scholarly journals Foreword: A perspective on the role of emerging technologies for the propagation of companion animals, non-domestic and endangered species

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. iii ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique C. J. Paris ◽  
Gabriela F. Mastromonaco ◽  
Damien B. B. P. Paris ◽  
Rebecca L. Krisher
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Emerging Technologies ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Physiology ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Genetic Management ◽  
The Status

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have been used successfully in humans, domestic and laboratory species for many years. In contrast, our limited knowledge of basic reproductive physiology has restricted the application of ART in companion animal, non-domestic and endangered species (CANDES). Although there are numerous benefits, and in some cases a necessity, for applying ART for the reproductive and genetic management of CANDES, the challenges encountered with even the most basic procedures have limited the rate of progress. In this foreword we discuss the status of conventional ART, such as artificial insemination and in vitro fertilisation, as well as their benefits and inherent difficulties when applied to CANDES. It is upon these techniques, and ultimately our knowledge of basic reproductive physiology, that the success of emerging technologies, such as those described in this special issue, are dependent for success.

scholarly journals May I have your uterus? The contribution of considering complexities preceding live uterus transplantation

2021 ◽  
pp. medhum-2020-011864
Author(s):  
Lisa Guntram
Keyword(s):  
Medical Humanities ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Medical Innovation ◽  
Uterus Transplantation ◽  
Ethical Debate ◽  
Care And Support ◽  
Different Dimensions

Uterus transplantation combined with in vitro fertilisation (IVF) (henceforth called UTx-IVF) as a treatment for infertility caused by an absence or malfunction of the uterus is advancing. About 50 transplantations have been conducted worldwide and at least 14 children have been born—9 of them by women taking part in a Swedish research project on UTx-IVF. The Swedish research protocol initially stated that the potential recipient must ‘have her own donor’ who is preferably related to the recipient. But what does it mean to ask someone for a uterus? What challenges does this question instigate? And what norms may it enact? In this article, I explore how 10 women—who have considered, and sometimes pursued, UTx-IVF—describe their experiences of searching for a donor. I aim to show how an analysis of such accounts can help us unpack some of the specific relational and gendered dimensions of UTx-IVF and by doing so enrich discussions of risks, benefits, care and support in UTx-IVF. Drawing on research in social sciences and medical humanities that has demonstrated how assisted reproductive technologies and organ donation can provoke social and familial conundrums, with respect to such topics as embodiment and identity, I present three patterns that describe different dimensions of the interviewees’ quest for a uterus donor. I discuss the negotiations that took place, how expectations unfolded and how entanglements were managed as the interviewees considered asking someone for a donation. Such an examination, I suggest, contributes to make care and support more attuned to the experiences and entanglements that UTx-IVF entails for those pursuing it. This will become increasingly important if (or when) UTx-IVF becomes part of general healthcare. To conclude, I problematise responsibilities and relational challenges in medical innovation, and in this way provide insights into how the ethical debate over UTx-IVF can broaden its scope.

Rare occurrence of Tetralogy of Fallot in dizygotic twins conceived via in vitro fertilisation

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 1541-1542
Author(s):  
Jason W. Greenberg ◽  
Chetana Reddy ◽  
Charles B. Huddleston
Keyword(s):  
Tetralogy Of Fallot ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Rare Occurrence ◽  
Dizygotic Twins

AbstractAn increased incidence of CHD has been noted in twin gestations and in infants conceived using assisted reproductive technologies. However, CHD in these populations remains understudied and the mechanisms underlying these phenomena remain unclear. We present the case of twins conceived via in vitro fertilisation both with Tetralogy of Fallot and additional cardiac and extracardiac malformations.

Is it ethical to provide IVF add-ons when there is no evidence of a benefit if the patient requests it?

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 346-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mila Stefanova Zemyarska
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Unborn Child ◽  
Effective Adjunct ◽  
Psychological Benefit

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) ‘add-ons’ are therapeutic or diagnostic tools developed in an endeavour to improve the success rate of infertility treatment. However, there is no conclusive evidence that these interventions are a beneficial or effective adjunct of assisted reproductive technologies. Additionally, IVF add-ons are often implemented in clinical practice before their safety can be thoroughly ascertained. Yet, patients continue to request and pay large sums for such additional IVF tools. Hence, this essay set out to examine if it is ethical to provide IVF add-ons when there is no evidence of a benefit if the patient requests it. In order to determine what is ethical—namely, morally good and righteous, the question was considered in relation to three key values of medical ethics—autonomy, beneficence and non-maleficence. It was determined that providing IVF add-ons might be morally acceptable in specific circumstances, if true informed consent can be given, there is a potential of cost-effective physiological or psychological benefit and the risk of harm is minimal, particularly with regard to the unborn child.

