Written by Alberto Sola-Leyva & Mariana Sousa Leite
17 hours ago
2 min read
Bridging the Gap Between Talent and Opportunities in the Field of Reproductive Health
To streamline the process of connecting employers with qualified candidates within the human reproduction and embryology field, the ESHRE Young Talent Group (YTG) has launched an innovative initiative known as the Ferti Job Hub. This significant move underscores the commitment of the YTG and ESHRE to enhance the career prospects and support of professionals in reproductive health .
The Ferti Job Hub serves as a centralised digital resource within the ESHRE website that aims to simplify and facilitate recruitment and provide a much-needed and valuable resource for both potential employers and job seekers. This digital resource lists open job vacancies categorised according to different areas of expertise and job types. Job seekers can explore each vacancy at their own pace and share it with themselves or other colleagues via email. All ESHRE exhibitors and attendees are invited to submit their job vacancies and make them available for all to see in this ESHRE digital resource. In this way, we hope to promote and facilitate relationships between clinics, educational institutions, companies and qualified candidates, ensuring that the connections made are valuable, optimised and meaningful for all parties.
At the 40th ESHRE Annual Meeting in Amsterdam (7th-10th July 2024), the YTG will unveil the ESHRE Ferti Job Hub. Located in the ESHRE Village, the Ferti Job Hub is designed as a focal point for employment opportunities.
The Hub has a dual purpose. It provides a space for qualified professionals to actively explore employment opportunities and serves as an avenue for potential employers to advertise jobs.
The ESHRE Ferti Job Hub will have its own corner so visitors to the ESHRE Village can recognise it easily. It will feature touch screens where job seekers will find this centralised ESHRE digital resource and can identify and explore the advertised employment vacancies according to their areas of expertise and interests. All work openings will have a description that remains consistent across the job listing to ease the searching and application process.
The call to submit job vacancies will open next week via an online form submission. All ESHRE exhibitors and attendees are invited to submit their job vacancies. To ensure the quality and relevance of job postings, the initiative is supervised to guarantee that the offers are suitable for the ESHREsspecialised audience.
For employers: Prepare your proposals of the job vacancies you may currently have available and contact ESHREs communication manager at laura@eshre.eu to share your interest and learn how to submit them to the digital resource.
For job seekers: Make sure you CV, cover letters and research overviews are updated and ready to be shared with interesting opportunities. Dont miss out on potentially finding your next adventure and visit the Ferti Job Hub at the ESHRE Village in Amsterdam.
Synthetic embryology is a rapidly evolving field that focuses on replicating and studying embryonic development using human stem cells. This cutting-edge science aims to address the challenges associated with using real human embryos and, in the process, is providing valuable insights into early human development. Through the creation of models like gastruloids and blastoids, scientists can mimic different stages of human embryogenesis and explore a myriad of potential applications in prenatal care, disease modeling, and regenerative medicine.
Synthetic embryology creates models of early human development, adhering strictly to ethical standards and regulations. These models are not intended for transfer into the uterus of a human or animal, but instead serve as a crucial tool in advancing our biological understanding of life. The field holds great promise in unraveling the complexities of embryogenesis, with potential applications that could revolutionize myriad aspects of healthcare and medicine.
As reported by Economic Times, the future landscape of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is set to see significant advancements and face new challenges with the advent of AI-powered technologies. The number of IVF cycles conducted annually is on the rise, and the market is predicted to expand further by 2030. The integration of artificial intelligence could enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility of fertility treatments, potentially making parenthood a reality for more couples across the globe.
Genetic engineering, or genetic modification, as defined by the National Human Genome Research Institute, involves the alteration of an organisms DNA makeup using laboratory technologies. This process can involve changing a single base pair, deleting a region of DNA, or adding a new segment of DNA. Genetic engineering has found applications in diverse areas, including the production of cancer therapies, brewing yeasts, and genetically modified plants and livestock. In the context of synthetic embryology, genetic engineering could potentially play a crucial role in understanding and manipulating embryonic development.
ScienceDirect highlights the potential of nanotechnology in managing and treating disorders of the female reproductive system. Through precise manipulation and regulation of biological molecules and cells, nanotechnology can deliver drugs with pinpoint accuracy, reducing side effects and improving therapeutic efficacy. Nanomaterial imaging techniques enhance diagnostic precision and sensitivity, aiding in the assessment of disease severity and progression. Additionally, nanobiosensors facilitate the early detection and prevention of ailments, promising to improve treatment outcomes and overall quality of life.
According to an article published in the journal Cells, human pluripotent stem cells are being increasingly used in cardiovascular disease research. These stem cells can mimic disease phenotypes, overcoming the limitations of current toxicological studies. Clinical trials involving stem-cell-based approaches to treat cardiovascular diseases are ongoing, although the strengths and weaknesses of these methods are still under critical evaluation.
In conclusion, as synthetic embryology continues to evolve, it will play an increasingly vital role in advancing our understanding of human development. By harnessing the power of technologies like AI, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology, we can expect to see significant strides in the field. From revolutionizing fertility treatments to creating more effective disease models, the potential applications of synthetic embryology are as exciting as they are diverse.
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Understanding Synthetic Embryology and Its Implications for Healthcare - Medriva
Thousands of women undergo the procedure every year.
