INCREASING FERTILITY THREEFOLD WITH DHEA ?

Increasing Fertility Threefold With DHEA?
Israel - A team of researcher from a Tel Aviv University has studied the effect of DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) on women trying to become pregnant.

DHEA is known by consumers as the hormone of youth. Some say it slows the aging of the skin. However, its effectiveness remains controversial. Following rumors, Professor Adrian Shulman and his team focused on its properties in terms of fertility. As part of a program of in vitro fertilization, they found that women who took DHEA in addition to standard treatment had 23% chance of getting pregnant while those who did not follow the usual treatment had only 4% opportunities. In addition, women in the first group lived a pregnancy and childbirth more serene.

These results are nonetheless viewed with caution. In effect , the experiment was performed on only 20 women. It would require a larger study to lead to conclusive results. In addition, researchers have not yet discovered what was the mechanism for DHEA to increase fertility.

Story Source: American Friends of Tel Aviv University.
Link: http://www.aftau.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=12457

MOTHER'S CANCER CAN PASS TO FETUS

A Mother Sends Cancer To Her Baby During Pregnancy
England - A mother of 28 years, died of leukemia, a cancer cell transmitted to her daughter, while it was still in her uterus.

This event is rare and researchers proves that cancer can be passed from mother to child. Seventeen cases were identified earlier when the mother and baby share the same cancer often leukemia or melanoma. However, scientists now have evidence of genetic transmission of cancer.

Normally, the immune system of a baby recognizes and destroys any cancer cell from the mother. But this time, the leukemic cells have avoided the baby's natural defenses.

The scientists began their research in 2006 when a Japanese father brought his baby to 11 months in the hospital in Tokyo. He then explained that the mother had died three months ago. Samples taken from the infant compared to those of the mother showed that they contained the same cancer cells. These cases are still extremely rare according to scientists.

THE INCREDIBLE PHOTOS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FETUS OVER THE MONTHS

The Incredible Photos Of The Development Of A Fetus Over The Months
These photos also touching surprising that we can dive into the intimacy of a fetus, his fifth to twentieth week of development in utero.



Credits: Lennart Nilsson, A Child is Born, published by Jonathan Cape

THE INFERTILE OBESE WOMAN EXPLAINED ?

The Infertile Obese Women Explained ?
Australia - Dr Robk University of Adelaide have found the reason for infertility in obese women.

By studying cases of ninety-six women seeking assistance for reproduction in a private clinic between February 2006 and April 2007, Dr. Robk could target an alteration of the ovaries in obese patients, tainting their eggs are unable to into embryos.

Obese women, even young and with regular menstrual cycles, take longer to conceive. Dr. Robk wanted to understand whether environmental degradation of the egg can contribute. His study found that "obese women have a high fat and inflammation in the fluid surrounding the egg, which may affect the development of the latter".

These are fats that alter the egg and are therefore harmful to its development. Inflammation would also jeopardize the survival of the embryo formed. These findings were confirmed by measurements of levels of hormones and metabolites content in the follicular fluid of ovarian cancer patients (accumulation of cells in the ovaries).

Dr. Robk concluded: "Obesity is known to change the fat into the bloodstream and cause inflammation that affects the overall health of a person". Our research shows that obesity is also changing the environment of the ovary which nourishes the developing ova.

STIMULATION OF OVULATION DO NOT INCREASE CANCER RISK

Stimulators Of Ovulation Do Not Increase Cancer Risk
Denmark - ovulation induction, used in the treatment of female infertility, would not affect cancer risk, according to a study conducted by Professor Jensen.

The study was conducted among 50,000 women with infertility problems to show the link between this type of treatment and cancer risk. By comparing the number of ovarian cancer in women who used to induce ovulation than women who had never taken the team of Prof. Jensen has found no additional risk to the first group women.

Infertility is often caused by a hormonal imbalance that disturbs the production of eggs on a regular basis. The ovulation-inducing drugs stimulate the ovaries to increase chances of ovulation. But this weakens the ovarian stimulation that cannot heal properly after egg production.