116 DEVELOPMENT OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE ENDANGERED MISSISSIPPI GOPHER FROG (RANA SEVOSA) AND SPERM TRANSFER FOR IN VITRO FERTILIZATION

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 170 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Kouba ◽  
E. Willis ◽  
C. Vance ◽  
S. Hasenstab ◽  
S. Reichling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Leopard Frog ◽  
Genetic Management ◽  
Mississippi Gopher Frog

Species-specific differences in breeding strategies and physiology have limited the application of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) for critically endangered amphibians in captive assurance colonies. In 2006, the Memphis Zoo (MZ) initiated a program to develop ART for the critically endangered Mississippi gopher frog after natural breeding failed. Standard gamete collection and IVF developed by MZ for reproducing endangered toads such as the Wyoming or boreal toad were applied to the gopher frog with little success, especially hormonal therapy for sperm production. Using the leopard frog as a model species for Ranids, we tested the time and dose dependence of a luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogue (LHRHa) and hCG on sperm quantity and quality. Initial findings from the leopard frog study were critical in designing the study on gopher frogs. Our objectives were to (1) compare 2 different hormones administered intraperitoneal (500 IU hCG vs 15 μg LHRHa) or their combination on spermiation in gopher frogs; (2) develop in vivo oocyte maturation and ovulation protocols using LHRHa (15 μg) and hCG (500 IU); and (3) transfer this technology to another institution as proof of principle. In gopher frogs, 100 and 83% of the males produced sperm in response to the LHRHa and the combination treatment, respectively, whereas only 16% responded to hCG alone. Sperm concentration peaked at 1 h post-administration for all treatments, with the LHRH/hCG cocktail treatment producing the highest concentration of sperm (mean = 4.6 × 106 ± 1.2 × 106 sperm mL–1, n = 6). No differences in motility were observed between treatments (P > 0.05). For females, a series of priming hormones of hCG and LHRHa were given several months before an ovulatory hormone regimen resulting in ovulation by 100% of the females (n = 6), whereas animals not primed failed to ovulate (n = 4). These 3 separate priming and IVF trials conducted between 2008 and 2010 resulted in each female laying ∼2000 eggs, with an average fertilization rate of 76% for inseminated eggs and hundreds of tadpoles produced. These IVF tadpoles represent the first captive reproduction of gopher frogs and highlight how ART can be applied to conservation and genetic management of threatened species. Subsequently, we tested our IVF protocols on gopher frogs at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo using fresh (collected on site) and chilled, shipped sperm from MZ. We collected 6169 eggs from 9 hormone-primed females with all animals ovulating. A portion of the total eggs ovulated were inseminated, resulting in 2401 fertilized eggs (38.9% of total eggs collected) across 18 different male–female pairings leading to viable tadpoles. In addition, sperm transferred overnight from the MZ produced 202/441 fertilized eggs (46%). The transfer of this technology and production of endangered amphibians using chilled, shipped sperm from live animals is a conservation milestone that can be applied to other captive breeding programs.

246 IN VITRO PRODUCTION OF SPRINGBOK (ANTIDORCAS MARSUPIALIS) EMBRYOS

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 239 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Krisher ◽  
A. Auer ◽  
K. Clark ◽  
K. Emsweller ◽  
S. Rogers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Genetic Management ◽  
Blastocyst Development ◽  
Antidorcas Marsupialis

The objective of this experiment was to develop in vitro embryo production (IVP) technologies in springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis), a southern African antelope. Springbok, a fairly common species on game farms in parts of South Africa, may be used as a model species for gamete rescue and IVP techniques to be applied to the conservation of other threatened antelope species. Springbok belong to the family bovidae, subfamily antilopinae, tribe antilopini, which comprises about twenty species in genera Gazella, Antilope, Procapra, Antidorcas, Litocranius, and Ammodorcas. In this tribe alone, there are 4 species or subspecies that are critically endangered, 3 that are endangered, and 10 that are considered vulnerable, demonstrating the need for antelope conservation efforts. In addition, our studies contributed to the South African biological resource bank, so that banked springbok semen and embryos might be used in the future for managed genetic contribution to isolated captive or wild populations via assisted reproductive technologies. Oocytes were recovered (3 replicates) from ovaries obtained at supervised culls for management purposes in South Africa, and cultured in defined Gmat or undefined TCM-199 with FCS maturation medium for 28-30 h (Brad et al. 2004 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 16, 223). Oocytes were fertilized with frozen-thawed springbok epididymal spermatozoa in modified SOF fertilization medium with caffeine (Herrick et al. 2004 Biol. Reprod. 71, 948–958). Eighteen hours after insemination, a randomly selected subset of the zygotes were fixed to determine fertilization success. The remaining zygotes were cultured in G1/G2 media. On Day 7 of culture, embryos were analyzed for development to the morula or blastocyst stage. A total of 259 selected oocytes were collected from 50 females (5.2 selected oocytes/female on average). There was no difference in the percentage of oocytes normally fertilized (2 pronuclei, PN) between oocytes matured in Gmat (n= 43; 12%) and those matured in TCM-199 (n= 42; 10%). There were significantly (P < 0.05) more oocytes penetrated (e2 PN) when matured in TCM (50%) compared to Gmat (23%). There were no differences in embryonic cleavage or morula/blastocyst development (of total oocytes inseminated) between treatments (Gmat,n= 89, 54%, 9.0%; TCM-199, n= 85, 68%, 9.4%, respectively). In both treatments, the average blastocyst grade was 2.125 using the standard bovine grading system (Curtis, Cattle Embryo Transfer Procedure, 1991). In conclusion, in vitro oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo culture to the blastocyst stage is possible in springbok. Importantly, blastocysts can be produced in vitro under semi-defined conditions, demonstrating that oocyte maturation without serum does support developmental competence. This is important for the potential international movement of IVP embryos to be used for genetic management in the conservation of antelope species.

