Laptop computers connected to the internet through Wi-Fi may decrease sperm fertility potential.

For a lot of us, the use of portable computers (laptops, connected to the internet wirelessly, also known as Wi-Fi) is a part of our daily routine. People using Wi-Fi, however, may be exposed to radio signals absorbing some of the transmitted energy in their bodies.  These may cause damage to sperm and reduce motility (free radical production with oxidative damage of phospholipids, which are a major component in the sperm mitochondrial sheath).  Portable computers using Wi-Fi emit radio frequency electromagnetic waves (RF-EMW) as well as heat and are typically positioned close to the male reproductive organs.  Can this have a negative impact on Sperm?  This very question was addressed in a study published in a recent issue of the journal “Fertility and Sterility”.

Avendano and colleagues from the Nascentis Medicina Reproductiva in Cordoba, Argentina evaluated the impact of an internet-connected laptop on sperm from 29 healthy donors.  Sperm samples were divided into two groups, one exposed to the laptop and the other half from each sample exposed to similar culture conditions without the laptop for 4 hours.  They measured sperm motility, viability and DNA fragmentation in the two groups.

The results were quite interesting.  The group exposed to the laptop computer connected to the Internet showed a significant decrease in sperm motility and an increase in sperm DNA fragmentation.  The RF-EMW levels were 7 – 15 times higher in the group exposed to the computer connected with the Internet.  The levels were much lower when the Wi-Fi connection was turned off.  The other interesting finding of this study was that this effect from RF-EMW was independent of heat as both groups were exposed to the same temperatures.  An increase in local temperature is known to have a negative impact on sperm parameters.  They had kept the temperature in this experiment at 25 degrees C in both groups.

Similar findings can be expected with exposure to cell-phones.  However, most people are not exposed to their usage for prolonged periods of time.

They conclude that prolonged use of portable computers sitting on the lap of a male user may decrease sperm fertility potential.

Early embryo development as seen with time-lapse images

Embryoscope

The EmbryoScope developed by Unisense FertiliTech  recently won FDA clearance to monitor embryo development continuously for up to 5 days. The instrument features time-lapse image capturing that works without disturbances to the embryo culture. It automatically detects and monitors up to 72 embryos, with 6 patient slides and 12 embryos in each slide. A built-in gas incubator allows fast and accurate regulation of carbon dioxide and oxygen concentrations.  A camera collects images of the embryos every 20 minutes at a resolution of 1280 × 1024 pixels.

The EmbryoScope helps IVF physicians to easily assess several parameters for embryo selection like the timing of first and subsequent cleavages, the synchrony of divisions and appearance of nuclei after division. It also detects multinucleation throughout the cell division progress.

The following link is a cool video showing early embryo development with time lapse pictures from an Embryoscope.

How to choose an egg donor — Part II

Donors:  Anonymous InVia, Anonymous Agency, or Known – Which is Right for You?

You first might ask what the difference is between an InVia donor and an agency donor.  The main differences are pre-screening and cost.  At most agencies, a donor applies, sends in photographs, meets with a psychologist or genetic counselor, and their profile is built.  At InVia, we do refer our potential egg donors to both a licensed clinical psychologist AND a certified genetic counselor, but not until after they have met one of the physicians on our staff and have had medical testing done in our office.  We have our donors come in for hormonal blood tests and an ultrasound before we allow them to proceed to the next step involved in our pre-screening.  With InVia Fertility’s Egg Donor Program, you can be sure that we have tested them thoroughly before they are made available to you, and most agencies cannot say the same.

Does this mean one is better than the other?  No.  We still want you to have the right donor for you, whether it’s one of our own or one from an agency.  If you do happen to choose a donor from an agency, we will still perform the same medical hormonal testing on them as we do on our own donors, the difference is you would be responsible for all testing completed, whether or not we are able to proceed with her.

