Laurel Fertility Care Doctors Attend ESHRE
Friday, July 16 – San Francisco, Calif. - Laurel Fertility Care Medical Director, Dr. Collin Smikle, and Lab Director, Dr. Marlane Angle, returned to San Francisco after attending the European Society of Human Reproductive Embryology (ESHRE) Annual Meeting in Rome, Italy June 27-30, 2010. Attendees of the ESHRE meeting included some of the top reproductive health professionals in the world – from doctors to leading researchers.
During the four day meeting, 19 researchers shared the latest global research on fertility treatments and advancements in the reproductive field. Recapping the week, Laurel Fertility Care doctors highlighted these key learning points:
- Vitrification is the preferred method for cyropreseriving human embryos. Several presentations at the meeting validated our current method of cryopreserving embryos. Vitrification is a way to rapidly freeze eggs and embryos and has begun to replace the traditional method of freezing called slow cooling that has been done since 1985. Several reports at ESHRE documented that survival rates of vitrified embryos exceed those of slow cooled embryos and that pregnancy rates are better. Our current recovery rates of 99.6% of the embryos frozen, and survival of 98.6% of the embryos are slightly, but not significantly better, than some of the reported data (survival rates of 95-96%). Miscarriage, premature delivery, and congenital defect rates after vitrification were reported as being similar to these rates in fresh transfers. All of this information confirms that vitrification is the preferred method for cryopreserving human embryos. (Abstracts O-028, van Loendersloot et al; O-029, Oka et al; O-030, Nagy, et al; O-031, Fasano et al; and O-032, Sipe et al. Human Reproduction 25: Supplement 1, 2010.)
- The safety of Pre-Implantation Genetics analysis is questionable but breakthrough technology is being developed. Pre-Implantation Genetics analysis of eggs and embryos continues to be a “hot-button” topic with some investigators suggesting that the method may be more harmful than useful, but others reporting that the information gleaned using this technology may justify the potential decrease in pregnancy rates for some selected groups of patients such as those seeking family balancing and those with inherited familial genetic diseases. Currently the PGD technology is developing quickly, with several new types of testing being available to clinics including ”snip” and array CGH (Continuous Genomic Hybridization) of polar bodies, multicell embryos or blastocysts. Laurel Fertility is working with several testing sites to provide multiple venues of testing depending upon the need for patients seeking PGD services for family balancing, chromosomal translocations, or single gene defects, all groups who may benefit from PGD testing. (Abstract O-041, Harper, et al; O-156, van Uum, et al; O-157, Ling et al; O-158, Mir et al; O-160, Labarta et al).
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Physician Leaves Laurel Fertility Care
San Francisco – CA – Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh leaves Laurel Fertility Care as of June 1, 2010.
Dr. Eyvazzadeh will leave her position at Laurel Fertility Care. She will continue to see her patients at Laurel Fertility Care through the end of their treatments but will no longer treat new Laurel Fertility Care patients.
As a result of this transition, Laurel Fertility Care will no longer treat patients in the San Ramon satellite office. However, patients can still be treated in the San Francisco, Modesto, and Mill Valley locations.
“Dr. Eyvazzadeh has been a valuable associate of Laurel Fertility Care,” said Dr. Lee Kao, “we wish her all the best on her upcoming pursuits.”
Dr. Collin Smikle, medical director of Laurel Fertility Care commented, “Dr. Eyvazzadeh has been a great addition to our practice and will be missed.”
Laurel Fertility Care
Located in the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Valley, Laurel Fertility Care is a renowned fertility practice led by highly respected reproductive endocrinologists. Our practice combines cutting edge science and holistic mind body practices to help you achieve your dreams of parenthood. Join us for a free seminar Understanding Fertility & Achieving Results by calling 1-888-442-3888 or visiting http://laurelfertility.com.
For more information or media requests contact:
Carlie Hanson
415.673.9199
Fertility treatment: Linked to higher risk of autism?
By Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh
Two very interesting studies were presented on May 20th at the International Meeting for Autism Research in Philadelphia.
The first study showed that 34 percent of 111 moms with an autistic child used fertility drugs compared to 24 percent of 3,900 mothers without an autistic child. Another Israeli study reported that about 10.2 percent of 461 children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder were conceived using IVF, while about 3.5 percent of children in the general Israeli population are conceived that way, according to the study.
How can fertility doctors knowingly put patients at risk for autism? As a fertility expert, there are several reasons why I think that women conceiving with fertility drugs may have a higher risk of having an autistic child. I think the increased risk is likely unrelated to the treatment and due to other factors. Here’s why:
- Women who are carriers for Fragile X syndrome can suffer from infertility. Fragile X syndrome may cause autism in some children. These studies demonstrate how important it is to screen infertile women for Fragile X syndrome pre-pregnancy. Ask your doctor if screening is right for you. It isn’t clear if the moms in the studies were also screened for Fragile X.
- The combination of older paternal age with younger maternal age has been shown (recent UC Davis study) to increase the risk of autism. Many women who use donor eggs are using the eggs of women in their 20s. Eggs from women under 30 combined with paternal age >60 may increase autism risk. The studies have not been published yet so we don’t know whether they accounted for whether donor eggs were used or not.
- Studies have shown that older women are at risk of having a child with autism. Older women tend to use fertility treatments more often than young women. So perhaps we are seeing an age effect. This is definitely something that we need to take very seriously as more and more women are delaying childbearing.
Learning more about the relationship between autism and fertility treatments is very important to me and Laurel Fertility Care. We continue to do our best to give our patients their highest chances of a having a healthy baby.
Laurel Fertility Care Sponsors Choice Moms Networking Workshop
Friday, May 21 – San Francisco, Calif. - Laurel Fertility Care served as a sponsor at the Choice Moms networking workshop in downtown San Francisco on Sunday, May 16. The workshop included small group discussions focused on the fertility and health, finance, stress of a single mother.
The event kicked off with an open group discussion on building a non-traditional family. Many women in the group addressed concerns regarding how to discuss their choice to be a single mom with family and friends – especially with those who do not understand the woman’s decision to be a single parent. Alice Ruby (The Sperm Bank of California), Anne Bernstein (author “Flight of the Stork”) therapist Jean Benward, and Carla Pedrussian (California Cryobank) answered a plethora of questions.
Following the open group non-traditional family conversation, attendees were invited to open roundtable discussions about enhancing fertility and health. On behalf of Laurel Fertility Care, Medical Director Dr. Collin Smikle served as part of the fertility panel discussing fertility options along with fertility specialist Kristin Kali, LM CPM (MIAI Midwifery and Fertility Services LLC). Fertility questions ranged from “what are my options after forty?” to “for me, it’s either IVF or IUI – which do I choice? How should I choose?” Dr. Collin Smikle urged these women to consider what their goals truly are and to remember factors besides their age, including their financial status, emotional state, and supportive environment. Overall these women’s concerns amplified the need for more fertility support among trying and waiting single mothers.
Choice Moms attendees shifted gears to discussing financial options with financial planner, Jennifer I Napper and estate planner Melinda Osterloh. The discussion was led by an overwhelming amount of financial questions by Choice Mom attendees. Speakers provided financial resources – some which are posted on ChoiceMoms.org.
A full group discussion followed up the workshop with stress relief discussions and organizational tips from Judy the Organized Woman and A Clear Vision Organizing. Advice magnified the importance of balancing and how to unload your schedule to help prepare to be a single mother.
The workshop ended with a raffle and giveaway. Among the contributors, Laurel Fertility Care surprised one lucky Choice Mom’s attendee with a $1500 care plan from Laurel Fertility Care. All attendees were invited to complimentary services at Laurel Fertility Care following their participation at the workshop.