scholarly journals Infertility and the excruciating pursuit of motherhood

2021 ◽  
pp. 01-02
Author(s):  
Urmila G
Keyword(s):  
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Intrauterine Insemination ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Infertility Treatment ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Natural Conception ◽  
Graphic Description

What’s a Lemon Squeezer Doing in My Vagina? is a memoir of Rohini S Rajagopal’s excruciating five-year long fight with infertility and her journey to motherhood. After several failed attempts at natural conception and many negative home pregnancy tests, the author and her husband Ranjith visit a fertility centre in Bangalore. Rajagopal delivers a graphic description of the physical and emotional unpleasantness of her infertility treatment and also gives a vivid account of her experiences with the assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) such as the intrauterine insemination (IUIs), in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is facilitated by directly injecting a man’s sperm into the woman’s uterus around the time the eggs emerge from the ovaries.

scholarly journals Twin pregnancy, fetal reduction and the 'all or nothing problem’

2020 ◽  
pp. medethics-2020-106938
Author(s):  
Joona Räsänen
Keyword(s):  
Moral Theory ◽  
Twin Pregnancy ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Multiple Pregnancy ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Singleton Pregnancy ◽  
Fetal Reduction ◽  
Health Related

Fetal reduction is the practice of reducing the number of fetuses in a multiple pregnancy, such as quadruplets, to a twin or singleton pregnancy. Use of assisted reproductive technologies increases the likelihood of multiple pregnancies, and many fetal reductions are done after in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer, either because of social or health-related reasons. In this paper, I apply Joe Horton’s all or nothing problem to the ethics of fetal reduction in the case of a twin pregnancy. I argue that in the case of a twin pregnancy, there are two intuitively plausible claims: (1) abortion is morally permissible, and (2) it is morally wrong to abort just one of the fetuses. But since we should choose morally permissible acts rather than impermissible ones, the two claims lead to another highly implausible claim: the woman ought to abort both fetuses rather than only one. Yet, this does not seem right. A plausible moral theory cannot advocate such a pro-death view. Or can it? I suggest ways to solve this problem and draw implications for each solution.

Procreative Liberty and Harm to Offspring in Assisted Reproduction

2004 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A. Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Child Rearing ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Procreative Liberty ◽  
Ethical Debate ◽  
The Status

Assisted reproductive technologies (“ARTs”) have enabled many infertile couples to have children but have long been controversial. Opposition initially focused on the “unnaturalness” of laboratory conception and the doubts that healthy children would result. Once children were born, ethical debate shifted to the status and ownership of embryos and the novel forms of family that could result.The new century has brought forth both new and old ethical concerns. The growing capacity to screen the genomes of embryos has sparked fears of eugenic selection and alteration. In addition, concerns about safety have reasserted themselves. Several studies suggest that in vitro fertilization (“IVF”) may be associated with lower birth weights and major malformations. Ethical attention has also focused on whether all persons seeking ARTs should be granted access to them, regardless of their child-rearing ability, age, disability, health status, marital status, or sexual orientation.

scholarly journals Live birth after in vitro maturation versus standard in vitro fertilisation for women with polycystic ovary syndrome: protocol for a non-inferiority randomised clinical trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. e035334
Author(s):  
Xiaoying Zheng ◽  
Wei Guo ◽  
Lin Zeng ◽  
Danni Zheng ◽  
Shuo Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Live Birth ◽  
In Vitro Maturation ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Infertile Women

IntroductionPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the first common cause of anovulatory infertility. Currently, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is recommended when conventional attempts have failed. In vitro maturation (IVM) of human oocytes is an emerging treatment option in infertile women with PCOS. It is a patient-friendly intervention, avoiding the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which is a serious complication of controlled ovarian stimulation in the standard IVF procedure. We plan a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate whether IVM is non-inferior to the standard IVF for live birth in women with PCOS.Methods and analysisThis is a single-centre, open-label, non-inferiority RCT performed in a large reproductive medicine centre in China. Infertile women with PCOS will be randomised to receive either IVM or standard IVF in a 1:1 treatment ratio after informed consent. IVF procedures used in our study are all standard treatments and other standard-assisted reproductive technologies will be similar between the two groups. The primary outcome is ongoing pregnancy leading to live birth within 6 months of the first oocyte retrieval cycle after randomisation. Pregnancy outcome, maternal safety and obstetric and perinatal complications will be secondary outcomes. The planned sample size is 350 (175 per group).Ethics and disseminationEthical permission was acquired from the Ethics Committee of Peking University Third Hospital. The results will be issued to publications through scientific journals and conference reports.Trial registration numberNCT03463772.

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