The study of more than 1000 women undergoing IVF treatment in the USA also showed that those employed in investment banking and engineering had the worst chances of successful treatment. This was

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is considering making changes to the definition of infertility to recognise that every individual has the 'right to reproduce'. Currently the WHO defines infertility as a disability and 'a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular