Aurora magazine

A US study reveals that the type of ovulatory trigger used for IVF does not affect the number of embryo's chromosomes. The goal of the study was to determine whether using a GnRH agonist influences the quality of the embryos.

Until recently, chorionic gonadotropin was the only option available to stimulate ovulation. In recent times, the use of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH) is gaining momentum.

Both substances serve to stimulate the maturation of oocytes to be used for in vitro fertilization. Change the mechanism used for this purpose. The chorionic gonadotropin pushes the ovaries to ovulate. GnRH, on the other hand, works on the pituitary gland to indirectly stimulate ovulation. In this way the natural process that leads a woman to ovulate is imitated.

Chorionic gonadotropin increases the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. This risk is almost completely absent in women who use GnRH. However, the researchers wanted to verify that there were no other risks for the woman and the embryo.

In retrospect, the researchers analyzed 3,049 biopsies of embryos, obtained by 707 cycles of IVF for 543 patients. They compared the embryos of patients treated with chorionic gonadotropin with those of patients who had used GnRH. In particular, they compared the rate of aneuploidy in the two groups, ie the presence of an abnormal number of chromosomes.

The study did not reveal significant differences between the use of chorionic gonadotropin and that of GnRH as an ovulatory trigger. It is therefore possible to use both substances in safety, choosing the best one based on the individual case.

Source: dailytelescope.com

Folic acid is essential for the proper development of the fetus. According to a study by the University of Adelaide, however, taking too much in the last stages of gestation would increase the risk of allergies. This effect would be particularly marked in the smaller fetuses.

Folic acid in pregnancy serves to prevent malformations of the neural tube. The Australian guidelines recommend taking supplements a month before conception and three months after conception. After this period, it would be good to stop taking supplements, unless the doctor gives different indications. According to Dr. Gatford, in fact, too much folic acid in the last stages of gestation increases the risk of allergies to the fetus.

Other research had shown that intrauterine growth restriction decreases the risk of allergies. The team of Dr. Gatford then analyzed the effects of supplements in normal pregnancies and those subject to this complication. The sheep tests showed that too much folic acid in the last quarter increases the risk of allergies in both groups.

According to the study, too much folic acid at the end of pregnancy cancels the protective effect given by intrauterine growth restriction. To test whether this is true for humans, further studies will be needed. In general, the recommendation remains the same: follow the instructions of the doctor and avoid self-medication.

Source: eurekalert.org

Alliance Against Cancer (ACC) is a new working group coordinated by the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital. Its purpose is to find new ways to use cancer immunotherapy to fight cancer almost as an infection.

Immunotherapy consists of training the patient's immune system to affect only cancer cells. Unfortunately, the approach is not effective on all patients. Scientists from the Baby Jesus Working Group look for biomarkers to identify individuals who could benefit from it. In this way you avoid exposing people to treatments that are useless and possibly harmful.

At the head of the ACC is Professor Concetta Quintarelli, head of the Laboratory of Gene Therapy of the Bambino Gesù Hospital. The main activity will be not only to identify the non-responsive individuals right away, but also to find a way to make them responsive. To this end, researchers will develop new combined therapies.

Cancer cells are often invisible to the immune system. In cancer immunotherapy, the patient receives reagents that target antibodies and immunoglobulins against the tumor. These substances act as a bridge between the immune system and the cancer cells, allowing only the latter to be destroyed. In some cases, however, some T lymphocytes of the patient are genetically modified for this purpose. Once revived, the modified lymphocytes train the immune system to recognize and hit the tumor.

Oncological immunotherapy is a highly innovative approach in the context of solid tumors. For the moment, the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital is the only Italian facility to offer such therapies. Alliance Against Cancer will help to extend these methodologies to other types of cancer. The goal is to create more specific and tailor-made treatments for the patient.

Source: osservatoriomalattierare.it

Women who suffer from sleep disorders and insomnia are more likely to have infertility problems. This was revealed by a study led by Dr. I-Duo Wang of the Tri-Service General Hospital and National Defense Medical Center in Taipei.

Previous studies had found a link between sleep apnea and infertility. The study in question focused only on women with other sleep disorders. He thus offered new evidence on the link between sleep and female fertility. According to the authors, women looking for a child should go to bed early and leave the phone in another room. Eating well and exercising regularly helps to improve your chances of conceiving.

For the study, the researchers examined data from approximately 16,718 women with sleep disorders, collected between 2000 and 2010 in Taiwan. The control group included 33,436 instead of these problems. The median age in both groups was 35 and women were aged between 20 and 45.

The scholars have followed the women for about 5 years. In this period, 29 women with sleep disorders had developed infertility problems, compared to 34 in the control group. Taking into account factors such as age, women in the first group were 3.7 times more vulnerable to infertility problems.

Women with sleep disorders not only had more fertility problems, but also showed a number of chronic health problems. These included high blood pressure, high cholesterol, lung problems, kidney disease. They also showed a more irregular menstrual cycle, depression, anxiety and thyroid problems.

The exact link between insomnia and infertility is still unclear. In any case, the study suggests a link, highlighting how it is necessary to tackle the problem if it occurs.

Source: reuters.com