Egg freezing has taken off over the last decade, with the numbers turning to the fertility preserving treatment increasing 10-fold in the UK over that time period.
The process, which sees a woman's eggs collected, frozen and later thawed, has spiked in popularity as growing numbers of women have put off having children until later in life.
But embryologist Cynthia Hudson has warned of the importance of women being fully informed if they choose to go ahead with the fertility treatment.
She has revealed to MailOnline the six things women should consider, from what age they should freeze their eggs to how much it will cost.
Ms Hudson, vice president of clinical strategy at IVF and cell management company TMRW Life Sciences, says there is not one correct answer on when a woman should freeze their eggs, as every situation and woman is different.
She said: 'We know, for sure, that the quality of eggs declines with age, so logically, the earlier you freeze them, the better.
'The best chances of having a baby can be had if you are under 35-years-old when you freeze your eggs.
'But being over 35 simply means you will likely need to freeze more.'
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) says 38 is the most common age for egg freezing but some women wait until they are in their 40s.
The reasons one may choose to pursue egg freezing can vary widely.
For example, one might be worried about fertility declining with age but is not yet ready to have a child or receiving life-saving but sterilising medical treatment.
Whatever the reason is, Ms Hudson says to consult your doctor as soon as possible to discuss your treatment options.
Women in the UK can now store their frozen eggs for up to 55 years.
This rule, which also applies to sperm and embryos, has been in place since July 2022, when the duration increased from the previous 10-year limit.
It means that women in the UK are now in a better position to consider freezing their eggs at a younger age when they have the best chance of a successful outcome as they do not face restrictions on the length of time they can keep them.
However, women will need to renew their consent for a clinic storing their eggs every 10 years.
And those who frozen their eggs before July 2022 and want them to be stored for longer than 10 years need to contact their clinic to see if it is possible,
One of the most important and often overlooked things a woman should consider before freezing her eggs is storage, Ms Hudson says.
The goal of egg freezing is to have your eggs 'safely stored for future use', so she urges women to ask their clinic how their eggs will be stored until they are needed.
Egg freezing should be considered an insurance policy rather than a guarantee, according to the embryologist.
Ms Hudson says it can help preserve your fertility but it cannot promise success.
Success rates are largely dependent on the woman's age when they are frozen, but experts say what also matters is the total number of eggs available for use.
Just like when utilising fresh eggs, not every egg will fertilise, not every fertilised egg will result in a viable embryo, and not every viable embryo will lead to a live birth.
The success rates among those aged under 35 are higher than those who are over, declining rapidly after the age of 40.
One US study found that the chance of a live birth among women using their own frozen eggs was 39 per cent overall, rising to 51 per cent among those who were younger than 38 when they froze their eggs.
For those actively pursuing parenthood with fresh eggs, further attempts at a pregnancy by undergoing additional egg collection cycles can be made.
It is essential to understand all of the data and the options available, Ms Hudson says, as treatment decisions made now may determine the success of having a child in the future.
Fertility specialists can answer questions and give advice accordingly.
The entire processes from freezing eggs to thawing in the UK costs 7,000 to 8,000, on average.
Whilehaving your eggs collected and frozen will clock up a bill of around 3,350, this is just one part of the process.
Hormonal medication that needs to be taken to stimulate egg production before the procedure costs approximately 500-1,500 on top of that.
Storage costs are extra and vary between clinics but tend to be between 125 and 350 per year, according to HFEA.
Thawing eggs and transferring them to the womb costs an average of 2,500.
NHS funded treatment is available for some women who choose to freeze their eggs before cancer treatment, but the amount of funding and eligibility criteria vary.
At this time, there is no NHS funding for patients who want to freeze their eggs for other reasons, but there are other options one can pursue.
Some employers provide this type of coverage directly to their employees, while others provide financing options directly to patients.
When considering future fertility, Ms Hudson insists the choice of clinic is paramount.
The HFEA is responsible for licensing and inspecting UK fertility clinics, and they publish scores for each fertility clinic inspected.
Ms Hudson said this can help the decision-making process, as it gives an indication of the success and patient ratings of a clinic.
While success rates and cost are key factors, Ms Hudson also suggests you focus on proximity of the clinic to your work or home.
She says this is because you may need to make multiple trips to the clinic, sometimes with short notice.
And you should also enquire about the technology and equipment used by the clinics to freeze and store your eggs, she says, as the 'entire reason for freezing them now is to have them safe and available when ready to use them'.
For those considering freezing their eggs,Ms Hudson said being aware of what the process involves is vital.
She said that the first step is to consult a fertility specialist to review the options that are available.
An initial evaluation will likely involve blood tests, a pelvic ultrasound scan and a discussion of your medical history.
If you proceed with egg freezing, the first stage of the process, known as 'ovarian stimulation', will start.
This involves hormone injections to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs rather than the one egg that is typically and naturally released each month.
This treatment entails multiple visits to the fertility clinic over a few weeks, Ms Hudson says, with your blood hormone levels and ovaries regularly monitored.
When the time is right for them to come out, a medical professional will use an ultrasound guided needle and, with a suction device, remove the eggs seven to 14, on average, for women aged under 38 from the ovarian follicles.
The extracted eggs will be transported into the laboratory, evaluated, and flash-frozen by an embryologist using an ultra-rapid procedure called vitrification and then typically placed into a flask containing liquid nitrogen.
