Human reproduction
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Clinical-grade human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) ideally should be derived and maintained in xeno-free culture conditions using defined chemicals or materials of human origin. This will reduce the possibility of xeno-derived pathogenic infection and/or unfavorable immune reaction in clinical application. The present study therefore aimed to derive autogenic feeders from hESCs and evaluate their capability to support the pluripotency of hESCs in xeno-free culture conditions. ⋯ Novel autogenic feeders can be derived from hESCs under xeno-free conditions and they can robustly maintain the pluripotent identity of hESCs in xeno-free media containing a low concentration of HS.
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Over the past decade, demand for fertility treatments has increased as a result of delaying time to first pregnancy and growing awareness and acceptance of available treatment options. Despite increasing demand, health authorities often view infertility as a low health priority and consequently limit access to treatments by rationing and limiting funds. ⋯ An investment of pound 12,931 to achieve an IVF singleton is actually worth 8.5-times this amount to the UK Treasury in discounted future tax revenue. The analysis underscores that costs to the health sector are actually investments when a broader government perspective is considered over a longer period of time.
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Prevalence of overweight and obesity is rising. Hence, it is likely that a higher proportion of women undergoing assisted reproduction treatment are overweight or obese. ⋯ The cost of a live birth resulting from IVF is not different in underweight, overweight and obese class I when compared with women with normal BMI. However, due to increased obstetric complications weight loss should still be recommended prior to commencing IVF even in overweight or obese (class I) women.
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Embryo donation produces a family structure where neither rearing parent is genetically related to the child, as in adoption. It is not known how embryo donation parents view the donors compared with how adoptive parents view the birth parents. ⋯ Embryo donation parents' views on the donors differ from adoptive parents' views on the birth parents, with donors having little significance in family life once treatment is successful.
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There has been little interest in the research literature on public opinions regarding assisted conception and surrogacy, particularly in European countries, despite the growing evidence showing that problems in adaptation and coping may be related to perceived normative values. This study investigated British women's attitudes to surrogacy using components of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). ⋯ Further research is needed with larger sample sizes of potential surrogates to determine whether the predictive attitudes reported here translate to actual behaviours. The larger group which was not interested in considering becoming a surrogate scored significantly more negatively on all attitudes towards surrogacy. The negative attitudes reported by the 'unwilling to consider being a surrogate' group may reflect attitudes held by the majority of the population and are likely to be influenced by reports of stigma associated with surrogacy.