Many thanks to Choice Moms founder, Mikki Morrisette for inviting Laurel Fertility Care to meet the Choice Moms of the Bay Area. As a returning networking workshop, Choice Moms is a worldwide community serving all women who are thinking, trying, waiting, becoming, or being a single mother.
Laurel Fertility Care
Located in the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Valley, Laurel Fertility Care is a renowned fertility practice led by highly respected reproductive endocrinologists. Our practice combines cutting edge science and holistic mind body practices to help you achieve your dreams of parenthood. Join us for a free seminar Understanding Fertility & Achieving Results by calling 1-888-442-3888 or visiting http://laurelfertility.com.
For more information or media requests contact:
Carlie Hanson
415.673.9199
The Life of an Egg – 3 of 3
Days Three to Seven
Original article, The First Day
Continued from The Second and Third Days
If we leave pre-embryos in culture for two or three more days, some of them will reach the next stage of development called the blastocyst. A blastocyst has about 30-100 cells and the cells have become specialized. A big fluid-filled cavity forms inside the mass of cells and pushes the cells to the outside. The outermost ring of cells is called the Trophectoderm and will eventually become the placenta. An additional group of cells will be pushed to one spot beside the Trophectoderm. This layer is called the Inner Cell Mass and will eventually become the baby. Once the cells of the Inner Cell Mass begin to develop independently of the trophoblast then this group of cells is now called the embryo.
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Laurel Fertility Care’s LGBT Safe & Friendly policy
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The Life of an Egg – 2 of 3
The Second and Third Days
Continued from The First Day
About 24 hours after insertion of sperm, the zygote begins to divide. Now it is called a pre-embryo. Technically it will be a pre-embryo for several days—until well past the time of implantation—but we tend to just call them embryos even though the term is not correct. 
The one cell divides into two, then the two cells each split into two, so the pre-embryo may have 3 or 4 cells, depending on the timing of each cell’s division. Two days after egg retrieval we expect the embryos to be at the 2-4 cell stage. Sometimes, if we are putting back all the embryos that we have, we will transfer embryos on Day 2.
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The Life of an Egg – 1 of 3
The First Day
Human eggs or oocytes grow in the ovary in structures called follicles. During an IVF cycle the growth of follicles generally tells the physician whether or not the eggs are becoming mature. But the doctor cannot see an egg in the follicle because it is too small to be seen using ultrasound. Usually however, mature eggs come from follicles bigger than 14-16 mm in diameter. 
When eggs are removed from follicles on Day 0 (the day of egg retrieval) it is difficult to tell if they are mature or not because they are surrounded by a mass of cells called the cumulus. If we remove these cells and look very closely at the egg we can tell how mature it is. A mature egg has a small structure called a polar body that lies next to the egg, beneath the outer shell, or membrane, that surrounds the egg. An intermediate stage egg will not have this polar body. An immature egg has a structure inside it called a germinal vesicle.
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What Can Men Do to Help Improve a Couple’s Chance of Pregnancy?
Approximately 1 in 10 couples are infertile, and male factors alone contribute to 30% of these cases. Though most men produce millions of sperm a day, external factors (like temperature) can affect the health of sperm. Here are several factors that may affect a man’s sperm.
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Coping with Infertility During the Holidays
The holiday season is a very stressful time of year. It can be even more stressful for those suffering from infertility. The holidays are filled with family get-togethers which can bring out a variety of emotions, especially if everyone is talking about their babies, children, and their pregnancies. You may even get pressure from family and friends, who do not know your struggle, to start a family.
What can you do to get through this time with the least amount of emotional pain?
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Our Holiday Thanks and Renewal
As we celebrate the best of American tradition with our friends and families for Thanksgiving and the holiday season, we at the Laurel Fertility Care want to send you our warmest best wishes to you and your loved ones!