Storage at very cold temperatures, below -150C (-238F), allows the eggs to remain viable for use at a later date.
When you want to use them, the eggs will be thawed and those that have survived intact will be injected with your partner's or donor's sperm.
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These are the six things to think about before freezing your eggs - Daily Mail
Merck Foundation CEO and Liberia First Lady meet with 12 African First Ladies during 9th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2022 to approve their future strategy and announce their impact report and call for action to build healthcare capacity and empower women & girls in Liberia Merck Foundation is transforming the Patient care landscape and making history together with Liberia First lady and other partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond. Watch partnership journey of Merck Foundation with Liberia First Lady: https://youtu.be/Zwy9HQ_38GY Watch the video of The First Lady of Liberia & Ambassador of Merck Foundation "More Than a Mother" during the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2022 here: https://youtu.be/jGb0xwG8Ehk Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, recently conducted their annual conference, the 9th Edition of "Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary". The conference was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, and H.E. Mrs. CLAR MARIE WEAH, The First Lady of Liberia & Ambassador of Merck Foundation "More Than a Mother" along with African First Ladies of Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Zambia, Angola and Central Africa.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasized, "I met my dear sister, H.E. Mrs. CLAR MARIE WEAH, The First Lady of Liberia in Senegal in 2018 for the first time and our long-term partnership started since then. We have achieved a lot in a very short time.
We had a long meeting during 9th edition of our Luminary to discuss our joint programs and strategy and report its impact. I am proud to share that together we have provided 37 scholarships to young doctors in Liberia in critical and underserved specialties like Oncology, Fertility & Embryology, Sexual & Reproductive care, Diabetes, Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, and Acute Medicine. Together, we will transform the healthcare sector in the country. I am looking forward to amazing revolution that our long-term partnership can achieve in Liberia." H.E. Mrs. CLAR MARIE WEAH, The First Lady of Liberia & Ambassador of Merck Foundation "More Than a Mother" emphasized, "Our partnership journey is supporting the social and economic development of our country and Merck Foundation programs are very beneficial for the people of our country. We have achieved many milestones since 2018.
Together we are also working on various initiatives to raise awareness about critical social and health issues like Breaking Infertility Stigma, supporting Girl Education, Stopping GBV, Ending Child Marriage & FGM, diabetes & hypertension awareness. Merck Foundation has provided Sanitary Napkin Production Machine and raw materials to help our young girls to ensure good menstrual hygiene for them, so they can continue their education and reduce the number of girls dropping out from school.
Together, we have provided 37 medical scholarships to our young doctors. This is a huge achievement for us, and we are definitely making history in Libera by training the first specialists in many medical fields such as: Infertility, Embryology, Oncology and Diabetes." On day 2 of the Luminary, Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative- MFFLI committee meeting was also conducted between The First Ladies and Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO. During the MFFLI committee meeting, the future strategy of 2023 was discussed and the impact of their partnership programs since 2018, were announced.
"I personally enjoyed our reading session of Children's storybooks created by Merck Foundation, 'Jackline's Rescue' to focus on the importance of Girl Education and highlight the immoral practices of society including child marriage & dowry system; and 'A Ride Into The Future' to emphasize on the importance of empowering girls through education. It was my favorite part of MFFLI committee, I hope we keep doing this every year," Senator Rasha Kelej emphasized.
Watch the video of MFFLI committee meeting: https://youtu.be/hGd8fTM7qwg During the Luminary, an important one to one meeting between The First Lady of Liberia and Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej was also held to discuss the impact of on-going programs and define strategies to further build healthcare and media capacity in Liberia.
Watch the video of Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej receiving Liberia First Lady, H.E. Mrs. CLAR MARIE WEAH: https://youtu.be/Ws9oPzfPBv4 Together with Liberia First Lady, Merck Foundation has provided 37 scholarships to local doctors in Liberia in critical and underserved specialties so far, out of which 9 scholarships have been provided to doctors for Diabetes as a part of their Nationwide Diabetes Blue Points Program.
Moreover, 4 scholarships have been provided for the Oncology Fellowship and Master Program. This has given Liberia the first oncologists and will transform the landscape of cancer care in the country by forming the first cancer care team.
Merck Foundation has also provided 13 scholarships for One-Year Online PG Diploma and Two-Year MSc in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, and 8 scholarships for Embryology training, Fertility training and Master in the Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, and 3 scholarships have been provided for One-Year Online Post Graduate Diploma and Two-year MSc in Acute Medicine.
"Merck Foundation has always believed in the importance of building healthcare capacity and has been working towards this since 2012. We will continue to provide medical training to Liberian doctors in various medical specialties in partnership with the First Lady of Liberia," assured Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.
Merck Foundation in partnership with The Liberia First Lady has also initiated "Educating Linda" Program, which is very important for Liberian girls as through this program, scholarships will be provided to 20 underprivileged but brilliant girls to continue their education till they graduate. Additionally, Merck Foundation distributed 3000 essential school items sets to school-going girls.
Moreover, Merck Foundation together with The First Lady of Liberia and The Ministry of Education launched three children's storybooks titled: "Marpeh's Story" to emphasize on the strong family values of love and respect from a young age which will reflect on eliminating the stigma of infertility and resulted domestic violence in the future, "Educating Miatta Story" to emphasize on the importance of empowering girls through education and "Make the Right Choice Story" to raise awareness about coronavirus prevention amongst children and youth as it provides facts about the pandemic and how to stay safe and healthy during the outbreak. 30,000 copies of these storybooks have been distributed to school students of Liberia.