The study, however, must be refined with advancing age in women followed since age 60 is the age where occur most of the major cancers and that many women have not followed this age.

The inductions of ovulation are very effective and would be responsible for the increase in multiple pregnancies.

INFERTILITY DUE TO CHANGES IN REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS ?

Infertility Due To Changes In Reproductive Organs?
Israel - Dr Hasson of the University of Tel Aviv issued a new theory about the declining fertility of human couples. The evolution of reproductive organs would make sperm more aggressive face of ova more protectionist.

To Dr. Hasson, thousands of years of evolution have altered the complementarity of the reproductive organs of men and women. "The rate of human infertility is much higher than expected. At present, developments should have improved our success rate. Something else happens," says he.

For thousands of years, women's bodies has forced the sperm to be more competitive and therefore more aggressive. But this aggressiveness alters the blocking process that occurs when the egg is fertilized by one sperm.

The new force of sperm that the blocking process has no time to implement and a second sperm can enter the egg. The egg is then destroyed by the polyspermy and fertilization stopped.

"To avoid the fatal consequences of polyspermy, female reproductive tract has evolved to become a formidable barrier to sperm". This fuels an arms race "between the sexes that causes the decline of fertility," describes Dr. Hasson.

An estimated 10% of couples experiencing fertility problems. The lifestyle and environmental causes are often cited to justify this reduction.

GENETICS

Genetics
Greek Genno, which means giving birth, genetics is a science that studies the genes. They are present on chromosomes and define the physical characteristics of a living being. It is through them that hereditary traits are passed from generation to generation. The study of genetics is one sure way that scientists have found for analyzing living beings and their functioning.

The gene begins with Mendel's work, identifies when, in 1865, the transmission of certain hereditary traits. His work is validated at the beginning of the twentieth century, after Walter Sutton discovered that chromosomes are the support of genes, and thus heredity, highlighted by several researchers. Meanwhile, many scientists have studied the origin of human physical characteristics and the system of cell division as the existence of DNA were discovered.

In practice, the genes are present on chromosomes, which number 22 in the human karyotype, which is added to the sex chromosomes X (female) and Y (male). The genes present in the nucleus are DNA sequences that encode information about the organization and operation. During fertilization, the chromosomes of male and female gametes combine to form a new karyotype. Thus, each gene is present in two copies. A gene may have several variations, called alleles. When two different alleles are present in a karyotype is the dominant version of the gene that expresses and defines a character. The version that is not expressed is called recessive then. Only genes present on the lower arm of chromosome X are not necessarily present in two copies, since they are absent from the Y chromosome

The embryonic development takes place through cell division: mitosis. In simplified terms, it occurs as a sequence of four stages: interphase (the genes are transcribed and the chromosomes are duplicated), prophase (the genetic material, DNA condenses to form chromosomes separate) metaphase (chromosomes come together) and anaphase (chromosomes separate to partition into two cells). Genetic information, or genome, is present in every cell division after the first egg-cell, established at fertilization. Thus the gametes, reproductive sex cells contain the genetic information of individuals who possess and transmit at fertilization.

Genetics has uncovered and prevent many inherited diseases. They are indeed very often caused by the expression of specific genes within a genome and can be detected or prevented. Thus, the blindness is due to the presence of a recessive allele, responsible for the disease, on the arm of the X chromosome missing the Y chromosome, which can not be canceled by a dominant allele, boys. Furthermore, in women, if both X chromosomes are carriers of the allele ill, blindness occurs. Genetic defects are the cause of diseases more or less severe and disabling, and can be detected from the first cell divisions of the fertilized cell. Thanks to the techniques of genetics that we can now know before birth whether a child will have a particular genetic disease. In some cases, doctors also suggest the therapeutic interruption of pregnancy, the fetus continues its development so that the mother did not give birth to a sick child. This practice is limited to some very serious diseases and is widely criticized.

PREGNANT WOMEN AND INFLUENZA A

Pregnant Women and Influenza A

The Pregnant women, like young children or the elderly are generally more vulnerable to influenza and therefore influenza A. The latter may have on these pulmonary complications without causing malformations of the fetus. The vigilance is needed but do not panic either.

