Although Spanish law led the way in regulating the practice of assisted reproduction and made significant progress in comparison with legislation in neighbouring countries, and even though Spain is, furthermore, a leader in the field both in terms of the quality of some of its clinics and health specialists, as well as in terms of the excellent results obtained, it […]
Selection of the spermatozoon capable of fertilising an egg and generating a viable embryo is a subject that has been covered in a great number of studies aiming to provide this question with an answer.
Although assisted reproduction techniques have been used for dealing with fertility issues for many years, there is still room for improvement in terms of the results obtained. First of all, we need to fully determine the role of the spermatozoon because it tends to be thought of simply as the transporter of the father’s genetic material with no impact on later development. This idea has already been turned on its head and sperm does not only play a role in the fertilisation process. An abnormal spermatozoon can give rise to abnormal embryos and can even influence implantation failure. […]
Significant progress has been made over the last few decades in the field of fertility in order for patients to be able to have children of their own. However, one of the greatest challenges in reproductive medicine is pregnancy in women with slim chances of obtaining their own eggs. For example, women with premature ovarian failure (in other words, egg loss at a young age) or, quite simple, women over the age of 40. […]
Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) consists of studying chromosomal abnormalities and genetic abnormalities in the embryo prior to transfer to the mother. Its purpose is to ensure that children are healthy and put an end to the transmission of a specific condition.
There are two types of PGD: the PGD aimed at selecting embryos that are free of a genetic disorder affecting a single gene (PGD) and the PGD that analyses genetic diseases affecting one or more chromosomes (CCS or PGS). Their names are sometimes a cause for confusion. The post entitled Are PGD, PGS and CCS all one and the same? clarifies the differences between them. […]
Our Genetic Compatibility Test (GCT) based on next-generation DNA sequencing analyses over 600 diseases.
For a person with an hereditary disease, eliminating the chance of passing that disease on to their children becomes a desire as well as the very best gift they could give them. Sometimes, parents don’t even know they are carriers of a disease. A person with an hereditary disease will pass it on to his or her children. Sufferers carry a heavy weight upon their shoulders because they are aware that they will pass on health issues to their children and that this will have a negative impact on their quality of life or lead to premature death. In most cases, we are carriers of one recessive disease or another, but our health is not affected by it. However, there is the possibility that we might pass that disease on to our children. […]
When a fertility analysis in the male partner is limited to a seminogram or spermiogram, we only get a partial view of semen quality. A seminogram only provides us with information on the number and characteristics of sperm in the ejaculate (mobility, morphology…). It does not, however, tell us anything about other aspects such as sperm DNA integrity […]
We understand the menopause as a complete end to menstruation. It is a retrospective diagnosis (looking back) and, as such, the menopause is said to have taken place when a year has gone by since the last period and, during that time, there have been no instances of menstrual bleeding.
It generally takes place at around 50 years of age and is linked to the number of eggs in the ovary.
Depending on a woman’s age, it can be: […]
Successfully treating implantation failure and recurrent pregnancy loss is undoubtedly a challenge for doctors and for patients.
It is an area on which we continuously focus research at Instituto Bernabeu and, whilst we are far from finding a solution to all problems, the number of couples we are able to successfully treat is forever increasing.
An approach which does not take all 3 parties into account – the female, the male and the embryo – is incomplete. When evaluation only takes the couple into account, the reason behind the issue is only determined in under 20% of all cases. […]
Following years of research, the Poor Responder Unit at Instituto Bernabeu has, for the first time, discovered the genes that play a role in ovarian reserve. This makes choosing the most appropriate medication for the patient’s genetic make-up possible, thus optimising ovarian response.
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When faced with fertility issues, many people believe that this is often due to the couple’s incompatibility. The reason behind this inability to fall pregnant is often unknown and quite simply a mystery due to some form of irresolvable ‘genetic issue’. When faced with such circumstances, we can but give in and accept it and, as with all popular beliefs, there is some truth in it.
It’s estimated that around 20% of reproduction issues are down to genetics. In fact, many of the tests carried out as part of patient fertility analyses in our clinic, aim to determine if there is a genetic issue behind the couple’s difficulties falling pregnant. […]
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