"Together we will soon also launch more storybooks to address issues like supporting girl education, child marriage, GBV and diabetes and hypertension. Moreover, we will also continue to train more young doctors and provide Liberia with many more first medical specialists," assured Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.
Merck Foundation also announced the Call for applications for their 8 important awards in partnership with The First Lady of Liberia for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields.
The 9th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2022 was streamed live on the social media handles of Merck Foundation and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.
Link to the Facebook live steam of Inaugural Session of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary & African First Ladies High Level Panel: https://www.facebook.com/KelejRasha/videos/1578702445903102 Merck Foundation is transforming the Patient care landscape and making history together with its partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond, through: 1580 + Scholarships provided by Merck Foundation for doctors from 50 Countries in 36 critical and underserved medical specialties Merck Foundation is also creating a culture shift and breaking the silence about a wide range of social and health issues in Africa and underserved communities through: 2500+ Media Persons from more than 35 countries trained to better raise Awareness about different social and health issues 8 Different Awards Launched annually for best media coverage, fashion designers, films, and songs Around 30 songs to address health and social issues by local singers across Africa 8 Children's Storybooks in three languages - English, French, and Portuguese Pan African TV Program ''Our Africa by Merck Foundation" addressing Social and Health Issues in Africa through "Fashion and ART with Purpose" Community 1000+ Girls from 15 African countries supported through scholarships or school items, annually.
9 Social Media Channels with more than 5 Million Followers.
Click on the link below to download Merck Foundation App https://www.merck-foundation.com/MF_StoreRedirection Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard Facebook: Merck Foundation Twitter: @MerckFoundation YouTube: MerckFoundation Instagram: Merck Foundation Flickr: Merck Foundation Website: http://www.merck-foundation.com About Merck Foundation The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit http://www.merck-foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Flickr.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Now, a new method developed by University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher Dr. Roger Pierson (PhD) and his team, including his daughter, first author and alumna Dr. Hannah Pierson (PhD13), to statistically assess the quality of human embryos for transplant success promises to revolutionize the field of ART.
In a paper published May 1, 2023, in the journal Reproductive BioMedicine Online, the researchers explain the formula they developed to convert the currently used qualitative method of grading embryo quality into a quantitative ranking.
Its a revolutionary approach to understanding the contribution of the embryo in assisted reproduction therapies, and how to use the indicator embryo quality in statistical analyses to improve therapy, he said. Solving this problem has opened up a whole new world for us and everyone in embryology. Its a very exciting development.
The team developed the algorithm to tease out the relative contributions of the embryo, the endometrium and embryo transfer efficiency. They validated the NEQsi system with a detailed clinical analysis of more than 1,700 in vitro fertilization cycles at a single Canadian fertility centre. The results showed that NEQsi score was a significant predictor of pregnancy.
The currently used Gardner grading system assigns qualitative scores to an embryo based on three visual factors: the expansion of the blastocyst (the space inside the fertilized egg); inner cell mass (cells that grow into a fetus); trophectoderm quality (cells become the placenta and membranes). Given the possible grade combinations, that works out to an unwieldy 54 possible embryo grades which combine quantitative and qualitative indicators. These broad categories obscure useful data.
Respecting the Gardner systems strength in yielding a high-quality assessment of embryo quality in the lab, Piersons group developed an equation, called the numeric embryo quality scoring index (NEQsi), that mathematically condenses the 54 Gardner grades to a linear scoring system ranging from 2-11 that better represents the embryo grade. This enables researchers to incorporate embryo quality into their statistical analyses of other factors in ART.
Piersons group is making the algorithm public and providing a NEQsi calculator so that clinics and embryologists everywhere can use it. Even patients will be able to access it to help understand where their embryos fit onto the scale and have informed conversations with their care providers about how best to proceed.
Its a part of being a small piece of the university that the world needsbuilding collaborations with new university technologies and commercial entities to bring new technology to the marketplaceand we also hope to demonstrate how businesses and academia can work well together, Pierson said.
He connects the great potential of the NEQsi equation to another of his research successes at USaska non-invasive, ultrasound-based endometrial receptivity (usER) system. His Synergyne Group of Companies reached an agreement with USask to secure the rights to the technology in 2012, and Synergynes trademarked Matris system is used in ART clinics across Canada. Trials in clinics around the world will be initiated in the coming weeks.
Matris uses mathematical algorithms and specialized visualization technologies to assess and interpret ultrasonographic images and assigns a numeric score based on what the results predict will be the quality of the endometrial lining at the time of embryo transfer.
Its a very important tool in helping patients increase the probability of pregnancy at each transfer, decrease the time it takes to become pregnant, decrease the cost, and to support women through this process because they often feel personally responsible for the quality of the uterus, said Pierson.
The higher the Matris score, the higher the probability of pregnancy. Pierson said Matris has successfully raised the likelihood of pregnancy by 20 per cent for fresh embryo transfer cycles and 10 per cent for frozen embryos in some clinics.
Matris is revolutionary in understanding the contribution of the endometrium. This new NEQsi system is allowing us to analyze the contribution of the embryo on a transfer-by-transfer basis. The next step is to put those two pieces together, said Pierson.