The known donor is a very delicate situation.  She is someone known to the recipient, whether a family member, friend, etc.  Knowing the donor, as opposed to using an anonymous donor, opens a lot more to be worked out within the donor/recipient relationship.  In an anonymous donor cycle, the recipient is kept abreast of every step the donor has taken along the way.  The donor finds out NOTHING about the recipient.  The only information given to the donor is how many eggs were retrieved from her; not how many were mature, not how many fertilize, not if a pregnancy results.  Once they are retrieved from an egg donor, that ends the information that a donor is obligated to know.  They then become the recipient’s eggs.  This may not be the case when using a known donor.  If this donor is someone in the recipient’s life, she will most likely know if there was fertilization, if there was pregnancy, and if a live birth resulted.  She also may be a part of the family and see this child grow.  Both parties need to be protected and to have discussions regarding the relationship and boundaries going forward.  And what if pregnancy doesn’t occur?  Would this ruin the relationship between the known donor and the recipient?

As a recipient you must weigh all of your options and decide what is right for you.  You need to not be pressured by anyone to make any decisions and you must have control of all of the things you can control.  You get final say in deciding what type of egg donor would be best for you.

How to choose an egg donor

Last week I assumed the role of Egg Donor Coordinator for InVia Fertility.  I have found it to be challenging, rewarding, interesting, exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time.  And it’s only been two weeks!

I wanted to take a moment to blog about what a recipient can expect at their first meeting with me.

The “Book” Viewing Appointment

At this appointment, I will meet with you and we will discuss the process of egg donation as well as review the available donors in InVia Fertility’s in-house egg donor program.  In the position I held prior to Egg Donor Coordinator, I was the pre-screener for all incoming egg donors.  From application to “Donor Book”, they were all mine.  I feel that this helps me in explaining to recipients what is entailed in our pre-screening to ensure that we are only making “the best” donors available to you.

Based upon your level of comfort, I will either sit with you and answer questions while you review the profiles or I can step out for a period of time and give you some privacy to go over them yourself and then answer questions you might have when you are finished.  Once you have narrowed your selection down to a few donors, you are given the option of taking home a copy of the profiles you are interested in to review them some more at your leisure.  You are not given copies of the pictures, just of the basic profiles.

You are also given a copy of the Egg Donor Recipient Contract for InVia Fertility.  It is lengthy and, well, it’s a contract, so unless you’re in the legal field, you will need time and focus to read and understand it.  You are always given the option of selecting an attorney to review this contract as well, and we do have a list of attorneys we can refer you to.  We do not promote or recommend any of these attorneys; we just know they specialize in family law and would be suitable to review the contract with you.

If you decide that none of the donors in InVia’s Donor Program meet your specific needs, you still have some options.  Some are to refer to a donor agency in an attempt to find a donor, wait until we add new donors into our program, or consider the option of a known donor (if this is a possibility for you).

Remember!  This is all done at your speed.  No one is breathing down your neck to pick a donor, sign the contract, and get started.  We are ready to proceed with you when you are ready to get started.

Ever seen a pregnant woman at the gym?

In the last ten years or so I maybe have seen 2 or 3 pregnant women at the gym.  One of them is a good friend of mine whose yoga poses at 38 weeks would put most of us to shame on our best days.  This brings up a question, is it safe to exercise during pregnancy?

The short answer is yes it is!  Moderate exercise is not only generally safe (please consult with your Doctor to make sure you have no conditions that would make it unsafe for you) it is recommended during pregnancy.  Not only will working out help you feel less tired, it can minimize pregnancy discomforts during the last trimester.  Although you may feel tempted to live on your couch, it is best to get up and get moving!

If you were in good physical shape before your pregnancy, you can maintain your workout regiment, within reason.  Make sure your heart rate does not exceed 140 and avoid high intensity aerobics and lifting heavy weights.  Do not hold your breath during any exercises and avoid anything involving extensive jogging or bouncing.  You should also stay away from exercises involving full sit-ups, double leg raises and waist twisting movements.  Don’t overdo it, if you feel very tired or dizzy, stop!

The safest workouts during pregnancy are walking, swimming, elliptical machines, yoga and Pilates (do not lay on your stomach or your back!).  If you are into jogging, it may be safe for you to maintain the workout, with your doctor’s approval.  If you have a medical condition, such as asthma, history of premature birth, diabetes, or others, working out may not be safe for you.  Talk to your doctor before working out.

Working out during your pregnancy will not only make you feel better, it will make you stronger and may make your labor easier.  In addition, keeping in shape will help you loose that baby weight much faster than dieting alone.  So get off that couch and get to the gym!