Human reproduction
-
Long-term effects of ovarian stimulation for IVF on the risk of ovarian malignancies are unknown. ⋯ Ovarian stimulation for IVF may increase the risk of ovarian malignancies, especially borderline ovarian tumours. More large cohort studies are needed to confirm these findings and to examine the effect of IVF treatment characteristics.
-
Endometriosis is the most common gynecological diagnosis among women with chronic pelvic pain, but the underlying mechanisms of endometriosis-associated chronic pelvic pain remain unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the biopsychosocial predictors of pain improvement among women with endometriosis. ⋯ Our study suggests that chronic pain in endometriosis may be more akin to other idiopathic pain disorders. Specifically, biopsychosocial variables, such as catastrophizing, play an important role in reported severity. Further research on biopsychosocial correlates of chronic pelvic pain in endometriosis is warranted.
-
T cells which produce interleukin (IL)-17 are involved in chronic inflammatory processes and regulatory T (Treg) cells are possibly the most important immune regulators. We aimed to investigate peripheral blood IL-17(+) T and Foxp3(+) Treg cells in women with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). ⋯ Enhanced pro-inflammatory immune responses with suppressed immune regulation may be an important immune mechanism involved in RPL.
-
There is a large population of children conceived via assisted reproductive technology (ART), which continues to increase worldwide, without a clear understanding of associated long-term outcomes. ART children are more likely to be the result of multiple pregnancies, and thus to be born prematurely or low birthweight. There is growing evidence that ART children are phenotypically and biochemically different from naturally conceived children, but the mechanism(s) leading to these changes have not been elucidated. ⋯ However, it remains unclear whether more subtle changes in DNA methylation occur commonly, leading to differences in gene expression and phenotype in ART children. Although an increased risk of cancer among ART children has been reported, the role of ART in the development of cancer has not been demonstrated. Further research and ongoing surveillance of ART children is essential to better understand the possible effects of ART on the long-term health of this population.
-
Within the field of medically assisted reproduction, the welfare of the child is advanced as the major argument to decide the acceptability of certain applications. This argument, however, needs a complex framework in order to be understood and used properly. The effect of empirical evidence regarding the welfare of the child on people's judgments about the acceptability of same-sex families will differ for utilitarians and deontologists. ⋯ Finally, a number of problems related to the use of parental sexual orientation as a criterion are discussed. The discrimination against same-sex families will not be overturned by empirical evidence about the welfare of the children. Children in same-sex families are generally doing well but their situation could be improved if their parents' relationship were to be socially and legally recognized.