Matching all the patient parameters, embryo parameters and endometrial parameters to assess the success of the innovative approach is expected to take between 12,000 to 20,000 fertilization cycles at large ART clinics in Europe and North America, he said.
The combination of these two technologies incorporated into leading assisted reproduction clinics will represent a highly significant improvement to the care of women globally.
Excerpt from:
USask researcher aims to revolutionize human-assisted reproduction - USask News
Why I quit
We tried and tried, but failed and failed. Yet the fertility industry kept offering us hope, so long as we offered them money
Is it possible to become addicted to fertility treatment? When does spending tens of thousands of pounds on IVF with no guarantee that it will actually work become a gambling problem? These are the questions I am searching for answers to as I meet virtually with a doctor from a top London fertility clinic. Women are a mystery, he jokes. I smile politely into the tiny camera on my laptop. I had been considering treatment with his clinic and we have spent the last hour running through my history of infertility, or rather, in my case, incomplete fertility.
My husband and I have been trying for nine years to have a baby. Im quite good at getting pregnant, especially when we first started trying, but I cant seem to stay pregnant. I dont know why. And as it turns out, neither do the experts. I have spent years seeking their help, and because IVF wasnt available on the NHS in my area, I have paid thousands of pounds along the way in my relentless pursuit of pregnancy.
IVF can be an invaluable blessing, and I know so many people who have benefited from the treatment. But there are no guarantees. Despite the tremendous costs associated with private IVF treatment, according to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the average live birth rate for IVF patients under 35 is around 32% per embryo transferred. For patients older than 35, the stats decrease significantly by age. Those are pretty bad odds for success, but like thousands of women in the UK, I tried my luck.
Early in our journey, we were labelled as a case of unexplained infertility. And while that sounds as if it should be an anomaly, in reality at least 25% of infertility cases in the UK today are classified as unexplained, a mystery.
For me, unexplained is the worst diagnosis of all. If I had one of the common causes of infertility, such as polycystic ovaries, irregular periods or endometriosis, or if my husband had a male infertility factor, we could target the problem and treat it.
But after all the tests and weve had them all we are painfully, extraordinarily, normal.
One clinic was honest in its assessment that it could not identify why our pregnancies wouldnt last, and advised me not to continue the physical burden of IVF. It refunded us part of the cost when its treatments werent successful.
Others were not so kind. Treatment at the most expensive clinic I went to, a Harley Street stalwart, left me physically bruised, financially depleted and none the wiser. My final interaction with them was a 15-minute consultation, weeks after my failed cycle, in which the doctor shuffled through my papers and said: It should have worked, we did everything right. Try again.
And so, I did.
But after further unsuccessful cycles, I started to realise that IVF treatment is more art than science. My experience was that IVF is experimental, each clinic offering different cocktails of medicines, treatment plans and add-ons.
I tried every option available to me. Cycle after cycle, I gained weight, lost control of my moods, and for years I was anchored in a constant state of grief. But the urge to keep trying refused to disappear.
Despite my efforts not to fall for the promise of IVF again, curiosity and temptation got the better of me. Maybe another clinic could help? Maybe it could offer something new, something different, that the others couldnt?
And so, I found myself speaking to this new doctor on my laptop. You are too young and too healthy to give up, he said. He suggested a strategy and a three-cycle package for us to consider. And so I tried again. I was meticulous in execution but despite our excellent graded embryos and my healthy uterus, the cycles failed.
It was a painful reminder that this is how the fertility business works. I could be tempted to pay thousands to treat an undiagnosed condition. A schedule of appointments, injections and procedures could offer me a comforting, yet false, sense of control in an otherwise bewildering experience.
IVF clinics are a business first and foremost, and the private fertility industry in the UK alone is worth more than 320m annually. The model relies on patients like me trying, failing, then paying to try again. And again. And again. Until it works. Maybe.
Its not just the private clinics. Beyond sparse regulation, the booming fertility market is a free-for-all, crowded with pseudoscientific products aimed at desperate women. Ovulation kits, fertility smoothies, maca powder, royal jelly, prenatal supplements, acupuncture, massages, coaches and countless pricey pregnancy tests Ive paid for them all.
Its irresistible when the one thing they sell above all else is hope.
It took me nearly a decade, but I realised that IVF works for the lucky few, and I wasnt one of them. And so, I finally quit. I conceded that the toll it was taking on my body and my mental health was not worth it. I had vanished. My identity, my time, the light inside of me, all diminished. I decided I needed to regain control of my body.
I am considered a case of unexplained infertility because there are gaping holes in the scientific understanding of how life is created, why miscarriage happens and why some of us struggle to conceive, even in the best of circumstances. My doctor was right, womens health is still too often shrouded in mystery.
Its fair to say that my IVF days are over. But I wont give up hope of having a healthy baby one day. I also hope to see change in the fertility industry. I hope that assisted fertility becomes a less traumatic experience for patients; that more regulation is put in place to curb the ever-rising costs of treatment, and that success rates are calculated on personalised data based on patient diagnosis. I also hope for fairer marketing practices that would allow patients to make more informed choices, and for continued research to develop treatments with more promising success rates. Above all, I hope that society wakes up to this silent crisis in womens health happening all around us.
