fertilitymalaysia.com

Sperm, caffeine & cola

admin — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 09:54:44 +0000

Cola reduces sperm counts

The effect of caffeine on sperm count and quality remains hotly debated. Some studies have shown no difference but again there are others that suggest some effect of excess caffeine intake.

In coming to a conclusion, it is good to look at studies which study large number of patients. The larger the numbers of patients, the more likely the results are to be correct. So when the recent study in the American Journal of Epidemiology entitled “Caffeine intake and semen quality in a population of 2,554 young Danish men” concluded that heavy intake of cola depressed sperm counts by approximately 30%, we have to look seriously at the results due to the large number of men followed up over an extended period of time (four years). Whether this is due to the high intake of caffeine or to some other ingredient in cola is not known.

There was no effect on mild to moderate drinkers of cola, so for those of us who enjoy an occassional cola drink, there seems to be little or no risk. However, like all good things in life, moderation is the key. Apart from cola, other sources of caffiene include tea, coffee and chocolate.

Infertility amidst overpopulation

admin — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 11:44:07 +0000

We reached a milestone this week as the world’s population crossed 7 billion. We breached 6 billion in 1999 so it took us only twelve short years to add a billion humans to our already stretched resources. That means 1000 million in twelve years or an astounding 83 million every year! As governments ponder on how to feed, clothe, employ, provide social services and look after the health of these extra people, another increasing trend is also at play- the falling of fertility and birth rates worldwide. So whilst population continues to escalate, another segment of humanity struggles to have even one child to call their own. Such is the dilemma of the policymakers- to encourage population control while at the same time providing fertility services to those in need. And since we are already overpopulated, it is no surprise that governments do not spend large sums on free or subsidised fertility clinics.

Now do you see why infertility treatment is mainly available in the private sector worldwide, and not in government hospitals? Or that even in public hospitals, you still have to pay for it when most other services (eg childbirth) are heavily subsidised or free?

Good food, great sperm.

admin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:21:09 +0000

Good Nutrition improves male fertility

More links between food and sperm. Researchers at the University of Murcia in Spain, enrolled young male volunteers into a study to assess the effects of diet on sperm quality. The first group were asked to eat a “western” diet – a diet rich in red meat, refined carbs, sweets and energy drinks. The second group were asked to eat a ”prudent” diet- a diet rich in fish, fruit, vegetables and grains.

After three months, sperm tests were done to assess sperm parameters such as concentration(sperm count), motility (movement) and morphology (shape). Those who had the prudent diet demonstrated significantly better sperm movement while the sperm of men with the western diets was found to be less likely to survive the journey to fertilise an egg, the researchers said.

So here is simple advice for men trying to start families. Eat healthy and your partner is likely to get pregnant faster. In Malaysia, we are blessed with an abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and grain (rice). Eat like our parents and we will reproduce as they did!

Junk food and male infertility

admin — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 09:07:37 +0000

Junk food affects sperm quality

We are what we eat. Time and again we are told this but choose to ignore it. A recent study conducted in the US shows surprisingly strong association between the intake of junk food and quality of sperm. It appears that a diet high in trans fatty acids, found abundantly in junk foods and snacks, reduces sperm quality. This in turn reduces the ability of sperm to fertilise an egg and can lead to lower pregnancy chances for the female partner.

Young men between the ages of 18 to 22 years old were asked to keep a food diary and this was correlated to their sperm quality. Those with the highest intake of junk foods had the lowest quality. The lead author of the study, Audrey Gaskins says “The main overall finding of our work is that a healthy diet seems to be beneficial for semen quality.”

Nicely put, Audrey. Now all we have to do is convince the young gentlemen in our families to eat healthy. Given modern lifestyles of the young, it seems like a tall order.

Azoospermia & artificial sperm

admin — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 03:36:35 +0000

Azoospermia may be treatable

Finally, some light for those who have azoospermia, ie have no sperm at all. Till now this has been completely untreatable and the couple have had no option but to adopt a child or use donor sperm. The work on artificial sperm has been ongoing for many years with some sporadic successes reported. This report however, is the closest we have been to viable artificial sperm from which offspring have been born. While the work relates to laboratory mice, it is only a matter of time (beware, this may take years) before we begin to see human work. Ongoing work will have to demonstrate that this is a safe procedure without genetic defects in the offspring before any human sperm development is attempted.