It is recommended for pregnant women, and the entire population, very regularly wash hands with soap and cover the mouth and nose with a tissue which should be regularly thrown in the trash . Better way to avoid travel to risk areas like Mexico, the United States ...

A vaccine should be available by October or November. Pregnant women should be vaccinated first.

THE 3 MANDATORY ULTRASOUND

The 3 mandatory ultrasound
During pregnancy, there are three mandatory ultrasound and reimbursed by social security. It takes place at the defined time of pregnancy and all have a special need.

The first ultrasound
It is generally done between the 12th and 14th week of gestation. It's role is mainly because dating can give an approximate date of early pregnancy and therefore a subsequent date of term delivery. It was also at this time that the ultrasound can determine the location of pregnancy (left or right ovary) and especially the number of embryos.

During this ultrasound, a first screening of malformations may be statevisit. It was also at that moment that comes into account the first criterion depistgae of trisomy 21, since the ultrasound will make the measurement of nuchal clarity.

For parents, this first scan is usually a first time very moving because they see for the first time their baby. The ultrasound also generally hear the baby's heart. So for parents the first contact with their baby.

The second ultrasound
We can call this morphological ultrasound sonography. It is usually performed between the 20th and 22nd week of gestation. It lasts long enough for the ultrasound will conduct an audit of all limbs and organs to detect morphological malformation. He will therefore monitor fetal growth by measuring the limbs (femur, head circumference ...).

The ultrasound is generally the most impressive for parents because the baby is clearly visible: there are his hands, his feet, he was sometimes seen sucking her thumb. This was also the ultrasound where you can ask to know the sex of the child ... of course if it is well positioned!

The third ultrasound
Performed between the 30th and 32nd week of gestation, it is mainly there to see the evolution of the child. The ultrasound will then conduct further testing abnormalities, examine fetal growth. It will also consider the well-being with an estimated fetal weight, size, quantity of amniotic fluid ... It will also consider the position of the placenta and the baby's position (head down or head). This ultrasound is typically experienced differently by parents because many think the fact that the next time they see their child, it will be to keep their arms. It remains a wonderful time for many parents who can discover the uterine life of their child (sometimes it yawning or sucking his chip, he sometimes has the hiccups, which is clearly visible on the image).

DETECTION OF RISK OF PRETERM BIRTH

Detection of risk of preterm birth
United Kingdom - A team of researchers at King's College and University College London have discovered that progesterone levels present in saliva to determine the risk of preterm delivery.

Women who give birth prematurely, before 34 weeks of pregnancy were found to have progesterone levels lower in their saliva.

The scientists analyzed samples of saliva in ninety-two pregnant women who are at risk for preterm delivery.

These samples were collected each week from 24 weeks of pregnancy until 34 weeks or until delivery.

Depending on their date of birth (before 34 weeks, between 34 and 37 weeks, and after 37 weeks or at term), the researchers found that those women had progesterone levels in saliva rather different.

More delivery approach of the term and the rate is high. The progesterone is known for its anti-inflammatory capacity and low levels of this hormone may make the body vulnerable to bacteria, known cause of premature delivery.

As this low rate can be detected from the sixth month of pregnancy, a simple test and non-invasive to the fetus could be developed and thus identify preterm delivery

Sources: MaxiSciences

NUTRITION DURING PREGNANCY INFLUENCE THE FUTURE HEALTH OF THE CHILD

Nutrition during pregnancy influence the future health of the child
The mother's diet during pregnancy can affect the health of the baby, even years later. To understand this "nutritional programming", and can potentially enable the early prevention of certain metabolic diseases, several teams of researchers working on what they call the "fetal origins of adult disease".

A link between maternal nutrition during pregnancy and child health
A study of survivors of the famine that struck the Netherlands in 1944-1945 was particularly shown that when pregnant women had suffered famine, their children were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

The subjects of the cohort affected by famine Holland are still followed today and interesting results still be obtained. Researchers have recently shown by example that subjects exposed to malnutrition before birth, ie during the first 16 weeks of gestation, prefer to eat fatty foods, which could increase their risk of high cholesterol if these foods are high in saturated fats and trans fats. These people also tend to be less physically active.