We are proud of our quality of care, as well as our honest and sincere practice! We have just been re-inspected by IMQ of California (Institute for Medical Quality–similar to JCAHO) in October 2009, and are fully certified for the next 3 years. Our laboratory has also just passed our regular CAP (College of American Pathologists) inspection and is fully accredited until our next regular inspection in December 2010.
We are thankful to have you as our friends and supporters, in helping many patients form their families! Above all, we will continue to strive for the best outcome for our patients!!
Preparing Yourself for Pregnancy Test Results
Going through infertility treatments is tough. It takes a toll on your emotions, your relationships with your partner, loved ones and friends. Many people think that taking the medications is the toughest part of going through infertility treatments but what many people don’t talk about is how difficult the waiting period can be from the time the treatment is over – either an ovulation, insemination or embryo transfer to the time of the pregnancy test. Waiting for the pregnancy test result is emotionally draining. Preparing yourself for that wait is essential for your emotional well-being.
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Acupuncture’s Effect on the Thyroid
Sticking Your Neck Out to Enhance Fertility
The thyroid is a tiny gland with an enormous impact on the health and well-being of the entire body. Under functioning of this gland, or hypothyroidism, affects approximately 1 out of every 12 women. However, thyroid conditions can be sub-clinical, or go unnoticed for many years. Every cell in the body needs small amounts of thyroid hormone for optimal functioning. So, when this gland is compromised, many aspects of health can diminish, including fertility.
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An Update on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS – is it all in your head?
Our very own Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, along with researchers at University of Michigan have recently published their findings showing that Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a disease affecting the brain.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a very common problem – affecting about six million women in the United States. Polycystic ovary syndrome is defined as having two out of the following three signs or symptoms: irregular or even absent periods, evidence of high androgen or male hormone levels (acne and hair growth are a couple of signs); and/or polycystic appearing ovaries – this refers to multiple, small follicles seen on the ovary.
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Advances in Fertility Science
HIV Positive Male Patients Now Have Options for Fertility
Nearly 1 million Americans are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) . Infection primarily occurs in young, reproductively competent individuals. Combination antiretroviral therapy has produced radical improvements in life expectancy and quality of life for both children and adults infected with HIV in the US.
According to a recent survey, one third of HIV positive adults are interested in becoming parents. However, safe sex practices requires the use of condoms. Following such guidelines precludes these individuals any hope of pregnancy without physician assistance. Years of HIV research has now prompted health care providers to address the fertility needs of HIV positive patients.
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Fertility Risk Factors
There are many risk factors that may affect your fertility. Sometimes you can make changes today that may have an effect later down the line. The physicians at Laurel Fertility Care are happy to discuss these options with you.
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Journey to Parenthood
Oftentimes going through fertility treatments can give the feeling of being powerless. We have come up with many ways that can help you feel empowered during your journey. Below are a few suggestions that can help make that happen.
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Approaching 40 and planning on having another child?
Age and Infertility
Many women are planning on having another child, and many more are facing a dilemma whether they have to do it with medical help or not, as they are approaching or are over the age of 40.
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Egg Freezing
What’s all the Buzz About Freezing Your Eggs?
If you are young, single, still pursuing a degree or a career, or simply not ready to start a family, you may have noticed all the press about egg freezing. If you are pretty sure you want kids, but you have questions… ‘Where do I go?’, ‘Whom do I talk to?’, ‘Is this going to work?’ Here are some of those answers.
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Multiple Births and IVF
Octuplets: Laurel Fertility Care’s perspective on the impact for Fertility Patients
The birth of octuplets to 33-year-old Los Angeles resident Nadya Suleman has heightened the ethical debate surrounding the use of fertility treatments. Ms. Suleman has now become in many ways the “poster child” for an anti-infertility treatment campaign. We, at Laurel Fertility Care want to assure our patients that the octuplet birth resulting in the huge media blitz, should not prevent patients with infertility from seeking help, simply out of fear that they may also have a multiple birth. Our goal of each treatment cycle at Laurel Fertility Care is one healthy child.
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