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IVF works for the lucky few. After a decade, I finally realised I wasnt one of them - The Guardian
Under current legislation, which is by no means perfect, the surrogate mother is the legal parent of a child born through surrogacy.Daisy-Daisy / Alamy
For most couples, the desire to have children is deeply imbedded in their relationship. After all, human beings are made for love and children are a real expression of love. So, when couples discover that they cannot have children this can be devastating. On the other hand, some couples, notably same sex couples, enter their union knowing from the outset that having their own children together is impossible, yet they still yearn to be parents, as do some single people who are not in any relationship. Welcoming a child via a surrogate mother seems to provide the answer. Influential celebrities who use surrogate mothers have become role models for surrogacy and hold out this as an option for all. However, the desire to be a mother or father does not justify any right to have a child. Children have the right to be born in their own real families with their own mother and father.
Without any real discussion of the serious ethical issues involved in surrogacy, and despite significant concerns over surrogacy arrangements, new proposals have been put forward by the Law Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission that will not only facilitate and enable surrogacy but will also turn surrogacy and parenthood into merely an administrative process. Under these proposals parenthood becomes a matter of a paper agreement between the parties: the intended parents and surrogate mother who make up the surrogacy team, under the oversight of an organisation that ensures the team are aware of the implications of their agreement. The proposals appear in the Law Commissions joint report Building families through surrogacy: a new law.
While the ostensible aim of the report is to clarify the law, in effect the proposals provide a new pathway to having children. Significantly, these proposals move from tolerance of the practice to full support of surrogacy as a means of having a family. Surrogacy becomes simply part of the range of assisted conception options (a phrase used both in the report and by government) and parenthood is reduced to administration. Not only would surrogacy be normalised if these proposals were implemented, the proposals would deprive the natural mother of her status as a mother from the very beginning of the pregnancy and, if she wants her own child, she has to reclaim her child within six weeks of the birth.
Surrogacy is often presented as an altruistic act of helping a couple fulfil their dreams of having a family. However, the child is a person too and surrogacy is always an injustice. Surrogacy raises serious questions. Human beings cannot be the objects of a transaction between others. There is a real concern of the exploitation of women. Instead of being a gift for the parents, the child becomes an object of a commissioning agreement between the surrogate and intended parents. By its very nature, surrogacy intentionally deprives the child of the mother who gave bodily care from the very beginning of the childs life and so surrogacy fragments parenthood. However, the new proposals bypass these serious issues. Instead, the proposals simply consider the practicalities of surrogacy as if it is merely a contractual and administrative process. They discuss what can be done in a given legal framework without discussing what should be done. The proposal normalises otherwise unjust actions. With its proposed new pathwayBuilding families treats the surrogate as temporary rented accommodation. The occupant, the child, remains vulnerable to the intentions and desires of the surrogacy team of the intended parents and the surrogate mother.
Under current legislation, which is by no means perfect, the surrogate mother is the legal parent of a child born through surrogacy. To have a legally recognised relationship to the child the intended parents must obtain a parental order through the courts. This means that, when courts decide on a parental order application, they give paramount consideration to the welfare of the child. Under the proposed new pathway the necessity for a court application for a parental order is removed. Instead, the intended parents and the surrogate agree before the childs conception that the intended parents will become the childs legal parents at birth. There need not be a medical reason for taking the route of surrogacy. Surrogate mothers need not have given birth before (as such a requirement would not respect the autonomy of women who want to be surrogates) and there is no upper age limit or limit to the number of surrogate pregnancies she may undertake. This pathway agreement will be overseen by proposed new Regulated Surrogacy Organisations (RSOs), supervised by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). As the UKs regulator of fertility treatment and research using embryos, the HFEA already has a long reach, and its remit will be further expanded to encompass surrogacy arrangements. The task of RSOs is to ensure that the surrogacy team are aware of the implications of surrogacy and its emotional and practical consequences. This pre-conception assessment of the understanding of the surrogacy team includes an assessment of whether a future child would be at risk of significant harm or neglect. However, it is a weak and ineffective replacement for a court decision on the best interests of an existing child. Rather than the focus being on the welfare of the child, under the proposed legislation what is now of paramount importance are the intentions and choices of the surrogacy team.
The proposed new pathway that presents surrogacy as yet another reproductive choice means that the welfare of the child, already precarious under previous legislation and under existing reproductive technologies, now loses any real significance. The aim of the law commissions may have been to reform the law, but this was not in response to addressing the serious ethical issues related to surrogacy or to remedy injustice or to protect women and children who are at risk of exploitation or objectivisation. The underlying aim for the reform seems to be to reinforce and deliver the pre-conception intentions of the surrogacy team. In part this is due to the practical concern that intended parents worry the surrogate may change her mind and the surrogate worries that the intended parents will change theirs: concerns that are inevitable given the very nature of surrogacy. However, contract and the instrumentalisation of motherhood seem to have triumphed over the natural mother-and-child bond. We are in the process of normalising mothers not being mothers.
Dr Pia Matthews is a Senior Lecturer St Marys University.