If you are not squeamish, here is a photo of the mouse calves born after the use of the artificial sperm. They are identical to the real calves in every way.

Azoospermia may be treatable

We salute the Japanese scientists for their breakthrough in this area of research.

EPF withdrawal for IVF treatment?

admin — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 10:51:14 +0000

IVF money from EPF?

There is no doubt that fertility treatment is expensive. And success is not guaranteed, so the treatment may have to be repeated, incurring more cost. So any financial help available is most welcome. Our neighbour down south allows its citizens to withdraw money from the provident fund to help pay for ivf treatment. Why not here? Someone in the corridors of power must have heard the thousands of requests and prayers. At the recent 2nd National Reproductive Medicine Congress here in Kuala Lumpur, the Minister of Health announced that his Ministry would propose to the Cabinet that Malaysians also be allowed to tap into their EPF savings for IVF treatment. It may take a while for all this to materialise, but at least someone has made the first move. Congratulations to the Minister for listening to the Rakyat’s plea and acting on it.

Celine Dion shows off her twins

admin — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:18:49 +0000

Here at last, official photos of Celine Dion’s twins. Two boys, now almost six months old, on her sixth ivf attempt. The whole world is happy for her, but what would have happened had she given up after three, four or even five attempts? Just goes to show- we can never predict when pregnancy will happen. All we can say is that with persistence, the vast majority of women will conceive and have a baby after ivf. So, ladies and gentlemen, persistence is the key. Never give up. Not unless your ivf specialist tells you to. The stress is great, but so is the reward.

Celine Dion has her twins at last

Tunku Azizah, Fertility Angel.

admin — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:58:23 +0000

Tunku Azizah receiving the National Reproductive Award

We all know of her. Tengku Puan Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah who launched and continues to head the Tunku Azizah Fertility Fund (TAFF) has been the only hope for so many couples trying to concieve. She has personally raised money for her charity and paid for ivf for those who cannot afford it. And so many babies have been born. I know her dedication and perseverance as I also serve on the board of TAFF. Her only concern is for those condemned to a childless life. But the list of hopeful couples is long, and the money is never enough.

It is therefore fitting that the fertility profession honoured DYTM Tunku Azizah for her tireless efforts on behalf of the infertile here in Malaysia by bestowing her with an award during the Second National Reproductive Medicine Congress on 25th March 2011. It may not be much, but it shows the fertility profession’s high regard for her. The Deputy Minister of Health presented the award on behalf of the Minister.

Nobel prize for IVF pioneer

admin — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 23:47:14 +0000

There is no person more deserving of a Nobel prize than Prof Robert Edwards, the pioneer of ivf. The only question is, what took so long? Without his passion & perseverance, we would not be where we are today, and many forms of infertility would still be untreatable. His work, in the face of widespread scepticism & criticism, led to our ability to nurture embryos outside the human body. And this of course led to Louise Brown’s birth (the world’s first test tube baby) in 1978. We haven’t looked back since and more than one million test tube babies have been born worldwide.

Thirty two years later the Nobel prize committee has recognised his wonderful work, but in many ways, it is too late for him to enjoy the moment. He is now 85 years old, and confined to a nursing home, unable to even attend and collect his award in person.

But at least, the Nobel committee recognised his work. Better late than never! The UK has still not given him a peerage or knighthood, which is even more of a shame. And I feel very strongly about that!

“Working for years with rabbits and then mice, often making trips to the lab in the middle of the night to collect eggs from the ovulating animals, he pioneered a process in which he could artificially cause the ovary to release several eggs at a time, and then conducted experiment after experiment with human eggs to correctly time the removal of the eggs with their fertilization with fresh sperm to generate an embryo“

Celine Dion having IVF twins

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 07:48:33 +0000

Congratulations to Celine Dion, the lady with the incredible voice and a great stage personality. She is having twins by ivf. So what you say? Well, it so happens that she needed SIX attempts at ivf before she is finally there. What a persistent person, you say. And here is the fact- only the persistent become pregnant. There are so many hurdles and setbacks along the way, that it must seem an almost impossible feat for many. To face failure after failure.

But all ivf specialists know that the more times you have ivf, the more likely you are to have your baby. I know it seems a never ending rollercoaster, but unless things are really bad (and your doctor will tell you if they are), persistence is the key.