It is clear from this research that changes in nutrition at certain stages of pregnancy may give very different results for child health. Currently, two projects funded by the European Union, the EDEN study (Study of the determinants of pre-and postnatal development and child health) and the EARNEST project (Project on early nutritional programming) bend detail on these issues.

What aspects of development and health programming nutritional influence it?
Several aspects of health and well-being of infants appear to be influenced by the nutritional status of the mother's weight before pregnancy and weight gain during pregnancy. These phenomena affect the baby's size at birth and the risk of prematurity. We know, for example, according to several studies, a low birth weight is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

A study conducted in the project EARNEST reveals a balanced diet during pregnancy, including good sources of omega-3 (fish oil such as salmon, herring and mackerel), can protect some degree of chronic diseases like asthma and possibly have a beneficial effect on the immune system.

Other studies have shown that high intakes of omega-3 during pregnancy favor the growth of the baby before birth and reduce the risk of prematurity. However, these studies did not take into account the body mass index (BMI) of the mother.

Health in adulthood could be determined to some extent by nutrition during infancy. Breastfeeding is best for the baby for a number of psychological and physiological reasons. Studies have shown that breastfed infants were less likely to become obese in adulthood and that 5 to 7 months of breastfeeding seemed to produce the most favorable results. This observation supports the recommendations of the World Health recommends that exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life.

Further information:
EARNEST website: http://www.metabolic-programming.org//
EDEN publications: http://www.ifr69.idf.inserm.fr/page.asp?page=2248

SOURCES:
Barker DJ. (1997) Fetal nutrition and cardiovascular disease in later life. Br Med Bull 53:96-108

Lussana F, Painter RC, Ocke MC, Buller HR, Bossuyt PM, Roseboom TJ. (2008) Prenatal exposure to the Dutch Famine is associated with a preference for fatty foods and a more atherogenic lipid profile. Am J Clin Nutr 88:1648-1652

Drouillet P et al. (2008) Maternal fatty acid intake and fetal growth: evidence for an association in overweight women. The 'EDEN mother-child' cohort (study of pre-and early postnatal determinants of the child's development and health). Br J Nutr 101:583-591

Olsen SF, Salvig JD, Mortensen LM, Rytter D, Secher NJ, Henriksen TB. (2008) Fish oil intake compared with olive oil intake in late pregnancy and asthma in the offspring: 16 y of registry-based follow-up from a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr 88:167-175

O'Tierney PF, Barker DJ, Osmond C, KAJANTIE E, Eriksson JG. (2009) Duration of breast-feeding and adiposity in adult life. J Nutr 139 (2): 422S-5S

WHO (2001) The optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding - a systematic review. Available at: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2001/WHO_NHD_01.08.pdf

THE SIGNS OF PREGNANCY, THE BEGINNING OF YOUR ADVENTURE

The signs of pregnancy, the beginning of your adventure
Signs of pregnancy must be clearly defined because it is impossible for a woman trying to conceive to wait patiently to discover whether she is pregnant or not. She wants to know as soon as possible. It is therefore very important to carefully monitor your body and identify even the smallest changes occurring there. Although no pregnancy is like any other, some women may experience early signs and symptoms of pregnancy since the early days of conception. Others do not notice any change before the first weeks.

Signs of Pregnancy
Pregnancy causes many physical changes, both internal and external. Some of these changes:

Nausea: The morning sickness and vomiting are frequent harbinger of pregnancy. Most women misinterpret and believe food poisoning or a stomach problem.

Exacerbation of smell and taste: Many women become very sensitive to taste and smell of some foods more common. These foods can cause nausea, while others give rise to unusual cravings. This is a classic sign of pregnancy.

Dizziness and loss of consciousness: Some women avoid eating and skipping meals because of nausea triggered by smells and tastes exacerbated. It follows then their blood sugar too low, and dizziness or fainting.