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When your mother's not your mother and the problems of ... - The Tablet
Veterinarian in common parlance means an Animal Doctor. This noblest of all noble acts of healing a sick animal constitutes a very small part of a Veterinarians Job Profile. Will Rogers has rightly said, The best doctor in the world is a Veterinarian. He can't ask his patients what is the matter - he's got to just know.A Veterinarian is not only the guardian of animal health but human health as well. One Health Concept is dedicated to improving the lives of all species - human and animal - through the integration of Human Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Environmental Science. It seeks to promote, improve, and defend the health and well-being of all species by enhancing cooperation and collaboration between Physicians, Veterinarians, other scientific health and environmental professionals and by promoting strengths in leadership and management to achieve these goals. Veterinarian as a farm manager manages dairy, sheep and poultry farms to produce milk, meat and egg for nutritional security, a step ahead of food security. As an animal breeder he works towards improvement of animal productivity, as a nutritionist he devises optimum feeding regimen for better productivity and as food technologist he looks for ways and means to enhance the shelf life of animal products and their value addition.
Veterinary and Animal Science Education, Research and Training
Veterinary and Animal Science Education and Research presently falls under the Ministry of Agriculture. Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) has nationwide network of Deemed Universities, Directorates, Project Directorates, Research Institutes, National Research Centers, National Bearuex, Network Projects and All India Co-ordinated Research Projects dedicated to research and education in fields of Agriculture and allied sectors. Out of the vast network a few institutes are dedicated exclusively to Animal Sciences. State Agriculture Universities invariably have Veterinary and Animal Science Faculties/ Colleges taking care of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Veterinary education. Many states have separate Veterinary Universities with Faculties/Colleges of Veterinary Sciences, Fisheries, Dairy Technology etc. Southern state of Tamil Nadu has established a network of extension centers on lines of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) linked to Veterinary University known as Veterinary University Training and Research Centres (VUTRCs) and state of Karnataka has established Animal Science Polytechniques to create much needed para-veterinary manpower. A statutory body called Veterinary Council of India (VCI) has been established that presently regulates undergraduate teaching, while post-graduate education, research and extension continue to be regulated by ICAR. Veterinary and Animal Science Education in State of Jammu and Kashmir is taken care of by two Faculties of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, one each in Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Kashmir and Jammu (SKUAST-K and SKUAST-J). Besides BVSc and AH degree programme Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Faculties offer Postgraduate and Doctoral Degree programmes in as many as 18 disciplines.
A rigorous five and a half years undergraduate programme during which a student goes through a wide range of subjects like: Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, Physiology, Climatology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Pharmacology, Toxicology, Pathology, Microbiology, Immunology, Parasitology, Public Health and Food Safety, Livestock Production and Management, Poultry Science, Wild life Science, Fodder Production and Grassland Management, Animal Nutrition, Feed Technology, Animal Genetics and Breeding, Medicine, Surgery, Radiology, Animal Reproduction, Gynecology and Obstetrics Extension Education, Veterinary Medical Ethics, Animal Products Technology followed by a rigorous Clinical and Farm management practice leads to the award of Bachelors Degree in Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry (B. V. Sc& A. H). As diverse are the subjects so are the animal species about which Veterinary student is supposed to study. These include Cattle, Buffalo, Equines, Swine, Sheep, Goat, Rabbit, Laboratory Animals, Canines, Felines and Avians like Chicken, Duck, Turkey, Guinea fowl etc. to name a few.
Veterinarians in Service of Society
A Veterinarian serves society in a wide variety of ways:
Government Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services: In Departments of Animal and Sheep Husbandry a Veterinary Assistant Surgeon has multifarious responsibilities including, Animal health care, Disease diagnosis and surveillance, Epidemiology, Dairy, Sheep, Goat and Poultry Development. Genetic improvement of livestock, Production of Biologicals, Maintenance of semen and germplasm banks and hatcheries, Feed formulation, compounding and quality control, Livestock and Poultry Farm Management, and providing Vetero-legal opinion whenever required
Research teaching and education: Post graduate Veterinarians take up Research, Teaching and Extension assignments in State Agricultural/Veterinary Universities, KVKs, Research Institutes under Agricultural Research System and in Departments of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Defence Research Development Organization, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research etc.
Defence Veterinary Services: Indian Army has Remount Veterinary Corps that inducts Veterinarians to take care of number of Military Dairy farms, Equine studs and other Livestock farms and Canine squads. Besides they are involved in meat and milk inspection at various military establishments. For similar assignments paramilitary forces like BSF, ITBF, and CRPF etc also induct Veterinarians in their ranks
Banking and Insurance: Public and private sector banks and Insurance companies induct Veterinarians for looking after Cattle/Animal Husbandry finance schemes and livestock insurance sectors respectively
Private Practice and Consultation: A Veterinarian as a consultant to Dairy Sheep and Poultry enterprises contributes immensely in increasing the availability of animal products.
Veterinarians in Wild life Conservation: Veterinarians contribute to Wildlife conservation in capacity of Wildlife Veterinarians in National Parks / Sanctuaries and Zoos. In event of Wild Animal- Human Conflict the Veterinarians are called upon to control the strayed Wild animal in order to ensure its safe return to natural habitat.
Veterinarians as Guardians of human health: Veterinarians act as guardians of human health in capacity of Livestock Inspectors in municipalities and local bodies, Meat inspectors at Slaughter houses, Milk and Milk product inspectors in Dairy Plants. In event of outbreak of Zoonotic disease Veterinarians are called upon to use their expertise in controlling the disease.
