I've coped and pasted the Annual Society for Reproductive Medicine 2010 abstracts (USA latest research) on what we can do to improve our chances of a healthy pregnancy.
THE ENVIRONMENT, LIFESTYLE AND REPRODUCTION:
As reported last week in Connect, women, who weigh in the normal or slightly overweight range, are more likely to conceive with fertility treatment than obese women or those who are too thin. Similarly, men who are obese are more likely to have abnormal semen parameters.
There have been previous studies suggesting that an increase in cell phone use, particularly by men who keep the phone in their trouser pocket, may negatively impact sperm. This week researchers from Argentina reported that semen samples exposed to a laptop for 4 hours (please dont ask how) demonstrated a decrease in motility and an increase in sperm break-down. Though the results are only preliminary it couldnt hurt for men to keep their phones out of their pockets and their laptops off their laps.
Over one-third of healthy young adults are deficient in vitamin D. We know that vitamin D is important for skeletal health, but now researchers from California have reported that women with low vitamin D levels are less likely to conceive with IVF.
Another group of investigators from the University of Southern California found that the number of high quality embryos obtained at IVF was correlated with higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids. The authors believe that omega-3 supplementation may positively impact embryo quality. Interestingly, and quite unexpectedly, researchers from Harvard found that higher levels of mercury in the hair of women undergoing IVF was associated with a better treatment outcome. They suggest that this improvement in IVF outcome may have been related to fish consumption (perhaps an increase in omega-3 again).
The role of stress in infertility and the impact of stress on the outcome of treatment have been debated for years. This year, two studies addressing this question found that individuals with higher levels of stress were more likely to conceive than those with lower levels of stress. This highlights the fact that the relationship between stress and infertility is complex and remains poorly understood.
THE ENVIRONMENT, LIFESTYLE AND REPRODUCTION:
As reported last week in Connect, women, who weigh in the normal or slightly overweight range, are more likely to conceive with fertility treatment than obese women or those who are too thin. Similarly, men who are obese are more likely to have abnormal semen parameters.
There have been previous studies suggesting that an increase in cell phone use, particularly by men who keep the phone in their trouser pocket, may negatively impact sperm. This week researchers from Argentina reported that semen samples exposed to a laptop for 4 hours (please dont ask how) demonstrated a decrease in motility and an increase in sperm break-down. Though the results are only preliminary it couldnt hurt for men to keep their phones out of their pockets and their laptops off their laps.
Over one-third of healthy young adults are deficient in vitamin D. We know that vitamin D is important for skeletal health, but now researchers from California have reported that women with low vitamin D levels are less likely to conceive with IVF.
Another group of investigators from the University of Southern California found that the number of high quality embryos obtained at IVF was correlated with higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids. The authors believe that omega-3 supplementation may positively impact embryo quality. Interestingly, and quite unexpectedly, researchers from Harvard found that higher levels of mercury in the hair of women undergoing IVF was associated with a better treatment outcome. They suggest that this improvement in IVF outcome may have been related to fish consumption (perhaps an increase in omega-3 again).
The role of stress in infertility and the impact of stress on the outcome of treatment have been debated for years. This year, two studies addressing this question found that individuals with higher levels of stress were more likely to conceive than those with lower levels of stress. This highlights the fact that the relationship between stress and infertility is complex and remains poorly understood.