Constipation: Problems with constipation may occur during pregnancy because of poor nutrition and metabolism idling.

Frequent desire to urinate: You may experience frequent urges to urinate during the first week. It is a sign of pregnancy does not disappoint. The uterus is expanding, it exerts pressure on the bladder and causes frequent urination.

Large breasts and nipples painful: Since the body is already preparing for breastfeeding, the breasts grow and the breasts swell and become painful to touch. This sign of pregnancy can be felt from the first week.

Loss of blood and secretions: Some women may notice slight bleeding 8 to 10 days after ovulation, the time normally corresponding to their next period. This sign of pregnancy is the implantation of the embryo in the uterine lining.

Lack of rules: It is the early sign of pregnancy as classical. Some women experience cramping or pain in the lower back similar to those of the imminent arrival of their rules, but to bleed as much.

Other signs of pregnancy to monitor the early stages of design are the following: irritability, fatigue, cramps, backaches, sallow complexion and weight loss.

A pregnancy test performed at home and a visit to the doctor quickly confirm the pregnancy. The doctor then will schedule a series of prenatal visits weekly, calculate your due date and will ensure your well-being and that of your baby throughout the nine months of pregnancy. Adopt a balanced diet and physical activity at the first signs of pregnancy to have a healthy baby.

PREGNANCY AND MYOPIA : A DIFFICULT

Pregnancy and myopia: A Difficult
Expectant mothers who suffer from myopia will have several inconveniences related to this lack of vision. First, if they wear contact lenses, they may be surprised to no longer support them. A change of the cornea, tears and refraction can cause discomfort or less which leads them to reduce or remove the lens wear.

At birth, the wearing of lenses is not recommended. Myopia can also increase the risk of retinal detachment. It is better to talk to an ophthalmologist who can perform laser correction.

But that's not all. Myopia may increase during pregnancy. That is why an appointment with the ophthalmologist should be scheduled about two months after giving birth (to leave a little time to recover the body, fatigue can skew the medical examination).

THE LENS AND PREGNANCY

What are the ocular changes during pregnancy?

Pregnancy causes changes throughout the body, including eyes. Wearing contact lenses is not against in pregnancy, but the changes may alter ocular comfort.

Corneal changes (or transparent part of the eye) which is placed on the lens
1. The corneal curvature increases, ie the eye is flatter. The lenses can become too tight during pregnancy. This phenomenon is even more significant for carriers that rigid lenses for patients fitted with soft lenses. A flattening of the curvature of the lenses makes it possible to find a good comfort.

2. The sensitivity of the cornea decreases during pregnancy. The pain, in case of complications, may be less intense. More attention must be paid to other signs of intolerance (redness, blurred vision, unusual secretions). You must be especially careful that the decrease in immune defenses during pregnancy may promote the emergence of infections in the lenses.

Changes in tears
Changes in the composition of tears, during pregnancy, partly explain the discomfort that may be encountered carriers lenses.

Changes of refraction
Pregnancy may be accompanied by a slight myopisation (difficulties in seeing far net).

What if we no longer supports the lenses during pregnancy?
First wear less time in the day and alternate with a correction glasses adjusted. If discomfort remains important, it must consult with his ophthalmologist. By changing the lens parameters (material, curvature, correction), to adapt them to new settings of your eyes, it will attempt to restore a comfortable daily wear.

Obviously, do not forget to remove your lenses before delivery. Since, they can undergo anesthesia and the unexpected lens wear is against inappropriate in this case.

BREASTFEEDING MAY PROTECT WOMEN FROM BREAST CANCER!

A new medical study for breastfeeding!
During the Global Week of breastfeeding, the WHO pointed out that it should be exclusive up to the age of 6 months and ideally persist until the age of 2 years Parallel diversification of food.

This time, researchers looked at mothers.

The authors of this new study analyzed data from more than 60,000 women participating in the study Nurses' Health Study II between 1997 and 2005. About 608 cases of cancer pre-menopause were detected.