Veterinarians as administrators: Being accustomed to rigorous study schedule and hard work Veterinarians find it easy to crack Civil services Examinations like IAS, IFS, State Administrative Services etc. and many Veterinarians have in recent years made it to coveted positions in administration.
Besides there are number of other fields where services of Veterinarians are required
World Veterinary Day
On last Saturday of April every year the global Veterinary community comes together to celebrate World Veterinary Day. Created by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Veterinary Association (WVA), World Veterinary Day first celebrated in year 2001 is meant to raise public awareness about the important roles veterinarians undertake. The celebrations are cantered on focusing attention to the crucial role veterinarians play in the development of more sustainable Animal Husbandry practices, which improve not only the health of animals, but also the health and well-being of people and the environment. By implementing a One Health Approach, Veterinarians are working together with other health professionals to improve and develop new production systems that are also respectful of animal welfare and the environment, By doing so, veterinarians are contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to reduce poverty and ensure zero hunger, good health, and economic growth. Each year, WVA declares a theme for World Veterinary Day.
This year the theme for World Veterinary Day is Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness in Veterinary Profession. Along with the global Veterinarian Community, the Veterinarians at SKUAST of Kashmir comprising Scientists, Teachers, Extension workers, Students and Research Scholars celebrate World Veterinary Day with traditional enthusiasm at Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shuhama, Alusteng. On 29th of April 2023 the last Saturday of April this year SKUAST-K Veterinarians shall converge at the Faculty Lawns, where Chief Guest, Honble Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K shall unfurl the World Veterinary Association Flag and unveil the new issue of Vets Vision. This would be followed by a Veterinary Day Rally to Multi-speciality Veterinary Clinics, inauguration of Animal Clinical Camp, Felicitation of achievers, theme lecture by Organizing Secretary and scores of other programmes. The visit of School Children and retired Veterinarian shall also add colour to celebrations.
( The Author is a Veterinarian serving at SKUAST-K as Associate Director Research and Officer on Special Duty to Vice Chancellor The views expressed in the write-up are the views of the author and need not represent the views of the Institution. He can be contacted at azmatalamkhan@gmail.com)
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On World Veterinary Day Let us Celebrate the Diversity of the Noble ... - Rising Kashmir
MARCH is Endometriosis Action Month, the annual event that aims to shine a spotlight on the gynaecological disease that affects one in 10 women.
The condition, where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes, can present itself in a number of ways.
Symptoms include chronic, sometimes debilitating pelvic pain, painful periods, painful bowel and bladder movements, painful sex, fatigue, and difficulty getting pregnant, saysFaye Farthing, head of campaigns and communications at Endometriosis UK (endometriosis-uk.org).
The cause of endometriosis hasnt been determined by researchers, theres no known cure, and it can be difficult to get a diagnosis due to a lack of awareness and understanding of symptoms.
Treatment and management of symptoms can include surgery, hormonal treatments and painkillers, said Farthing.
Endometriosis and exercise
For those who have received a diagnosis, navigating exercise and pain can be a challenge, but there is some evidence that movement can help alleviate painful symptoms.
Guidance from the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE, eshre.eu) makes what it calls a cautious recommendation that those with endometriosis should consider exercise, says Farthing.
Its not just the physical effects that make a difference when it comes to chronic pain.
Exercise can help improve symptoms for some women who have endometriosis, helping them feel better, both mentally and physically, says Amanda Place, personal trainer and founder of Sculptrition (sculptrition.com).
The mood-boosting effects from exercise is especially important.
While Abbie Watkins, personal trainer at OriGym (origympersonaltrainercourses.co.uk), explains: Exercise, regardless of intensity and duration, releases endorphins, which help us feel happier and can prolong periods of time where endometriosis sufferers feel pain-free.
Thats why we talk about runners high but you dont have to embark on a gruelling fitness regime to get those endorphins flowing.
Slow and steady
My first tip would be to take it slowly, making time to find the balance between what works for you and your fitness levels, and what helps with your endometriosis, Watkins continues.
Too quickly, and youll run the risk of burning yourself out, or worsening the pain you feel.
Yoga, pilates, or any other type of low to moderate impact workouts, such as swimming, brisk walking and cycling, are typically the best types of exercise to opt for when experiencing endometriosis-related symptoms, Place advises.
She also suggests incorporating exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor, such as heel slides and Kegel exercises.
Aim to exercise 30 to 60 minutes a day, up to five days a week.
However, the most important thing you can do is listen to your body.
Overexercising can worsen pain, so pace yourself, take frequent breaks, and gradually increase the intensity of your workouts.
Yoga can also help, Watkins says: Certain yoga poses, such as the happy baby, chair pose, or mountain pose, offer significant benefits for the pelvic floor.
Farthing agrees that no matter what activity you choose, listening to your body is key: If in doubt, you should ask your GP, or another medical professional, such as a gynaecologist or endometriosis nurse specialist.
Particularly if youve had surgery, she says: Its really important to be careful with physical activity when recovering from surgery, so make sure you get advice from health professionals.
For an additional boost, you could buddy up with a friend, attend an exercise class or join a sports team.
Fitness includes benefits for mental health, especially if there is a social aspect to exercise, Farthing adds.
And we know that those with endometriosis are more likely than others to have symptoms of mental ill health.
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Can exercise help with Endometriosis? - EchoLive.ie