Women with a family history of breast cancer have generally also a higher risk of developing one themselves. The data from this study are interesting because they show that among these women at risk, the likelihood of developing breast cancer fall by almost 60% if they have already breastfed in their lives, regardless of duration.

The study were quite numerous, breastfeeding of the mother would allow a reduction in the rate of cancer of the ovaries, vagina and breast. Breastfeeding helps the mother lose weight after pregnancy and prevent obesityas we know from other studies that obesity promotes the development of breast cancer.

According to researchers, this phenomenon come from the process by which the tissues return to their natural state before pregnancy. Some congestion may cause inflammation at the origin of cancers. But study reveals that breastfeeding limit such inflammation.

The study also suggest medications to help stop lactation.

BREASTFEEDING : FACTS & FIGURES

The benefits of breastfeeding:
The literature study demonstrate the benefits of breastfeeding on the health of mothers and also the health, growth and development of children, including premature. Breastfeeding reduces the incidence of several diseases or diminish their severity. Breastfeeding provides nutrients that strengthen the immune system of children which protects infants of different infectious and respiratory diseases. It would also have a protective effect against the syndrome of sudden infant death syndrome, diabetes, insulin, Chrohn's disease and Hodgkin's disease.

A recent study suggests that breastfeeding provides children with inadequate weight to have a faster growth and catch up more quickly than their normal weight when compare to children fed with commercial preparations, as well as, faster brain growth at a critical time of development (Lucas et al, 1997)

WHO recommendations
The breast is irreplaceable. Breast milk is the best milk. Until August 7, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding organizes the Global Week of breastfeeding. 120 countries participated under the auspices of World Health Organization (WHO).

Colostrum, says WHO, secretion and thick yellowish milk produced in late pregnancy, is the perfect food for the newborn who needs to start feeding from the first hour after birth.

The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding until the age of six months. According to the World Alliance for Breastfeeding, all women can breastfeed. This is the most effective way to preserve health and ensure the survival of the child.

Globally, less than 40% of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed.

Benefits for Mother's
Breastfeeding also has health benefits for mothers. In the short term, it stimulates the secretion of oxytocin, which in turn promotes uterine contraction and decreases the risk of bleeding after childbirth.

Breastfeeding a contraceptive effect in the first 6 months after birth when it is exclusive, it is performed on demand and that the mother is not menstruating, it inhibits the ovulatory function and reduces the risk of a new pregnancy to less than 2%. (EVEN WHEN IT IS NOT A METHOD CONTRACEPTRICE!)

Breastfeeding also has several advantages, since this reduces the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer later in life, which helps women find their faster weight before pregnancy and helps fight against obesity. It also reduces the risk of osteoporosis and hip fracture during post menopause. It could also reduce the woman's hormone levels secreted in response to stress, such as cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).

Psychological benefits of breastfeeding is to facilitate the strength of attachment between mother and child.

The against-indications to breastfeeding are rare. In fact, breastfeeding is not recommended against in the case of infants with congenital galactosemia and mothers living with HIV in the country industrialized. And for mothers who consume illegal drugs or are alcohol abuse, should conduct an individual assessment to determine whether they can breastfeed.

"If the mothers and families were encouraged to breastfeed, many lives could be saved," says WHO, especially in developing countries where drinking water is scarce. A bottle made with non-potable water may be the transmitter of waterborne diseases and be very harmful even deadly for an infant.

Breastfeeding and work
WHO recommends that any mother who has just given birth at least 16 weeks of maternity leave so that she can rest and nurse her child. Many mothers who return to work abandon exclusive breastfeeding before the elapsed period of six months recommended because they do not have enough time or a place to breastfeed or take and keep the milk on their workplace. Mothers should have access, at their workplace or nearby to a clean and intimate to continue to breastfeed.

Introduction of new foods
When the child reaches the age of six months, in order to meet their needs, introduce new foods.

• WHO recommends: not to reduce the number of feedings,
• Food with spoon or cup and also advice not for bottle-feeding,
• Foods which have every guarantee of hygiene and that can be obtained locally,
• Allow sufficient time for children to learn to eat solid foods.